Parenthesis: brackets, dashes and commas
I can choose when to use brackets, dashes or commas for most effective parenthesis.
- Year 6
Parenthesis: brackets, dashes and commas
I can choose when to use brackets, dashes or commas for most effective parenthesis.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Parenthesis can be achieved with a range of punctuation: brackets, dashes and commas.
- Any type of parenthesis is additional information that can be removed without compromising grammatical accuracy.
- Brackets are useful in non-fiction writing to add extra, factual information.
- Dashes are useful in fiction writing for dramatic effect.
- Commas are useful to drop information in to a clause.
Keywords
Parenthesis - additional information that is added to a sentence; if it is removed, the sentence still makes sense
Brackets - a punctuation mark used to add extra, factual information in a clause
Dashes - a punctuation mark to add extra information in a clause often for dramatic effect
Clause - a group of words that contains a verb
Phrase - a group of words with no verb
Common misconception
Pupils may believe dashes and commas are used interchangeably in fiction writing.
We favour using dashes when we are showing a dramatic effect and commas when simply adding detail.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is missing after the fronted adverbial in the following sentence? 'Just then the door swung open.'
Q2.A fronted adverbial can be:
Q3.Match the types of fronted adverbial to the examples.
Instantly,
At that very second,
Before we knew what was happening,
Q4.Match the type of fronted adverbial to the sentence that uses it.
Now, add the flour into the mixture.
With great care, add the flour into the mixture.
Once you have beaten the eggs, add the flour to the mixture.
Q5.Match the types of fronted adverbial to the examples.
Just then,
With a sigh,
To my left,
Even though it was raining,
Unless you do your work,
Q6.Which of these sentences begins with a fronted adverbial clause of cause and effect?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following can be used to add parenthesis to a sentence?
Q2.Which of these are true for all types of parenthesis?
Q3.Match the type of punctuation for parenthesis to its purpose.
to add detail in fiction and non-fiction
to add dramatic effect in fiction
to add extra, factual information in non-fiction
