Interrupting Modifier Between S and V Subject modifier

Interrupting Modifier Between S and V Subject (, ) modifier (, ) verb. Subject – modifier – verb. Sentence Type #2

The Use of Modifiers O Writers use modifiers to: O Add Description O Vary Structure O Emphasize Details O Increase Readability

The Use of Modifiers O Writers should aim for variety in the length, type, and location of modifiers. O Participial Phrase: often begins with an “- ing” form of a verb O Appositive Phrase: identifies or renames an adjacent noun or pronoun O Absolute Phrase: resembles a complete sentence with a missing auxiliary verb

Participial Phrases O Quickly he builds a small fire and then skins the rat, shaving off the skin a strip at a time. - Jennifer Toth O My parents were still at the table, drinking coffee. - Annie Dillard O Nudging the shade aside with the rifle barrel, I followed people in my sights as they walked or drove along the street. Tobias Wolff

Appositive Phrases O He walks behind a raised bunker, a ten- foot-high concrete wall that once served as a rest and tool shack for track maintenance workers. - Jennifer Toth O It was a helter-skelter stampede, a headlong rush in circles. - Paul Auster O A thin, tough, leathery membrane that encases the brain, the dura is dark pink, almost red. - David Noonan

Absolute Phrases O Feet squeaking on the floor, we worked out until I had the moves down cold. Tobias Wolff O "Right or left? " I yell into the darkness, my fright verging on panic. - Jennifer Toth O His head is shaved, his eyes and nose taped shut. - David Noonan

Sentence Type #2 (, ) Subject, Modifier, Verb. O A small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought, can make millions think. O Donuts and Danish pastries, popular breakfast foods, contain little nutrition. O Typewriters, once common in schools and offices, are rarely seen or used now.

Sentence Type #2 (–) Subject, Modifier, Verb. O Wolves – once feared and killed – are being reintroduced into the environment. O The Mustangs – fighting and struggling – came from behind to win the game.

Sentence Type #2 O As a class, we will fill in the blanks: O The students, ___________, did not want to read The Odyssey. O Odysseus, with __________, was able to defeat the one-eyed giant, Polyphemus. O The teacher – ___________ – wanted her students to do their best.

Sentence Check: Got it? O If you get confused as to whether or not you have a complete sentence, there is a trick to figure it out.

Sentence Check: Got it? O Take the middle part, the modifier: O The angry student, throwing papers and stomping, refused to do their work.

Sentence Check: Got it? O …and do this: (Delete the modifier!) O The angry student, throwing papers and stomping, refused to do their work. O The angry student refused to do their work. O The commas go away and it turns into a subject + verb sentence.

Sentence Type #2 O You should now have the ability to write a sentence that contains a modifier. O Remember the trick to check whether or not it is a complete sentence…DELETE THE MODIFIER! O We will create a sentence wall and the patterns will remain on the wall for the year. Soon…I promise.