Conlma Magnets as Sentence Openers
I----------------""--------------"'-----------~-~-
· Introductory words, such as adverbs, and lransilional words that indicate order or time, are usually
followed by a comma. Basically, you could be wrong if you left a comma off; however, you'd be fine if
you put it in, whether you need it or nOL Here are a few:
Addition "'!"o''''''''
In fact
In fact, most transitional words or phrases need commas after them when they open
a sentence.
For example, a lorig introduction always needs a comma after it.
In addition, the ear often signals a pause where a comma may be inserted after a
transitional phrase.
For example
In addition
Time Transitions
Next
Meanwhile
Afterward
Next, we should consider putting a comma after introductory time words. Meanwhile, we should also consider that the comma may not be needed. Afterward, you may just want to insert the comma anyway: Contrasting Connectors However
I like science; however, I don't want to become a scientist. On the other hand On the other hand, I enjoy history and I want to be a(n) historian. Yet
Yet, I will never be a mathematician. Adverbs or Adverbial Phrases
Basically
Actually
Eventually
Of course
Basically, adverbs end in -ly, Actually, you should know adverbs tell how, where, and when as well. Eventually, you'll know that adverbs add on to verbs to tell how, where, when, and what condition.
Of course, you don't put commas after every adverb.
Mild-Mannered Exclamations
Yes
No
Well
Yes, yes is a mild exclamation. "No, we still put the comma after no in dialogue," said Chris. Well, sentences shouldn't really begin with well, but when they do, well had better have a comma after it.
Note: Many of the words above often need commas on both sides when they interrupt in the middle of
a sentence.
Transition Words (Conjunctive Adverbs)
Addition
beSides, finally, first, furthermore, in addition, last, moreover, next, still Comparison
also, likewise, similarly Contrast
even though, however, instead, nevertheless, on the other hand, otherwise, still, though, yet Example or Illustration
after all, for example, for instance, in fact, in other words, in short, of course, specifically, to illustrate, thus Summary
all in all, finally, in other words, therefore Time Sequence
afterward, before, earlier, eventually, lately, meanwhile, next, now, since, soon, Gathering Sensory Details
Sensory details help the reader see, hear, smell, taste, and feel what is
being described. The chart below shows some of the sensory details Isabella
remembered.
I felt . ..
16aw...
I heard . ..
J
racing fire
truck6
screaming
siren6
6moke
the 6pray
of water
6hooting
flame6
firefighter6
shouting
oraer6
burning tire6
wave6 of
heat
dark
e;moke
6hattering
window6
chemical
fume6
heavy
h06ee;
noisy kide;
6mellea ...
leaning
laddere;
. . create a sensory detail chart. Make a chart of sensory details for your
',""" ,_ experience. Then write down words or phfases that describe the events in your
quick list on page 104.
Prewriting Adding Dialogue
There are many different reasons to use dialogue, or conversation, in your
narrative. You can use it to show a speaker's personality, to keep the action
moving, or to add information. The chart below shows different ways the writer
can express the same idea. The dialogue examples are taken from the model on
pages 99-100.
Use dialogue
WITH DIALOGUE
to ...
Show a "
speaker's ."
. pers9J:1ality"
Keep the
action
moving
Llw.
II1II
. One of the .kids
. started shouti~g that
I looked like
fan." .
a super
Suddenly this big
kid stood up and told
me to slide in next to
him. I was glad to get
away from all of those
eyes.
"Hey, it looks like we
a super fan riding
·on"our bus. today!" dne
·ofthe:ri:tshouted ov~r
the noise.
have
Suddenly, this big
kid stood up and said,
"Slide in here." I was
glad to get out of the
aisle, away from all
those eyes.
Plan some dialogue for your narrative.
Plan to use dialogue in at least three places in
your essay-one time for each of the ways
listed above. (See pages 126 and 556 for
more about punctuating dialogue.)
"
.~. ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Showing, Not Telling
.
Interesting and lively writing doesn't just tell about things in general terms.
Instead, it shows readers something through descriptive details - examples,
facts, feelings, and quotations. Below are some examples.
Telling a Feeling
Alicia is jealous of her older sister.
Showing a Feeling
Alicia tums red and stomps to her room when she
thinks that her parents are paying more attention to
her sister than to her.
Telling About a Character
Marty was a good student·
Showing a Character
Marty studied for three hours each day and scored
high on every test he took.
.Telling About an Event
Philip scored two points.
Showing an Event
.Philip dribbled past an oncoming player and jumped
high to score two points with a perfect lay-up.
Telling About an Idea
I always get sleepy at the movies.
Showing an Idea
Sitting in a movie theater makes me sleepy because
the seats are cushiony and the room is dark.
Responding to Literature When you write a response to a piece of literature, you
can tell your interpretations of events or characters as long as you use specific
examples, reasons, and quotations from the text to show how you arrived at that
conclusion.
I
o
f
u
Telling
The purse snatcher in the story "Thank You, M'am" falls down and is
caught during his getaway.
(
Showing After ripping the heavy shoulder bag from a lady's shoulder, he buckles
under the weight and falls back. His legs fly up, and the lady kicks him
in the behind.
WRlTlNO MINI-LESSON
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perfumed
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