Westlake High School
Mt. Pleasant Central School District
West Lake Drive
Thornwood, NY 10594
(914) 769-8311
Dear Students,
I am extremely pleased that you have elected to take English 9 Honors next year. That tells me that you want to be challenged,
stretched, and taught well, and I will do my best to do just that. Over the next four years, you will have an opportunity to engage in an
intense study of all areas of language arts. We will: explore ideas and opinions of writers (including your own), have exciting
discussions, ask questions which will ignite our curiosity, read great literature, and much more. Reading literature from authors around
the world requires a bit of cultural knowledge. Authors write from experience and more often than not, use their homeland as the
setting. Working to make meaning of a text may require a closer look at a culture. Before you begin to read the assigned novels, The
Ramayana , Persepolis, and Of Mice and Men please find a background article for each (from a scholarly source – not an
encyclopedia) about the cultural context of each of these works. Bring your highlighted articles and notes to class for our first session.
Knowing that you are anxious to begin this adventure, I am requiring that, over the summer, you read. In order to “hit the ground
running”, you must read the three works listed below. You will be asked to create TYPED chapter notes only on The Ramayana A
template is attached for your Ramayana notes) and keep a personal word journal of 100 words from these three novels. In your
packet you will also find a list of grammatical terms and vocabulary words 9H students should know.
The second book, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is simply the story of her Iranian childhood before being sent away by her parents to
live in Austria for her safety. Most strikingly, it is a graphic memoir combining text and black and white sequential art to relate the story
of growing up in revolutionary Iran. I think you will find the graphic novel form represents the story's complexities in a readable and
relatable way, despite the fact that the actual story took place halfway around the world. We will be drawing from these two books to
frame discussions, perspectives, and writing assignments over the first quarter.
These books will establish a context for our exploration of different literary heroes:
1. The Ramayana (ISBN 0 14 01.8700 6) - Modern prose version by novelist R.K. Narayan. The Ramayana
(Journey of Rama) is possibly the world's oldest literature. Revered through the ages for its moral
and spiritual wisdom, it recounts the odyssey of Rama, a great King of ancient India. In this retelling, Narayan recreates the thrill of the
original epic which he suggests can be enjoyed for its psychological insight, spiritual depth, and practical wisdom or just as a wonderful
tale of deities and demons. While you are reading and after you have completed the book, consider the following question: What
characteristics define Rama as a hero and moral leader?
2. Persepolis (ISBN 0-375-71457-X) – Graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. This memoir is a story of growing up and a stunning
reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through laughter and tears, in the face of
absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love. Marjane bears witness to a
childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country. While you are reading and after you have completed the book, consider the
following questions: How do we form our beliefs in life? Are they set in stone, or constantly changing?
3. Of Mice and Men (ISBN 0 14 01.7739 6) – Novella by John Steinbeck. This book probes the controversial tale of friendship and
tragedy during the Great Depression of two migrant ranch workers in California. The themes of this novella are very clear:
regarding the fragility of people's dreams. The other themes are friendship, and its opposite, loneliness. While you are
reading and after you have completed the book, consider the following question: What is the symbolic significance of the title?
The books will be provided to you before summer vacation and must be returned the first day of class. Since close reading is essential
in this course, you are encouraged to purchase your own copies. You are not expected to answer any of the above questions in
writing at this time; just think about them. We will be addressing these questions and others like them as we begin our journey with R.K.
Narayan’s translation of the Ramayana, Arni and Chitrakar’s Sita’s Ramayana, Homer’s Odyssey, and Seamus Heaney’s translation of
Beowulf. In addition to non-fiction, some other core selections for the year include: The Masque of the Red Death, Of Mice and Men,
Persepolis, Lord of the Flies, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Great Expectations, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Have a great summer. I look forward to working with you in the upcoming school year.
Sincerely,
Ms. Matthews
In addition to the books, these materials will be given to you before school ends: Major Works Data Sheet, Reading Notes Template for
The Ramayana, Background Information for The Ramayana, Vocabulary Words advanced readers and writers should know, and
Grammatical Terms (you must know).
All work must be typed. Complete this form.
Major Works Data Sheet
Title: The Ramayana
Information about the oral tradition
Bullet five quick facts:
Translator : R.K. Narayan
Time Period of Original Work:
Genre:
Background Notes from the Introduction
Bullet ten quick facts:
Characteristics of the epic genre:
Bullet five quick facts:
Critical Reading Notes: Create TYPED notes for the Prologue and each chapter in The
Ramayana using this template.
