BASIC WRITING MECHANICS and USAGE 

(for Grades 3 through 6) 
Compiled by Mrs. LoParrino 

 
 BASIC WRITING MECHANICS and USAGE

(for Grades 3 through 6)

Compiled by Mrs. LoParrino

CREDITS

How to Capitalize and Punctuate, Teacher Created Materials Inc. (1988)

Basic Writing Skills, Instructional Fair, Inc. (1993)

How to Write a Sentence, Teacher Created Materials Inc. (1998)

Reading and Writing Skill Builders, Scholastic (1998)

Capitalization

The Basics in a Nutshell

To capitalize, you begin a word with a capital letter. Here is a list of the things you should always
capitalize.
o the word I o the main words (usually all words except
At the fair I bought a balloon. prepositions. conjunctions, or the, an and a)
o the first word in a sentence in titles of books, movies, newspapers,
My dog doesn't like the rain. television shows, plays, operas, musicals,
or magazines (These titles need to be in
D the names of people and places
italics or underlined.)
(proper nouns)
A Wrinkle in Time
James Eiffel Tower
The Los Angeles Times
San Francisco Germany
Phantom of the Opera
D words derived from proper nouns D school subjects if they are languages or
(proper adjectives) actual class titles listed in a catalog
German New Yorker Italian Modem American Art
African Texan Women Inventors Algebra I
D titles with people's names D geographic locations when they name
(titles of position, rank, etc.) specific areas
Dr. William Mrs. Hernandez He lived in the East all his life.
Captain Ross President Eisenhower She wrote about the South.
o title (of a person) when used in place of that D holidays
person's name. Labor Day Fourth of July Cinco de Mayo
Thank you, Doctor. You're very helpful. Garlic Festival Memorial Day
(Family members also have "titles" which Passover Christmas
should be capitalized when they are used as
part of a name or in place of a name.) Here are some times when you should not
This is Uncle Bob. I told Grandma I would capitalize.
come see her. D persons' titles when not used with a name
o days of the week and months or in place of a name
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday My mother told me to call the doctor.
Thursday Friday Saturday The president went to the same school that
January February March April May my dad attended.
June July August September
D the four seasons
October November December winter spring summer autumn or fall
D the first word in a letter to a friend or
relative
o regular school subjects
mathematics history social studies
Dear Janny, Dear Friends,
D geographical directions
o the first letter of each word in a business We decided to head west.
letter greeting Go north along Campfire Street.
To Whom It May Concern: Dear Students:

#2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate 4 © Teacher Created Materials. Inc.

Punctuation

When and Why to Punctuate

IMAGINEREADINGASTORYTHATHASNOPUNCTUATIONANDNOSPACESSOEVERYTHINGRU
NSTOGEHTHERHOWDIFFICULTWOULDITBETOCOMMUNICATEWITHOTHERSDONTYOUT
HINKTHATWOULDB EAMES S YOURERIGHTITWOULDBEAMES SPEOPLEWOULDHAVESOM
UCHTROUBLEBEINGUNDERSTOODWOULDNTTHEYPUNCTUATIONWASINVENTEDTOBEA
NIMPORTANTPARTOFOURLANGUAGESYSTEMPUNCTUATIONMARKSMAKEITPOSSIBLEFO
RUSTOMANAGEOURWORDSANDIDEASANDTHEYHELPTHEREADERUNDERSTANDIUSTEX
ACTLYWHATITISTHATYOUWANTTOSAY.
Did you manage to read what is written above? If you did, was it very difficult? (If you couldn't read it
at all, there is a "translation" in the answer key). Punctuation marks are like markers on the highway­
they tell us which way to go, when to slow down and when to stop.

The Basics of Punctuation

Apostrophes
D Use apostrophes for contractions.
You've got to come and visit soon. I'm missing you!
D Use apostrophes to show possession or ownership with nouns.
Amber's dad found David's wallet in the Fletchers' car.
D Use apostrophes also to show the plurals of letters and words but not for other plurals.

Erin got three A's on her report card.

Jake used too many very's iri his story.

Erin has three kittens in a basket.

Jake shot three baskets at the game last night.

Colons
D Use a colon in a business letter right after the greeting.
Dear Sirs: Dear Mrs. Gonzales:
o Use a colon to introduce a list.
Please bring the following items to school: white paper, colored pencils, and a compass.

D Use a colon between the hour and the minutes of the time of day.

5:30 A.M. 3: 15 P.M.

D Use a colon to introduce a long, direct quotation.
At the Galaxy Alien Convention, the keynote speaker said:
Things are looking up for space aliens these days. We can now make Earthlings better
looking! Our handsome bug eyes, snake-like tongues, and slimy ears are easily 'cloned to
replace ugly human features. Not only can we can help the poor things raise their self­
esteem, but we will finally be able to view them without throwing up!

(Hint: There are no quotation marks around the passage above. If you wonder why, it is because you
don't use them with a long, direct quote. Instead, indent on both sides to set it off from the other text).

#2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate 24 © Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

 Punctuation

When and Why to Punctuate (contJ

Commas
D Use a comma between two independent clauses joined by or, and, or but.

There are always creative excuses for not turning in homework, but no excuse is acceptable.

My dad loves music, and my mom loves to sing.

D Use a comma after a dependent clause that comes at the beginning of a sentence.

