Capitalization, Punctuation, and Mechanics

Sentence-Level Capitalization helps make writing clear and easy to read. When we capitalize correctly, readers can quickly see where a sentence begins and notice important words that must always have a capital letter.

In this lesson, you will learn two big rules:

• Capitalize the first word in every sentence.
• Capitalize the pronoun “I” every time you use it.

These rules are important in all kinds of writing, including stories, emails, notes, and school assignments.

Rule 1: Capitalize the first word in a sentence.

A sentence begins with a capital letter. This tells the reader, “A new sentence starts here.”

Look at these examples:

• The dog barked at the mail carrier.
• We went to the science museum.
• After lunch, our class read a chapter book.

Each sentence starts with a capital letter because each one is a new sentence.

A sentence can begin with many kinds of words. No matter what the first word is, it should begin with a capital letter.

• Yesterday, it rained all afternoon.
• My brother built a tall tower.
• Can you help me with this puzzle?
• Wow, that kite flew high!

Rule 2: Always capitalize the pronoun “I.”

The word I is a pronoun that means the person who is speaking or writing. It is always written as a capital letter, even if it is in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

Look at these examples:

• My sister and I played a board game.
• Before dinner, I finished my homework.
• Do you think I should bring my jacket?

Do not write the pronoun “I” as a lowercase i. That is not correct in a sentence.

• Incorrect: my friend and i rode our bikes.
• Correct: My friend and I rode our bikes.

Watch for both rules at the same time.

Sometimes a sentence needs two capitals: one for the first word and one for the pronoun I.

Example:

• Correct: I think we will win the game.

In this sentence, the first word is I, so it is capitalized because it starts the sentence and because it is the pronoun I.

Here is another example:

• Correct: After school, my cousin and I made sandwiches.

The word After is capitalized because it begins the sentence. The word I is capitalized because it is the pronoun “I.”

After punctuation, check the next word.

When one sentence ends, a new sentence begins. The first word after the ending punctuation should start with a capital letter.

Ending punctuation includes:

• a period .
• a question mark ?
• an exclamation mark !

Examples:

• I packed my lunch. Then I put on my shoes.
• Did you see the rainbow? It was bright and wide.
• Watch out! The ball is rolling downhill.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: my cat sleeps on the couch.

Step 1: Find the first word in the sentence. It is my.

Step 2: Capitalize the first letter.

Correct sentence: My cat sleeps on the couch.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: sara and i made lemonade.

Step 1: Find the first word. It is sara. The sentence must start with a capital letter.

Step 2: Find the pronoun i. It must always be capitalized.

Correct sentence: Sara and I made lemonade.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: we cleaned the room. then i watered the plant.

Step 1: The first sentence starts with we, so capitalize it.

Step 2: After the period, a new sentence begins. Capitalize then.

Step 3: Capitalize the pronoun i.

Correct sentence: We cleaned the room. Then I watered the plant.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: can i borrow your ruler? i need it for math.

Step 1: The first word can begins the sentence, so capitalize it.

Step 2: The pronoun i in the question must be capitalized.

Step 3: After the question mark, a new sentence begins. Capitalize the next i. It is also the pronoun I.

Correct sentence: Can I borrow your ruler? I need it for math.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to capitalize the first word in a sentence.
• Writing the pronoun i instead of I.
• Forgetting to capitalize the first word after a period, question mark, or exclamation mark.

Examples of mistakes and fixes:

• Incorrect: we went outside.
  Correct: We went outside.
• Incorrect: my brother and i read together.
  Correct: My brother and I read together.
• Incorrect: the bell rang. we lined up.
  Correct: The bell rang. We lined up.

Helpful Tips

• When you finish writing a sentence, look at the first word. Does it start with a capital letter?
• Circle every I in your writing. Make sure each one is capitalized.
• After you see a period, question mark, or exclamation mark, check the next word. It should begin with a capital letter if a new sentence starts.

Let’s Review

1. The first word in every sentence begins with a capital letter.
2. The pronoun I is always capitalized.
3. After ending punctuation, the next sentence begins with a capital letter.

When you use sentence-level capitalization correctly, your writing looks neat, correct, and easy to understand. These small capitals do a big job!

Proper Noun Capitalization means using a capital letter at the beginning of special names. These special names are called proper nouns.

A common noun names any person, place, or thing. A proper noun names a specific person, place, thing, or group. Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.

Capital letters help readers know that a word is a special name. This makes writing clear, neat, and easy to read.

Compare these examples:

• girl is a common noun, but Maria is a proper noun.
• city is a common noun, but Chicago is a proper noun.
• holiday is a common noun, but Thanksgiving is a proper noun.

In this lesson, you will learn to capitalize proper nouns such as:

• names of people
• geographic locations
• historical events
• holidays
• organizations
• languages

1. Capitalize names of people

The names of real people are proper nouns, so they begin with capital letters.

• Jordan
• Ava
• Mr. Lee
• Dr. Brown

If a person has more than one name, capitalize each important part.

• Emily Johnson
• Juan Carlos

2. Capitalize geographic locations

Special names of places are proper nouns. This includes cities, states, countries, rivers, mountains, oceans, and streets.

• Texas
• Mexico
• Atlantic Ocean
• Mississippi River
• Main Street

Do not capitalize a general word unless it is part of the special name.

• We visited a river.
• We visited the Mississippi River.

3. Capitalize historical events

The names of important events in history are proper nouns.

• American Revolution
• Civil War
• Boston Tea Party

These names are special titles, so each important word begins with a capital letter.

4. Capitalize holidays

Holidays are proper nouns because they are special days with special names.

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Thanksgiving
• Halloween

But seasons are usually not proper nouns.

• We go swimming in summer.
• We celebrate Christmas in winter.