Chapter:
Why did the author select this
title?How does it relate to the
chapter?
Setting (List specific
locations). Can you identify
these locations on a map?
Characters, deities, and
demons
 Identify and describe
Title:
Characters:
Deities:
Demons:
Summarize each chapter You
should be able to
state/decipher the subject and
plot points in a few sentences.
Determine the PURPOSE of the
title AND EXPLAIN: Introduce
characters, teach a lesson,
demonstrate characterization,
reveals a philosophical
perspective etc.
Identify any moral dilemmas
that Rama faces and how his
reactions demonstrate
behavior and character.
Record a significant quote
about Rama (with parenthetical
citation)
Research one image of the
Ramayama as found in art for
each chapter. Include a link to
the webpage where you found
the image. This image should
be of a scene in the chapter,
and you should be able to
discuss how it captures the
storyline.
Research a cultural tradition or
the background of a deity or
demon that appears in the
chapter.
Background Information
Rama is a hero quite different from heroes you might have read about in
school. He is an incarnation of the god Vishnu, the great preserver of the
cosmos. Although he is a great warrior, Rama is just as famous for his spiritual
and powers. The Ramayana is undoubtedly the most popular and timeless
epic read and loved by all. The term 'Ramayana', literally means "the march
of Rama" in search of human values. The story of Rama teaches us the
threefold Dharma (code of conduct) pertaining to the individual, the family and
society.
qualities
Indian
(ayana)
the
Since Rama is the major character in the Ramayana, many stories center around him. Here are some
of the main incidents in Rama's life you should note as you read. (Depending upon what version of
the translation you have, the spelling might vary):
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Rama's birth
Rama (as a boy) teases Manthara
Rama and Viśvamitra
Rama battles Thataka (Taraka)
Rama and Ahalya
The bow of Śiva broken by Rama
Rama's marriage to Sita
Rama's failed coronation
Rama goes into exile
Rama received by Guha
Rama received by Bharadwaja
Rama and Bharata at Chitrakuta
Rama receives bow of Vishnu from
Agastya
Rama and Śurpanakha
Rama battles Khara
Rama and the golden deer
Rama meets Hanuman
Rama defeats Vali
Rama waits out the rainy season
Rama obtains Sugriva's assistance
Rama receives Vibishana
Rama defeats Kumbakarna
Rama defeats Mahodara
Rama battles Ravana
Ravana tests Sita
Daśaratha appears to Rama in a vision
Rama becomes king
Rama sends Sita away
Rama meets his sons and loses Sita
The Ramayana – Names to Know and Synopsis
And now, to get you really started, here are the names of the main characters you will meet in
Narayan's prose version of the Ramayana (Ra-MA-ya-na). Below you will find a list of the most
important characters and place names in the Ramayana. Make notes next to the names of each
character. This will help you to remember who each character is, or the importance of a particular
location. Note the forces of good and evil.
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Ayodhya (A-YO-dhya) is the capital of the kingdom of Kosala (KO-sa-la).
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Daśaratha (DA-sha-ra-tha). The king of the country of Kosala.
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Kausalya (Kau-SA-Lya), Sumitra (Su-MI-tra), and Kaikeyi (Kai-KE-yi): The wives of
Daśaratha.
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Rama (RA-ma): Son of Daśaratha and Kausalya.
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Bharata (BHA-ra-ta): Son of Daśaratha and Kaikeyi.
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Lakshmana (LAK-shma-na) and Śatrughna (Sha-TRU-ghna): Sons of Daśaratha and
Sumitra.
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Sita (SI-ta): Rama's wife.
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Janaka (JA-na-ka): The father of Sita.
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Vasishtha (Va-SISH-tha): Daśaratha's chief priest and advisor.
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Sumantra (Su-MAN-tra): Daśaratha's chief minister.
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Viśvamitra (Vish-VA-mi-tra): A famous sage who is Rama's guru.
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Tataka (TA-ta-ka): A female demon.
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Maricha (Ma-RI-cha): The demon son of Tataka.
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Gautama (Gau-TA-ma): Another famous sage.
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Bhagiratha (Bha-GI-ra-tha): Hero of a legend about the river Ganges.
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Jatayu (Ja-TA-yu): An eagle, friend of Rama.
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Dandaka (DAN-da-ka): The forest where Rama spends his exile.
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Kishkinda (Kish-KIN-da): The kingdom of the monkeys.
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Vali (VA-li): The ruler of Kishkinda.