Even though I forgot my notes, I still did a good job on my speech.

D Use a comma between words, phrases, or clauses that are a series of three or more things.
I will be writing a report that is brilliant, insightful, and a delight to read.
My mother asked me to feed the dog, take out the trash, and fold all my baby brother's diapers.
My brothers are Jason (who is scientific), Michael (who is artistic), and Chris (who is musical),
D Use commas to set apart hundreds, thousands, and milHons, etc., when writing numbers.
My brother had 234,556,000 telephone messages when we got home, and they were all from girls!
D Use a comma to set apart the city from a state and a street from a city.
When I grow up I intend to live at 12234 Monster Mash Lane, Transylvania, PA.
D Use a comma between the day and the year in a date.
June 17, 1983
D Use a comma after a greeting or a closing in a letter to a friend or relative.

Dear Granny,

Lovingly yours,

D Use a comma after introductory words at the beginning of a sentence or after an interjection
(an introductory exclamation).
Yes, of course you may dye your hair purple.
No kidding, I dyed my hair purple.
D Use a comma after an interjection that is not an exclamation.
Oh, I don't know what I'll do.
D Use a comma to separate the person to whom you are speaking from the rest of the sentence.
Julie, I heard you dyed your hair purple.
D Use a comma to set otT dialogue.
Her mom asked, "What on earth happened to your hair?"

She said, ··You don't remember?" and she walked into the light so her mom could get a better

look. "You told me it was okay to dye it purple."

D Use commas to set otT interruptions.

My dog will do the craziest things. The other day, for example, he was eating broccoli.

© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 25 #2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate

Punctuation

When and Why to Punctuate (cont.)

D Use commas· to set otT appositives (words or phrases that explain, identify, or rename a noun or
pronoun).
Licorice, my dog, tore a hole in the screen to get a tortilla!
My sister, the world's smartest girl, forgot her orthodontist appointment.
D Use commas to set otT phrases.
Positive-negative film, rarely used except in the movie industry and by some photographers, will
take negatives, prints, and slides.
A drooling, snarling dog chased me across the park, over a fence, and into a trash bin.
D Use commas between two adjectives that modify the same noun.

We drove all day across the dry, dusty desert.

Dashes
D Use a dash to indicate a sudden break in a sentence.
There is one thing that really bugs me about my brother-no, actually there are a zillion things­
but it really bugs me when my friends call and he puts them on hold and forgets all about them.
D Use a dash to add emphasis to a word, a series of words, a phrase, or a clause.
Let me just remind you that you will need to complete all the requirements-have a title page, a
bibliography, and a video-in order to get the highest possible grade.
D Use a dash to show that someone's speech is being interrupted.
Hello-yes, I remembered-what?-oh, okay-no, that really won't be necessary-no, really-I
mean it-no, of course not-really, you don't need to-I really mean it, you don't need to-don't.

Ellipses
D An ellipsis is three spaced periods used to replace words that have been left out or to
indicate a pause in dialogue•
.. . ah ... well ... it's like this ... ah ... aliens came down ... that's it ... they came down in
this huge saucer and sucked up my homework with some strange vacuum-like device!
Twinkle, twinkle ... like a diamond in the sky.
D When an ellipsis ends a sentence, add a period, making it a total of four dots.

I was thinking of going with you, but ....

Exclamation Points
D An exclamation mark is used to show strong feeling after a word, a phrase or an
exclamatory sentence. (Be careful with exclamation points; they should not be overused. And
don't ever use multiple exclamation marks all in a row!!!)
Dh no! My underwear just fell out the window!

Hyphens
D Use a hyphen to break a word between syllables at the end of a line.
I don't like that movie because it is too much like a car­
toon.

#2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate 26 © Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

 Punctuation

When and Why to Punctuate (cont.)

Note: Avoid dividing words with five letters or less, don't ever try to divide one-syllable words, and
don't divide contractions or abbreviations.
D Use a hyphen with two-part numbers.
forty-eight twenty-three
D Use hyphens when writing fractions as words.
one-fourth four-tenths
D Use hyphens to create new words.
We found some fat-free chips.
You've got an I-know-something-you-don't-know look on your face.
D Use hyphens for compound nouns and adjectives.
drive-through bank four-year-old boy
G-rated e-mail

Parentheses
D Use parentheses around words or phrases that add information or make an idea more clear.
For more information about llama toenails, read chapter 13 (pages 56-72).
The national park had something for everyone, including the fit (trails, mountain climbing, and
whitewater rafting), the consumer (shops and concession stands), the curious (nature centers,
museums, and ranger tours), and the tired (hammocks, benches, and cabins).
He asked his neighbor Paul (he's a whiz with cars) to help him repair his truck.
D Use parentheses around an abbreviation after you have written the full name.
My high school is on the same street as Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL).

Periods
D Use a period at the end of a declarative or imperative sentence that is not an exclamation.
Always turn off the light when you leave the room.
My puppy chewed my algebra book.
In the future most of us will be telecommuting.
D Use periods after initials.
A. A. Milne Mr. P. J. Winterhouse
D Use periods after abbreviations.
P.O. Box 987
234 Slippery Hill S1.
M1. Awesome, CA

Question Marks
D Use a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence (a question) and to show doubt
about the accuracy of a figure or fact.
What were you thinking when you decided to do that?
By the year 2040 (?) marine biologists will be living in laboratories on the ocean floor.

© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 27 #2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate

Punctuation

When and Why to Punctuate (cont.)

Quotation Marks
o Use quotation marks to set off the words of a direct quote.
I was laughing so hard. When my brother woke up this morning, he came out of his room all
rumpled and said, "I don't know what President Lincoln would do because I haven't asked him."
o Use quotation marks to indicate the title of an article in a magazine or newspaper.

J cut out an article titled "My Best Friend, Llama" from yesterday's paper.

D Use quotation marks to indicate the title of a chapter.

Read the chapter titled "My Brother, the Denizen of the Deep."

D Use quotation marks to indicate the titles of essays and short stories.

My essay, "How I Almost Spent My Summer Vacation," was in the school newspaper.

My mom just sold a short story titled "Jackie, the Mad Hugger."

D Use quotation marks to indicate the titles of songs and poems.

My dad keeps listening to "Free as a Bird" on the CD player. It's starting to drive me crazy!

I am going to read "Bed in Summer" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

o Use quotation marks around certain words used in a special way.

I can't believe I got "punctuation" right on the spelling test!

Please send me your e-mail address or I will have to send this by "snail mail."

J called my brother a "dork" after he called me a "dweeb."

D A quote within a quote uses only one quotation mark at each end of the inside quote.

She said, "He told me that 'The Little Princess' is his favorite poem."

"Listen;' Amber said, "Mr. Zone clearly stated, 'Do not leave CDs in the CD-ROM drive! '"

Semicolons
D (A semicolon is like a cross between a period and a comma.) Use a semicolon to join the

independent clauses of a compound sentence when you are not using a comma and a

conjunction.

My mom got a scanner for the computer; I couldn't wait to try it.

D Use a semicolon in front of a conjunction when you are joining two simple sentences.

She usually adores frozen yogurt; however, today she didn't want any.

D Use a semicolon in a series of three or more items when commas are used within those items.
Our talent show has been planned. We will have Jazz, a group of dancers; Klutzy Kyle, a magical
extravaganza; Barknikov, a poodle ballet dancer; and Spring Showers, a folk singer.

#2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate 28 © Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

 Mechanics
Name _ and Usage:
....................................................... ~~~~
Capitalization
.
Grammar Cop
and the case of the missing
capital letters
The person who wrote this letter didn't really
understand the laws of capital letters. Can you help
Grammar Cop find the mistakes?

~ __~--~_A--~~------------------------~
Directions: Circle the
letters that should have
Dear cinderella and Prince Charming, been capitalized. Hint:
there must be a terrible mistake! the There are 19 mistakes.
stepsisters and I have not yet received an Remember these basic
invitation to your wedding. i keep telling laws of capital letters:
the stepsisters that the invitation will
• Names
arrive soon. i'm getting worried that our Always capitalize
invitation got lost. i hear you often have someone's proper name.
problems with the unicorns that deliver the (Example: Gina, Kenneth,
palace mail. Tyrone)

I'm sure you intend to invite us! After • Places

all, you were always my special favorite. Always capitalize the
How i spoiled you! i let you do all the best name of the town, city,
state, and country.
chores around the house. are you still mad
(Example: I live in Orchard
about that trip to disney world? i don't Beach, California, which
know how we could have forgotten you! is in the United States.)
anyway, florida is too hot in the summer.
• I
so cinderella, dear, please send along Always capitalize the
another invitation as soon as you can. i letter I when it stands for
know how busy you are in your new palace. a person. (Example: I am
if you need any cleaning help, i can send in fourth grade, and I'm
ten years old.)
one of your stepsisters along. they both
miss you so much! • First letter
Best wishes, Always capitalize the first
letter of the first word of
Your not really so wicked stepmother
a sentence.

6 Super-Fun Reading & Writing Skill Builders Scholastic Professional Books

 Mechanics
Name _ and Usage:
....................................................... ~~~~
Possessives
.
Grammar Cop
and the Apology of Goldilocks
Goldilocks feels guilty about messing up the home of
the three bears. She wants to make it up to them. But
she doesn't understand the laws of possessive words.
Can you help Grammar Cop fill in the blanks?

Dear Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear, Directions: Wherever you
see a box, decide whether
I owe you guyD an apology. I didn't mean to
the word needs an's, an s'
get my germD all over everyoneD porridge and or a plain s. Write your
break Baby BearD chair. I didn't say to myself, "I answer in the box.

think I'll head to the bearD cottage and mess up Remember these basic
laws of possessives:
their stuff." I had been hiking through the woodD,
gathering rockD for my science project. I had • Singular possessive ('5)
Use '5 when you want to
stuffed all the rocks into my jacketD pocket. When show that something
I sat down in Baby BearD chair, the rockD belongs to someone or
something. (Example: That
weight caused me to crush the chair.
is Bozo's clown wig.)
To make it up to you, I would like you to come to
• Plural possessive (5')
my familyD house for dinner. I have a new chair Use 5' when something
for Baby Bear. (I used all my baby-sitting money to belongs to more than one
person. (Example: Those are
pay for it.) Please let me know if you can come.
the clowns' wigs.)
Love,
• Plural noun (5)
Goldilocks Use a plain 5 when you
simply want to show that
there is more than one of
something. (Example: There
P.S. I'll be serving some of my
are lots of clowns in town.
parentD homemade honey. They are all wearing wlgs.)

