Basketball Book of Grammar
Book of Grammar Jahir Martinez
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Table of Contents Introduction
4
Punctuation
5-6
Parts of Speech
7-14
Phrases
15
Clauses
16-17
Sentences
18-20
Paragraphs
21-22
Essays
23-24
Dedication
25
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Introduction This book is the ultimate guide to understanding grammar. With its main topic of basketball, it teaches you how to correctly utilize grammar in your everyday life. It goes into depth on punctuation, parts of speech, phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs, and essays. After reading this book you will be well equipped with the skills necessary to successfully use proper grammar.
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“BASKETBALL” BOOK OF WRITING SECTION 1 Grammar is the structure and system of a language that governs how it works. It depends heavily upon syntax, which is word order, and morphology, which is how words are formed. BOOK SECTION 1 PUNCTUATION and CAPITLIZATION 1.
Punctuation – 1. . Definition - A period is placed at the end of a declarative sentence. Example - Basketball is my favorite sport. ii. , Definition - Used to indicate a pause in a sentence. Example - The four basketball teams in California are the Clippers, Lakers, Warriors, and the Kings. iii. – Definition - A versatile dash that can often take the place of commas, colons, and parentheses. Example - Despite having many teams – 30 0f them – only one can win the championship. iv. Definition - A mid-sized dash used to show a range of numbers, times, or dates. Example - The 2019-2020 NBA season will begin in 33 days. v. : Definition - Used to introduce a list of items, to separate two independent clauses, and to emphasize a single word of phrase. Example - Report: The Clippers have signed Kawhi Leonard vi. ; Definition - Used between two independent clauses. Example - The NBA champions receive a golden trophy; the runner-ups receive nothing. vii. ? Definition - Used at the end of a direct question. Example - Who will win the NBA Finals? viii. ! Definition - Mark indicating exclamation. Example - The 2019-2020 season will be the best in a long time! ix. “ Definition - Used to indicate material that is being used word for word. Example - According to Kawhi Leonard he is a “fun guy.” x. … Definition - Set of three periods indicating omission. Example - The NBA champion is … we will find out in 8 months. xi. [] Definition - Allow the insertion of editorial material inside quotations. 5
Example - The year I expect the Clippers to win a championship [2020] will be an emotional one for the fans and supporters. xii. () Definition - Used to provide additional information. Example - NBA players (and their coaches) traveled by private jet. xiii. / Definition - A symbol commonly used in place of and, per, and or. Example - The average NBA basketball player makes 5 million/per year. b. Define and create one (1) example sentence for each capitalization rule. 1. Capitalize the first word of a sentence. Ex: Kawhi Leonard is the best player in the world. 2. Capitalize names and other proper nouns. Ex: Some marquee players in the league are LeBron James and Kevin Durant. 3. Do not capitalize after a colon (usually). Ex: Lou Williams specializes in: scoring, passing, and shooting. 4. Capitalize the first word of a quote (sometimes). Ex: “If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail.” 5. Capitalize days, months, and holidays, but not seasons. Ex: Basketball games happen Monday through Friday, on Christmas day, and from fall to spring. 6. Capitalize most words in titles. Ex: Clippers’ Summer is One They’ll Always Remember 7. Capitalize cities, countries, nationalities, and languages. Ex: There are NBA players from all over the world. Some are from Los Angeles. 8. Capitalize time periods and events (sometimes). Ex: The NBA Final takes place in the last 2 teams hometowns.
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“BASKETBALL” BOOK OF WRITING SECTION 2 TEMPLATE AND GUIDELINES PARTS OF SPEECH I.
NOUNS A. Types of nouns:
1. Common Nouns: name a class of people, places, things, or idea. Athlete Arena Basketball 2. Proper Nouns: give the name or title of a particular person, place, thing, or idea (must be capitalized). Downtown Staples Center Jahir Martinez 3. Compound Nouns: consist of words used together to form a single noun. Basketball Gameplay Slamdunk 4. Concrete Nouns: refer to material things, to people, or to places. Net Ticket Money 5. Abstract Nouns: name ideas, quality, emotions or attitudes. Determined Hardworking angry B. Noun identifiers:
1. Noun endings: (list one word for each ending) great-ness determina-tion optim-ism antagon-ist cul-ture atti-tude state-ment relev-ance h-ence real-ity seme-ster hist-ory engin-eer neighbor-hood
C. Functions (How nouns are used): 1. Subject (comes before the verb) N–V
S V The coach spoke harshly to the players who played very disappointingly.
2. Direct Object (comes after the verb and answer what or whom) N–V–N
S V DO IO Coach Doc threw basketballs at his players during practice. 7
3. Indirect Object (answers to who or to whom) N–V–N–N
S V DO IO The commissioner gave the championship to the players at the championship ceremony.
