Grammar through Writing

Grammar through Writing Nouns

What do these words have in common?

What do all the words have in common? • They are all NOUNS! • What is a noun? • A NOUN is a word that names a PERSON, PLACE or THING. • Nouns can name things we can touch, taste, see, hear, feel and smell. These are called CONCRETE NOUNS. • Nouns also name things we cannot touch, taste, see, hear, or smell. These are ABSTRACT NOUNS.

Writing Activity 1: • Complete the following pattern with abstract and concrete nouns. In the first blank put an abstract noun; in the second blank put a concrete noun that tells something about the abstract noun. EX: • I can’t see love, but I can see a wedding ring. • I can’t see chaos, but I can see a tornado. • I can’t see happiness, but I can see a smile. • I can’t hear anger, but I can hear yelling. • I can’t hear peace, but I can hear silence.

Your turn: • I can’t see joy, but I can see ________. • I can’t hear sadness, but I can hear _______. • I can’t hear victory, but I can hear _______. • I can’t see innocence, but I can see ________. • I can’t see peace, but I can see _______ . • I can’t see beauty, but I can see ________.

Now, compare the emotion to an animal: • If anger were an animal, it would be a tiger. • If anger were an animal, it would be a ______. • If fear were an animal, it would be a _______ . • If playfulness were an animal, it would be a ______. • If loyalty were an animal, it would be a ______. • If beauty were an animal, it would be a ______. • If boredom were an animal, is would be a ________. • If speed were an animal, it would be a _______. • If determination were an animal, it would be a _______. • If bravery were an animal, it would be a _________. • If loneliness were an animal, it would be a _________.

Complete the following pattern with an abstract noun and an –ing phrase. • FEAR is going into the basement alone at night. • FEAR is seeing a pit bull charging at you. • FEAR is singing a song to a room full of strangers. • FEAR is admitting that you broke the window. • Now you try with other emotions.

What do these words have in common?

CONCRETE NOUNS come in 2 flavors: GENERAL AND SPECIFIC • Think of three SPECIFIC NOUNS for each GENERAL NOUN: • EXAMPLE: GeneralSpecific Music rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, country Bird owl, hummingbird, cardinal dog collie, Chihuahua, Boxer Expression frown, grin, smirk

Your turn: • City • Country • Book • Person • Weather • Clothing • Game • Plant • Author

COMMON and PROPER NOUNS • Proper nouns are capitalized, common are not. We capitalize nouns when: • They refer to specific people: Tom, Mary , the Smiths, Dr. Einstein, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Cadwell, Uncle James, Aunt Ellen, William Shakespeare. • They refer to the days of the week, months, and holidays: Sunday, October, Christmas. • They refer to specific places that have names: Miami, Tennessee, the Missouri River, the Pacific Ocean, Main Street, the Teton Mountains, the Washington Monument, Franklin State Park, Sweden, Italy

Proper nouns cont. • They refer to people from other countries: Germans, Japanese, Italians, Tibetans, Americans. • They refer to periods in history: the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Victorian Era. • They refer to titles of books, plays, articles, or movies (articles and prepositions are usually not capitalized): Where the Wild Things Are, The Wind in the Willows, Hamlet, “Reading Books Is Good for Your Brains,” Star Wars.

Proper nouns cont. • They refer to specific teams or organizations: the St. Louis Cardinals, the Green Party, the National Council of Teachers of English. • They refer to schools or businesses: The University of Texas at El Paso, Apple Computer, Smith Elementary School. • They refer to regions of the United States: Southwest, Midwest, Northeast.

CHALLENGE:

Grammar through Writing