Super-Fun Reading & Writing Skill Builders Scholastic Professional Books 7

 Mechanics
Name _ and Usage:
Its Versus It's
.............••••...•...•.....•.•....•........•........ ~~:.t:l~ .

Grammar Cop
and the Case of
the Big Bad Wolf
The wolf from "Little Red Riding Hood" is trying to tell
his side of the story. But he doesn't really understand
the difference between its and it's. Can you help
Grammar Cop fill in the blanks?

I'm the wolf from "Little Red Riding Hood." You Directions: The word its or
it's belongs in each of the
probably know me as the guy who ate Grandma. I'm
boxes. Choose the correct
here to tell you I I
all a big lie. word and write it in.
Every bedtime story needs I I bad guy. But I
Remember these basic
didn't eat Grandma. I didn't dress up in Grandma's
laws of its and it's:
nightgown and chase Little Red Riding Hood. I
didn't get killed by a hunter. I I a big mistake. • It's
It's is a contraction of "it
I I very simple. I was walking through the is." A contraction is made
woods. I saw a basket with I I lid open. I peeked up of two words that are
inside and saw some cookies. I took just one cookie. joined by an apostrophe.
All of a sudden, someone yelled, "Hey! Put that The apostrophe shows
where one or more letters
cookie back! I I mine!" have been left out.
I looked over, and there was a little girl wearing a (Example: It's time for
red cape and hood. She ran over and started yelling lunch.)
at me. She looked so scary! So I dropped the cookie.
• Its
I I crumbs flew behind me. I ran all the way Its is the possessive form
home. of "it." The word its shows
Little Red Riding Hood was so mad about her that "it" owns something.
(Example: The squirrel
cookie. She started telling everyone that I had tried
dropped its acorn.)
to eat her up. I Iall lies. You have to believe me.
So the next time someone tells you the story of
"Little Red Riding Hood," tell my side of the story.
I I the truth!

8 Super-Fun Reading & Writing Skill Builders Scholastic Professional Books

 Mechanics
Name _ and Usage:
Your, You're
.. ·.. · · · ·.. · · ·..•. ··· · ·.~~:.t:1~ ·.. ··

Grammar Cop
and the Education
of Snow White
Snow White has left the seven dwarfs' cottage. She
wants to explain her disappearance, but she doesn't
really understand the difference between your and
you're. Can you help Grammar Cop fill in the blanks?

Dear Dwarfs, Directions: The word your

I I probably wondering why I left. I have to or you're belongs in each
of the boxes. Choose the
admit I have gotten tired of I I strange habits. correct word and write it in.
It seems like if I 1 not sneezing, then Remember these basic
1 1 sleeping or 1 1 acting grumpy. laws of your and you're:
Also, it turned out that the prince wasn't for me. • Your
As I said to him, "I 1 really nice, but I don't Your is the possessive
form of you. Use it when
want to sit around I 1 castle all day while you are talking about
I 1 off slaying dragons." something that belongs to
the person with whom you
The other day, I took a good look in the mirror.
are speaking. (Example: I
Sure it said, "I I the fairest of them all." But it really like your new jeans.
also said, "Plan for 1 I future. What about Where did you get them?)

I 1 education? I 1 career?" • You're

You're is a contraction of
That was it. "Snow," I said, "say good-bye to
"you are." Here's a tip:
___ I dwarfs. 1 I going back to school." Whenever you write you're,
I hope I haven't hurt 1 1 feelings. I read over the sentence and
substitute you are for
appreciate 1 I kindness. I 1 all very you're. If the sentence
generous. But for now, 1 1 on 1 I own. makes sense, you've made
the right choice. (Example:
'-------__ I friend, I always tell people that
you're my best friend.)
Snow White

Super-Fun Reading & Writing Skill Builders Scholastic Professional Books 9

 Mechanics and
Name _ Usage: Their,

...................................................... ~. ~~~~~
They're, and There
.

Grammar Cop
and the Case of the Worried Elf
Santa's head elf is worried. But he doesn't know the
difference among their, they're, and there. Can you
help him? Fill in the right word in the blanks.
Directions: The word their, they're, or there belongs in
each of the boxes. Choose the correct word and write
it in.

Remember these basic

Dear Santa, laws of their, they're,
I is a problem with some of the elves. and there:
---'====;---"
___ I acting very lazy. I know that Christmas isn't • Their
until the end of December. But the elves aren't ready. Their is the possessive

Many of them can't even find C=:J

tools. I caught
form of they. You use it
when you want to say that
a group of doll-making elves playing with I I something belongs to a
Barbies. I saw some of the candy makers having a group of people. (Example:
They went sledding, but
sword fight with I I candy canes. I inspected
they forgot their mittens.)
I I sleeping area, and I must tell you it's a
disgusting mess down I I.
I found candy
• They're
They're is a contraction of
wrappers and soda cans everywhere. they are. (Example: Mindy
Santa, I know that the elves are a good bunch. and Jessica are best
friends. They're always
'------ __ I all very sweet and nice. But 1 I like a
together.)
bunch of kids. We must ask them to improve
I I work habits. We must make sure '-1--- • There
There is a place. It is the
ready for the big day. We need to make them opposite of here.
responsible for cleaning up all of [ I garbage. (Example: Australia is far
Most of all, we must make them understand that away. I wonder if I'll ever
go there.) There is also a
1 I Santa's elves! Let's hope they get the
pronoun used to introduce
message. a sentence. (Example:
Very sincerely There is someone at the
door.)
Rocko, your head elf

10 Super-Fun Reading & Writing Skill Builders Scholastic Professional Books

 Mechanics
Name _ and Usage:
Quotation Marks
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • j'!- ~~~~II •••••••••••••••••••

Grammar Cop
and the Three Little Pigs'
Day in Court
The Three Little Pigs are trying to prove their case
against the Big Bad Wolf. But they don't know the
rules for using quotation marks. Can you help
Grammar Cop by adding the quotation marks in their
story?

