Punctuation Refresher
I am a dramatic pause, an emphatic break,
I set off thoughts for clarity's sake!
I can wrap round a phrase—like this one right here—
To make extra details stand out bold and clear.
Or I sit at the end, when the tension grows high,
To reveal a big surprise—like a phantom in the sky!
Longer than a hyphen, bolder than a comma or dot,
I add style and punch to the main story plot.
Dash
Give Mr. Rahn some examples of high level words that you can see in persuasive writing. (Key words and emotional language)
I will check
Every October, big candy companies launch a massive campaign of propaganda to convince the public that chocolate is the only acceptable trick-or-treat reward. For instance, television commercials and social media ads flood the internet with clever slogans, falsely suggesting that houses handing out fruit or pretzels are ruining Halloween.
What does propaganda mean?
campaign, advertisement, movement
The dark, crimson dust coating each tightly rolled chip transforms the snack into a formidable culinary challenge. Adjacent to the fiery outer seasoning, a crunchy corn shell reveals a pale, golden center built to sustain intense heat. Directly above the bowl, a sharp, sour lime aroma fills the air, signaling the intense flavor packed into every bite. What does Mr. Rahn see here? A pack of blue takis.
What is the text structure of this paragraph?
Description
Jot down the five text structures and give Mr. Rahn one key word or phrase for each.
Ill check
I stand at the end of a complete main line,
To introduce items, or thoughts that clarify mine.
I can launch a long list, or an example that's bright,
Or join two whole thoughts when the second shines light.
Unlike my cousin the semi, who balances two,
I stop you right here... for what follows is new!
Two dots stacked like buttons, neatly arrayed,
Preparing your eyes for the big reveal made.
Colon
Mr. Rahn is reading a book. He begins to see that an author is using facts, data, statistics, and unbiased facts rather than opinions to try and teach him about a topic. mr. rahn can infer that the author's purpose is to...
Inform!
Unlike his loud and hysterical friends who screamed at every shadow in the haunted maze, Marcus remained remarkably stoic throughout the entire tour. He kept a calm expression on his face, showing no fear or emotion at all. His quiet confidence helped keep the rest of the group from panicking.
What does stoic mean?
Calm, cool, collected
To initiate the movie process, the theater crew unlocks the gates at six o’clock on Friday evening, clearing the drive-in lot for incoming cars. In the moments leading up to the movie, as dusk settles over the screen, small groups of teenagers gather near the concession stand to plan their evening undetected. Ultimately, as the projector lamp illuminates the darkness, the boys slip into the shadows of the back row, securing their front-row view of the weekend ahead. when it is all said and done, the boys meet a soc named Cherry, who ends up becoming an important piece in the Outsiders.
What is the text structure of this paragraph?
Sequence
Describe the trick you can use to remember the difference between author's Purpose and PIE.
(P)urpose= (P)IE= Persuade, Inform, and Entertain
I walk between clauses, I pause for a breath, I save "Let's eat, Grandma!" from an untimely death.
I list off your items—apples, berries, and tea— And separate cities from states gracefully.
I sit at the bottom, a small curved-tail hook, Guiding your eyes as you read through a book.
What am I?
Comma
Suddenly, a chilling howl echoed through the neighborhood, causing Leo to drop his bag of chocolate bars onto the cold pavement. As if on cue, the flickering streetlights clicked off one by one, plunging the trick-or-treaters into total darkness. Leo held his breath, staring down the dimly lit driveway where a shadowy figure silently glided into view. To his utter surprise, the monster slowly pulled off its mask, revealing his little sister grinning with a handful of gummy worms.
What is the author's purpose of the paragraph above?
To entertain
While exploring the abandoned mansion, the ghost hunters found the dimly lit cellar completely desolate. Similarly, the overgrown yard outside was entirely empty, barren, and stripped of all life. The quiet atmosphere made every single step sound like a crack of thunder.
What does the word desolate mean?
Empty, barren, abandoned, not much going on
Every October, big candy companies launch a massive propaganda campaign—for instance, flooding television and social media with clever slogans that falsely suggest fruit-handing houses ruin Halloween. Whereas health advocates promote nutritious options. Both of these manipulative advertisements trick consumers into spending billions on overpriced treats. Consequently, buyers must resist this corporate brainwashing and support healthier trick-or-treat alternatives.
What is the text structure of this paragraph?
