ShmoopTube

Where Monty Python meets your 10th grade teacher.

Search Thousands of Shmoop Videos


Language Arts Videos 92 videos

ELA 4: Complete Sentences
775 Views

In this lesson we'll subject you to some verbs and predicates. Each one is a necessary part of a complete breakfas—er...sentence.

ELA 4: Word Choice
222 Views

Choosing words carefully is important. You may end up vexing the assemblage of citizens you're conversing with...or you might even just plain bore...

See All

ELA 4: Writing Stories vs. Essays 53 Views


Share It!


Description:

Essays may have more structure, but stories are a little more versatile. We can't decide. Who do you think would win? Wait...this isn't a boxing match? Oh, ahem, well then, please enjoy our lovely compare and contrast video here that has nothing to do with stories and essays fighting each other. Nothing.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:04

[Coop and Dino singing]

00:13

The beauty of writing a fictional story is that, unlike an essay, very few rules apply. [Man writing essay on laptop]

00:19

No idea is too crazy.

00:21

A puppy on roller skates?

00:22

Sure.

00:23

Clouds made of sushi? [Sushi clouds]

00:24

Totally!

00:25

A puppy on roller skates eating clouds made of sushi?

00:28

Why not!

00:29

If you can imagine it, you can write it.

00:32

But just because you're not writing a serious essay doesn't mean there aren't still some

00:35

rules you have to follow – we're talking the rules of sentence structure, grammar, word choice,

00:40

and themes.

00:42

So…let's start with grammar! [Coop teaching about grammar]

00:45

You know what grammar's all about – proper sentence structure, appropriate punctuation…all

00:49

of that boring stuff that makes it easy for people to understand what you're saying. [Puppy on rollerskates eats sushi clouds]

00:53

Just because you're making up a whacky story doesn't mean you get to make up some whacky

00:57

grammatical rules.

00:58

No matter how silly you get, always be sure to keep your grammar in check, or the grammar

01:03

police might get you. [Grammar policeman appears]

01:04

We hear they're pretty ruthless.

01:06

They're as in "t-h-e-y-apostrophe-r-e!"

01:10

Please don't send us to grammar jail! [Man in a grammar jail cell]

01:12

Phew, close call.

01:14

Where were we…

01:15

Oh right!

01:15

You also need to write thoughtfully.

01:17

Pay attention to each and every word choice.

01:20

You want your story to be easy to follow and interesting to read. [Dino discussing word choices]

01:23

And if you're ever struggling to find just the right word, you can always crack open

01:27

your friend, the thesaurus! [Man reads thesaurus]

01:29

We highly recommend it…or encourage, or endorse, or advocate, or advise, or urge…

01:34

…Sorry. We got carried away.

01:36

Anyway, not only can a bizarre word choice or incorrect sentence structure confuse your [Man chanting with a protest sign]

01:41

reader, it can be super distracting.

01:44

After a few too many grammatical errors, your reader will begin to lose focus and maybe

01:48

decide to go grab a pizza instead of finishing your story. [Girl throws book on the floor and runs away]

01:51

Which would be a bummer for everybody involved.

01:54

Especially the pizza.

01:55

So when it comes time to peer review someone else's work, be sure to treat their work like

01:59

you'd want them to treat yours: be considerate, but also thorough. [Coop talking about peer reviewing]

02:04

If there are areas where they can improve their word choice or grammar, be sure to let

02:07

them know.

02:08

Just be nice about it.

02:09

We here at Shmoop advocate doing it through a fun-filled song and dance number! [Coop tipping his hat]

02:13

Y'know like…"Your verb tenses are wrong, so we thought we'd tell

02:17

you through a sooooong!!"

02:19

…Ahem.

02:20

It's still a work in progress.

02:21

And remember, whether you're writing your own story or reviewing somebody else’s,

02:25

always be on the lookout for themes. [Coop talking about themes]

02:27

The best stories always have at least one or two good themes running throughout, so

02:31

if there's ever a chance to flesh one out, don’t miss it! [Man flying in the air with themes]

02:34

Or you know who’s gonna get ya…

02:35

The theme police.

02:37

Okay, that’s not a thing.

02:39

So…let's see, sentence structure, grammar, word choice, and themes.

02:42

That just about covers it!

02:44

Now does anyone have a good rhyme for "themes"? [People working on a new song in an office]

02:46

We're working on a new song.

Related Videos

ELA 4: How Words Can Help
1205 Views

Sticks and stones, right? Well...only sometimes. It's a good idea to make sure your words aren't going to hurt others. Let's look at some ways to d...

ELA 4: Debating Like a Champ
744 Views

Learn to debate like a champ. It's way better than debating like a chimp. That just takes mudslinging to a whole new level.

ELA 4: Types of Biographies
277 Views

Today we'll learn about biographies and autobiographies. And no, the second one has nothing to do with the lives of cars. 

ELA 4: Complete Sentences
775 Views

In this lesson we'll subject you to some verbs and predicates. Each one is a necessary part of a complete breakfas—er...sentence.

ELA 4: Word Choice
222 Views

Choosing words carefully is important. You may end up vexing the assemblage of citizens you're conversing with...or you might even just plain bore...