Synergy: Comparative Adjectives

Comparative adjectives are words that share differences between the two objects they modify such as faster, colder, messier, or happier.

Read the informational picture book for youth, then learn more at the websites:

COMPARROTIVES by Janik Coat is the latest book in the Grammar Zoo series geared to a preschool audience. Featuring seventeen, two-page spreads, this oversized board book is an engaging way to teach children about comparative adjectives. Although designed for young children, the book is also useful with older children reviewing grammar rules. Other books in the series include HIPPOPPOSITES, RHYMOCEROS, and LLAMAPHONES.

COMPARATIVES GRAMMAR is a short animation that uses humor to introduce grammar concepts.

To view the video, go to https://youtu.be/2fQb7_KUs3A.

ARC courtesy of Abrams Appleseed, an imprint of Abrams.

Website Review: Writer's Workshop: Writer Resources

WRITERS WORKSHOP: WRITER RESOURCES website from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign contains comprehensive guides to grammar, citation styles, ESL resources, and writing tips.

The Center for Writing Studies has developed high quality resources for young adults that explain and illustrate important writing rules, guidelines, and tips. Although aimed at the college level, the materials are also practical for middle and high school students.

The Grammar Handbook provides a comprehensive and easy-to-understand resource to review Parts of Speech, Phrases, Clauses, Sentences and Sentence Elements, and Common Usage Problems. Each concept is carefully explained and illustrated with examples.

The Citation Styles section introduces and illustrates the American Psychological Association (APA) style and the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. It also addresses common questions about Chicago Style, citing social media, and other FAQs.

The ESL Resources provides links to useful websites focusing on English as a Second Language (ESL).

The Writing Tips area offers advice for students with specific needs related to the writing process. In addition to general ideas, tips are provided for specific genre and for taking essay exams.

From basic grammar questions to citation problems, librarians often assist students working on writing projects. This website provides an excellent quick reference to help address common questions.

To learn more, go to the website at http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/.

Website Review: Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

For two decades, the PURDUE ONLINE WRITING LAB (OWL) has been providing hundreds of free resources for students.

Sponsored by the English Department at Purdue University, this online resource includes the areas of writing and teaching writing; research; grammar and mechanics; style guides; ESL; and job search and professional writing.

Tutorials of particular note include their APA and MLA style guides, ideas for avoiding plagiarism, business letter writing tool, and instructions for developing an effective resume.

The “Purdue OWL Vidcasts” connect to a YouTube channel providing dozens of short, instructional videos on topics such as writing, citation styles, rhetoric, and grammar.

Although some resources are designed specifically for Purdue students, the majority of materials are intended for all users.

A keyword search tool provides quick access to useful resources. The “Site Map” provides easy access to a master list of topics and links.

To learn more, go to the OWL website at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/.