5. Capitalize organizations

The names of schools, clubs, teams, businesses, and other groups are proper nouns.

• Lincoln Elementary School
• Boy Scouts
• Red Cross
• New York Yankees

When a group has an official name, capitalize the important words in that name.

6. Capitalize languages

The names of languages are proper nouns.

• English
• Spanish
• French

This is important to remember because many school subjects are not capitalized unless they are language names.

• I like math.
• I am learning English.

How can you tell if a word is a proper noun?

Ask yourself: “Is this a special name?” If the answer is yes, it should begin with a capital letter.

Here are some clues:

• It names one specific person: Sofia
• It names one specific place: Florida
• It names a special event: World War II
• It names a holiday: Labor Day
• It names an official group: Chess Club
• It names a language: German

Worked Example 1

Sentence: my friend olivia lives in texas.

Step 1: Find the names. Olivia is a person’s name, and Texas is a place name.

Step 2: Capitalize those proper nouns.

Correct sentence: My friend Olivia lives in Texas.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: we celebrate thanksgiving in november.

Step 1: Find the special name. Thanksgiving is a holiday, so it must be capitalized.

Step 2: Check the other word. november is also the name of a month, so it is capitalized too.

Correct sentence: We celebrate Thanksgiving in November.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: our class studied the boston tea party in english.

Step 1: Look for special names. Boston Tea Party is a historical event. English is a language.

Step 2: Capitalize each important word in the proper nouns.

Correct sentence: Our class studied the Boston Tea Party in English.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: mia and i visited the grand canyon during spring break.

Step 1: Find the special names. Mia is a person’s name. Grand Canyon is a geographic location.

Step 2: Decide if spring break is a proper noun here. Usually, spring is a season and is not capitalized. break is also not a special name here.

Correct sentence: Mia and I visited the Grand Canyon during spring break.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not forget to capitalize a special name.
  Wrong: we went to california.
  Right: We went to California.
• Do not capitalize words that are only general nouns.
  Wrong: I saw a Mountain.
  Right: I saw a mountain.
• Capitalize all important words in a proper noun.
  Wrong: new york city
  Right: New York City
• Remember that languages are capitalized.
  Wrong: She speaks spanish.
  Right: She speaks Spanish.

Quick Tips

• Capitalize people’s names.
• Capitalize specific places.
• Capitalize historical events.
• Capitalize holidays.
• Capitalize official organization names.
• Capitalize languages.
• Do not capitalize general words unless they are part of a special name.

Let’s look at more pairs:

• school → Roosevelt School
• river → Amazon River
• war → Civil War
• holiday → Independence Day
• club → Drama Club
• language → Chinese

Summary

Proper nouns are special names, and they always begin with capital letters. You should capitalize names of people, places, historical events, holidays, organizations, and languages.

When you write, stop and ask, “Is this a special name?” If it is, use a capital letter. This simple habit will make your writing correct and easy to read.

Title Case Formatting is a special way of writing the names of books, songs, articles, stories, and artwork.

When we use title case, we capitalize the first word, the last word, and the important words in the title.

This helps titles look neat, correct, and easy to read.

Why do we use title case?

Titles are important. They tell us the name of something. Using title case makes a title stand out from a regular sentence.

For example, look at these two versions:

• the secret of the old clock
• The Secret of the Old Clock

The second one is written in title case, so it looks like a real title.

Main Rule: Capitalize the first word, the last word, and all important words.

Important words usually include:

• Nouns — person, place, thing, or idea
• Verbs — action words
• Adjectives — words that describe
• Adverbs — words that tell how

Words that are not usually important are short helper words such as:

• a
• an
• the
• and
• but
• or
• for
• nor
• at
• by
• in
• of
• on
• to

These short words are usually lowercase unless they are the first word or the last word in the title.

Easy Steps for Writing a Title in Title Case

1. Look at the title.
2. Capitalize the first word.
3. Capitalize the last word.
4. Capitalize the important words in the middle.
5. Leave short helper words lowercase unless they are first or last.

Worked Example 1

Title: the cat in the hat

Step 1: Capitalize the first word: The cat in the hat

Step 2: Capitalize the important words: The Cat in the Hat

Step 3: Check the short helper word in. It stays lowercase because it is not first or last.

Correct title: The Cat in the Hat

Worked Example 2

Title: a walk to the park

Step 1: Capitalize the first word: A walk to the park

Step 2: Capitalize the important words: A Walk to the Park

Step 3: Check the short helper words to and the. They stay lowercase because they are not first or last.

Correct title: A Walk to the Park

Worked Example 3

Title: the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe

Step 1: Capitalize the first word: The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe

Step 2: Capitalize the important words: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Step 3: Check the short helper words the, and, and the. They stay lowercase because they are not first or last.

Correct title: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Worked Example 4

Title: around the world in eighty days

Step 1: Capitalize the first word: Around the world in eighty days

Step 2: Capitalize the important words: Around the World in Eighty Days

Step 3: Check the short helper words the and in. They stay lowercase because they are not first or last.

Correct title: Around the World in Eighty Days

Be Careful!

Some students make every word start with a capital letter. That is not always correct in title case.

For example:

• Not correct: The Cat In the Hat
• Correct: The Cat in the Hat

The word in is a short helper word, so it stays lowercase here.

Another mistake is forgetting to capitalize the first or last word.

For example:

• Not correct: the Secret of the old clock
• Correct: The Secret of the Old Clock

Remember: the first and last words are capitalized even if they are short.

Tips to Help You Remember

• Think: First, Last, Important.
• Short helper words in the middle usually stay lowercase.
• Check your title at the end to make sure it looks neat and correct.