Compare and Contrast
To resolve the seasonal increase in nighttime pedestrian accidents every October 31st, suburban communities have implemented structured Halloween safety protocols for young trick-or-treaters. Through this strategic initiative, parents equip children with reflective tape, high-visibility glow sticks, and LED flashlights before they hit the streets at dusk. Consequently, drivers can easily spot kids from a distance, drastically reducing neighborhood traffic hazards and ensuring a secure evening for families.
What is the text structure of the paragraph above?
Problem and Solution
Although the ghost hunters searched the haunted house for over three hours, they kept focusing on one main goal: finding the witch's lost ring before midnight.
What is the colon doing in this sentence?
A. It joins two complete sentences.
B. It introduces an explanation that specifically defines the "one main goal."
C. It introduces a list of safety rules and goals for entering the house.
D. It shows that the ghost hunters are starting to lose motivation.
B It introduces an explanation that specifically defines the "one main goal."
Without a doubt, the single best night for Halloween to take place is on a Friday night. First of all, when trick-or-treating happens on a Friday, kids can stay out late gathering King-Size candy bars without worrying about waking up early for school the next morning. Furthermore, studies show that parents feel much less stressed when managing costume prep and candy consumption at the end of the work week. Therefore, every community must support moving Halloween celebrations to the last Friday of October so everyone can enjoy their sweet treats to the fullest.
What is the author's purpose of the paragraph above?
Persuade
The scientist carefully poured a glowing blue liquid from his glass flask to complete his final potion. He believed he had created an elixir that now was capable of curing any curse. He took a small sip right as the grandfather clock struck midnight.
A magic potion to cure a curse.
Every October, trick-or-treaters face a major dilemma: the rapid accumulation of perishable, chocolate-based candies leads to melted, sticky messes inside bags before the night concludes. To address this concern, seasoned candy collectors divide their hauls into temperature-sensitive and shelf-stable categories mid-route. Through this strategic approach, kids protect delicate chocolates from heat while preserving their hard candies, ensuring their entire harvest remains intact for the weekend.
What is the text structure of this paragraph?
Problem and Solution
Without a doubt, bringing a daily writing utensil is the single most essential habit for student success in the classroom. First of all, showing up prepared with a pencil eliminates immediate distractions, ensuring students dive straight into their work without wasting valuable instruction time asking peers for supplies. Furthermore, physically writing down notes with lead has been proven to enhance memory retention and cognitive focus far more effectively than typing on a digital screen. Therefore, students must take responsibility for carrying a pencil every day to maximize their learning potential and demonstrate academic maturity.
What is the author's purpose of this paragraph?
Persuade
The trick-or-treaters tried every trick they knew to scare their friends—including jumping out from bushes, wearing glowing masks, and making loud wolf noises—only to find out no one was scared.
What are the em-dashes doing in this sentence?
A. They draw extra attention to an interrupting list of examples right in the middle of the sentence.
B. They separate the main subject of the sentence from its action verb.
C. They introduce a brand new idea that completely contradicts the beginning.
D. They mark a place where a character speaks out loud in a dialogue.
A They draw extra attention to an interrupting list of examples right in the middle of the sentence.
Candy corn is one of the most popular yet controversial Halloween treats sold every autumn. According to data from the National Confectioners Association, manufacturers produce over 35 million pounds of this sugary tri-colored candy annually. For example, the treat was first created in the 1880s by the Wunderle Candy Company and was originally called "Chicken Feed" because farming families were its primary consumers. In addition, while some people enjoy its sweet honey flavor, others dislike its dense, waxy texture.
What is the author's purpose of the paragraph above?
Inform
Without directly accusing anyone, the graveyard guard began to insinuate that the teenagers were responsible for the broken headstones. Because he kept dropping subtle hints about seeing their glowing flashlights near the gates, the guilty kids consequently shifted uncomfortably and avoided eye contact.
What does insinuate mean?
Hint, suggest, allude to
Due to the heavy, unchecked consumption of Halloween candy on Friday night, trick-or-treaters often experience a rapid surge in blood sugar followed by an inevitable physical crash. As a consequence of this sudden metabolic spike, kids frequently struggle with severe fatigue and mood swings the following morning. Consequently, parents must prepare for heightened restlessness and erratic behavior throughout the rest of the weekend.
What is the text structure of this paragraph?
Cause and Effect
Please reiterate the main difference between cause and effect and problem and solution text structures that we have talked about in class.
Problem solved? Yes. Problem and Solution
Problem solved? No More than likely cause and effect.