Todays Objective Analyze textual context of vocabulary in

Today’s Objective: Analyze textual context of vocabulary in Anthem and use a dictionary to determine proper meaning and/or distinguish between denotative and connotative meaning. Bellringer: Answer these questions. What does a sentence do? What is the function of a semicolon? Take out pen(cil), note paper, Anthem, and grab a dictionary off the shelf.

Consider this: a sentence communicates one idea. The cat chased the mouse. It can be detailed: All morning long, Clara, the grey cat, chased the white mouse around the kitchen of the Jeffries’ summer cabin. But it still only communicates one idea.

If you want to introduce another idea, start another sentence. In the afternoon, the mouse chased the cat. The mouse kept trying to steal the cheese.

If you want to show a close link between the two ideas, the sentences may be joined in a variety of ways, creating one larger idea. All morning long, Clara, the grey cat, chased the white mouse around the kitchen of the Jeffries’ summer cabin, but in the afternoon, the mouse chased the cat. The cat chased the mouse because it kept trying to steal the cheese.

If the ideas do not share a naturally strong link, they should NOT be connected. All morning long, Clara, the grey cat, chased the white mouse around the kitchen of the Jeffries’ summer cabin, but in the afternoon, the New York Yankees lost to the Texas Rangers. The cat chased the mouse because pie is delicious.

If a writer is confident his or her readers will understand the connection between the two ideas, a semicolon may be substituted for the conjunction. All morning long, Clara, the grey cat, chased the white mouse around the kitchen of the Jeffries’ summer cabin; in the afternoon, the mouse chased the cat. The cat chased the mouse; it kept trying to steal the cheese.

The other function of a semicolon is as a “super comma, ” separating items that contain commas in a series. Last summer I went to Lima, Peru; Paris, France; and Cairo, Egypt. I saw Peter, Paul and Mary; Earth, Wind and Fire; and Blood, Sweat and Tears in concert.

Vocabulary Find the definition of the vocabulary word that best fits the context of the sentence at the bottom of the page. Make sure your definition is appropriate for the given part of speech.

Meaningful Sentences Join two simple sentences into one compound sentence (via semicolon) demonstrating your mastery of the vocabulary. The first simple sentence will use the vocabulary word. The second simple sentence will incorporate the definition.

Good: My uncle is the most benevolent person I know; he is very kind. Better: My uncle is the most benevolent person I know; few people are kinder than he is. Not so much: My uncle is the most benevolent person I know; he always buys me ice cream.