Let’s Practice Thinking

If you see the title the best day of my life, ask yourself:

• What is the first word? The
• What is the last word? Life
• Which words are important? Best, Day, My, Life
• Which word is a short helper word in the middle? of

Correct title: The Best Day of My Life

Summary

Title case is the way we capitalize titles. We capitalize the first word, the last word, and the important words. Short helper words, like of, in, and to, usually stay lowercase unless they are the first or last word. When you finish writing a title, always check: Did I capitalize the first, last, and important words?

Terminal punctuation is the punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. It tells the reader that the sentence is finished. It also helps the reader know how the sentence should sound.

There are three main terminal punctuation marks you will use in 4th grade:

• Period .
• Question mark ?
• Exclamation point !

Choosing the correct ending mark makes your writing clear, neat, and easy to understand.

1. Use a period (.) for a statement.

A statement tells something. It gives information or shares an idea.

• The dog slept on the rug.
• We are going to the park.
• My favorite fruit is watermelon.

You also use a period with a command that is said in a calm way.

• Please close the door.
• Put your book on the desk.

2. Use a question mark (?) for a question.

A question asks something. It is looking for an answer.

• Where is my backpack?
• Did you finish your homework?
• What time does school start?

Many questions begin with words like who, what, when, where, why, or how. Some questions begin with helping verbs like do, does, did, is, are, and can.

3. Use an exclamation point (!) for strong feeling.

An exclamation point shows strong emotion, excitement, surprise, or a strong command.

• Watch out!
• We won the game!
• That is amazing!

Exclamation points are powerful, so do not use them too often. If every sentence ends with an exclamation point, the writing can feel too loud.

How to choose the right terminal punctuation

1. Read the sentence.
2. Ask yourself: Is it telling, asking, or showing strong feeling?
3. Pick the mark that matches:

• Telling  use a period.
• Asking  use a question mark.
• Strong feeling  use an exclamation point.

Worked Example 1: Easy

Sentence: The cat is hiding under the bed

This sentence tells something. It is a statement, not a question and not a strong feeling sentence.

Correct sentence: The cat is hiding under the bed.

Worked Example 2: Asking a question

Sentence: Can you help me with this puzzle

This sentence asks something, so it needs a question mark.

Correct sentence: Can you help me with this puzzle?

Worked Example 3: Strong feeling

Sentence: That roller coaster was incredible

This sentence shows excitement and strong feeling, so it needs an exclamation point.

Correct sentence: That roller coaster was incredible!

Worked Example 4: Think carefully

Sentence: Please hand me the scissors

This is a command, but it is polite and calm. It does not show strong feeling.

Correct sentence: Please hand me the scissors.

If the speaker were shouting, the punctuation could change:

Hand me the scissors!

Common mistakes to avoid

• Do not use a period after a question.
  Wrong: Where are you going.
  Right: Where are you going?
• Do not use a question mark for a statement.
  Wrong: I am ready for lunch?
  Right: I am ready for lunch.
• Do not use too many exclamation points.
  Better: I am so excited!
  Not needed: I am so excited!!!

Tips for checking your writing

• Look at the end of every sentence.
• Make sure each sentence has one ending mark.
• Ask: Does this sentence tell, ask, or show strong feeling?
• Read your writing out loud. Your voice can help you hear the correct ending mark.

Lets compare

• You finished your project.  This tells a fact.
• You finished your project?  This asks a question.
• You finished your project!  This shows excitement or surprise.

The words can be almost the same, but the terminal punctuation changes the meaning and tone.

Summary

Terminal punctuation is the mark at the end of a sentence. Use a period for statements and calm commands, a question mark for questions, and an exclamation point for strong feelings or strong commands. When you choose the correct ending mark, your writing becomes clear and easy to read.

Serial Commas help make writing clear and easy to read.

When you write a list with three or more items, you need commas to separate the items. A serial comma is the comma that comes before the last item in the list, right before the word and or or.

Look at this list: apples, bananas, and grapes.

The comma after bananas is the serial comma. It helps show that each item in the list is separate.

Writers use serial commas because they make sentences smoother and less confusing.

When do we use serial commas?

• Use them in a list of three or more words.
• Use them in a list of three or more phrases.
• Put a comma between each item in the list.
• Put the last comma before and or or.

Here is the pattern:

item, item, and item

item, item, item, and item

Examples of serial commas

• I packed pencils, crayons, and paper.
• My favorite pets are dogs, cats, and fish.
• We can walk, ride our bikes, or play tag.

Do not use a serial comma with only two items.

• Correct: I have a notebook and a folder.
• Incorrect: I have a notebook, and a folder.

If there are only two things, you do not need a comma before and or or.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: I ate toast eggs and strawberries for breakfast.

Step 1: Find the list. The items are toast, eggs, and strawberries.

Step 2: Add commas between the items.

Correct sentence: I ate toast, eggs, and strawberries for breakfast.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: We need glue scissors markers and tape.

Step 1: Find the four items: glue, scissors, markers, and tape.

Step 2: Put commas after each item except the last one. Also add the serial comma before and.

Correct sentence: We need glue, scissors, markers, and tape.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: After school, I want to read draw or rest.

Step 1: Find the list of actions: read, draw, or rest.

Step 2: Separate the actions with commas. Add the serial comma before or.

Correct sentence: After school, I want to read, draw, or rest.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: My brother likes big red shiny marbles.

This sentence may look like a list, but it is not a list of separate items. The words big, red, and shiny all describe marbles.

In a simple 4th Grade rule, serial commas are used for lists of items or actions. This sentence is not a list of separate things like books, games, and puzzles.

Better example with a list: My brother likes marbles, cards, and puzzles.

Tips to help you remember

1. Look for three or more items.
2. Put commas between the items.
3. Add one more comma before and or or.
4. If there are only two items, do not use a serial comma.

Compare these sentences

• Without commas: I saw lions tigers and bears.
• With serial commas: I saw lions, tigers, and bears.