4. Adverbial Object (comes after the verb and answers when) N–V –N
S V AO The players train season long to improve themselves and the team.
5. Object of the Preposition (follows a preposition) Prep – N
N – LV – N
S V Prep OPrep Coach Doc went to the locker room to prepare his players for the important game. 6. Subject Complement (following a linking verb) S LV SC Coach Doc is extremely happy when his players do well in the game.
7. Object Complement (follows a direct object and renames it) N–V–N–N
S V DO OC The basketball team unanimously selected Patrick Beverley captain because of his mentality.
8. Appositives (renames nouns, separated by commas) N, N
S APP V Kawhi Leonard, my idol, showed me very effective basketball moves.
9. Adjectival (describes noun following it) N–N
S V Adjvl The basketball players went happily to the plane.
10. Noun in Direct Address N Coach Doc, who are the Clippers competing against this year? N, N or N, N
11. Object of the gerund (noun that follows a gerund) Gerund – N
G OG Winning the championship made the players very proud.
12. Object of the participle (noun that follows a participle) Participle – N
Part OPart After the basketball season, the players felt accomplished.
13. Object of the infinitive (noun that follows an infinitive) Infinitive – N
__Inf__
OInf 8
Kawhi eagerly wanted to win the league championship. II.
VERBS Verbs show the time, action, and state of being of a subject. Types: There are at least eleven (11) types of verbs: a. auxiliary verbs definition: used to form tenses, moods, and voices of other words. Ex: do b. linking verbs definition: verbs that connect subject of a sentence to other parts of the sentence. Ex: grow c. lexical verbs definition: includes all verbs except auxiliary verbs. Ex: run d. dynamic verbs definition: describe actions we take or things that happen. Ex: become e. stative verbs definition: express a state rather than an action ex: promise f. finitive verbs definition: indicate tense ex: celebrates g. nonfinitive verbs definition: verb that is not finitive ex : playing h. regular verbs definition: any verb whose conjugation follows the typical pattern ex: played i. irregular verbs definition: verb that doesn’t follow normal pattern of injunction. Ex: make j. transitive verbs definition: accepts one or more objects ex: threw k. intransitive verbs definition: verbs that do not take direct objects ex: run!
III.
ADJECTIVES
1. Kinds: Demonstrative Definition: adjectives that point out nouns. Ex: this ball Common
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Definition: an adjective that describes a noun in a general way Ex: orange ball Proper Definition: adjective that is derived from a proper noun and is capitalized Ex: American 2. Endings: What suffixes are adjective endings? Athletic Skillful Historical supportive 3. Conversions: How are other parts of speech converted into adjectives? By adding suffixes Legend Legendary Great Greatness Move Movement 4. Articles: What are these? A word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun. How/when are they used? They are used before nouns Ex: I watched a basketball game. 5. (Comparatives/Superlatives: Comparatives What are these? Definition: Expresses a comparison Ex: tall taller Superlatives What are these? Definition: Of the highest quality or degree Ex: tall tallest IV.
ADVERBS Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. a. Endings Effortlessly Forward lengthwise a. Conversions Quick quickly Rapid rapidly Diligent diligently How can adjectives or verbs be converted into adverbs? By adding a suffix b. Types: Manner
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Kawhi passed the ball quickly. Frequency Paul George is consistently scoring 25 points a game. Degree Kawhi’s exceptionally good game cannot be over recognized. Place The players were here at the arena. Time The players will leave to the arena immediately. c. Conjunctive a. Coordinating o Definition: A conjunction placed between words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of equal tank. o Ex: I don’t root for the Lakers nor the Bucks, but I root for the Clippers. b. Correlative o Definition: functions in a pair with both words working together to balance words, phrases, or clauses. o Ex: Not only did the Clippers get Kawhi but they also got Paul George. c. Subordinate o Definition: links a dependent clause to an independent clause. o Ex: As long as the Clippers win I’m happy. d. Relative Pronouns o Definition: marks a type of subordinate clause called a relative clause while also modifying the reference in the main clause of a sentence. o Ex: That basketball hit me. V.
PREPOSITIONS a. one-word prepositions Definition: words that act to form one preposition. b. complex prepositions Definition: a word group that functions like an ordinary one-word preposition.
