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Archive for the ‘Grammar/Mechanics’ Category

Misplaced Modifiers

Using Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers

Misplaced Modifiers     

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.       

Common Core Language Standard 1

Sometimes we just have to use “big words” to communicate exactly what we want to say. The grammatical term, modify, is one of those “big words” that we need to learn to be able to talk about language. Modify means a variety of things, including to describe, to talk about, to identify, to limit, to change, to add, and to restrict.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on misplaced modifiers. Remember that an adjective modifies a noun or pronoun and answers Which one? How many? or What kind? An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb and answers What degree? How? Where? or When?

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

A misplaced modifier modifies something that the writer does not intend to modify because of its placement in the sentence. Place modifiers close to the words that they modify. Examples:  I drank only water; I only drank water. In these sentences only is the modifier. These sentences have two different meanings. The first means that I drank nothing but water. The second means that all I did with the water was to drink it.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.

Practice: I dusted always on Tuesdays. No one else did that chore.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: I always dusted on Tuesdays. No one else did that chore.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write two of your own sentences: the first with a misplaced adjective modifier and the second with that adjective modifier placed properly within the sentence.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Capitalization of Proper Noun Things and Products

Capitalizing Named Things and Products

Capitalizing Proper Noun Things and Products

Capitalization of Proper Noun Things and Products                           

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 2

Usually we like to avoid general words like thing in our written and spoken communication. But what about the definition of a proper noun as a named person, place, or thing? This catch-all term covers everything for a proper noun that a person or place does not. So, English-language arts teachers will have to admit that the word thing can sometimes be useful.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on capitalizing proper noun things and products.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Capitalize named things and products. Don’t capitalize words representing these parts of speech when found in the middle of named things and products:

  • Articles (a, an, the) Example: Two a Day Vitamins
  • Conjunctions Example: World History and Geography
  • Prepositions Example: Race for Life

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: Two Kites In The Sky has got to be the most popular play to hit town in recent years.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: Two Kites in the Sky has got to be the most popular play to hit town in recent years.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentence with a named product or products including a conjunction.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dangling Modifiers

Using Dangling Modifiers

Dangling Modifiers

Dangling Modifiers   

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.   

Common Core Language Standard 1

Dangling modifiers provide quite a bit of humor for your English-language arts teachers. They are also favorite sources of humor for many cartoonists. Cartoonists find much of their humor in word play. The way they use language makes a joke or punchline funny or not. To understand the humor in a dangling modifier, you have to be able to recognize and explain one when you see it. Now, not every dangling modifier is laugh-out-loud funny, but each of them creates misunderstanding for the reader.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on dangling modifiers. Remember that an adjective modifies a noun or pronoun and answers Which one? How many? or What kind? An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb and answers What degree? How? Where? or When? A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that serves as an adjective or adverb to describe, limit, or add to another word, phrase, or clause.

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

A dangling modifier is an adjective or adverb that does not have a clear connection to the word, phrase, or clause to which it refers. A dangling modifier usually takes the form of a present participle (“__ing”), a past participle (“__d,” “__t,” “__ed,” “__ en”), or an infinitive (to + the base form of a verb). To eliminate the dangling modifier, place the doer of the sentence as the subject of the independent clause or combine the phrase and independent clause. Example: Fired from your job, your car became your home. (Your car was not fired; you were.)

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.

Practice: Having finished her homework, she turned on the television.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers:

Having finished her homework, she turned on the television.

or

She turned on the television show after finishing her homework.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write two of your own sentences: the first with a dangling modifier and the second with that modifier placed properly within the sentence.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Capitalization of Proper Noun Names and Characters

People and Character Names Capitalization

Capitalizing People and Character Names

Capitalization of Proper Noun Names and Characters                                                      

Common Core Language Standard 2

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

A proper noun can be simple, such as Donny, or complete, such as Mr. Donny Duck III. Now technically speaking, the words added to the simple proper noun are called proper adjectives, but we’re more interested in how to properly capitalize them in this lesson.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on capitalizing proper noun names and characters.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Capitalize people’s and characters’ names. Also capitalize named places and things. Don’t capitalize articles, conjunctions, and prepositions in the middle of the name, named place, or named thing. Don’t capitalize words representing these parts of speech when found in the middle of people’s or character names.

  • Articles (a, an, the) Example: Courage the Cowardly Dog
  • Conjunctions Example: Punch and Judy
  • Prepositions Example: St. Francis of Assisi

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: My dad was a Native-american and his favorite superhero was Batman.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: My dad was a Native-American and his favorite superhero was Batman.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a character’s name including an article.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Long Superlative Modifiers

Using Long Superlative Modifiers

Long Superlative Modifiers

Long Superlative Modifiers           

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 1

Remember that the Latin prefix super means “above” or “beyond.” Superlative means the best or most. Long superlative modifiers are formed differently than short superlative modifiers.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on long superlative modifiers. Remember that a modifier is an adjective or adverb that limits the meaning of a word or words. Also remember that a comparative modifier compares two things and a superlative modifier compares three or more things. Use the suffix “_est” for a one-syllable modifier to compare three or more things.