The second sentence is much easier to read because the commas clearly separate the items in the list.

Try thinking this way: If you can count the things in the list, commas can help separate them.

• one: lions
• two: tigers
• three: bears

Since there are three items, we write: lions, tigers, and bears.

Quick check

• Correct: She brought cookies, chips, and juice.
• Correct: We can sing, dance, or clap.
• Correct: I have a pen and an eraser.

In the first two sentences, there are three actions or things, so we use a serial comma. In the last sentence, there are only two items, so no serial comma is needed.

Summary

A serial comma is the comma before and or or in a list of three or more items. It helps make writing clear. Remember: item, item, and item or item, item, or item.

Commas with Introductory Elements

Sometimes a sentence begins with a word or group of words that helps set up the main idea. This beginning part is called an introductory element.

An introductory element can be:

• a single word,
• a transition phrase, or
• a dependent clause that comes before the main sentence.

When one of these comes at the beginning of a sentence, we usually put a comma after it.

The comma shows the reader, “Pause here. The beginning part is finished, and now the main sentence starts.” This helps writing sound smooth and makes it easier to read.

Rule: Put a comma after an introductory element at the beginning of a sentence.

Example: First, we packed our lunches.

In that sentence, First is the introductory word. The comma comes right after it.

1. Introductory words

Sometimes one word starts a sentence and leads into the main idea. That word should be followed by a comma.

• Yes, I finished my homework.
• No, that is not my backpack.
• Today, we will learn about planets.
• Suddenly, the lights went out.

These beginning words help the reader know how the sentence starts. The comma separates that opening word from the rest of the sentence.

2. Transition words and phrases

Transition words and phrases help connect ideas. They can show order, time, or a change in thinking. When they come at the beginning of a sentence, use a comma after them.

• First, stir the batter.
• Next, pour it into the pan.
• Finally, bake the cake.
• In the morning, we walked to school.
• After lunch, our class had art.

These words and phrases guide the reader from one idea to the next.

3. Introductory dependent clauses

Sometimes the beginning of a sentence is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. This group is called a dependent clause.

A dependent clause gives extra information, but it needs the rest of the sentence to make a full thought.

When a dependent clause comes first, put a comma after it.

• When the bell rang, the students lined up.
• Before we ate dinner, I washed my hands.
• If it rains, we will play inside.
• Because I practiced, I played the song well.

In each sentence, the first part is not a complete sentence by itself. It needs the main sentence after it. The comma goes between the two parts.

How to know where the comma goes

1. Look at the beginning of the sentence.
2. Ask, “Is this an opening word, phrase, or clause that sets up the main sentence?”
3. If yes, put a comma after that opening part.
4. Then write the main part of the sentence.

Worked Example 1: Introductory word

Sentence: Yesterday we visited the museum.

The word Yesterday tells when the sentence happens. It comes before the main sentence.

Correct sentence: Yesterday, we visited the museum.

Worked Example 2: Transition word

Sentence: Next add the blue paint.

The word Next is a transition word. It tells the order of steps.

Correct sentence: Next, add the blue paint.

Worked Example 3: Introductory phrase

Sentence: After recess our class read quietly.

The words After recess tell when the class read. This phrase comes before the main sentence.

Correct sentence: After recess, our class read quietly.

Worked Example 4: Dependent clause

Sentence: When the movie ended we talked about our favorite part.

The words When the movie ended do not make a full sentence by themselves. They are a dependent clause.

Correct sentence: When the movie ended, we talked about our favorite part.

Watch out for these mistakes

• Forgetting the comma
  Wrong: First we sharpened our pencils.
  Right: First, we sharpened our pencils.
• Putting the comma in the wrong place
  Wrong: Before school we, fed the dog.
  Right: Before school, we fed the dog.
• Using a comma when there is no introductory element
  Wrong: My brother, plays soccer after school.
  Right: My brother plays soccer after school.

A helpful tip

Read the sentence aloud. If the beginning part sounds like a short setup before the main idea, it probably needs a comma.

For example, in After dinner, we played a board game, you can hear a small pause after After dinner. That is where the comma belongs.

Let’s compare

• In the evening, the sky turned pink.
• The sky turned pink in the evening.

The first sentence has an introductory phrase at the beginning, so it needs a comma.

The second sentence puts that phrase at the end, so no comma is needed there.

More examples

• Yes, I would like some juice.
• At sunset, the birds flew home.
• Before the game started, the team stretched.
• Finally, we reached the top of the hill.

Summary

Use a comma after an introductory element at the beginning of a sentence. This could be an introductory word, a transition phrase, or a dependent clause.

The comma helps separate the opening part from the main sentence. When you see a beginning setup like First, After lunch, or When the rain stopped, remember to place a comma after it.

Commas in Compound Sentences

Writers use punctuation to help readers understand their ideas. One important punctuation mark is the comma.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use a comma in a compound sentence. A compound sentence is made of two complete sentences joined together.

When we join two complete sentences with a joining word like and, but, or so, we usually put a comma before the joining word.

What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence has two complete thoughts. Each part can stand alone as its own sentence.

Look at this example:

• I finished my homework.
• I played outside.

Each sentence makes sense by itself. That means each one is a complete sentence.

We can join them to make one compound sentence:

I finished my homework, and I played outside.

The comma comes before the word and.

When do you use the comma?

Use a comma when:

• there are two complete sentences, and
• they are joined by a word like and, but, or so.

You can think of it like this:

complete sentence + comma + joining word + complete sentence

Here are some common joining words used in compound sentences:

• and — adds an idea
• but — shows a difference
• so — shows a result
• or — gives a choice
• yet — shows surprise or contrast

How do you check if you need a comma?

