Page 22 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade8_Flipbook

Grammatical mood of verbs: In grammar, mood does not describe an emotional state. Instead, mood is a form of the verb that conveys the writer’s attitude toward a subject.
• The indicative mood is used to make factual statements or pose questions. “A borrowed book is like a guest in the house...”
“Literature is the immortal part of history...”
• The imperative mood is used to express a request or command. “Ask not what your country can do for you.”
“Ask what you can do for your country.”
• The subjunctive mood is used to show a wish, doubt, or anything contrary to fact. If I were to write in a book, I would be sure to own it.
If I were asked to choose between books and friends, I would choose books.
• The interrogative mood indicates a state of questioning. “Have you read all of these books?”
“How could it?”
The various moods, which convey different tones and attitudes, can be used for
rhetorical effect.
Verbals: A verbal is a word formed from a verb but functioning as a different part of speech. One specific type of verbal is a gerund, a verb ending in –ing that acts as a noun. Gerunds and gerund phrases are used as nouns, and they can add liveliness to your writing.
Underline the gerunds and gerund phrases.
There’s no crying in baseball!
Sleeping is an important aspect of maintaining mental health. He is guilty of speaking too much and listening too little.
Notice how the -ing form of the verb is used differently in each of the following sentences: Which sentence includes a gerund?
John is standing in the middle of the road.
Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous.
Standing in the middle of the road, John flagged down a taxi cab.
Editing
11. Once you understand how to use verbs and verb moods for rhetorical effect, review your class-constructed essay. Use what you have learned to improve your writing. Then, as a final step, polish the final draft of the essay by editing for mistakes in spelling and conventions. Consider all the elements listed in the Use of Language section of the Scoring Guide. Be sure to make all corrections on your individual copy of the essay.
Writing Workshop 2 • Argumentative Writing 7
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