Page 45 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade8_Flipbook

Writing Workshop 4 (continued)
Revising for Transition Words or Phrases
10. Look for places in the story where there is a shift in time or location, or where a new, major event takes place. Use transition words or phrases to guide your audience without effort through the plot of the story. Here is a list of possible transition words and phrases. (Remember that transitions are usually followed by a comma.)
Shift in Time
Shift in Location
New, Major Event
Later,
The next day,
After he calmed down, Before that,
Finally,
Meanwhile, a
Across the school, At that very moment,
Suddenly, However, Because of this, For instance,
Revising for Language and Writer’s Craft
Using Punctuation in Dialogue
Writers use different kinds of punctuation to help their characters and narrators sound like they are really speaking. When we speak, we often pause or break the flow of speech when we shift in tone or subject. To mirror this in writing, we can use three kinds of punctuation:
• The comma (,)
• The dash (—)
• The ellipsis ( . . . )
Here is an example from “Priscilla and the Wimps”:
“Monk’s threads were more . . . subtle.”
Notice how the use of the ellipsis gives the reader a sense that the narrator paused when speaking, which gives a sense of emphasis to the descriptive word “subtle.” Continued reading reveals that the narrator has used the word “subtle” ironically or mockingly. Monk’s clothing is anything but simple or unremarkable!
In your writing, consider using any of the three kinds of punctuation to create the effect of pausing. Each one signals a different length of the pause or abruptness of the break. Note how the pause seems to get longer with each version of the sentence below:
Finally she revealed her secret crush, Calvin Johnson. Finally she revealed her secret crush—Calvin Johnson. Finally she revealed her secret crush . . . Calvin Johnson.
In this next sentence, a writer has used a dash to indicate a break in tone in order to suggest that the last phrase is being said sarcastically:
Maybe we could try a day without homework—heaven forbid.
Look over the sentences below, and rewrite them, adding punctuation to indicate a pause or break. Use each of the three kinds of punctuation at least once.
I wanted to take a bite of the cake so badly but I didn’t.
Students’ responses will vary.
10 SpringBoard® Writing Workshop with Grammar Activities Grade 8
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