Brushstrokes in
Writing
Appositives
What is an Appositive?
•An appositive is a noun or
noun phrase that renames the
noun preceding it, usually
with greater specificity.
•Appositives amplifies the
noun by giving it more clarity.
What is an Appositive?
•Appositives slow down the
pace and give the reader
more details.
•In non-fiction, appositives
are useful for defining
concepts or unfamiliar
terms.
Example 1
•Derek Jeter became the
th
28 player in baseball’s
history to reach 3,000 hits.
Example 1
•Derek Jeter, a New York
th
Yankee, became the 28
player in baseball’s history
to reach 3,000 hits.
Example 2
•Dorothy prepared the
home-cooked dinner.
Example 2
•Dorothy prepared the
home-cooked dinner:
meatloaf, mashed
potatoes, gravy, and
green beans.
Ways to create an appositive
1.Set off appositive
phrases with commas.
(,)
2.Another option is use a
colon and list. (:)
Warning!
•Don’t overuse appositives.
•Because they cause a pause in
the cadence of the passage,
they can create an unintended
rhythmic effect.
•Be sure to check your writing
by reading it aloud.
Your Turn!
•The lunch was cold.
•The lunch was cheap.
•The lunch was a bowl of
tomato soup.