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GRANT SCHOOL
1425 Washington Place, San Diego, CA 92103-1792
Offi ce
: 619
-860
-
5500 Fax: 619-297-8404
Dave P. Martocchio
InstructorDave@me.com
InstructorDave.org
Mobile: 858-354-9417
Writing Fundamentals
Information
•
Students are to write a certain type of sentence or sentences each school day.
•
Students will receive oral and written instruction on types of sentence structure and how to
write the different types.
•
The written instructions can be found listed below.
•
Students will submit their work each day to be reviewed.
•
If the work is satisfactory, the student will be given credit for the work.
•
If the work is not satisfactory, the student will receive one-on-one instruction on how to
correct the work. The student will then practice writing the type of sentence that they were
having trouble with and resubmit the work for a second review. This process will continue
until the student’s work is satisfactory.
•
Students may work ahead if they wish.
•
Writing Fundamentals are graded in the ‘Passed’ or ‘Not Passed’ style.
•
Passed
=
Sentence was written properly.
•
Not Passed
=
Sentence was not written properly.
•
The Writing Fundamentals grade will appear in the Takes Responsibility and Perseveres in
Learning section of the
Report Card
.
Week
Subject
Explanation
Example
1
Write a Simple Sentence on any topic.
•
An independent clause.
•
A group of words with at least one subject and at least one verb.
1. Dave loves to surf.
2
Write a Compound Sentence on any topic.
•
Two independent clauses combined with a coordinating
conjunction such as: because, since, if, until, when, even
though, in case, while, and now that
,
preceded by a comma or
semicolon.
1. Dave loves to surf, and he loves burritos.
3
Write a Complex Sentence on any topic.
•
One independent clause and one dependent clause separated
by a comma if the dependent clause comes fi rst.
•
The two clauses can be separated by a
coordinating
conjunction such as: because, since, if, until, when, even
though, in case, while, and now that.
•
A dependent clause is not a complete sentence, it is a sentence
fragment.
1.
Dave loves to surf and eat burritos.
2.
Even though the water is cold, Dave loves
to
surf.
4
Write a Compound-Complex Sentence on
any topic.
•
Two or more independent clauses and one dependent clause.
•
Use a coordinating conjunction
such as: because, since, if, until,
when, even though, in case, while, and now that
, and a comma
or a semicolon.
1.
Dave loves surfi ng, and because it is his
birthday, he surfed.
2.
Because Dave loves to surf, he surfed on
his birthday; however, the surf was not
good that day.
5
Write a sentence that includes a Plural
Noun on any topic.
•
A plural noun is a word that refers to more than one person,
place, or thing.
•
For regular nouns add -s or -es to the end to make the noun
plural.
•
Irregular nouns change their spelling when becoming plural;
man — men, child — children.
•
Some irregular nouns don’t change their spelling when
becoming plural; sheep — sheep.
1.
All the cars are old.
2.
He saw fi ve fi sh while surfi ng.
6
Write a sentence that includes a Singular
Possessive Noun on any topic.
•
A singular possessive noun
is made by adding an apostrophe
then an ‘s’ to singular nouns.
•
A singular noun is a noun that refers on only one person, place,
or thing.
•
Possessive means a noun that is owned by, or is related to
someone.
1.
David’s car is old.
2.
His favorite surfboard’s fi n is broken.
3.
Dave’s sister also surfs.
7
Write a sentence that includes a Plural
Possessive Noun on any topic.
•
A plural possessive noun are nouns that end in ‘s’.
•
An apostrophe goes after the ‘s’ to show possession.
1.
The surfboards’ fi ns were red.
2.
Ford make their cars’ doors bigger than
other cars.
8
Write a sentence that includes a Singular
Pronoun on any topic.
•
Singular pronouns take the place of nouns.
•
Examples of singular pronouns are: I, you, he, she, it, me, him,
her, my, mine, your, his, hers, its, etc.
1.
