ANSWER THE FOLLOWING WITHOUT
LOOKING AT YOUR PACKETS
• What is an appositive? How does it
function in a sentence?
• What is an gerund phrase? How does it
function in a sentence?
• What is an participial phrase? How does
it function in a sentence?
DEFINITIONS
• Appositive: a noun or pronoun that renames, explains, or
identifies another noun or pronoun within the sentence
• Gerund: a verbal ending in ing that ACTS AS A NOUN to name
activities
• Participle: a verbal ending in ing, en, ed, or d that ACTS AS
AN ADJECTIVE
1. Freddy, my pet turtle, has a soft shell.
Appositive + adjectives, renaming Freddy
2. Steven King, the author of horror novels, is a millionaire.
Appositive + prep phrase, modifying Steven King, millionaire=predicate nominative also renaming S.K.
3. Bursting with color, their spectacular wings are covered with thousands of tiny scales.
Participle + prep phrase, modifying wings
4. Running track was all Sherrie could think about.
Gerund + object of the gerund, subject
5. In fact, these scales are the basis for their scientific name, Lepidoptera, meaning “scaly wings.”
Lepidoptera= appositive renaming name, participle + object of the participle modifying Lepidoptera
6. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, did a great service to his country.
Appositive + 2 prep phrases renaming Thomas Jefferson
7. Mrs. Overton became a popular counselor by caring about her students.
Gerund + prep phrase, OP
8. Pablo learned about good manners by watching his father.
Gerund + object of the gerund, OP
9. Appreciated for their color and grace, butterflies are one of nature’s glories.
Participle + prep phrase modifying butterflies
BEOWULF
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
I. BINARY STRUCTURE
• J.R.R. Tolkien – The poem is “essentially balance, an
opposition of endings and beginnings. In simple
terms, it is a contrasted description of two moments
in a great life, rising and setting; an elaboration of the
ancient and intensely moving contrast between youth
and old age, first achievement and final death.”
• If examining the poem’s binary structure…
• Where would a logical division fall?
• What might the meaning of the poem be?
II. TRIPARTITE STRUCTURE
• Three Distinct Sections – each concludes with the
confrontation of a monster
• Grendel
• Grendel’s mother
• The dragon
• If examining the poem’s tripartite structure…
• What is revealed about the progress of the hero’s
journey? How does this reflect Anglo-Saxon
ideals?
• What might the poem’s meaning be?
III INTERLACE STRUCTURE
• According to scholars who advocate interlace
structure, the main plot is interwoven with
digressions, narrative episodes, and lays.
• If examining the poem’s interlace structure…
• How does this reflect what we’ve seen in AngloSaxon culture?
IV. MAGNETIC STRUCTURE
• In this structural view, EVERYTHING reflects the hero and his
journey.
• The hero is THE subject of the poem, and everything is drawn to him
like metal to a magnet.
• Everything in the poem provides an opportunity for comparison or
contrast with the hero, revealing his nature and character.
• If examining the poem’s magnetic structure…
• What is revealed about the progress of the hero’s journey? How
does this reflect Anglo-Saxon ideals?
• What might the poem’s meaning be?
V. RING STRUCTURE
• Yep, we already know what ring structure is and what
it does, SO… we must ask ourselves: What meaning
can be derived from examining the parallels created
by the ring structure of the poem?
EXTRA GRAMMAR PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS: IDENTIFY THE
UNDERLINED WORD/PHRASE IN EACH SENTENCE.
1.
He spoke about gardening.
7.
Gerund, OP
2.
A balloon blowing back and forth rose
slowly into the sky.
Appositive renaming sister
8.
Participle + adverbs, modifying balloon
3.
4.
5.
The document, crinkled with age, was
sealed in a glass container.
She was praised for helping her sister.
Gerund + object of the gerund, OP
9.
Flying in an airplane is my least favorite
way to travel.
Participle + prepositional phrase, modifying
document
Gerund + prepositional phrase, subject
Appositive renaming hobby
appositive + adjective, modifying Meryl Streep
10. Meryl Streep, a talented actress, is my pick
Brad has an unusual hobby, ventriloquism.
to win the Oscar.
The lead actress, overwhelmed, took
another bow.
Participle modifying actress
6.
Have you spoken to your sister Joanna
today?
My father doesn’t recommend driving fast.
Gerund + adverb, direct object