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Sugriva (Su-GRI-va): The younger brother of Vali.
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Angada (AN-ga-da): The son of Vali.
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Hanuman (HA-nu-man): Hanuman is one of the monkeys, and is Rama's devoted follower.
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Ravana (RA-va-na): The chief of the demons.
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rakshasa (RAK-sha-sa): A Sanskrit word for demon.
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Śurpanakha (Shur-PA-na-kha): A demon woman, the sister of Ravana.
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Vibhishana (Vi-BHI-sha-na) and Kumbakarna (Kum-ba-KAR-na): Brothers of Ravana.
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Indrajit (IN-dra-jit): Son of Ravana.
Places:
Ayodhya: where Rama was born, where King Dasaratha (Rama's father) rules
Kiskinda: capital of the land of the monkey race, where Rama's helpers Hanuman and Sugreeva
come from
Lanka: where Ravana rules
Mithila: where Sita comes from, where King Janaka rules
Sidhasrama, Sarayu River: where Rama kills his first demon
Deities (Add to this List): The Hindu trinity is of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They are respectively
the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe. Avatars of Vishnu appear in the world in a
physical form either to correct some great evil or to bring some great good on earth.
Basic Overview
A: Ravana the evil demon king is so powerful he threatens even the gods. However, he fasts and
prays like a holy man until the Lord Brahma grants him one boon (favor). Ravana requests that he
never be killed by god or demon. In his pride, Ravana does not ask to be protected from men or
monkeys, whom he considers weak. Brahma grants his request, and Ravana starts beating up the
gods at will and stealing from them. He moves to Lanka where he has a fabulous palace and a city of
gold. The gods try to fight him but they cannot kill him. They ask Brahma what to do. At last, Vishnu
the Preserver agrees to be born as a man on earth (incarnation).
At this time, Dasharatha the king of Koshala is praying to the gods for a son. The god Brahma
appears and gives him a magic dish of fruit to give his wives. Dasharatha does, and all three of his
queens becomes pregnant. The oldest son is Rama. The second is Bharata. The third is Lakshman.
Both grow up strong and noble.
When the boys are fifteen, a holy man Vishwamitra visits the king and complains about rakshasas
(demons) who are terrorizing his temple in the woods. The boys go out and defeat the first wave of
demons. The holy man teaches them how to use magic weapons from the gods. After the boys kill
the demon leader, Maricha, the holy man is so impressed with Rama that he takes the boys to the
city of Mithala, where Shiva’s bow is kept. King Janaka has offered his beautiful daughter Sita as a
prize to any man strong enough to bend the bow. Rama not only bends it, he breaks it in half, and
gets to marry Sita. Bharata and Lakshman also get wives, Sita’s sisters. They all go back to Rama’s
city, Ayodhya, and live happily for twelve years.
Then the aging king, Dasharata, decides to appoint Rama the regent of the kingdom. Everyone
rejoices, except for Marathana, the serving woman of the youngest queen, Kaikeyi. She convinces
the queen to against Rama and put Kaiyeki’s own son, Bharata, on the throne. Once, Kaikeyi saved
the king’s life, and he promised her two boons. Now Kaikeyi collects. She insists that Rama be
banished for fourteen years to live as a hermit in the forest, and have Bharata put on the throne. The
king has no choice but to agree.
Rama agrees to go to uphold his father’s honor. Lakshman and Sita go with him into the woods. The
old king dies of grief. Bharata is a good brother, and pleads with Rama to take the throne, but Rama
will not. Bharata says he will rule in Rama’s name for fourteen years, and places Rama’s sandals on
the throne as a sign that Rama is the true king.
B: Rama, Lakshman, and Sita go live in the woods, where they are very happy for twelve years. Then
demons invade the forest, and Rama must kill them. One of the demons is Ravana’s sister,
Surpanakha, who falls in love with Rama. When Rama refuses her, she is very angry and sends more
demons to kill Sita. Rama defends his wife. In anger, he cuts Surpanakha’s nose and ears off.
Surpanakha goes to her brother Ravana, who plots revenge. Instead of killing Rama, Ravana decides
to steal his wife Sita.
Ravana sends one of his demons in the disguise of a golden deer. When Sita sees it, she wants it for
a pet. Rama goes into the woods to kill it. Lakshman is lured away by a false cry of help from Rama,
leaving Sita alone. Ravana appears and takes Sita away in his chariot. A friendly vulture, Jotayu, tries
to fight Ravana, but is mortally wounded. Rama and Lakshman come back and hear that Ravana has
taken Sita. He swears to find her, but doesn’t know where to look.
