Conventions of Writing
(CUPS)
(CUPS)
What change should be made to correct the error in the following sentence?
Tom likes electronics because them are cool.
Tom likes electronics because they are cool.
What signal words indicate a valid generalization?
often, some, rarely, many, most, usually, probably, few, typically, sometimes, might.
Which words correctly complete the sentence?
Charlie is trying to decide ____ to go to the movies ____ to the mall.
Charlie is trying to decide WHETHER to go to the movies OR to the mall.
Make an inference:
Before I left the house, I decided to grab my umbrella and coat. The clouds were starting to turn darker blue. I also heard loud booms of thunder.
It was going to rain outside, or a thunderstorm was starting.
Teachers do not allow horseplay in the classroom because it often escalates to a larger distraction.
What does the word escalate mean in the sentence?
becomes more severe.
Who has ownership? Write the noun and what they have ownership of.
The bike belonging to James.
James's bike
What type of generalization is the following sentence? What signal word did you use?
Most kids like pizza.
Valid; most
Identify the subject-verb agreement error in the following sentence.
My friends plays the guitar.
My friends PLAY the guitar.
My FRIEND plays the guitar.
Subject-verb agreement: using singular verbs with singular nouns and plural verbs with plural nouns.
Another example: Mike plays the guitar.
Make an inference:
A popular carnival ride uses a simple machine called a wheel and axel. The ride has a giant wheel with several seats attached to it. Carnival visitors get into the seats, and then a motor turns the wheel around the axle, moving the seats in a circle.
People are getting ready to ride the Ferris Wheel.
Some people can't seem to resist the buttery aroma of fresh popcorn. The movie theatre owners have made plenty of money from this reality.
What is an antonym for the word aroma?
a. odor
b. blandness
c. whiff
d. fragrance
blandness
Who has ownership? Write the noun and what they have ownership of.
The book belonging to Susan.
Susan's book
The title of the book we are reading is The Island on Bird Street. What is a correct way to write this title?
Computer: Put the title in italics - The Island on Bird Street
Handwritten: Underline the title.
The butterfly is one of the beautiful creatures in the world. It taste with their feet and have a suction tube for a mouth. There are 4 stages in becoming a butterfly: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. This process is called metamorphosis. An adult female lays her eggs on a plant.
It taste with their feet and have a suction tube for a mouth.
They taste with their feet and have a suction tube for a mouth.
Make an inference:
I really don't want to show my mom my folder. She is going to be so upset with me. I asked my teacher if I could do laps instead of having to show my mom my papers. Maybe I shouldn't spend so much time on video games at night and focus more on school.
The student made a bad grade.
Many people crave all sorts of candy. Some will even walk miles for their favorite variety.
What is a synonym for the word crave?
a. dismiss
b. repel
c. seek
d. avoid
seek
Which sentence should most likely end with an exclamation point to show excitement?
Jake likes to do magic tricks for his friends. He pulled a rabbit out of his hat. "How did you do that?" asked Benny. "It's a magic trick," said Jake. "Wow!" You are very good with that trick. Can I see it again? asked Benny. "Thank you," said Jake. "I'll show you another trick."
"I'll show you another trick!"
I heard a song on the radio. How would I write its title?
Title: i love rock and roll
Put the song title inside quotation marks.
"I Love Rock and Roll"
Which words correctly complete the sentence?
To play well, they should _____ be tired nor hungry.
To play well, they should neither be tired nor hungry.
Make an inference:
My sister and I walked up to the house and all the lights were off. We looked around to see if anyone was walking around inside. Chelsea noticed that kids were walking down the steps, looking at all the treats in the bags. We decided we would go up the door anyways. What holiday is it?
Halloween
The invention of the light bulb in 1879 helped illuminate houses across the world. It became much easier to read after sunset.
What does the word illuminate mean in the sentence?
brighten with light.
What's the best way to combine the two sentences.
Kelly used to dislike dancing. She now dances competitively on a team.
Kelly, who used to dislike dancing, now dances competitively on a team.
I read an article in a magazine. How would its title be written?
Title: how to train a dog
Put the title inside quotation marks.
"How to Train a Dog"
What point of view is the following passage? What words helped you determine your answer?
I was shaking like a leaf. My palms were sweating. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure everyone around me could hear it. I hated presentations. I should have been absent today. I am just going to pretend that no one is listening, which hopefully none of them really are. It would only be 2 minutes and 30 second speech. It should be a piece of cake, but it was not feeling that way.
First person; I and my.
Make an inference:
A funnel shaped, spinning columns of wind can form during thunderstorms. They can move faster than 300 miles per hour! These winds are so strong they can send a wooden board through a thick tree trunk or pick up a horse and twirl it in the air.
The storm is referring to a tornado.
Identify the meaning of the following Greek and Latin Roots. Write a word that uses each root.
trans
ex
pre
sub
tele
Answers will vary...
trans - across; transport
ex - from or out; exhale
pre - before; pretest
sub - under; submarine
tele - far away; telescope