Example sentences: Despite winning a championship in Toronto, Kawhi decided to move near to home. The Clippers team was not elite until they added Paul George along with Kawhi Leonard. We added Kawhi Leonard in addition to Paul George. VI. LIST
INTERJECTIONS Interjections are the final part of speech. 11
Aah Boo Dam Eh Eww Hmm Holy buckets Jeez Ooh-la-la Oops Phew Shh Whoa Yahoo Yeah Yoo-hoo Zing
Sentences BOO! The home crowd chanted. DAM Kawhi’s dropping holy buckets. Key associated terms to know for Parts of Speech:
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Transitions of Logic
Milder
Stronger
a further x and and then then also too next another other nor
further furthermore moreover in addition additionally besides again equally important first, second finally, last
Comparison
just as ... so too a similar x another x like
similarly comparable in the same way likewise
Contrast
but yet and yet still otherwise or though but another rather
however still nevertheless on the other hand on the contrary even so notwithstanding for all that in contrast alternatively at the same time though this may be otherwise instead nonetheless conversely
Time
then now soon afterward later shortly earlier recently first, second, third next before after today
meanwhile at length presently at last finally immediately thereafter at that time subsequently eventually currently in the meantime in the past
Addition

Transition s
Definition: words or phrases that help readers recognize connections between ideas. 
Anteceden ts
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Definition: expression that gives its meaning to a preform.
Complements Definition: word, phrase, or clause that is necessary to complete the meaning of a given expression.
Objects o Direct Definition: noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action of a verb in a sentence is performed. o Indirect Definition: a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that identifies what or who receives the action of a transitive verb in a clause or sentence.
Modifiers Definition: an optional element in phrase structure or clause structure.
Expletives Definition: exclamatory word or expression.
Agreements o Subject-Verb Definition: subject and verb must agree in numbers. o Noun-Pronoun Definition: noun and pronoun must agree in numbers.
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SECTION 3 TEMPLATE AND GUIDELINES GRAMMAR BOOK SECTION 3 PHRASES Phrases – Prepositional: A group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, and is used as an adjective or an adverb. Ex. New players receive a warm standing ovation when introduced in the stadium. Appositive: A group of words that include all the words or phrases that modify an appositive. Ex. There are many types of jerseys in basketball. For example, the Lakers have purple & gold jerseys. Verbal (3): A group of words that begin with a verbal and ends with a noun. Gerund: word ending in “ing” used as a noun. Ex. Players go visiting 29 different cities throughout the course of a season. Participle: word ending in “ing” or “ed” used as an adjective Ex. Teams are all chasing one goal, and that is the championship. Infinitive: verb preceded by the word “to” (to go, to jump) used as noun, adjectives, or adverbs Ex. To stay in shape throughout the whole season players are required to practice.
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“BASKETBALL” BOOK OF WRITING SECTION 4 TEMPLATE AND GUIDELINES GRAMMAR BOOK SECTION 4 CLAUSES 1. Clauses – Clauses are groups of words with a subject and a verb. A. INDEPENDENT – CAN stand alone as a complete sentence, known as a simple sentence pattern. a. The Clippers require players to work really hard. B. SUBORDINATE (Dependent) – CANNOT stand alone as a complete sentence and MUST begin with a SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION. 1. Noun Clause: Used as the noun in a sentence and may function as a subject, a predicate noun, a direct object, an object of a preposition, an indirect object, or an appositive. a. Where he grew up made Kawhi Leonard who he is. [subject] b. Where he grew up made Patrick Beverley who he is. [subject] 2. Adjective Clause: Used to modify a noun in an independent clause. A. Some adjective clauses begin with an introductory word: a. This is the team where players triumphantly do well. b. There is the player that we absolutely needed. 3. Adverb Clause: Used to modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in an independent clause, introduced by a subordination conjunction and used to indicate time, place, cause, purpose, result, condition, and/or concession. a. When the game finally ended, everyone left. b. They sluggishly left the court because they were tired. 4. Relative Clause: Dependent clause that begins with a relative pronoun. a. The player who finishes first will win a shiny trophy. b. The team who finishes first will earn home court advantages. 5. Elliptical Clauses: Adverb clauses in which part of the clause is omitted. a. When playing, the players keenly keep their eyes on all parts of the court. b. When tired, the players take a seat. 6. Essential Clauses: Clauses necessary to the meaning of the sentence. a. The sport that most interests me is clearly basketball. b. The team that most interests me is clearly the Clippers. 7. Nonessential Clauses: a. The season, which began two months ago, is only one quarter way through. b. The game, which began 48 minutes ago, is over. 16
“BASKETBALL” BOOK OF WRITING 17
GRAMMAR BOOK SECTION 5 SENTENCES 1. 2. 3. 4.
