Instead of the Oscars, I watched vampire DVDs.

1. As far as I can tell, the only worthy moments of the Oscars come when we can vivisect the ladies' fashion choices.
2. The best of the best is always lovely, but the worst of the worst live on in memory forever. (identify the two independent clauses, and diagram this compound sentence.)
3. I recall with fondness the travesty of a dress that Bjork wore to the Oscars in 2001.
4. This only beats Cher's dress from 1988 because it has a stuffed animal on it, as opposed to in it.

This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.  

This deals with the subordinate clause.  NEW AS OF February 15

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011  

I recant anything snotty I've ever said about wrestling. Happy Rodeo Break, MVHS!

1. While everyone knows about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's wrestling career, I did not know that he was a third-generation wrestler until this weekend.
2. The Youtube clips that I watched this weekend chronicling his return to wrestling made me happy happy happy.  
3. The movie trailer that I embedded below features Sarah Michelle Gellar starring with The Rock.

This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.  

This deals with the subordinate clause.  NEW AS OF February 15

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011  

More soothing English voices. I heart the BBCA

1. If I had the money to mess about with cars like the Top Gear boys, I would do goofy wig tests with bald men in "drop-tops" too.
2. Whatever car is put through its paces gets a Monty Python-esque  demeanor from the boys.
3. The hosts, who behave just like men given a lot of money to play with cars, really take their reviews and evaluations seriously.

 

Of course, the website won't let me embed the video, so we'll have to link directly to it HERE.

This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

This deals with the subordinate clause.  NEW AS OF February 15

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011  

Emmett Till, we will not forget you.

1. Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy from Chicago was murdered in Mississippi in 1955; however, his murderers were acquitted of all charges.
2. He whistled at a white woman, who told her husband about it.
3. The husband and his brother kidnapped Emmett Till from his bedroom, and beat him until his face was unrecognizable. 
4.  What America needs is to keep this story in front of us to prevent its repetition.

This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

This deals with the subordinate clause.  NEW AS OF February 15

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011  
 

Comparing Opinions

1. Because audiences have more choices, news networks must try to appeal to a "niche" audience.
2. Fox News appeals to conservatives, whereas progressives prefer MSNBC.
3. The two clips below, pulled from each network, both express opinions that follow these biases.
4. The Ed Shultz piece is more opinionated, but the Fox clip gives more time to the Republican governor.

 The Fox News clip won't embed, but here's the link.

For parity, I'll post the MSNBC link instead of embedding it, as well. 
 This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

This deals with the subordinate clause.  NEW AS OF February 15

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011  

Best In Show- but can your dog do THIS??

1. The non-sporting group, which was shown on Monday, has Boston Terriers in it.
2. Little toy dogs whose owners stick them in purses often resemble wee shaky rats.
3. Provided that the bag is lined, accidents should be an easy fix.
4. Whomever chooses a teacup Chihuahua should prepare themselves for trembling bug-eyed devotion.
5. The Westminster Kennel club did not pick a purse dog as best in show; however, the Scottish Deerhound pictured above is a fine and noble beast.
 

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

This deals with the subordinate clause.  NEW AS OF February 15

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

And in local news...

Even though there is a grammar test today, I still would like to share this clip with you.


The red part of that sentence is a subordinate clause.

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

This deals with the subordinate clause.  NEW AS OF February 15

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

Is it secret if we all feel this way?

1. Looking forward to every Sunday's posting, I read Postsecret.com in the morning sipping my coffee.
2. The premise of Postsecret is to send a secret, never previously revealed, on a postcard. (diagram #2)
3. The blog's founder, a guy named Frank, does speaking tours and museum exhibitions of the postcards sent to him.
4. This blog, baring the secrets of America, taps into the nation's emotional zeitgeist.*
*–noun [German].

the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time.

 

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

Revolution in Egypt Revisited

1. Fleeing Cairo for the resort town of Sharm El-Sheik, a coastal resort town, President Mubarak may flee the country, or may just wait for the protests to stop.
2. Reported at 8:00 am this morning, protesters, harassing the helicopters flying towards the Presidential Palace, flew kites.

diagram #2, plskthx.

3. The Egyptian military, caught in the middle between their boss and their people, have a really hard decision to make.
4.Oozing cuteness, the little girl in the video below sums up the crisis, ensuring her career at CNN.

PS: interesting article titled "Why Egypt's Faith Should Hold No Fear"

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

Soothing English Voices

1. Monty Python, the comedic troupe holding its own as awesome, did sketch comedy relying on pointing out the absurd.
2. John Cleese, offered a knighthood by the Queen, turned it down.
3. Michael Palin travelled the world making documentaries to inform viewers about foreign lands.
4. Being too long to play here, the Monty Python's 40th anniversary interview with Keith Olbermann makes for big chuckles.

 

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

How to make Invading Aliens with Corn Starch

1. Having been in my class, you all know my love for the scary movies.
2. With this trick, making one's own alien invasion movie just got a whole lot easier.

 Diagram sentence #2 on a separate piece of paper, kthx

 3. Noticing all the monster movies out there, one can ponder the suppressed fears of our society.
4. Ever since the first atomic bomb tests, movies, showcasing the fears of society, make it easy to sublimate our fears into things with tentacles. (please look up "sublimate")

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

Lea Michele > Christina Aguilera

1. With only a few quavers here and there, Lea Michele gave Superbowl fans a charming rendition of "America the Beautiful."
2. Following her, Christina Aguilera showed America her vocal gymnastics as opposed to her respect for our country.
3. The "dog-whistle school of singing," made famous by Mariah Carey, has its own acolyte in Ms. Aguilera.
4. To kick her when she's down, I will note the horror that was Ms. Aguilera's weave, as well. 

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

It's Bill Murray Day!

1. Bill Murray, alumnus of Saturday Night Live, brings the art of understatement to new levels of unadulterated genius.

Diagram #1, please

2. To appreciate his work in Groundhog Day, watch the movie several times.
3. Reliving the same day over and over again would challenge even the sanest of humans.
4. Gawker.com, a snarky Manhattan website filled with hipsters from Williamsburg, often reports Bill Murray's beer-stealing activities from trendy scenester parties. 

 

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011

You say you want a revolution... well, you know...

1. Revolting against the government, the Egyptians rally in the street to protest a lack of freedom.
2. The army, finding itself between a rock and a hard place, has seen deserters joining the protesters' cause. 

Diagram #2, please

3. Losing the support of the army will pretty much finish President Mubarak off.
4. To see Egypt's future will require tea-leaves this week. 

Parts of Speech & Grammar
This is how you find the subject of a sentence.
This is how you find the verb.
This is how you find the direct object.
This is the definition of an indirect object
This is what a predicate nominative is.
This is what an implied subject is.
This is the adjective scale of intensity. 
This is an appositive. 
These are prepositional phrases,
These are notes on the adjective and adverb functions of a prepositional phrase.
This is the passive voice. Fix it, it's all Rule of Five now.
This is a gerund, which is a verbal.
These are infinitives, which are also verbals.
These are participles, which are your third and final form of verbals.   

Punctuation
Here is where you find the seven rules for commas. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links.

Literary Terms
This is the definition of irony
This is the definition of 'schools of criticism.'
This is the definition of satire
This is the definition of plot structure.  
This is the definition of symbolism
This is a definition of THEME in LITERATURE.   NEW as of February 1, 2011