He loves to surf.
2.
I own old cars.
9
Write a sentence that includes a Plural
Pronoun on any topic.
•
Plural pronouns are pronouns that refer to plural nouns.
•
Examples of plural pronouns are: we, you, they, us, them, their,
theirs, our, etc.
1.
We went to the beach.
2.
They did not go in the water.
10
Write a sentence that shows how to use a
comma. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use a
comma.
Use a comma:
1.
to separate independent clauses.
2.
after an introductory clause.
3.
between items in a series.
4.
after a dialogue tag.
5.
when writing the date.
6.
between a city and its state.
7.
when there are four or more digits in a number.
1.
He went surfi ng, and then he went home.
2.
When he fi nished surfi ng, he was hungry.
3.
Dave likes surfi ng, old cars, and
instruments.
4.
He said, “I am going for this wave.”
5.
June 10, 2025
6.
She was born in San Diego, California.
7.
3,500 or 10,483 or 129,094,859
11
Write a sentence that shows how to use a
period. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use a
period.
Use a period:
1.
to end a sentence.
2.
when using abbreviations.
3.
when using initials.
4.
when writing a decimal.
5.
when writing acronyms.
1.
Go surf.
2.
I went surfi ng on Mon. and Fri.
3.
The surf is good in P.B.
4.
Pi is 3.14159265358979323846264338327
5.
i.e. (that is), e.g. (for example)
12
Write a sentence that shows how to use a
question mark. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use a
question mark.
Use a question mark:
1.
when writing a question.
2.
inside quotation marks if the question is only inside the marks.
3.
outside the quotation marks if the question applies to the
whole sentence.
4.
inside parentheses if the question is only inside the marks.
5.
outside the parentheses if the question applies to the whole
sentence.
1.
Where are we going to surf today?
2.
Mike said, “Do you want to go to the
Cliffs?”.
3.
Didn’t you hear Dan say, “Sharks have
been sighted at the Cliffs.”?
4.
I saw a shark (or was it a dolphin?) just
now.
5.
Do you think that tomorrow we will see the
shark (or dolphin)?
13
Write a sentence that shows how to use
an exclamation mark. Each sentence
should demonstrate a different way to use
an exclamation mark.
Use an exclamation mark:
1.
at the end of an exclamatory sentence. An exclamatory
sentence has strong emotion such as: anger, surprise, joy,
excitement, etc.
2.
inside quotation marks if the exclamation is only inside the
marks.
3.
outside the quotation marks if the
exclamation
applies to the
whole sentence.
4.
inside parentheses if the
exclamation
is only inside the
parentheses.
5.
outside the parentheses if the
exclamation
applies to the
whole sentence.
1.
There is surf today!
2.
Mike said, “Let’s go!”
3.
Then I tried to tell Mike “There is only surf
in Hawaii today”!
4.
I did not fi nd out until later that there was
surf (at Ralph’s!).
5.
It was not until the next day that I found out
that Mike and Dan went surfi ng (without
me)!
14
Write a sentence that shows how to use
an ellipse. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use an
ellipse.
Use an ellipse:
1.
when omitting words in a quote.
2.
to pause for dramatic effect.
3.
to trail off into silence.
4.
to suggest there is more.
5.
with a period at the end of a sentence.
1.
“I hate when someone drives my car and
resets all the radio presets. [. . . ] I would
never touch the things that were set.” Will
Ferrell
2.
You got . . . barreled?
3.
No surf . . .
4.
I am going to surf today, and tomorrow, and
the next day, and the next day . . .
5.
I am so hungry . . . . What will I eat?
15
Write a sentence that shows how to use
parentheses. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use
parentheses.
Use parentheses:
1.
to set aside unnecessary information.
2.
when defi ning acronyms.
3.
to add personal commentary.
4.
when one needs to indicate singular and plural.
1.
I went surfi ng (two times) yesterday.
2.
