Advanced Writing Practice Part I – “The Knight’s Tale”
Name: Date: Period:
Varied Sentence Beginnings
1. Two Adjectives
A. Separated by a conjunction
Ex.:Studious and responsible, Mike reviewed his vocabulary for the upcoming quiz.
Ex.:Tired yet determined, Susie finished her homework into the late hours of the night.
B. Separated by a comma
Ex.: Studious, responsible students review vocabulary nightly in anticipation for the quiz.
2. Adverb(s)
A. TWO adverbs separated by a conjunction
Ex.:Quickly and silently, the cat pounced on its prey.
Ex.:Concisely but eloquently, José delivered his important message.
B. ONE adverb
Ex.: Steadfastly,Shinneakapursued her ambition of becoming a journalist.
Individual Practice – Write four original sentences.
- Use two adjectives with conjunction
- Use two adjectives with comma
- Use two adverbs
- Use one adverb
Voice of Verbs: Active vs. Passive Voice
The voice of a verb indicates whether the subject performs the action or is acted upon. An action verb is in the active voice when the verb’s subject performs the action. An action verb is in the passive voice when its action is performed on the subject.
Active Voice: Derek took the pictures.
Passive Voice: The pictures were taken by Derek.
You form the passive voice by using a form of the verb be(is, are, was, were, be, been, have, has) with the past participle of a verb. The active voice is a stronger way of expressing what you want to say. Use the passive voice, however, if you do not want to call attention to the performer of the action of if you do not know the performer.
Ex. The eyeglasses were broken. [It may not matter who broke them.]
Ex. The flag has been raised. [You may not know who raised it.]
Practice 1: For each of the following sentences, write A on the blank if the verb is in active voice or write P if it is in passive voice.
1.______Colonists in America discovered the sassafras tree.
2.______Sassafras was advertised as a magic cure-all.
3.______Colonists quickly developed a flourishing trade in sassafras.
4.______Sassafras reportedly cured ailments from headaches to arthritis.
5.______Evil spirits supposedly were repelled by sassafras.
Active vs. Passive verbs (continued)
Practice 2. Rewrite each of the following sentences so that the verb is in active voice.
Ex. Anchorage, Alaska, was struck by a strong earthquake in 1964.
Rewrite: In 1964, a strong earthquake struck Anchorage, Alaska.
- Many people were killed by falling buildings.
Active Verb
- Nearby towns were flooded by tidal waves.
Active Verb
Quote Integration
Rule 1: Context Lead-in – Incorporate quotes into your writing by providing context
- Explain who says it (if dialogue), when the quote takes place, and what is happening
Example:Upon hearing the mournful women’s story about the cruelty of Creon, Duke Theseus, ruler of Athens and conqueror of the Amazons, vows that he “would take vengeance on this tyrant king,…with the death he deserved” (lines103-106).
- Transition (For example, + when/while/because/even though + information + quote
Example:After swearing not to return to Athens until Creon is vanquished, Theseus rides to Thebes where he slays Creon and then “to the ladies he restored again/The bones belonging to their husbands slain” (lines 133-134).
Individual Practice – Write four original sentences with Context Lead-ins.
- (Palamon’s Personality)
- (Arcite’s Personality)
- (Palamon’s Personality WITH 2 adjective sentence beginning)
- (Arcite’s Personality WITH adverb sentence beginning)
Homework – Due tomorrow
On your own paper, write a paragraph on the following prompt:
Even this early in the story, what actions/words by Theseus show his obedience to the rules of chivalry? (Do NOT use examples used on this sheet).
Requirements:
Topic Sentence answers the prompt
Appropriate commentary
Active Voice throughout
2 quotes incorporated using Context Lead-ins
2 sentences using two adjectives and/or adverb varied sentence beginnings