Grammar Guru
Correct the sentence, if it needs correction:
"A group of teenager's were at the mall."
A group of teenagers were at the mall.
A comparison of two things without using "like" or "as" in the comparison.
What is...a metaphor?
Add or subtract a comma.
"Without the elves Santa would not be able to get all the toys made."
Without the elves, Santa would not be able to get all the toys made.
When writing these, it is a great idea to include a quote as a piece of evidence.
What is a CER?
This is something we need in every essay. It drives the essay and includes your reasons.
What is the thesis statement?
Correct this sentence, if it needs to be corrected:
"Santa Claus's slay was flying through downtown!"
Santa Claus's sleigh was flying through downtown!
This is the term we use when talking about the reason that a piece of literature was written.
What is Author's Purpose?
Add or subtract a comma.
"The smallest penguin at the zoo was cute, but I preferred, the seals because of their cool tricks.
The smallest penguin at the zoo was cute, but I preferred the seals because of their cool tricks.
What is the Five Finger Test?
In an essay, these are the two things that you need in an introduction paragraph.
What is: the hook and thesis?
Correct the sentence, if necessary:
"Until we can solve the mystery of who drank all the milk we won't be able to eat cereal."
Until we can solve the mystery of who drank all the milk, we won't be able to eat cereal.
This is also known as the dictionary definition of a word. It has nothing to do with how the word makes us feel.
What is Denotation?
Add or subtract a comma.
Before dad left for work, I made him a yummy breakfast of toast eggs and orange juice.
Before dad left for work, I made him a yummy breakfast of toast, eggs, and orange juice.
Ayn Rand criticizes this way of thinking in many of her novels, but particularly "Anthem." It is the opposite of individualism.
What is collectivism?
These three terms describe rhetorical appeals. The first is a credibility appeal, the second is emotional appeal, and the final is a logical appeal.
What is: ethos, pathos, and logos?
Correct the sentence, if necessary:
My mom told me that their was no such thing as elves but I never believed her.
My mom told me that there was no such thing as elves, but I never believed her.
This long word gives us insight into theme by using internal thoughts and external actions or dialogue.
What is characterization?
Add or subtract a comma.
Until you complete your training young Padawan, you cannot become a Jedi Master.
Until you complete your training, young Padawan, you cannot become a Jedi Master.
The first of these vocabulary terms has to do with the dictionary definition of a word. The other has to do with the way we feel about a word.
What are: Denotation and Connotation
On this portion of the English STAAR, most of the time you do not have to read the entire passage in order to be successful on the questions.
What is the Revise and Editing section of the English STAAR?
Correct this sentence:
"The boy sadly returned the cookies to its place on the table, wishing he wouldve listened to his parents."
The boy sadly returned the cookies to their place on the table, wishing he would've listened to his parents.
One of these is a repeated idea that appears in literature. The other is a statement (just like a truism) that is not too specific, but is a lesson that the author wants the reader to learn. The first one can help us find the second one.
What is: the difference between motif and theme?
This type of comma is optional. It is placed between the last item in a list and a FANBOYS conjunction. For instance:
"I went to buy apples, bananas, and oranges."
What is: The Oxford Comma
This type of figurative language is characterized by using two words next to one another that have opposite meanings.
What is Oxymoron?
These four terms describe the different types of conflicts that we most often see in literature.
What are:
Man vs Man
Man vs Nature
Man vs Self
Man vs Society