1. Find the joining word.
2. Read the words before it. Are they a complete sentence?
3. Read the words after it. Are they a complete sentence?
4. If both sides are complete sentences, use a comma before the joining word.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: Mia likes to read and she visits the library often.

Step 1: Find the joining word. The joining word is and.

Step 2: Check the first part: Mia likes to read. This is a complete sentence.

Step 3: Check the second part: she visits the library often. This is also a complete sentence.

Step 4: Add the comma before and.

Correct sentence: Mia likes to read, and she visits the library often.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: The sun was shining but the wind was cold.

Step 1: The joining word is but.

Step 2: The sun was shining is a complete sentence.

Step 3: the wind was cold is a complete sentence.

Step 4: Put a comma before but.

Correct sentence: The sun was shining, but the wind was cold.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: We were late so we ran to class.

Step 1: The joining word is so.

Step 2: We were late is a complete sentence.

Step 3: we ran to class is a complete sentence.

Step 4: Add the comma before so.

Correct sentence: We were late, so we ran to class.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: Do you want grapes or would you like an apple?

Step 1: The joining word is or.

Step 2: Do you want grapes can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Step 3: would you like an apple can also stand alone as a complete sentence.

Step 4: Add the comma before or.

Correct sentence: Do you want grapes, or would you like an apple?

When do you not use a comma?

Do not use a comma if one side is not a complete sentence.

Example: I finished my homework and played outside.

This sentence does not need a comma. Why? The second part, played outside, is not a complete sentence by itself. It does not tell who played outside.

Here is another one:

Sam and Ava laughed and sang.

This does not need a comma before and because it is not joining two complete sentences. It is joining actions.

Compare these two sentences:

• No comma: I washed the dishes and dried them.
• Comma: I washed the dishes, and my brother dried them.

In the first sentence, dried them is not a complete sentence. In the second sentence, my brother dried them is a complete sentence, so a comma is needed.

A helpful tip

If you can split the sentence into two real sentences, then you probably need a comma before the joining word.

• I washed the dishes. My brother dried them.
• I washed the dishes, and my brother dried them.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting the comma before the joining word.
• Adding a comma when the second part is not a complete sentence.
• Putting the comma in the wrong place, such as after the joining word.

Look at these examples:

• Wrong: I wanted to go outside but, it started to rain.
• Right: I wanted to go outside, but it started to rain.

• Wrong: Ella drew a picture, and colored it.
• Right: Ella drew a picture and colored it.

Quick practice

Read each sentence and decide if it needs a comma.

1. The dog barked and the baby woke up.
2. I put on my shoes and ran outside.
3. Lena wanted pizza but her brother wanted tacos.
4. We can stay here or we can walk home.

Answers

1. The dog barked, and the baby woke up. Both parts are complete sentences.
2. I put on my shoes and ran outside. No comma. The second part is not a complete sentence.
3. Lena wanted pizza, but her brother wanted tacos. Both parts are complete sentences.
4. We can stay here, or we can walk home. Both parts are complete sentences.

Summary

A compound sentence joins two complete sentences into one. When those two complete sentences are joined by words like and, but, so, or, or yet, put a comma before the joining word.

If one side is not a complete sentence, do not use a comma. Always check both sides to see if they can stand alone.

Dialogue is the exact words a person says. In writing, dialogue helps stories sound real and lively.

When we write dialogue, we must format it the right way so readers can tell who is speaking and what words were said.

There are three big rules to remember:

• Put the spoken words inside quotation marks.
• Use commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation marks in the correct places.
• Capitalize the beginning of the spoken words and proper names.

Let’s learn each part step by step.

1. Use quotation marks around spoken words.

Quotation marks look like this: " "

They go around the words a character says out loud.

Example: "I found my backpack," said Luis.

In this sentence, I found my backpack is what Luis said, so those words go inside quotation marks.

2. A speaker tag tells who is talking.

A speaker tag is a short part of the sentence that tells who said the words.

Some speaker tags are:

• said Maya
• asked Ben
• shouted Dad

Speaker tags can go before the dialogue, after the dialogue, or sometimes in the middle.

After the dialogue:

"We are late," said Mom.

Before the dialogue:

Mom said, "We are late."

In the middle:

"We are," Mom said, "late for the game."

3. Capitalize the first word of dialogue.

The first word inside quotation marks begins with a capital letter.

Example: "Please close the door," said Ava.

The word Please starts with a capital letter because it begins the spoken sentence.

If the speaker tag comes first, the dialogue still begins with a capital letter.

Example: Eli asked, "Can I help?"

4. Use a comma when the dialogue and speaker tag are part of the same sentence.

When a speaker tag comes after dialogue, we usually put a comma before the closing quotation marks.

Example: "I baked cookies," said Nana.

The comma comes inside the quotation marks.

When the speaker tag comes first, put a comma before the opening quotation marks.

Example: Nana said, "I baked cookies."

5. Periods and commas go inside quotation marks.

In dialogue, the period or comma usually goes inside the quotation marks.

Examples:

• "It is time for lunch," said Mr. Lee.
• Kim said, "It is time for lunch."

Notice that the comma and period are both placed inside the quotation marks.

6. Question marks and exclamation marks depend on the sentence.

If the spoken words ask a question, put the question mark inside the quotation marks.

Example: "Where is my pencil?" asked Nora.

If the spoken words show strong feeling, put the exclamation mark inside the quotation marks.

Example: "Watch out!" yelled Sam.

If the whole sentence is a question but the spoken words are not, the question mark can go outside the quotation marks.

Example: Did Mia say, "We have homework"?

7. Start a new paragraph when a new person speaks.

In stories, each time a different character begins speaking, start a new paragraph.

This helps readers follow the conversation.

Example:

"Can you pass the ball?" asked Jay.

"Yes, here it comes!" said Emma.