Rama and Lakshman happen across a band of monkeys, whose leader is Sugriva. His main fighter is
a monkey named Hanuman, the son of the Wind God. Sugriva agrees to help Rama find Sita, if
Rama helps him reclaim his kingdom, which was stolen by his evil brother Bali. Rama does this, and
after a great monsoon, Sugriva sends the monkeys in all four directions, looking for Sita.
Hanuman gets to the edge of the ocean and meets a demon, who confesses that Ravana lives on the
island of Lanka. Hanuman, being son of the wind god, has the power to jump hundreds of miles, and
he jumps to the island, where he finds Sita a prisoner in the garden. Ravana has given her one year
to marry him, and the year is almost up. Hanuman gives Sita her husband’s ring as a sign he comes
in peace. Sita gives him a jewel. Hanuman cannot carry her away, because she will allow no man to
touch her except Rama.
Hanuman taunts the demons and allows himself to be captured. Ravana will not kill him, since
Hanuman is a messenger, but he lights the monkey’s tail on fire. Hanuman gets revenge by setting
the whole city ablaze. Then he goes back to Rama and tells Rama the news. Rama starts assembling
an army on monkeys for the final battle with Ravana.
C: Rama and Laskman see demons flying toward them, but they turn out to be defectors from
Ravana’s army. Rama accepts them, and learns about Ravana’s defenses. Rama prays to the Sea
God, who instructs them to build a bridge of rocks all the way to Lanka. The monkeys produce the
bridge in three days.
Rama’s army crosses to the island. There is a great battle, and demons and monkeys are evenly
matched. Ravana himself is too proud to come out and fight. Finally, Ravana sends his son Indrajita
out, who is so powerful he once captured the god Indra himself. Indrajita almost destroys the army of
monkeys and mortally wounds Lakshman. Indrajita thinks he has won, and goes back to the palace to
tell his father.
Rama is devastated by Lakshman’s injuries, but a wise monkey tells Hanuman there is a cure – a
certain plant on the Golden Mountain in the Himalayas. Hanuman flies to the mountain, but doesn’t
know which plant to pick, so he lifts the entire mountain and takes it back to Lanka. Lakshman and
the army are cured.
The next day, Rama battles Ravana. Indra himself lends Rama his chariot. Finally, Rama sends the
spear of Brahma into Ravana’s forehead and kills the demon king. Rama finds Sita, but cannot be
sure she hasn’t given in to Ravana. To prove her purity, Sita steps into a burning fire and comes out
unharmed.
Rama and Sita return to Ayodhya and rule happily for the rest of their lives. Only then do the people
realize their king, Rama, is an incarnation of Vishnu.
Level D Word List
www.vocabularyworkshop.com
As an advanced reader and writer, this is the vocabulary you should know before entering 9H
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6
Unit 7
Unit 8
admonish
cumbersome
efface
relinquish
breach
deadlock
muddle
salvage
brigand
debris
opinionated
spasmodic
circumspect
diffuse
perennial
spurious
commandeer
dilemma
predispose
unbridled
adjourn
erratic
illegible
subjugate
alien
expulsion
jeer
sully
comely
feint
lucrative
tantalize
compensate
fodder
mediocre
terse
dissolute
fortify
proliferate
unflinching
abridge
dissent
marauder
semblance
adherent
eminent
obesity
surmount
altercation
exorcise
pauper
terminate
cherubic
fabricate
pilfer
trite
condone
irate
rift
usurp
abscond
biased
inanimate
pompous
access
daunt
incinerate
precipice
anarchy
disentangle
intrepid
rectify
arduous
fated
larceny
reprieve
auspicious
hoodwink
pliant
revile
accomplice
exodus
morose
reprimand
annihilate
facilitate
opaque
servitude
arbitrary
incorrigible
paramount
slapdash
brazen
latent
prattle
stagnant
catalyst
militant
rebut
succumb
atone
doleful
incessant
sardonic
bondage
ghastly
intricate
superfluous
credible
hamper
lucid
supplant
defray
hew
posthumous
taunt
diligent
impoverished
prim
tenacious
adieu
exorbitant
metropolis
shoddy
advent
interim
momentous
sprightly
apex
inundate
obstreperous
surly
assimilate
malign
pensive
tirade
bogus
meander
perilous
vagrant
assurance
dwindle
preposterous
remunerate
asylum
flippant
pugnacious
sparse
console
immunity
rabid
sterling
dilate
institute
realm
venture
dross
liability
rejuvenate
warp
Unit 9
Unit 10
Unit 11
Unit 12
Unit 13
Unit 14
Unit 15
auxiliary
escalate
heterogeneous
monologue
candid
expedient
horde
prognosis
cubicle
feign
impel
rasping
drudgery
flair
incredulous
repugnant
envoy
grievous
inscribe
scuttle
adept
diminutive
impair
preamble
aspire
emancipate
invincible
render
