Grammar for writing: using brackets and dashes

In this lesson, we will be covering how to use brackets and dashes accurately.We will be using them to explore how you can create a convincing narrative voice.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.It's or its? "The chicken has escaped from _____ coop."

its it's

1/8

Q2.It's or its? "____ nearly bedtime."

its it's

2/8

Q3.It's or its? "My family has _____ moments of madness. "

its it's

3/8

Q4.Imply or infer? "From his tone of voice, we can _________ that he was angry. "

imply infer

4/8

Q5.Affect or effect? "When analysing language, you should think about the ___________ on the reader. "

affect effect

5/8

Q6.Practice or practise? "I am going to be late for football ______________. "

practice practise

6/8

Q7.There, their or they're? "I think I left my homework over _________. "

their they're there

7/8

Q8.There, their or they're? "I never read magazines when ___________ full of celebrity gossip. "

their they're there

8/8

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.It's or its? "The chicken has escaped from _____ coop."

its it's

1/8

Q2.It's or its? "____ nearly bedtime."

its it's

2/8

Q3.It's or its? "My family has _____ moments of madness. "

its it's

3/8

Q4.Imply or infer? "From his tone of voice, we can _________ that he was angry. "

imply infer

4/8

Q5.Affect or effect? "When analysing language, you should think about the ___________ on the reader. "

affect effect

5/8

Q6.Practice or practise? "I am going to be late for football ______________. "

practice practise

6/8

Q7.There, their or they're? "I think I left my homework over _________. "

their they're there

7/8

Q8.There, their or they're? "I never read magazines when ___________ full of celebrity gossip. "

their they're there

8/8

Video

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Brackets and Dashes: Quiz

Thank you for your focus today. Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Q1.Which of the phrases below could be used to complete the sentence. Parenthesis is...

a way of adding extra information to the sentence marked by a pair of brackets, dashes or commas marked by a semicolon usually optional detail

1/9

Q2.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: ;

hyphen (used to join compound words) semicolon (used to link related main clauses) colon (used to introduce information to clarify, explain or emphasise) brackets (used to add non-essential information) dash (used to emphasise additional information)

2/9

Q3.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: -

3/9

Q4.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: ( )

4/9

Q5.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: :

5/9

Q6.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: —

6/9

Q7.Which of the following rules for using brackets are true?

a pair of brackets surround the extra information. the extra information is essential the extra information inside the brackets should be a main clause full stops should never go inside the bracket

7/9

Q8.Which sentence uses brackets correctly?

I was devastated to learn that the bookshop one of my only places (of refuge and comfort) was closing down. I was devastated (to learn that the bookshop) one of my only places of refuge and comfort was closing down. I was (devastated) to learn that the bookshop one of my only places of refuge and comfort was closing down. I was devastated to learn that the bookshop (one of my only places of refuge and comfort) was closing down.

8/9

Q9.Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

He blinked — dazed by the sunlight and searched the sky. He blinked dazed by the sunlight and — searched the sky. He blinked— dazed by the sunlight — and searched the sky. He blinked dazed — by the sunlight and — searched the sky.

9/9

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Brackets and Dashes: Quiz

Thank you for your focus today. Complete the questions below to check your understanding.

Q1.Which of the phrases below could be used to complete the sentence. Parenthesis is...

a way of adding extra information to the sentence marked by a pair of brackets, dashes or commas marked by a semicolon usually optional detail

1/9

Q2.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: ;

2/9

Q3.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: -

3/9

Q4.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: ( )

4/9

Q5.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: :

5/9

Q6.Match up the following punctuation mark with its name and function: —

6/9

Q7.Which of the following rules for using brackets are true?

a pair of brackets surround the extra information. the extra information is essential the extra information inside the brackets should be a main clause full stops should never go inside the bracket

7/9

Q8.Which sentence uses brackets correctly?

8/9

Q9.Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

9/9

Lesson summary: Grammar for writing: using brackets and dashes

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The next lesson in:
Grammar for Writing
is:
Refining punctuation in creative writing

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Grammar for writing: using brackets and dashes

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Brackets and Dashes: Quiz

Brackets and Dashes: Quiz

Lesson summary: Grammar for writing: using brackets and dashes

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Grammar for Writing is: Refining punctuation in creative writing

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Grammar for Writing
is:
Refining punctuation in creative writing