If both lines were in one paragraph, it would be harder to tell the speakers apart.

Worked Example 1: Dialogue with the speaker tag after

Incorrect: "i am ready", said Leo.

Let’s fix it step by step:

1. Capitalize the first word of dialogue: I
2. Put the comma inside the quotation marks.
3. Keep the speaker tag lowercase because it is part of the same sentence.

Correct: "I am ready," said Leo.

Worked Example 2: Dialogue with the speaker tag before

Incorrect: Sara said "we can share the markers".

Let’s fix it:

1. Add a comma after said.
2. Add quotation marks around the spoken words.
3. Capitalize the first word in the dialogue: We
4. Put the period inside the quotation marks.

Correct: Sara said, "We can share the markers."

Worked Example 3: Dialogue that asks a question

Incorrect: "are we leaving now", asked Dad.

Let’s fix it:

1. Capitalize the first word: Are
2. Since the spoken words ask a question, use a question mark instead of a comma.
3. Put the question mark inside the quotation marks.

Correct: "Are we leaving now?" asked Dad.

Worked Example 4: Two speakers

Incorrect:

"I finished my project," said Ana. "Great job," said Max.

This has correct punctuation, but in story writing it is better to put each new speaker in a new paragraph.

Better version:

"I finished my project," said Ana.

"Great job," said Max.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting quotation marks:
  Wrong: Mia said, I love this book.
  Right: Mia said, "I love this book."
• Forgetting to capitalize the first word of dialogue:
  Wrong: Ben asked, "can we go outside?"
  Right: Ben asked, "Can we go outside?"
• Putting the comma outside the quotation marks:
  Wrong: "Come with me", said Tia.
  Right: "Come with me," said Tia.
• Keeping two speakers in one paragraph:
  Better: Start a new paragraph when the speaker changes.

Helpful tip: Ask yourself two questions:

1. What words were actually spoken? Put those inside quotation marks.
2. Who said them? Add the speaker tag with the correct punctuation.

Quick review

• Use quotation marks around spoken words.
• Capitalize the first word of dialogue.
• Use a comma with a speaker tag when needed.
• Put periods and commas inside quotation marks.
• Put question marks and exclamation marks inside quotation marks when they belong to the spoken words.
• Start a new paragraph when a new person speaks.

When you use dialogue formatting and punctuation correctly, your writing becomes clear, organized, and easy to read.

Lesson: Apostrophes in Contractions

Writers use apostrophes to help make writing clear and smooth. One important job of an apostrophe is to show that letters are missing when two words are pushed together.

These shorter word forms are called contractions. Learning how to use apostrophes in contractions will help you read and write more naturally.

What is a contraction?

A contraction is a shortened form of two words. When we make a contraction, we leave out one or more letters and put an apostrophe where the missing letter or letters used to be.

Here are some common contractions:

• do not → don't
• can not → can't
• I am → I'm
• it is → it's
• we are → we're
• they will → they'll

Why do we use apostrophes in contractions?

The apostrophe shows that something has been left out. It takes the place of the missing letter or letters.

For example, in don't, the apostrophe takes the place of the o in not.

do not → don't

Without the apostrophe, the word would be written incorrectly.

How to make a contraction

1. Start with two words.
2. Find the letter or letters that are left out.
3. Put an apostrophe where those missing letters were.
4. Write the shortened word.

Example:

we are

• Leave out the a in are.
• Put an apostrophe in its place.
• The contraction is we're.

Common contractions to know

• is not → isn't
• are not → aren't
• was not → wasn't
• were not → weren't
• have not → haven't
• has not → hasn't
• had not → hadn't
• will not → won't
• would not → wouldn't
• could not → couldn't
• should not → shouldn't
• let us → let's
• you are → you're
• he is → he's
• she is → she's
• that is → that's

Important idea: The apostrophe goes where the missing letters are, not just anywhere in the word.

Worked Example 1

Change I am into a contraction.

Step 1: Start with I am.

Step 2: Leave out the a in am.

Step 3: Put an apostrophe where the a was.

Answer: I'm

Sentence: I'm ready for school.

Worked Example 2

Change they are into a contraction.

Step 1: Start with they are.

Step 2: Leave out the a in are.

Step 3: Put an apostrophe where the missing letter was.

Answer: they're

Sentence: They're playing outside.

Worked Example 3

Change do not into a contraction.

Step 1: Start with do not.

Step 2: Leave out the o in not.

Step 3: Put an apostrophe where the o was.

Answer: don't

Sentence: Don't run in the hall.

Worked Example 4

Change she will into a contraction.

Step 1: Start with she will.

Step 2: Leave out wi from will.

Step 3: Put an apostrophe where the missing letters were.

Answer: she'll

Sentence: She'll help with the project.

Watch out for these tricky ones

Some contractions do not look exactly the way you might expect, so it is important to practice them.

• will not → won't
• can not → can't

Be careful: its and it's are not the same.

• it's = it is or it has
• its shows that something belongs to it

Examples:

• It's rainy today. means It is rainy today.
• The dog wagged its tail. means the tail belongs to the dog.

Also be careful: your and you're are not the same.

• you're = you are
• your shows that something belongs to you

Examples:

• You're a great reader. means You are a great reader.
• Is that your backpack?

How to check your work

• Ask yourself: Is this a shortened form of two words?
• If yes, check which letters are missing.
• Make sure the apostrophe stands in for those missing letters.
• Read the sentence again to see if it sounds right.

Try thinking through these

• he is → he's
• we will → we'll
• did not → didn't
• they have → they've

Summary

A contraction is a shorter way to write two words together. An apostrophe shows where letters have been left out.

When you write contractions, remember to place the apostrophe exactly where the missing letter or letters were. With practice, you will be able to spot and write contractions easily.