The National Football League (N.F.L.)
championship game is called the Super
Bowl.
3.
The Jets (In my opinion the best team
ever.) are in the N.F.L.
4.
If you have any question(s) about that,
please see me.
16
Write a sentence that shows how to use
brackets. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use
brackets.
Use brackets:
1.
when adding information to a quote.
2.
when the quotation does not start with a capital.
3.
when omitting text in a quote.
4.
to show that the original quote had a error. Put
sic
in
italics
inside brackets after the mistake. Sic is a Latin adverb that
means
thus
,
so
and in
this manner
.
1.
“I’ve committed to surfi ng [he was a
bicyclist] the rest of my life.” Lance
Armstrong.
2.
“[C]ompetitive sufi ng can be really
frustrating, . . .” Bethany Hamilton.
3.
“I hate when someone drives my car and
resets all the radio presets. [. . . ] I would
never touch the things that were set.” Will
Ferrell
4.
“That was to [
sic
] fun!”
17
Write a sentence that shows how to use
quotation marks. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use
quotation marks.
Use quotation marks:
1.
to quote a source.
2.
to show dialogue.
3.
to indicate titles of short works.
4.
to show doubt.
5.
to discuss a word, phrase, or letter.
6.
to set apart a nickname from a given name.
7.
to indicate inches.
1.
Dave
warned us that “going surfi ng after a
storm” could make us sick “due to the
contaminated run off water.”
2.
“I am going surfi ng anyway!” said Mike.
3.
Dan wrote the article, “Wipeout” in
Surfer
Magazine
.
4.
My “car” only has two wheels and pedals.
5.
The “g” in gnarly is silent.
6.
Dan “The Man” has arrived.
7.
Mike is 6’ 2” tall.
18
Write a sentence that shows how to use
apostrophes. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use
apostrophes.
Use apostrophes:
1.
when writing some contractions.
2.
when writing a possessive noun.
3.
to indicate feet.
4.
when using plural letter, numbers, and symbols.
1.
I can’t surf today!
2.
Do you want to get somethin’ to eat?
3.
That is Dave’s surfboard.
4.
Mike is 6’ 2” tall.
5.
This year, the A’s play in Sacramento.
6.
There are two 4’s in my phone number.
19
Write a sentence that shows how to use a
colon. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use a
colon.
Use a colon:
1.
to separate two independent clauses.
2.
when making a list.
3.
to introduce a quotation.
4.
to write time or ratios.
5.
when adding a subtitle.
1.
We have two options for lunch: eat at
Konitos or at Taco Surf.
2.
My favorite foods are: vegetables, nuts,
meat, and dairy.
3.
He repeated the words of M.L.K.: “I have a
dream . . .”
4.
Let’s surf at 6:00 a.m.
5.
My sleep to wake ratio is 1:3.
6.
Surfi ng: Fun For Everone
20
Write a sentence that shows how to use a
semicolon. Each sentence should
demonstrate a different way to use a
semicolon.
Use a semicolon:
1.
to connect related independent clauses.
2.
instead of a coordinating conjunction.
3.
when a conjunctive adverb is used. Conjunctive adverbs are:
moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then,
fi nally, likewise, consequently, etc.
4.
when making a list that has punctuation.
5.
in place of a period when the sentences are closely related.
1.
Dave went surfi ng at Law Street; his friend
went surfi ng at Tourmaline Street.
2.
Dave caught more waves; Mike got better
waves.
3.
The water was cold; therefore, he wore a
wetsuit.
4.
I have surfed in: San Diego, CA; Warwick,
Bermuda; Los Angeles, CA; and Fort
Walton Beach, FL.
5.
I went to the beach; I did not surf.
21
Write a sentence that shows how to use
an hyphen, en dash, and em dash.
Use an hyphen:
1.
with some compound words.
Use an en dash:
1.
with multi-word modifi ers.
Use an em dash:
1.
to indicate a pause in the sentence.