Directions: Add quotation

One day the Three Little Pigs-Hambone, Porky, marks to the story.
and Daisy-agreed that Wolf had bothered them long Remember these basic
enough. I hate to be a pig, Daisy said, but I think we laws for quotation marks:
should sue him. • Direct quotes
A few weeks later, they went to court. The Put quotation marks around
words that someone is
courtroom was packed with other animals.
actually saying. (Example:
What's the problem? asked the judge. "Are you positive," Bill's
Wolf won't leave us alone, said Hambone. He mother asked, "that you
want to put turnips on your
keeps blowing down our houses.
sandwich?")
Porky said, He turned my house into a pigsty!
• Indirect quotes
The judge asked Wolf if the charges were true.
Don't put quotation marks
They're all hogwash, said Wolf. I'm not guilty. around words that
The judge said that he didn't know what to summarize what someone
said. (Example: Bill said
believe. Do you have witnesses? he asked the pigs.
that he likes to eat turnips
The pigs looked at the other animals for help. But at every meal.) Tip: Phrases
they all said that they were scared of Wolf. such as said that or
reported that are often
The pigs were losing hope when a flea jumped out
good clues that you don't
of Wolf's fur. I saw everything, she said. The pigs are need quotation marks.)
telling the truth. Wolf is a real beast!
What a relief, Daisy said. Maybe now we'll all live
happily ever after!

Super-Fun Reading & Writing Skill Builders Scholastic Professional Books 11

Don't Forget to Punctuate and Capitalize!

Some words need to be capitalized. This means they start with capital letters.

You should always capitalize

• the first word in a sentence. Example: We close the windows when
it rains.
• the word I. Examples: When I went to the park, I climbed a tree.
• the special names of people and places. Examples: Carl, France,
Empire State Building
• titles of people. Examples: Dr. Martin, Mrs. Garcia, President
Washington
• titles or family names when they are used in place of a person's name.
Examples: Good morning, General. I saw Grandpa. Give the list to
Mom.
• the days of the week and months of the year. Examples: Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday; January, February, March
• titles of books, movies, songs, plays, musicals, magazines,
newspapers, and television shows.
• school subjects, when they are the names of languages or subject
titles. Examples: English, French, Modern Art in America
• holidays. Examples: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Thanksgiving

The following sentences have some words that need to be capitalized. Cross out each letter
that needs to be changed to a capital. Write the capital above the crossed out letter. The first
letter is done for you.

W
1. Xhen i went to the store, i saw my teacher, mrs. roe, buying strawberries.

2. my family will go to disneyland in july.

3. i am reading old yeller this week.

4. my sister, sarah, says her favorite subject is spanish.

5. on wednesday, we will celebrate groundhog day.

6. my brother said that mom was a cheerleader at roosevelt high school.

7. in august, we're going to visit aunt margaret in san francisco, california.

8. benjie, my little brother, had a birthday and we sang, "happy birthday to you."

9. my friend, rosa, speaks spanish and i speak english.

10. my neighbor, julia, is going to be an exchange student in paris, france, next august.

#2326 How to Write a Sentence 14 © Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

Capitalization

Each year the students at Wiggleworm School have a pet day. On pet day each student is allowed to
bring a pet to school to share. Usually things go pretty well, but this year things got a little out of hand.
In this story about the pet show, draw a line through each letter that needs to be capitalized and write
the capital letter above it.

Pet Day at Wiggleworm Elementary School

mrs. wolfe was in charge, and she stood at the entrance of wiggleworm
elementary school to welcome the students. lindsay harper entered first
with her goldfish named twitty. Next came lorenzo lopez with a cat, fang.
fang scratched lorenzo and tried to get a bite of the goldfish, twitty. When
samantha rissota arrived with her big, shaggy dog named crackers, crackers
immediately took off after fang, the cat, dragging samantha behind as she
held fast to the leash. As samantha went flying by, she accidentally
knocked over jacob fritz and his ant farm. The ant farm broke, and
thousands of ants began to crawl away. "doc, loretta, steve and darlene,
licorice, pepper-come back!" jacob knelt over the ants and pleaded with
them to return. Just then, fibber, tasha armstrong's parrot, landed next to
the ants and looked at them with great interest. "fibber!" tasha cried and
raced across the room to tackle her parrot. The parrot flew to perch on the
light fixtures, and tasha flew into jonny mcandrew, who was carrying two pet
frogs, antony and Cleopatra. The frogs hopped away slowly and then more
quickly as they realized they were being chased by fang the cat. fang the
cat was being chased by crackers the dog, and lindsay harper was trying to
get her goldfish, twitty, back into the bowl, but she was too slippery. mrs.
wolfe was trying to remove the ants that were crawling on her when she saw
victoria pleasant arriving with her snake, priscilla, and jake jasso coming up
behind victoria with his pet monkey, billie. mrs. wolfe, scratching her arms
and legs, blocked the doorway, which surprised victoria, priscilla, jake, and
billie. "Stop! You're too late. Pet day is over. This was the last pet day ever,
and you may go home now. Try not to be late for school tomorrow!"
victoria, with priscilla wrapped around her neck, smiled and skipped home.
When jake peeked in the window to the classroom, he saw that mrs. wolfe
was clapping her hands and saying, "Now class! It's a short day today; you
may go home now!"