bleak
erroneous
languid
rugged
chide
exploit
mire
skeptical
despicable
extemporaneous
obtrusive
slipshod
brevity
deteriorate
proponent
relentless
comport
divulge
quaver
rivulet
concise
enlightened
recoil
squander
demure
forestall
recoup
staccato
depreciation
garble
reek
statute
appreciable
concerted
irreverent
subversive
autocratic
contend
laborious
synthetic
blanch
humane
lithe
temperate
blasphemy
illustrious
maltreat
venomous
brawny
intolerable
ponder
wily
ad infinitum
concede
perverse
sordid
apportion
congenial
prelude
untenable
bona fide
lofty
rancid
versatile
buoyant
migration
rustic
vindicate
clique
perceive
sever
wane
annex
devitalize
improvise
precipitous
cleave
embroil
incite
profuse
cordial
exonerate
influx
reconcile
cornerstone
glib
pallor
shackle
debacle
haphazard
pedigree
threadbare
abase
combatant
impenitent
probe
actuate
dormant
knave
protract
avert
dubious
legion
quarry
boorish
harangue
liberality
spurn
brunt
harry
plaintiff
subterfuge
The Top 24 Grammatical Terms – Please know this information!
There are many websites that you can utilize to practice your understanding
of these concepts.
Basic Grammatical Terms That We Should Have Learned in School
By Richard Nordquist , About.com Guide
1. Active Voice
The verb form in which the subject of the sentence performs or causes the action expressed by the verb. Contrast with Passive Voice.
Example:
"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver..."
(Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)
2. Adjective
The part of speech (or word class) that modifies a noun or a pronoun. See also: Adding Adjectives and Adverbs to the Basic Sentence
Unit.
Example:
"Send this pestilent, traitorous, cow-hearted, yeasty codpiece to the brig."
(Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, 2007)
3. Adverb
The part of speech that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb. Example:
"There I was, standing there in the church, and for the first time in my whole life I realized I totally and utterly loved one person."
(Charles to Carrie in Four Weddings and a Funeral, 1994)
4. Clause
A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate. A clause may be either a sentence (independent clause) or a sentence-like
construction included within another sentence (dependent clause).
Example: "Don't ever argue with the big dog [independent clause], because the big dog is always right [dependent clause]."
(Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard in The Fugitive, 1993]
5. Complex Sentence
A sentence that contains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause.
Example:
"Don't ever argue with the big dog [independent clause], because the big dog is always right [dependent clause]."
(Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard in The Fugitive, 1993]
6. Compound Sentence
A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses, often joined by a conjunction.
Example:
"I can't compete with you physically [independent clause], and you're no match for my brains [independent clause]." (Vizzini in
The Princess Bride, 1987)
7. Conjunction
The part of speech that serves to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. See also: coordinating conjunction, subordinating
conjunction, correlative conjunction, and conjunctive adverb.
Example:
"I can't compete with you physically, and you're no match for my brains." (Vizzini in The Princess Bride, 1987)
8. Declarative Sentence
A sentence that makes a statement.
Example:
"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver..."
(Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)
9. Dependent Clause
A group of words that begins with a relative pronoun or a subordinating conjunction. A dependent clause has both a subject and a verb
but (unlike an independent clause) cannot stand alone as a sentence. Also known as a subordinate clause.
Example:
"Don't ever argue with the big dog [independent clause], because the big dog is always right [dependent clause]."
(Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard in The Fugitive, 1993]
10. Direct Object
A noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb.
Example:
"All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers."
(Sophia in The Color Purple, 1985)
11. Exclamatory Sentence
A sentence that expresses strong feelings by making an exclamation.
Example:
"God! Look at that thing! You would've gone straight to the bottom!"
(Jack Dawson looking at Rose's ring in Titanic, 1997)
12. Imperative Sentence
A sentence that gives advice or instructions or that expresses a request or a command.