Formatting Titles of Works means showing readers the name of a book, song, poem, story, or other work in the correct way.

Writers use italics or underlining for bigger works. Writers use quotation marks for shorter works.

Learning this helps your writing look neat, clear, and correct.

Big idea: Think about whether the title is a big whole work or a small part.

• Big whole works usually get italics or underlining.
• Small parts usually get quotation marks.

Use italics or underlining for major works.

These are works that stand on their own and are usually longer.

• Books
• Movies
• Long plays
• Albums
• Newspapers
• Magazines

If you are typing on a computer, you will often use italics.

Example: Charlotte's Web

If you are writing by hand, you may underline instead.

Example: Charlotte's Web

Use quotation marks for shorter works.

These are usually small pieces that are part of something bigger.

• Poems
• Songs
• Short stories
• Chapters
• Articles

Example: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Example: "The New Puppy"

Here is an easy way to remember it:

• If it is a big work, use italics or underlining.
• If it is a small work or a part of a big work, use quotation marks.

Capital letters still matter.

Most important words in a title begin with capital letters.

Example: Magic Tree House

Example: "The Big Race"

Small words like and, of, or the may sometimes stay lowercase in longer title rules, but for 3rd grade, the safest choice is to capitalize the main words you know are important.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: I read charlottes web last week.

Ask: Is Charlotte's Web a big whole work or a short piece?

It is a book, so it is a big whole work.

Correct sentence: I read Charlotte's Web last week.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: My class sang the song old macdonald had a farm.

Ask: Is it a big whole work or a shorter work?

A song is a shorter work, so use quotation marks.

Correct sentence: My class sang "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."

Worked Example 3

Sentence: We watched finding nemo on Friday.

Finding Nemo is a movie. A movie is a major work.

Correct sentence: We watched Finding Nemo on Friday.

Worked Example 4

Sentence: Our teacher read the poem stopping by woods on a snowy evening.

A poem is a shorter work.

Correct sentence: Our teacher read the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

Let’s compare.

Look at these pairs:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar = a book, so use italics or underlining
• "Rain, Rain, Go Away" = a song, so use quotation marks
• The Lion King = a movie, so use italics or underlining
• "Chapter 3: The Secret Cave" = a chapter title, so use quotation marks

A helpful trick:

Ask yourself, "Is this the whole thing, or is it a piece of something?"

• Whole thing → italics or underlining
• Piece of something → quotation marks

Common mistakes to avoid

• Do not put a book title in quotation marks.
• Do not leave a song title plain if it should have quotation marks.
• Do not forget capital letters in important words.
• Do not use both italics and quotation marks for the same title.

Example of a mistake: I love "Diary of a Wimpy Kid."

Why is it wrong? That title is a book, so it should be in italics or underlined, not in quotation marks.

Correct: I love Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Try thinking through these:

1. Is Frozen a movie or a song? If you mean the movie, write Frozen.
2. Is Let It Go a movie or a song? If you mean the song, write "Let It Go."
3. Is Where the Sidewalk Ends a book or one poem? If you mean the book, write Where the Sidewalk Ends.

Summary

Use italics or underlining for big, major works like books and movies.

Use quotation marks for shorter works like songs, poems, short stories, chapters, and articles.

When you are not sure, ask: Is this a whole work or a smaller piece?

Apostrophes in Possessives

When we write, we sometimes want to show that something belongs to someone or something. This is called possession.

An apostrophe can help show possession. A possessive noun tells who or what owns something.

For example, in the phrase the dog's bone, the bone belongs to the dog. The apostrophe helps show that the bone is the dog's.

Main Idea: Apostrophes in possessives show ownership, not just more than one.

1. Singular Possessive Nouns

If one person, animal, or thing owns something, we usually add 's to the noun.

• girl's backpack = the backpack belongs to one girl
• cat's toy = the toy belongs to one cat
• teacher's desk = the desk belongs to one teacher

Rule: For a singular noun, add apostrophe + s.

2. Plural Possessive Nouns

Sometimes more than one person, animal, or thing owns something.

If the plural noun already ends in s, add just an apostrophe after the s.

• girls' backpacks = the backpacks belong to more than one girl
• cats' toys = the toys belong to more than one cat
• teachers' lounge = the lounge belongs to more than one teacher

Rule: For a plural noun that ends in s, add just an apostrophe.

3. Singular or Plural? Look Carefully

A word can look very similar, but the apostrophe placement changes the meaning.

• student's book = one student owns the book
• students' books = more than one student owns the books

This is why it is important to ask: How many owners are there?

4. Plural Nouns That Do Not End in s

Some plural nouns do not end in s, such as children, men, and women.

For these plural nouns, add 's to make them possessive.

• children's games
• men's hats
• women's coats

Rule: If a plural noun does not end in s, add apostrophe + s.

5. Apostrophes Do Not Make Words Plural

Do not use an apostrophe just to show that there is more than one of something.

• Correct: three dogs
• Incorrect: three dog's

Remember: Apostrophes show ownership or possession, not regular plurals.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: The boy bike is blue.

We ask: Does the bike belong to one boy or more than one boy? It belongs to one boy.

So we make boy a singular possessive by adding 's.

Correct sentence: The boy's bike is blue.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: The girls shoes are by the door.

We ask: Do the shoes belong to one girl or more than one girl? They belong to more than one girl.

The noun girls is plural and already ends in s, so we add just an apostrophe.

Correct sentence: The girls' shoes are by the door.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: The children playground is new.

We ask: Is children singular or plural? It is plural, but it does not end in s.

For a plural noun that does not end in s, we add 's.

Correct sentence: The children's playground is new.

Worked Example 4

Which is correct?

• The cat's bowls are clean.
• The cats' bowls are clean.

