Performing on the TCAP

A reflection on you!

The Constructed Response

Assessed according to the following:• Advanced• Proficient• Partially proficient• Unsatisfactory

So what does each mean?

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

Because Chad had forgotten to tie his shorts tight before getting on the slide.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

The girls went to there car before entering the museum.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

Ben is the player whom has the most skill.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

Molly is a fantastic skater, Jason is a complete poser.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

The lion licked it’s paw before further pursuing the wounded impala.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

The young kittens green eyes revealed its acute perspective on a fresh life.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

After rotting in the cellar for weeks, my brother brought up some oranges.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

“Your absolutely right,” she exclaimed, grabbing his arm tightly in a thankful embrace.

Usage

Identify the error in the following sentences:

The painful guilt that he felt over his past actions effected him in ways that no one could console.

Terms

• Figurative vs. Literal• Metaphor and Simile• Diction and Syntax• Theme• Symbolism• Personification• Imagery• Couplet• Stanza• Etc.

Other strategies• Read questions before passages so you know what to look for while

reading.• Take your time and answer questions thoughtfully.• ILLUSTATE YOUR IDEAS!!! - Development is key!• Structure your writing, whether sentences, paragraphs or essays.• Plan Plan Plan! Show your work.• Think critically about the passages you read and the prompts you are asked.• Read questions carefully.• Use context clues to figure out words you don’t understand.• Don’t be lazy.• Do you best.

Punctuation Matters

Public Opinion

• Come inside for CD’s, Video’s, DVD’s, and Book’s.

• Two Weeks Notice• Can you spare any old records.• FAN’S FURY AT STADIUM INQUIRY• No dog’s• Bob,s Pets• DEAD SONS PHOTOS MAY BE RELEASED

What is punctuation?

• “The basting that holds the fabric of language in shape.”

• “The traffic signals of language: they tell us to slow down, notice this, take the detour, and stop.”

• “A courtesy designed to help readers to understand a story without stumbling.”

Without punctuation, meaning

becomes subject to

misinterpretation.

• Now I must go and get on my lover.

• Now I must go and get on, my lover.

• What would you with the king?

• What? Would you? With the king?

• A woman without her man is nothing.

• A woman: without her, man is nothing.

• Charles the first walked and talked half an hour after his head was cut off

• Charles the first walked and talked half an hour after his head was cut off.

• Charles the first walked and talked. Half an hour after, his head was cut off.

Punctuate the following:(it must make sense)

Dear Jack I want a man who knows what love is all about you are generous kind thoughtful people who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior you have ruined me for other men I yearn for you I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart I can be forever happy will you let me be yours Jill

Dear Jack,

I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy – will you let me be yours?

Jill

Dear Jack,

I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men I yearn! For you I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?

Yours,

Jill

So what happens when punctuation isn’t used (properly)?

• If it is the “stitching of language,” language comes apart, and all of the buttons fall off.

• If it provides “traffic signals,” words bang into each other and everyone ends up lost.

• If it’s a “courtesy,” then the sentence no longer holds the door open for you to walk in, but drops it in your face as you approach.

Without punctuation, there is no reliable way of communicating meaning!

• Punctuation holds words together, keeps others apart.

• Punctuation directs one how to read, in the way musical notation directs a musician how to play.

Descriptive vs. Prescriptive

Grammar

Remember: Punctuation is governed 2/3 by rule

and 1/3 by personal taste.

The End