Activities

1. Identify conjunctions in writing.
   
   
2. Identify prepositions in writing.
   
   
3. Identify interjections in writing.
   
   
4. Define the function of conjunctions.
   
   
5. Define the function of prepositions.
   
   
6. Define the function of interjections.

7. Explain the function of a conjunction in a particular sentence.
   
   
8. Explain the function of a preposition in a particular sentence.
   
   
9. Explain the function of an interjection in a particular sentence.

10. Analyze sentences that include conjunctions, prepositions, or interjections to determine the writer’s intent.
    
    
11. Explain why a sentence that uses conjunctions, prepositions, or interjections conveys the meaning that it does.
    
    
12. Explain how using conjunctions, prepositions, or interjections can improve writing.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student finds and correctly labels words used as conjunctions in writing.  These may be in writing produced by the student, or within text written by others.  Common conjunctions include: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet, after, although, as if, either/or, both/and.
   
   
2. Student finds and correctly labels words used as prepositions in writing.  These may be in writing produced by the student, or within text written by others.  Common prepositions include: with, at, by, to, in, for, from, of, on, during, beside.
   
   
3. Student finds and correctly labels words used as interjections in writing.  These may be in writing produced by the student, or within text written by others.  Common interjections include: wow, hey, now, what.  Many words can be used as interjections.  A word that functions as an interjection may function as another part of speech in another sentence.
   
   
4. Student knows the definition of conjunction.  A conjunction is a word or group of words that connect words or groups of words.  Example: That pizza was hot and tasty.  And connects hot to tasty.
   
   
5. Student knows the definition of preposition.  A preposition is a word or phrase that shows relationship between other words and phrases.  Example: The boy put the bat in his room.  In is a preposition showing the relationship between where the bat and room are.  Prepositions begin prepositional phrases.  In the previous example sentence, in his room is the prepositional phrase.
   
   
6. Student knows the definition of interjection.  An interjection is a word or phrase used to express strong emotion or surprise.  The interjection is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or exclamation.  Example: Wow, did you see that?
   
   
7. Using a piece of writing produced by the student, or another text, the student correctly identifies conjunctions and determines the use of conjunctions in the sentence.  Conjunctions might show relationships that are equal/of the same type or that are not equally important.
   
   
8. Using a piece of writing produced by the student, or another text, the student correctly identifies and determines the use of the use of prepositions and prepositional phrases.  Prepositions might show relationships such as time (answering the question When?), place or direction (answering the question Where?) or means/agent (answering the questions How? or What?)
   
   
9. Using a piece of writing produced by the student, or another text, the student correctly identifies interjections and determines the use of interjections in the sentence.  Interjections show the writer’s reaction, strong feelings or sudden emotions.
   
   
10. Student analyzes and considers sentences that use conjunctions, prepositions and interjections to determine how the author’s intent, or meaning is conveyed through the use of these words.  He/she considers such things as how the relationships between various parts of the sentence are shown and how emotion is shown.
    
    
11. Student explains why a sentence using a conjunction, preposition or interjection conveys the meaning it does.  Through doing this, the student has the opportunity to revise and refine writing.  Student will consider if “just the right word” has been selected for the writer’s intent, will ensure better writing.
    
    
12. Student explains how using conjunctions, prepositions or interjections make writing better.  Conjunctions combine elements within the sentence.  Prepositions help to add detail and information to writing.  Interjections show strong feeling or sudden emotion.