To choose the correct one, ask: How many cats own the bowls?

• If one cat owns the bowls, write cat's.
• If more than one cat owns the bowls, write cats'.

Both can be correct, but they mean different things.

Helpful Steps

1. Find the owner in the sentence.
2. Ask if there is one owner or more than one owner.
3. If there is one owner, add 's.
4. If there is more than one owner and the word ends in s, add just an apostrophe.
5. If there is more than one owner but the plural word does not end in s, add 's.

Quick Compare

• dog's leash = one dog
• dogs' leashes = many dogs
• child's coat = one child
• children's coats = many children

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not put the apostrophe in the wrong place: dogs' and dog's do not mean the same thing.
• Do not use an apostrophe just because a word ends in s.
• Always think about ownership and how many owners there are.

Summary

Apostrophes in possessives show that something belongs to someone or something. For one owner, use 's. For a plural owner that ends in s, use just an apostrophe. For a plural owner that does not end in s, use 's.

If you are not sure, ask yourself: Who owns it, and how many owners are there? That question will help you place the apostrophe correctly.

Formatting Titles of Works means showing readers what kind of work you are writing about. A title is the name of a book, song, poem, movie, article, or other creative work.

Writers use different formatting for titles so readers can quickly tell whether the title is a short work or a long work.

Here is the big idea:

• Use quotation marks for short works.
• Use italics for long works.
• If you are writing by hand and cannot make italics, you may underline the title of a long work instead.

Learning this rule helps make your writing neat, clear, and correct.

Use quotation marks for short works. Short works are pieces that are usually part of something bigger or can be finished quickly.

• short stories
• poems
• songs
• articles
• chapters
• episodes of a TV show

Examples:

• We read "The Three Little Pigs" in class.
• My favorite song is "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".
• I liked the poem "Dreams".

Use italics for long works. Long works are bigger, complete works.

• books
• movies
• plays
• newspapers
• magazines
• albums
• TV show series names

Examples:

• I am reading Charlotte's Web.
• We watched Frozen.
• My dad reads The New York Times.

When do you underline? If you are typing on a computer, use italics for long works. If you are writing with pencil or pen, you may underline the title instead.

Example:

• Typed: Matilda
• Handwritten: Matilda

Important note: Do not use both italics and quotation marks for the same title just because you want it to stand out. Pick the correct one based on whether the work is short or long.

How can you decide? Ask yourself this question: Is this title the name of a whole, big work, or is it a smaller part?

• If it is a whole, big work, use italics.
• If it is a smaller part or a short work, use quotation marks.

For example, a TV series is a long work, but one episode is short.

• TV series: Wild Kratts
• Episode: "Mom of a Croc"

The same is true for music. An album is a long work, but one song on the album is a short work.

• Album: 25
• Song: "Hello"

Capital letters still matter. Most important words in titles begin with capital letters. This is called title capitalization.

Look at these examples:

• James and the Giant Peach
• "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"
• A Bear Called Paddington

Small words like and, the, or a are sometimes lowercase, especially in the middle of a title. But the first word is usually capitalized.

Now let’s work through some examples together.

Worked Example 1

Sentence: My class read Charlotte's Web last month.

Step 1: Ask what kind of work it is. Charlotte's Web is a book.

Step 2: A book is a long work.

Step 3: Long works use italics.

Correct sentence: My class read Charlotte's Web last month.

Worked Example 2

Sentence: We sang Old MacDonald Had a Farm in music class.

Step 1: Old MacDonald Had a Farm is a song.

Step 2: A song is a short work.

Step 3: Short works use quotation marks.

Correct sentence: We sang "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" in music class.

Worked Example 3

Sentence: My favorite show is Arthur, but I also like the episode Buster's Back.

Step 1: Arthur is the name of the whole TV show series, so it is a long work.

Step 2: Buster's Back is one episode, so it is a short work.

Step 3: Use italics for the series and quotation marks for the episode.

Correct sentence: My favorite show is Arthur, but I also like the episode "Buster's Back".

Worked Example 4

Sentence: I read the article How Do Bees Make Honey? in a magazine.

Step 1: How Do Bees Make Honey? is an article.

Step 2: An article is a short work.

Step 3: Short works use quotation marks.

Correct sentence: I read the article "How Do Bees Make Honey?" in a magazine.

Watch out for these common mistakes.

1. Putting book titles in quotation marks
   Incorrect: I love "Because of Winn-Dixie".
   Correct: I love Because of Winn-Dixie.
2. Forgetting quotation marks around a short work
   Incorrect: We recited Jabberwocky.
   Correct: We recited "Jabberwocky".
3. Using both italics and quotation marks for one title
   Incorrect: We watched "Finding Nemo".
   Correct: We watched Finding Nemo.
4. Mixing up a big work and a smaller part
   Incorrect: I liked "Magic Tree House" and the chapter Dinosaurs Before Dark.
   Correct: I liked Magic Tree House and the book Dinosaurs Before Dark.

Quick Tip: If the title sounds like one whole book, movie, or show, think italics. If the title sounds like one song, poem, chapter, story, or article, think quotation marks.

Let’s sort some titles.

• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — book — long work
• "Mary Had a Little Lamb" — song — short work
• Toy Story — movie — long work
• "The Road Not Taken" — poem — short work
• Sesame Street — TV show series — long work
• "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee" would be incorrect if it is a book title, because books are long works

Try this rule in your own writing. When you mention a title, stop and ask:

1. What kind of work is it?
2. Is it short or long?
3. Should I use quotation marks, italics, or underlining?

Summary

Use quotation marks for short works like songs, poems, articles, chapters, and short stories. Use italics for long works like books, movies, plays, magazines, newspapers, and TV series. If you are writing by hand, you may underline long works instead of using italics. This helps make your writing clear and correct.