Extension: Illustrate the story. It might help if you make a list of all the pets and their owners first.
Be sure to capitalize all their names.

#2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate 8 © Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

Punctuation

A comma is used between words in a series. Three or more things together make a
series.

We will be talking today about muffins, kittens, and lollipops.

Add the missing commas to the sentences below.

1. All birds have feathers wings and beaks.

2. My sister is sleepy grumpy and clueless.

3. I would have done my homework but I was abducted by aliens was left in Siberia and
had to wait for the Marines to rescue me.

4. I ordered a pizza with cheese pickles and sliced cherries.

5. Please go to the store and get flypaper chopsticks and kumquats.

6. I went to the door with rollers in my hair a mud mask on my face and wearing my
headgear.
7. My dog has brown spots a short tail and fuzzy feet.
8. My little brother can't go anywhere without his blanket his stuffed duck and his rabbit's
foot key chain.
9. When I go to college, I am taking a stereo a microwave and a treadmill.

10. For her birthday, Mindy wants some edible flowers sparkly socks and a pony.

A comma is also used between two or more describing words (adjectives).

A friendly, playful dog makes a good pet.

Add the missing commas to the sentences below.

1. My rabbit has long floppy ears.

2. A large heavy sparrow could weigh 200 pounds.

3. My teacher has a green pointy nose.

4. My dad used to have curly frizzy hair.

5. A friendly playful giraffe ate all my spaghetti.

#2329 How to Capitali;e and Punctuate 36 © Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

 Don't Forget to Punctuate and Capitalize!

Every sentence must end with a punctuation mark. As you have been learning, a sentence may end
with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point.

• A period comes at the end of a sentence that tells something.

Examples: I have a purple bicycle. Turn left at the corner.
• A question mark comes at the end of a sentence that asks a question.
Examples: What color is your bicycle? Is that your house?
• An exclamation point comes at the end of a sentence that contains a
strong feeling.
Examples: Watch out for that car! What a wonderful surprise!

The following sentences need end marks. Think about which kind of end mark each sentence
needs. Then write the correct punctuation mark at the end of each sentence.

1. I love my purple bicycle D

2. I saved enough money to buy it last year D
3. Would you like to try it

4. My brother has a blue bicycle D

5. One time he crashed into me, and I fell off my bike [J
,·'·1

6. Have you ever fallen off your bike LJ

7. Did you skin your knee 0
8. I was so mad at my brother D
9. He told me he was sorry D
10. I'm so glad that my bike did not break D
11. Watch out for the glass in the road [J
12. Don't ride your bike in the streetD
13. Can you park a bike right here D

14. I have to go inside now D

15. Will I see you tomorrow D

© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 15 #2326 How to Write a Sentence
 Punctuation

Every sentence ends with a punctuation mark. Some sentences are "telling" sentences
(a declarative sentence which makes a statement), and these end with periods. Other sentences are
"asking" sentences (an interrogative sentence which asks a question), and these end with question
marks. Another kind of sentence is a "commanding" sentence (an imperative sentence which makes a
request), which also ends with a period. And then, last but not least, there are sentences which show
strong feelings or surprise (an exclamatory sentence which makes an exclamation), which end with an
exclamation mark.
Here is an example of each kind.

Declarative Sentence
An insect is sometimes called a bug.

Interrogative Sentence
Do you know anything about insects?

Imperative Sentence
Close the lid to the bug box.

Exclamatory Sentence
Oh no, the bugs are escaping!

Here is a chart to remind you of what kind of punctuation to use.

• Declarative Sentence
?• Interrogative Sentence
Imperative Sentence
,
•

• Exclamatory Sentence
© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 29 #2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate
 The Predicate: Another VI.P

Here are some sentences that are missing subjects or predicates. Choose a subject or predicate from the
box to complete each sentence. Then, on the line before each number, write a P if you added a
predicate or an S if you added a subject to the sentence. The first one is done for you.

The following subjects and predicates may be used more than once.

My teacher An ugly grasshopper fell on my toe.

The mail carrier The tree is growling.
My kitten has an attitude. is singing in an opera.
has a cute little hat. is crying. is really an alien.
A ladybug climbs on the furniture. is covered in stripes.
Uncle Gerald is lost in space. was under the house.
My sister Dinner is as big as Australia.
A cute little baby My bed is a spy.
A suitcase drove over the hills The doctor
is very gross. ran on the playground. floats away.
is drooling. snores. is purple with polka dots.

5 1. ________________My Kitten sat on the birthday cake.

2. _________________ ate worms for breakfast.

