Narrative Tenses
This tense is used to describe completed actions in the past, often providing the main events in a story.
The past simple
This structure is used to express a wish about the present reality.
Wish / If only + past simple
This part of a news report summarizes the main idea in a single sentence.
The headline
Besides "that", this pronoun is used in relative clauses to refer to people.
Who
This part of a compare and contrast essay restates the thesis and summarizes key points.
The conclusion
Fill in the blank: "When I _____ (arrive), they _____ (already/start) dinner."
When I arrived, they had already started dinner.
This phrase expresses a wish about a past event that cannot be changed.
Wish / If only + past perfect
These 5 "W" questions are essential for writing a news report.
Who, What, When, Where, and Why
This type of relative clause provides essential information about the noun it modifies.
Defining relative clause
This is the structure often used to organize a compare and contrast essay, where 3 body paragraphs are arranged.
The point-by-point method
This tense is used to show an action that was ongoing in the past, often setting the background for a story.
Past Continuous
Rewrite using "wish": "I don’t have enough money to buy the car.
I wish I had enough money to buy the car
Write a headline for this story: "A local school has won a national robotics competition."
Example: Local School Wins National Robotics Competition
(Headline needs to be in Present Tense)
This type of relative clause adds extra, non-essential information and is usually separated by commas.
Non-defining relative clause
Mention two transition words that are commonly used to highlight similarities.
Likewise, similarly, to compare, in addition, in the same way
Which tense is used to describe actions that happened before another action in the past?
Past Perfect
Rewrite using "if only": "I didn’t study for the exam, and I failed it.
If only I had studied for the exam.
This section of a news report provides detailed information, quotes, and background.
The body paragraphs
Combine these sentences using a relative clause: "I have a friend. She lives in Paris."
I have a friend who lives in Paris.
Identify the controlling ideas of this thesis statement: "While both cats and dogs make excellent pets, they differ in terms of independence, maintenance, and companionship."
Independence, maintenance, companionship
Rewrite this sentence using narrative tenses and the phrase "by the time"
"First, we got to the station. Way before then, the train left.
By the time we got to the station, the train had already left.
What is the difference between "I wish I were wiser." and "If only I had been wiser."
One expresses a wish, the second expresses a regret.
Arrange these into a lead paragraph:
Headline: Rainstorm Causes Flooding.
Details: Occurred yesterday, 10 homes affected, Saltsburgh neighborhood, unclean sewers caused it, emergency services responded.
(Paragraph must contain the 5Ws and How to get the points)
Rewrite these sentences using a defining relative clause:
"The book is on the table. I borrowed it from the library.
The book that I borrowed from the library is on the table.
Rewrite the sentences using a compare/contrast transition: "Apples are sweet. Lemons are sour."
Example: While apples are sweet, lemons are sour