Creating Super Sentences

Another MnemonicFrom Mrs. D

OUTCOME: Learn to create SUPER sentences by using “active voice.”

Objectives: Students will learn to . . .Identify passive “be verbs”Change passive sentences into active sentencesExplain why active sentences are superior to passive sentences

A long time ago . . .

If you could give us just one tip that would make us better writers, what tip would you offer?

At a writers’ conference . . .

The best question . . .

Two kinds of sentencesPassive (Passive Voice)

Basically BORINGRelies on passive verbsHow many? 23

Active (Active Voice)

Interesting, CAPTIVATESRelies on active verbsHow many? Thousands!

A memory trick

Find the boring sentences.Get rid of the passive verbs.Replace them with active verbs.

If only you could remember those23 passive verbs, you could . . .

Search and Destroy Mission!

Be, is, amAre, were, wasBeing, been, may, can, do, doesDid, had, haveHas, shall, should,Must, might, could, will, AND would

Be Verbs

Achieving Active Voice

By Memorizing Be Verbs to the Tune of Brahms Lullaby

Brahms Lullaby

What is Brahms’ Lullaby?Kudos to Aaron Neville . . .

Brahms’ Lullaby from the video, Goodnight Moon, courtesy of YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otIr5Bg9_y0

Be VerbsBe, is, amAre, were, wasBeing, been, may, can, do, doesDid, had, haveHas, shall, should,Must, might, could, will, AND would

Be VerbsBe, is, amAre, were, wasBeing, been, may, can, do, doesDid, had, haveHas, shall, should,Must, might, could, will, AND would

Be VerbsBe, is, _____,Are, _______, wasBeing, been, _______, can, ____, doesDid, had, haveHas, shall, __________,Must, might, could, ______, AND would

Be VerbsBe, is, _____,Are, _______, wasBeing, been, _______, can, ____, doesDid, ______, haveHas, shall, __________,Must, _______, could, ______, AND would

Be VerbsBe, _____, _____,Are, _______, _______,Being, _______, _______, can, ____, doesDid, ______, ________Has, _______, __________,Must, _______, could, ______, AND _______

Be VerbsBe, _____, _____,Are, _______, _______,Being, _______, _______, can, ____, _____Did, ______, ________Has, _______, __________,Must, _______, _______ ______, AND _______

Be VerbsBe, _____, _____,_____, _______, _______,Being, _______, _______, _____, ____, ___________, ______, ________Has, _______, __________,_____, _______, _______ ______, AND _______

Be Verbs_____, _____, _____,_____, _______, _______,_____, _______, _______, _____, ____, ___________, ______, _____________, _______, __________,_____, _______, _______ ______, AND _______

Be VerbsBe, is, amAre, were, wasBeing, been, may, can, do, doesDid, had, haveHas, shall, should,Must, might, could, will, AND would

Be VerbsBe, is, amAre, were, wasBeing, been, may, can, do, doesDid, had, haveHas, shall, should,Must, might, could, will, AND would

Every time you write, you are faced with a choice . . .

Passive Verbs Active Verbs

It’s like the difference between . . .

Passive Verbs Active Verbs

Clark Kent Superman

Creating Super Sentences

Find the passive verb and destroy it.Find the subject and the second noun.Rewrite the sentence by switching the order of the noun parts.

Try making this SUPER!That play was composed by Thornton Wilder.

Find the “be verb” and destroy it (cross it out). That play WAS composed by Thornton Wilder.

Find the subject and the second noun part: That play WAS composed by Thornton Wilder.

Rewrite the sentence by switching the noun parts:Thornton Wilder composed that play.

Think, “Search and Destroy!”I am puzzled by your question.

Find the “be verb” and destroy it (cross it out): I AM puzzled by your question.

Find the subject and the second noun part: I AM puzzled by your question.

Switch the word order and tweak the verb:Your question puzzles me.

Search and Destroy #3The puppy is frightened by loud noises.

Find the “be verb” and destroy it (cross it out): The puppy IS frightened by loud noises.

Find the subject and the second noun part:The puppy IS frightened by loud noises.

Switch the word order and tweak the verb:Loud noises frighten the puppy.

Search and Destroy #4Plays are performed by actors.

Find the “be verb” and destroy it (cross it out): Plays ARE performed by actors.

Find the subject and the second noun part: Plays ARE performed by actors.

Switch the word order and tweak the verb:Actors perform plays.

Search and Destroy #5This painting was purchased by Ms. Jones.

Find the “be verb” and destroy it (cross it out): This painting WAS purchased by Ms. Jones.

Find the subject and the second noun part: This painting WAS purchased by Ms. Jones.

Switch the word order:Ms. Jones purchased this painting.

Prove that you “got it!”

Find the passive verb and destroy it.

Find the subject and the second noun.

Rewrite the sentence by switching the order of the noun parts.

Directions: 1) If the sentence is already active, write “A.” 2) If the sentence is passive, write “P.” 3) Change passive sentences to active:

If that was too easy, try this . . .

Brahms Lullaby

_____, _____, _____,

_____, _______, _______,_____, _______, _______, _____, ____, ___________, ______, _____________, _______, __________,_____, _______, _______ ______, AND _______

Be VerbsBe, is, amAre, were, wasBeing, been, may, can, do, doesDid, had, haveHas, shall, should,Must, might, could, will, AND would