Now let’s read the grammar and mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Use “_est,” most, or least for a two-syllable or longer superlative modifier to compare three or more things. The superlative modifier indicates which is the most or least. When to use “_est” and when to use most or least is simply a matter of usage.  Examples: mightiest, most interesting

Always use most or least for adverbs ending in “__ly.” Example: She waited least patiently.

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and mechanics lesson.

Practice: Compared to the other two artists, Linda was the most happy, but she also had the least financial sense. Of the three artist friends, Linda did work the most conscientiously.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Compared to the other two artists, Linda was the happiest, but she also had the least financial sense. Of the three artist friends, Linda did work the most conscientiously.

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentences using an “_est” and a most or least superlative modifier.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , ,

Punctuation of Short Story and Document Titles

Punctuating Short Story and Document Titles

Punctuation of Short Story and Document Titles

Punctuation of Short Story and Document Titles   

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.      

Common Core Language Standard 2

Punctuation of short stories and document titles includes proper capitalization and quotation marks.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on how to punctuate short story and document titles.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Place quotation marks before and after the titles of short stories and documents. Short stories and documents are parts of whole things, small things, or things that can’t be picked up from a table. A document is a written record that provides official information or evidence.

Examples: “The Most Dangerous Game” “Your Rights as a Consumer”

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: Her short story was titled “Into My Arms.” The main character finds the lost document titled “Birth Certificate of Tim Martin.”

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: Her short story was titled “Into My Arms.” The main character finds the lost document titled “Birth Certificate of Tim Martin.”

Now let’s apply what we have learned.

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using the title of a short story and a document title.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , ,

Short Superlative Modifiers

Using Short Superlative Modifiers

Short Superlative Modifiers

Short Superlative Modifiers       

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.       

Common Core Language Standard 1

When we say “super,” we usually mean “great.” For example, “How was the food?” “Super.” Originally, the Latin prefix super meant “above” or “beyond.” Superlative means the best or most. Short superlative modifiers are formed differently than long superlative modifiers.

Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on short superlative modifiers. Remember that a modifier is an adjective or adverb that limits the meaning of a word or words. A comparative modifier compares two things, using the suffix “_er” for one-syllable modifier, more (less) or “_er” for a two-syllable modifier, and more or less for three-syllable (or longer) adjective modifiers and all adverbs ending in “__ly.”

Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.

Use the suffix “_est” for a one-syllable superlative modifier to compare three or more things. The superlative modifier indicates which is the most or least. Example: greatest

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: Of the three swimmers, Jonna was most best, Rose was second best, while Yolanda had the least amount of skill.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Of the three swimmers, Jonna was best, Rose was second best, while Yolanda had the least amount of skill.

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a one-syllable superlative modifier to compare three or more things.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Punctuation of Article Titles

Punctuating Article Titles

Article Titles

Punctuation of Article Titles                                                       

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.

Common Core Language Standard 2

Articles appear in many forms of media. Blogs, magazines (both print and online), encyclopedias, newspapers, and journals all have articles.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on how to punctuate article titles. Remember that we underline or italicize the titles of newspapers, magazines, and website titles.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

Place quotation marks before and after the titles of articles. Articles are parts of whole things, small things, or things that can’t be picked up from a table. An article is a short written work such as a newspaper article, magazine article, or blog article that is part of the larger publication. Example: “The President’s Greatest Challenge”

Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to mechanics lesson.

Practice: She went to the store to buy the Popstar! magazine, so she could read the article titled “Don’t Marry in Hollywood.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers: She went to the store to buy the Popstar! magazine, so she could read the article titled “Don’t Marry in Hollywood.”

Now let’s apply what we have learned. 

Writing Application: Write your own sentence using the title of a newspaper and a newspaper article.

*****

Syntax Programs

Pennington Publishing Grammar Programs

Teaching Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and High School) are full-year, traditional, grade-level grammar, usage, and mechanics programs with plenty of remedial practice to help students catch up while they keep up with grade-level standards. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep lessons in print or interactive Google slides with a fun secret agent theme. Simple sentence diagrams, mentor texts, video lessons, sentence dictations. Plenty of practice in the writing context. Includes biweekly tests and a final exam.

Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Interactive Notebook (Grades 4‒8) is a full-year, no prep interactive notebook without all the mess. Twice-per-week, 30-minute, no prep grammar, usage, and mechanics lessons, formatted in Cornell Notes with cartoon response, writing application, 3D graphic organizers (easy cut and paste foldables), and great resource links. No need to create a teacher INB for student make-up work—it’s done for you! Plus, get remedial worksheets, biweekly tests, and a final exam.

Syntax in Reading and Writing is a function-based, sentence level syntax program, designed to build reading comprehension and increase writing sophistication. The 18 parts of speech, phrases, and clauses lessons are each leveled from basic (elementary) to advanced (middle and high school) and feature 5 lesson components (10–15 minutes each): 1. Learn It!  2. Identify It!  3. Explain It! (analysis of challenging sentences) 4. Revise It! (kernel sentences, sentence expansion, syntactic manipulation) 5. Create It! (Short writing application with the syntactic focus in different genre).

Get the Diagnostic Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Assessments, Matrix, and Final Exam FREE Resource:

Grammar/Mechanics, Writing , , , , , , , , , , , ,