3. Laurie
4. _________________ slipped on a banana peel.

5. Mrs. Crabapple
6. ________________ is a big, hairy beast.

7. A giant elephant
8. My little brother
9. The grizzly bear
10. _________________ is very heavy.

11. _________________ has the measles.

12. A jet plane

13. __________________ isgreen.

14. My science book

15. __________________ is growing blue fur.

© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 21 #2326 How to Write a Sentence

 The Verb: The Active V/.P.

An action verb tells what the subject does. It shows action.

Examples: run, swing, jump, laugh, see, hit, leap
What are some of your favorite action verbs? Write them here: _

In the following paragraph, there are fifty action verbs. Can you find at least forty of them? When you
find one, underline it and write it in the box at the bottom of the page.
In the morning, Benjamin woke up and jumped out of bed. He landed on his brother,
Timothy, who was asleep in the bottom bunk. Timothy sat up and rubbed his eyes.
He grumbled at Benjamin then fell back on his bed. Benjamin looked at Timothy for
a long time. He wanted to see if Timothy was asleep. Then Benjamin ran to the
corner and grabbed his horn. Benjamin blew into his horn and played some musical
notes. He liked the way his horn sounded. But he heard another sound. He
stopped and listened. A moaning sound came from Timothy. Benjamin didn't like
that sound. He grabbed his horn and ran out the door. He sat on the front lawn and
played some more music. The notes floated in the air. He felt happy until he heard
another sound. He stopped and listened. A groaning sound came from his next door
neighbor. Benjamin ran into the backyard. He played his horn some more. He liked
the notes. Then he heard another sound. It was his mother. She called his name
again. He went inside. His mother took his horn and put it away. Then she put
Benjamin back in his bed. She told him it was too early to get up. Benjamin's
mother went back to bed, too. Benjamin tried to imagine the sounds of his horn.
Suddenly, he heard another sound. He stopped and listened. Timothy snored again
and again. Benjamin moaned. He stuck his fingers in his ears, but he still heard
Timothy. So he covered his ears with his pillow. Soon he fell fast asleep.

© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 25 #2326 How to Write a Sentence

Expanding Sentences

By adding words to simple sentences, they will

be more descriptive and exact.
Rewrite each sentence below, Add the kind of words
as directed in place of the parentheses,
Example: The (what kind) boy studied science (when),
The brainy boy studied science after school,
The (what kind) animal sat (how. where), ~

(How many) balls were kicked (where, by whom),

(What kind) butterflies return (where, when),

(When) the dog barked (at what),

(What kind) cliffs dropped (how) into the river,

The (how many, what kind) monkeys chattered (how) at each other,

Nancy lost her (what kind) purse (when, where),

(When) we saw (how many) kites (where),

The (what kind) table had (what kind) flowers on it,

(How many) boys crossed (what, where, when),

Our (what) waited for us (where),

The (what kind) room had (how many) windows,

(Where) there are a (what kind) bucket and (how many) mops,

(How many) horses ran (how, where),

Marty called (how) for her (what kind) dog,

I play (what, when, where),

©1993 Instructional Fair, Inc. 7 IF5066 Basic Writing Skills

 Capitalization

It is time to see how much you have learned about capitalization. Circle all the letters below that
should be capitals. (Hint: there are 63 of them.)

1. the first day of school is exciting.

2. freddy wilson's frog peepers hopped into mrs. woolsey's purse.

3. as i walked outside, i smelled smoke.

4. In the play, robin hood was played by lieutenant bronksy.

5. the fourth thursday in november is thanksgiving.

6. i like halloween best when it is on a saturday.

7. aunt susan went to yellowstone national park.

8. connie lives on maple street in bismark, north dakota.

9. brazil, argentina, and peru are in south america.

10. the mediterranean sea and the atlantic ocean touch spain.

11. the letter was signed, "love always, esther."

12. davis medical center opened in january last year.

13. one of the religions practiced by many african people is islam.

14. italians and germans belong to the caucasian race.

15. last tuesday ruben walked his dog spotty down tulip street to central park.

© Teacher Created Materials. Inc. 21 #2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate

 P 1111 (' III (if i 011

If a comma were a road sign, it would be yellow and it would say, "pause." Commas are very useful for
telling readers when to slow down.
Here are some ways to use commas for this purpose.
D Use a comma after the words yes, no, well, and all right. They should also he used after
phrases like "No kidding,"and "Of course." These kinds of words and phrases are called
interjections, and they are separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
• Yes, I did stay up all night at the slumber party.
• No, we didn't go to Marc's house.
• Well, it's a long story.
• All right, we were going to Marc's house but he wasn't home.
• No kidding, you know where he was?
• Of course, but I won't tell anyone.

D When a person is being addressed, a comma is used to separate his or her name from the
rest of the sentence.
• Jeremy Jackson, get in here right this minute!
• Erin, would you like some help with that banana split you are trying to eat?
• Don't worry, Jaime, we'll find your boa constrictor.

