Grammar Gaffes
Fantab Vocab
Commas RULE!
For the Love of Literary
ELA All the Way!
100

is, am, are, have, has, had, was, were, said...

What are "dead" verbs?

100
Wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.


What is pandemonium?

100

Ken and Barbie, a devoted couple, enjoy spending time at the tanning salon.  

What is use a comma(s) to set off appositives/interrupters?

100

Where and when a story takes place. 

What is setting?

100

The dictionary definition of a word.

What is denotation?

200

It replaces a noun. *Avoid using too many of these.

What is a pronoun?

200

Having a gradual (subtle) and cumulative effect; harmful but enticing

What is insidious?

200

ELA is an interesting, exciting, and exhilarating class!

What is use a comma between items in a series?

200

A pilot has a fear of flying...

What is situational irony?

200

A slang word or additional figurative meanings that are not in the dictionary. 

What is connotation?

300

It modifies verbs and adjectives; sometimes ends in "ly"

What is an adverb?

300

Gross, revolting, ugly, hideous

What is repulsive?

300

I enjoy playing soccer, but volleyball is my favorite sport. 

What is use a comma to separate two independent clauses?  (Compound sentence)

300

A universal message about life; the central, unifying idea of a story.  

What is theme?

300

Cheap, scrawny, nosy, decrepit?

What are negative connotations?

400

Joins words and/or independent clauses.

What is a conjunction?  (FANBOYS)

400

Filled with horror or shock

What is flabbergasted?

400

Mrs. James cheered, "You can do it, class!"  

What is use a comma to set off a direct quotation?

400
The character is revealed through actions, dialogue, interactions...

What is indirect characterization? 

400

It's raining cats and dogs. OR I have a frog in my throat. 

What is an idiom?

500

Tall, taller, tallest...

What are comparative and superlative adjectives?

500

Extremely hungry; ravenous

What is famished?

500

Yes, dead verbs are also called helping verbs. 

What is use a comma after an introductory word?

500

When the author tells the reader about a character's traits or personality.  

What is direct characterization?

500
Mama's minivan coughed, hacked, and sputtered down the street.

What is personification?