Example:
"Send this pestilent, traitorous, cow-hearted, yeasty codpiece to the brig."
(Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, 2007)
13. Independent Clause
A group of words made up of a subject and a predicate. An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a
sentence. Also known as a main clause.
Example:
"Don't ever argue with the big dog [independent clause], because the big dog is always right [dependent clause]."
(Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard in The Fugitive, 1993]
14. Indirect Object
A noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action of a verb in a sentence is performed.
Example:
"It's a family motto. Are you ready, Jerry? I want to make sure you're ready, brother. Here it is: Show me the money."
(Rod Tidwell to Jerry McGuire in Jerry McGuire, 1996)
15. Interrogative Sentence
A sentence that asks a question.
Example:
"What is the name of the Lone Ranger's nephew's horse?"
(Mr. Parker in A Christmas Story, 1983)
16. Noun
The part of speech that is used to name a person, place, thing, quality, or action and can function as the subject or object of a verb, the
object of a preposition, or an appositive.
Example:
"Waiter, there is too much pepper on my paprikash." (Harry Burns in When Harry Met Sally, 1989)
17. Passive Voice
A verb form in which the grammatical subject receives the verb's action. Contrast with active voice.
Example:
"Any attempt by you to create a climate of fear and panic among the populace must be deemed by us an act of insurrection." (First
Elder to Jor-El in Superman, 1978)
18. Predicate
One of the two main parts of a sentence or clause, modifying the subject and including the verb, objects, or phrases governed by the
verb.
Example:
"I don't ever remember feeling this awake." (Thelma Dickinson in Thelma and Louise, 1991)
19. Prepositional Phrase
A group of words made up of a preposition, its object, and any of the object's modifiers.
Example:
"A long time ago, my ancestor Paikea came to this place on the back of a whale. Since then, in every generation of my family, the
first born son has carried his name and become the leader of our tribe." (Paikea, in The Whale Rider)
20. Pronoun
A word that takes the place of a noun.
Example:
"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver..."
(Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)
21. Sentence
A word or (more commonly) a group of words that expresses a complete idea. Conventionally, a sentence includes a subject and a
verb. It begins with a capital letter and concludes with a mark of end punctuation. Example:
"I don't ever remember feeling this awake."
(Thelma Dickinson in Thelma and Louise, 1991)
22. Subject
The part of a sentence that indicates what it is about.
Example:
"I don't ever remember feeling this awake." (Thelma Dickinson in Thelma and Louise, 1991)
23. Tense
The time of a verb's action or state of being, such as past, present, and future.
Example:
"Years ago, you served [past tense] my father in the Clone Wars; now he begs [present tense] you to help him in his struggle against
the Empire." (Princess Leia to General Kenobi in Star Wars, 1977)
24. Verb
The part of speech that describes an action or occurrence or indicates a state of being.
Example:
"Send this pestilent, traitorous, cow-hearted, yeasty codpiece to the brig."
(Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, 2007)
Parts of Speech
PART OF
SPEECH
BASIC FUNCTION
EXAMPLES
noun
names a person, place, or thing
pirate, Caribbean, ship
pronoun
takes the place of a noun
I, you, he, she, it, ours, them,
who
verb
identifies action or state of being
sing, dance, believe, be
adjective
modifies a noun
hot, lazy, funny
adverb
modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb
softly, lazily, often
preposition
shows a relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a
sentence
up, over, against, by, for
conjunction
joins words, phrases, and clauses
and, but, or, yet
interjection
expresses emotion
ah, whoops, ouch
article
identifies and specifies a noun
a,an, the
Practice in Identifying Subjects, Verbs, and Objects
For each of the following sentences, identify the word in bold as a subject, a verb, or an object. When you're done, compare your
answers with those at the end of the exercise.
1.
Mr. Buck donated a wishbone to the Museum of Natural History.
2.
After the final song, the drummer hurled his sticks at the crowd.
3.
Gus smashed the electric guitar with a sledge hammer.
4.
Felix stunned the giraffe with a radar gun.
5.
Very slowly, Pandora opened the box.
6.
Very slowly, Pandora opened the box.
7.
Very slowly, Pandora opened the box.
8.
Thomas gave his moonpie to Bengie.
9.
After breakfast, Vera drove to the mission with Ted.
10.
Even though it rarely rains here, Professor Legree carries his umbrella wherever he goes.
Answers
1. verb; 2. subject; 3. object; 4. object; 5. subject; 6. verb; 7. object; 8. verb; 9. subject; 10. verb.