Pronouns & Expletives Jennifer Bennett Sanderson High School Raleigh, NC WCPSS

1. STYLE Pronouns & Expletives Jennifer Bennett Sanderson High School Raleigh, NC WCPSS

2. Writing • Vigorous writing is concise! • Style guidelines ensure vigorous, concise writing: • Use third person pronouns (avoid first person references--certain exceptions apply) • NO! I think that birds of prey represent Macbeth. • YES! Birds of prey represent Macbeth. • Use specific, active verbs (avoid expletives) • Use active voice constructions

3. Expletives • Definition: filler words; take up unnecessary space • Formula: There or Itfollowed by a form of the verb to be(be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being) • Ex. There are, there were, there was, there will be, there has been, etc. • Ex. It is, it was, it will be, it has been, etc. • Often appear at the beginnings of sentences-Watch out!

4. Revising Expletives • Find the real subject and place at the beginning of the clause. • Rid the sentence of its “to be” verb (as the main verb) • shows only existence • covers everything and says nothing • Replace to be verb with a verb that says specifically what you need it to say:Use POWER VERBS! • Be concise!

5. Expletive Revision • There was thunder in the distance. • To Revise— • Find the true subject of the sentence: thunder • Make its verb specific. • The thunder _________________ . • rumbled, roared, ended, rattled, whispered, clashed, banged, rolled, erupted, etc. • * “There was” covers all of the above but says none of them specifically!*

6. Voice • Definition: the relationship between the subject and verb in a sentence. • Active Voice: when the subject performs the action of the verb • Ex. John drove the car. • Ex. John is driving the car.