Nouns Two Types Common and Proper Common Nouns

Nouns Two Types: Common and Proper Common Nouns are any person, place, or thing. Common nouns are not capitalized. • A policeman • The city • That newspaper Proper Nouns are the name of a special person, place, or thing. Proper nouns are capitalized. • Stratford • Officer Walker • New York Times

Can you tell the difference? Tell if the underlined noun is common or proper. � Mary visited the school last Friday. � The dog was purchased at Pet City. � My sister, Faye is getting married in May. � Both Tina and Cody visited Marine World last week.

Possessive nouns are used to show possession (owning, or having). Add 's to the end of a singular noun to make it possessive. � The dog's collar is too large. ◦ The word dog's is the possessive noun. It tells you that the noun collar belongs to the dog. The dog owns, or possesses the collar. � If the noun ends in an s, add an apostrophe (’) only after the s. ◦ The bus’ door was broken. �

Possessive nouns (continued) � Add only the apostrophe (’) to the end of a plural noun that ends with an s. ◦ My sisters' names are Faye and Olive. � Add an apostrophe (’s) to the end of a plural noun that does not end with an s. ◦ The children’s hands were cold.

Nouns can be concrete of abstract � Concrete nouns are things you can see or touch – they are tangible. ◦ a desk, book, sweater, boots, make-up, wallet, � Abstract nouns include ideas, qualities or feelings – they are intangible. ◦ Love, trust, sadness, taste, beauty, progress, trouble

Nouns can be compound �A compound noun is a noun that is made with two or more words. � There are three forms for compound nouns: ◦ open or spaced - space between words (tennis shoe) ◦ hyphenated - hyphen between words (six-pack) ◦ closed or solid - no space or hyphen between words (bedroom) � Here are some examples of compound nouns: ◦ bus stop, full moon, mother-in-law, underworld, haircut

Nouns can be collective �Collective nouns – these name groups (things) composed of members (usually people). ◦ army, audience, board, class, committee, jury, family, minority

Writing with Strong, Specific Nouns � Specific or Precise Nouns are a more specific kind of noun. ◦ Precise Nouns make the picture clearer for the reader. � Word choice is the heart of any writing. A single word can create an image or conjure up emotions for readers. Let’s look at how strong, specific nouns can do just that.

Writing with Strong, Specific Nouns (continued) � As you know, a noun is a person, place, thing, or idea, and there are two kinds: common and proper nouns. � I’d like us to think of nouns in three different groups when it comes to writing: ordinary/blah nouns (which writers should avoid), strong common nouns and specific proper nouns. � Look at the examples on the next slide.

Writing with Strong, Specific Nouns (continued) Ordinary/Blah Nouns house toys shoes vehicle candy Strong Common Nouns shack, mansion, hut, homestead, cabin board game, blocks, model plane, dinosaur, doll sneakers, high heels, platforms, boots Specific Proper Nouns White House, Windsor Castle Twister, Legos, Revel B-17 Bomber, T-Rex, Barbie Nikes, Keens, Uggs Toyota Camry car, bus, semi-truck, Greyhound, Camaro, pick-up Dodge Ram Snickers, M & M’s, chocolates, caramel, Hersheys, Werther’s candy corn, jelly Originals, Skittles, beans, gum Bazooka Bubble Gum

Your Turn: � Complete � On the activity booklet on nouns a loose leaf piece of paper, write a descriptive paragraph about what you are wearing today – attach this to your booklet.