2.
in place of a colon.
3.
in place of parentheses.
1.
Hyphen: Ocean Beach has a dog-friendly
beach.
2.
En Dash: Kelly Slater—style surfi ng is hard
to do.
3.
Em Dash in place of a colon: I got to the
beach and there they were—big barreling
waves.
4.
Em Dash for a pause: “Hey—is that a dog
on a surfboard?”
5.
Em Dash in place of parentheses: The dog
—who was surfi ng—was a golden retriever.
22
Write a sentence in present simple tense
on any topic.
Use simple tense:
1.
to show something that is happening right now.
2.
to show something that happens over and over again.
1.
She is surfi ng.
2.
She surfs every day.
23
Write a sentence in past simple tense on
any topic.
Use past simple tense:
1.
to write about something that happened in the past.
2.
to write about how someone feels about something.
1.
Mike entered a surf contest.
2.
Mike was very proud of his surf contest
victory.
24
Write a sentence in future simple tense on
any topic.
Use future simple tense:
1.
to write about something that will happen in the future.
2.
to write about how someone felt about something.
1.
Mike will enter a surf contest next week.
2.
Mike will be very happy if he wins the surf
contest.
25
Write a sentence in present perfect tense
on any topic.
Use present perfect tense:
1. to write about something has happened and will continue to
happen.
1.
I have been surfi ng since 1995.
2.
The waves have been good all day.
26
Write a sentence in past perfect tense on
any topic.
Use past perfect tense:
1. to describe an event that has happened before another event.
1.
When Mike called me to go surf, I had just
left for the beach.
2.
The rain stopped by time I got to the beach.
27
Write a sentence in future perfect tense
on any topic.
Use future perfect tense:
1.
to describe events that will be completed before another point
in the future.
1.
The rain will stop by time I get to the beach.
2.
By this time tomorrow, I will leave on my
surf trip to Hawaii.
28
Write a sentence in present continuous
tense on any topic.
Use present continuous tense:
1.
to describe and action that is happing now and will continue
into the future.
1.
I am surfi ng.
2.
We are surfi ng tomorrow.
29
Write a sentence in past continuous tense
on any topic.
Use past continuous tense:
1. to describe action in the past that is still happening.
1.
While I was surfi ng, my friends were sitting
on their boards talking.
2.
We were surfi ng when it started to rain.
30
Write a sentence in future continuous
tense on any topic.
Use future continuous tense:
1. to describe what is happening over a period of time in the
future.
1.
I will be surfi ng from noon until 6:00 p..m.
2.
I will be buying a new surfboard on Monday.
31
Write a sentence in present perfect
continuous tense on any topic.
Use present perfect continuous tense:
1.
to describe something that started in the past and is
continuing at the present time.
1.
I have been driving since 6:00 a.m. this
morning.
2.
Recently, I have been surfi ng at La Jolla
Shores beach.
32
Write a sentence in past perfect
continuous tense on any topic.
Use past perfect continuous tense:
1.
to describe things that started in the past and ended in the
past.
1.
I had been surfi ng at that spot until I
learned that it was for swimmers only.
2.
I had been planning a surf trip for months.
33
Write a sentence in future perfect
continuous tense on any topic.
Use future perfect continuous tense:
1.
to describe things that will continue up until some point in the
future.
1.
In July, I will have been surfi ng on my new
board for two months.
2.
At 6:00 p.m., I will have been surfi ng for
three hours.
34
Write a sentence that includes a singular
possessive adjective on any topic.
Use singular possessive adjectives:
1. to tell who a thing belongs to.
1.
This is my surfboard.
2.
That is your bike.
35
Write a sentence that includes a plural
possessive adjective on any topic.
Use a plural possessive adjectives:
1.
to make a noun plural.
2.
the adjective does not become plural, the noun does.
1.
Those are my surfboards.
2.
Where are your bikes?
36
n/a
37
n/a
38
n/a
