Adjectives An adjective describes or in some way modifies a noun or pronoun. The articles-a, an,

the-are always considered adjectives . Turn to page 728 in Write Source.

~ Insert an appropriate adjective on each blank below. Use interesting and powerful ~: adjectives to make the information come alive. Try not to repeat adjectives. ~

1 A couple of years ago, I started working at the high school radio station.

2 It's a wonderful experience. I help out by teaching ______ students

3 and disc jockeys how to be ______ speakers. On the radio, it isn't

4 ______ to talk in _____ voice. A DJ has to be _____

5 and _____ . Only by having ______ voice does the DJ keep

6 _______ listeners from tuning out between ________ hits.

7 Many people scoff at the idea that the DJ matters, but don't you have _

8 DJ on the station you listen to? The question is, "What makes him

9 or her so ______ ?" Is she very ____? Is he unusually ____ ?

10 I give examples of ____ speaking voices. I know that each person will

11 have his or her own _____ style, but my _______ pointers help

12 the student DJ's see the effect of their styles. I would much rather listen to a

13 DJ who is _____ than one who seems _____ or ____

14 The next time you listen to your radio, see if you can pick out the

15 ______ DJ's from _____ ones.

Extend: Choose an author you enjoy and select a passage from one of her or his books. Make a list of the adjectives you find there. Share your list with a classmate. Ask questions such as "How often does this author use adjectives?"; "Which adjectives are the most powerful?"; or "How do the adjectives add to the passage?" To help answer these questions, read each sentence aloud, leaving out all the adjectives.

Writers INC 545.1 and 545.2 © Great Source. All rights resefved. (9)

Adjectives &Adverbs

Predicate Adjectives Any adjective that follows a form of the verb "be" (or other linking verb) and describes the

subject is a predicate adjective. Turn to 728.1 in Write Source.

Put parentheses around the sentence in each pair that does not contain a predicate adjective. In the other sentence, underline the simple subject once and underline a predicate adjective twice.

1. a.(Ever since the fifth grade, I have played the saxophone in the school band.)

b. Band class seemed challenging then, but I met a real challenge in high school.

2. a. Marching band replaced band class as the hardest thing I'd ever done.

b. It may look easy, but marching while playing an instrument is very difficult.

3. a. Not only did I (and everyone else in the band) have to memorize the music, but we also had to remember how we had to move on the field.

b. That was hard to do, especially when we practiced the music only a few times in the band room before starting to learn the marching maneuvers.

If. a. I know some people think marching bands are silly.

b. I travel with a great group of friends, visiting places I wouldn't see on my own.

5. a. Last year we traveled to Boston for a parade that honored war veterans.

b. Our band felt honored when the Rolling Along Veteran Band, all in wheel­chairs, asked us to playa concert with them.

6. a. We sound great at sporting events, and we look good in our uniforms.

b. Everyone's friends and family come to watch us and cheer us on.

Extend: Write three to five sentences about playing in a band (based on your experience or your imagination). Use linking verbs with predicate adjectives in your sentences. Then try to think of some action verbs to use in place of the linking verb + predicate adjective combination. Which version do you prefer?

© Great Source. All rights reserved. (9) Writers INC 545.1 and 539.1

Forms of Adjectives Adjectives take three forms: positive (describing a noun or pronoun without comparing it

to anything), comparative (comparing two nouns), and superlative (comparing three or more persons, places, things, or ideas). Turn to 728.2 in Write Source .

Read each sentence below. Then rewrite it using the positive, comparative, and/or superlative form of the underlined adjective.

1. Positive: Michael Jordan was a good basketball player.

2. Comparative: Michael Jordan wa~ a better ba~ketball player than

Larry Bird.

3. Superlative: --------------------------­

If. Positive:

5. Comparative: Dracula is a scarier creature than Godzilla.

6. Superlative: ___________________________

7. Positive: ----------------------------­

8. Comparative: ___________________________

9. Superlative: That was the best meal I've ever eaten.

10. Positive: I feel silly today.

11. Comparative: ___________________________

12. Superlative: ____________________________

13. Positive: --___________________________

11f. Comparative: --------------------------­

15. Superlative: This is the most remarkable painting I've seen all day.

Extend: Compose three to five sentences containing positive adjectives. Next rewrite each sentence using the comparative and superlative forms. Would one of your sentences be an excellent beginning statement for a piece of writing?

Writers INC 545 .2 © Great Source. All rights reserved. (9)

Review: Adjectives

Adjectives & Adverbs

Underline all the adjectives in the sentences below. Write C above a comparative adjective, S above a superlative adjective, and P above all predicate adjectives.

P 1. That dog is exceptionally friendly.

2. A family dog should be both well-trained and cooperative.

3. I think golden retrievers are better than greyhounds as family dogs.

It. Labrador retrievers are also good pets, especially for children.

5. If you like gentle, intelligent dogs, then nothing can compare to the collie.

6. Poodles can be large or small and are frequently crossbred with other dogs.

7. A graceful, quick dog, the Siberian husky is also alert and strong.

8. Loyal, gentle, and intelligent sheepdogs herd and guard sheep.

9. The Chinese shar-pei has loose skin, many wrinkles, and a blue-black tongue.

10 . Every dog needs nutritious food and fresh water every day.

11. Most dogs are energetic and enjoy walking, running, and playing.

12. Dogs require more care than cats.

13. Some dogs are intelligent; others are strong.

11t. Many people think the smallest dog is the Chihuahua.

15. Most dogs are loyal companions, and they need owners who are equally faithful.

16. Perhaps the biggest challenge for busy owners is spending time with their dog.

17. You can often find a suitable dog at an animal shelter.

18. Having a dog is hard work, but it can be very enjoyable.

© Great Source. All rights reserved. (9)