D Use commas to set off interruptions when a word, phrase, or clause interrupts the main
thought of a sentence. To check that a word, phrase, or clause is an interruption, see if that part
of the sentence can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence, or see if the
interruption can be placed nearly anywhere in the sentence without changing its meaning.
• Most dogs think that the humans they live with are part of their doggy family. Our dog, for
example, likes to eat her dog food whenever my daughter appears.
You can remove "for example," and the sentence will still make sense. You can also move the
phrase.
• For example, our dog likes to eat her dog food whenever my daughter appears.
• Our dog likes to eat her dog food, for example, whenever my daughter appears.

o Use commas to set off an appositive (an explanatory word or phrase) from the rest of the
sentence.
• Mr. Gargoyle, my science teacher, says he is going to visit all of his students on Halloween.
• My best friend, Lucy Licorice, lives on a houseboat.

D Also use commas to set off phrases and clauses.

• In bookstores of the future, we will find books stored on disks instead of on shelves.
• English, which students learn throughout the world, is the most widely used language in all fields
of medicine and science.

© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 37 #2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate

Punctuation

~ ~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.!!!!!!!!!!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~-

Set It Off! (coni.)

In the sentences below, add the missing commas to "set it off."

1. No Marlene does not like being squirted in the face.

2. Christopher how long have you been on the telephone?

3. Well just what did you have in mind?

4. Sure Laura I'd love another jelly donut.

5. My brother the world's scariest boy likes escargots.

6. The plane we are taking a 747 will have plenty of room.

7. You realize of course that you will not be allowed out of the house in that outfit.

8. My orthodontist Dr. Baugh decorated his office for Halloween.

9. All right if that's what you think, let's just eat all of the chocolate.

10. In the future we will be able to speak to our computers.

11. No kidding you went rock climbing?

12. We went to Bouquet Canyon a canyon near Valencia to attend a harvest

festival.

13. You could read for example some books about the historical period in which
your novel takes place.

14. For Valentine's Day my dad gave me two pounds of my favorite treat candy
corn.

15. I don't care what you think I'm going to go back there and help that little boy.

#2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate 38 © Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

 Capitalization and Punctuation

Here is a story that has no punctuation and no capitalization whatsoever. Your mission: capitalize and
punctuate. Using a colored pen, write a capital letter over any letter that needs one. Be careful. Don't
capitalize anything that shouldn't be. Insert punctuation marks wherever you think they need to go.
Good luck!

our class went on a very special field trip we saved up money from newspapers and recycling
aluminum cans until we had enough for a group rate to disneyland isnt that exciting
we also had to save up enough for the bus which wasnt too expensive when the day finally
came we were so excited we sang songs like bingo and the ants go marching in all the way
there the bus driver said he was going to go crazy but he was just kidding because he was
also going to disneyland and he was happy about that

when we got there marisa said i see space mountain then luke said I see the matterhorn
mountain then hector said i see splash mountain and of course then olivia said i see thunder
mountain
the bus driver said maybe they should call it mountain land instead nobody said anything
because just then we all saw the monorail go by I want to go on the monorail cassie said but
mrs martinez said that we had to go through the entrance first

after we went through the entrance everybody forgot about the monorail we were divided into
groups so we could go wherever our group wanted to go and we could join with other groups
too whenever we wanted to because we all wore bright orange shirts it wouldnt be too hard to
find each other mrs martinez took a group and so did mr rawlings ms white mrs hojito and bill
the bus driver guess what i was in bill the bus drivers group ill never forget this day our group
had more fun than any other group because bill went on all the rides with us and he didnt
complain at all in fact he said im having too much fun isnt that great bill the bus driver even
rode the bobsleds with us and he went on the autopia too he didnt get sick on dumbo or the
merry go round and he even went on splash mountain thunder mountain and space mountain
on indiana jones he covered his eyes when a snake hissed at him and on the jungle cruise he
shrieked when a hippopotamus blew water on him he made us all laugh all the time at the
very end bill the bus driver got motion sickness on the teacups someone was coming to pick
him up and to bring a new bus driver that meant we got to go back into disneyland for one
more hour we felt sorry for bill but we were so glad to have another hour

© Teacher Created Materials, Inc. 43 #2329 How to Capitalize and Punctuate

 Friendly Letter Name -----,,----,----:;r.;~---

A friendly letter is like having a "chat" with a friend, but it is /l

a one-sided chat because the friend does not have a /~/
chance to talk. The letter writer tells a friend about a
topic or topics of interest to them. He tells about it in an
orderly way. Transition words help organize the letter. ~..;L-J-~
Write a friendly letter to a friend. Make it sound personal. Tell your friend
about a day you had recently that was special. Tell what happened, and
why it was special. Write as many paragraphs as are necessary in the body
of the letter. Remember to indent at the start of each paragraph.

=-+'
Heading

Greeting t _
Bodv]

.-
Closing
• ,
Signature
©1993 Instructional Fair, Inc. 29 IF5066 Basic Writing Skills
 WRITING MECHANICS AND USAGE WITH MRS. LOPARRINO

Basic Writing Skills

Notes:
1. When/Why to Capitalize
2. Set it Off!
Reviews/Final Assessments:
1. Capitalization
2. Caps/Punctuation
3. What’s in a Name?
4. Friendly Letter
Mechanics and Usage
Grammar Cop:
a. Cinderella/Prince
b. Goldilocks
c. Big Bad Wolf
d. Snow White
e. Worried Elf
f. Three Little Pigs
Punctuation:
a. End Marks
b. Where’s My List?
c. Set it off
d. That’s Capital!
e. End Marks
Sentences:
a. What is Missing?
b. Take Action!
c. Expanding Sentences