ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences

Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences (i) Use the full range of punctuation marks effectively, including: commas for listing items in connected prose, between clauses in complex sentences, and after connectives like however; apostrophes for possession and omission; inverted commas for direct speech and to indicate a quotation (ii) Understand the effect on style of using full or contracted forms

Possessive apostrophes

Major update 19/01/24 written in 2005 but updated and re-mapped to reflect the Reformed Functional English Content. Page one is will prompt discussion and is probably best tackled in pairs or small groups. Page 2 is a handout with plenty of examples to study before moving on to the final pages of challenging exercises.

Answers are available (resource contributors only) please see answer sheets page for more details

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Adult Lit Rs/L2.2 Use punctuation to help interpret the meaning and purpose of texts
Apostrophes
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/L2.2a Use wide range of punctuation to help interpret meaning and purpose

Mastering Apostrophes

This resource looks at the apostrophe using a different approach. Focusing on an understanding of the practical use of the apostrophe, this methodology (the apostrophe is placed at the end of a spelling)  is easy to understand and never fails, unlike the rather complex grammatical approach (plural possessive etc) it promotes understanding and correct real-life usage.

Use the PowerPoint first. You may need more than one session. Explain and expand as you go and always check understanding before moving on.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/L2.2a Use wide range of punctuation to help interpret meaning and purpose

Living in the UK - Ask for Angela

A set of activities based on the Ask for Angela scheme, an important initiative set up with the aim of keeping people in social situations safe. 

The tasks include reading comprehension, SPaG and writing tasks, along with research and discussion opportunities. Planning should be encouraged as part of the writing tasks. There's also a separate task on organisational and presentational features using two Ask for Angela posters.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.6 Follow / understand discussions & make contributions relevant to situation & subject
FE L2.8 Make relevant and constructive contributions to move discussion forward
FS Eng E2.12 Use illustrations, images & captions to locate information
FE E3.12 Understand organisational features & use them to locate relevant information
FE L1.14 Understand organisational / structural features use to locate relevant information
FE L2.16 Understand organisational features & use to locate relevant information in a range of sources
FE L1.9 Identify & understand the main points, ideas & details
FE L2.11 Identify when main points are sufficient & when specific details are important
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
FE L1.24 Use format, structure & language appropriate for audience & purpose
FE L2.27 Use language & register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words) to suit audience & purpose
ESOL
ESOL Rt/E3.4a Extract the main points and ideas, and predict words from context.
ESOL Rt/L1.3a Understand how main points and specific detail are presented and linked
ESOL Rt/L2.3a Identify the main points and specific detail in different types of text of varying lengths & detail
ESOL Ws/E3.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity in relation to beginnings and ends of sentences
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Sd/L1.2a Express views and opinions
ESOL Sd/L2.1a Make relevant contributions and help to move discussions forward
ESOL Rt/E2.4a Obtain information from illustrations, maps, diagrams and captions
ESOL Rt/E3.5b Use organisational features in a range of reference sources
ESOL Rt/L1.4a Use organisational & structural features to locate information
ESOL Rt/L2.6a Use organisational features and systems to locate texts and information
ESOL Rt/L1.2a Know how language and other textual features are used to achieve different purposes
Context
Health and safety
Equality and safeguarding

Plurals and apostrophes PowerPoint

A PowerPoint taking learners through the definitions of plurals, omissive apostrophes and possessive apostrophes with examples and a brief quiz.

Editor's notes

Bright and cheerful with very clear graphics and descriptions. Apostrophes appear at all levels of the Functional Skills English content (and plurals at E2 and E3) and this PPT could easily be adapted (by adding, omitting or editing slides) to suit all levels from E1 to L2. 👍

 

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
FE L1.18 Use knowledge of punctuation to aid understanding of texts
FE E2.14 Form regular plurals
FE E3.14 Form irregular plurals
FE L1.19 Use a range of punctuation correctly (e.g. full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas, possessive apostrophes)
FE L2.20 Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes, quotation marks
ESOL
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
ESOL Rs/L2.2a Use wide range of punctuation to help interpret meaning and purpose
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Writing: word focus - spelling and handwriting (Ww)

Apostrophe flow chart

This resource uses a flow chart to help guide learners to the correct use of apostrophes.

Editor’s note
Updated Aug 2016. now includes irregular plurals such as ‘children’.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Rs/L1.2
Apostrophes
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding

Commas information and exercises

L1/2 factsheet and worksheet on bracketing and listing commas.
Useful for underpinning L1-2 Functional English writing skills.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional Skills English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Ws/L1.3
Rs/L1.2
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Ws/L1.3a Use punctuation to aid clarity and meaning
ESOL Rs/E3.2a Recognise function of CLs, full stops, commas, question- exclamation- and speech marks, bullet points /numbering

Capello Euro 2012 apostrophes

Another expertly adapted text with ten missing apostrophes. Includes apostrophes of omission and possession (some example are challenging).
Inspired by Rachel Emmett’s ‘Capello Gerrard World Cup apostrophes’ resources (see below).

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Rs/L1.2
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
Context
Sport and fitness

Capello Gerrard World Cup apostrophes

An expertly adapted text with ten missing apostrophes. Includes apostrophes of omission and possession (some example are challenging).

Level
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Rs/L1.2
Apostrophes
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a Use a range of punctuation to achieve clarity in simple and complex sentences
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
Context
Sport and fitness
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