Sentence Types Declarative: Used to make statements. Example: Basketball is my favorite sport. Interrogative: Used to ask questions. Example: What is your favorite basketball team. Imperative: Used to give commands or make requests. Example: Put the game on. Exclamatory: Used to make statements with emotion. Example: I love basketball! Sentence Errors (Incomplete/Incorrect Types)
1. Fragment Example: Slammed the ball and ran. Correction: Kawhi slammed the ball and ran. 2. Run-on/Rambling Example: It took a long time to get to the Clippers game my sister and I are so happy to see all our favorite players. Correction: It took a long time to get to the Clippers game. My sister and I are so happy to see all our favorite players. 3. Fused sentence: Example: I went to downtown to watch a basketball game I also went for a hot dog. Correction: I went to downtown to watch a basketball game. I also went for a hot dog. 4. Misplaced Modifier Example: I only paid $20 for my game ticket. Correction: I paid only $20 for my game ticket. 5. Comma Splice Example: I went to the game, he saw it on TV. Correction: I went to the game. He saw it on TV. 6. Double Negative Example: We don’t never miss a game. Correction: We don’t ever miss a game.
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Sentence Patterns 1. Simple Sentence: A sentence that is just one Independent clause. Example: Jahir watches basketball. 2. Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple independent clauses, but no dependent clauses. Example: I want to go see the Clippers play, for I have not gone in a year. 3. Complex Sentence: A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: I watched the game after I did my homework. 4. Complex-Compound Sentence: A sentence with multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Example: Because I did my homework, I got to play basketball and I was so happy. 5. Loose Sentence: A sentence that contains an independent clause plus a subordinate construction (either a clause or phrase). Example: I am willing to bet the Clippers will win the title, considering they have the best coach, players, and owner. 6. Periodic Sentence: A sentence in which the independent clause is given at the end of the sentence in order to create interest or generate suspense. Example: After an immense amount of time in rehab, Paul George has returned to action. 7. Balanced Sentence: A sentence where phrases or clauses parallel each other by virtue of their likeness of structure, meaning, or length. Example: Kawhi loves LA and LA loves him. 8. Parallel Structure: A sentence using the same pattern of words to show that two or more words or ideas are of equal importance and to help the reader comprehend what is being written. Example: My sister took me to a game and a restaurant. 9. Chiasmus: A sentence that includes a repetition of ideas (words, phrases, or clauses) in inverted (reversed) order. Example: All for one and one for all. 10. Asyndeton: A sentence that leaves out conjunctions between words, phrases, or clauses for a rhetorical purpose. Example: Basketball teams play tribute to ex staff, coaches, and players. 11. Polysyndeton: A sentence that uses multiple conjunctions in close proximity to each other between words, phrases, or clauses for a rhetorical purpose. Example: All players eat, sleep, and play. 12. Anaphora: A sentence that features the purposeful repetition of a word, words, or a phrase at the beginning of several successive clauses in order to place emphasis and draw attention. Example: Not owners, not money, not fans, but willing players will get this title. 13. Epistrophe: A sentence featuring several phrases or clauses ending with the same word or words. 19
Example: What lies behind the Clippers and what lies before the Clippers is nothing compared to what lies within them.
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“BASKETBALL” BOOK OF WRITING SECTION 6 TEMPLATE AND GUIDELINES GRAMMAR BOOK SECTION 6 PARAGRAPHS 1.Paragraphs –
Introductory Paragraphs o Number of sentences: 3-4 sentences o Hook/Lead Anecdotal Ex: When the Clippers play well, the crowd cheers. They reward them with a standing ovation. The better they do the more cheers they get. The better they do, the more their smile widens and, proudly, the more momentum they gain. As a team they are happy. But the opponents are not. Query Based Ex: Does the consumption of steroids really have a positive impact on a basketball player? o Thesis statement Assertion Ex: Steroids provide increased strength and should be avoided by athletes. Fact Ex: Basketball players are athletic. Opinion Ex: Basketball is the best sport. Belief Ex: Short people can’t play high level basketball. Generalization Ex: Everyone that plays basketball is tall. Document based Ex: In Basketball Weekly, Stephen A. Smith argues that the Clippers are the best team in the NBA. Theory Ex: Basketball can systematically lead to health issues. o Body Paragraphs Topic sentence Ex: Multiple sources indicate that the consumption of steroids has an unfair impact on sports.
Sentences with examples Quotes Ex: Several researchers agree, “steroids can have a negative effect on health” (Smith 8). Paraphrase Ex: Health can be negatively affected by steroids (Smith 8). Summary 21
Ex: Steroids are unhealthy. Abstract Examples Ex: People would be healthy if they stopped taking steroids.
Closing sentences Ex: Clearly, valid researchers on the subject of steroids agree on its consistent negative effects.
o Closing Paragraphs Statement extending the thesis Ex: As such, the epidemic of health issues can be connected with the presence of steroids. Consequences of disregarding the thesis Ex: If the mass consumption of steroids was safe for player’s health, there probably wouldn’t be so many health issues. Establishing the significance of thesis Ex: Thus, as research indicates, steroid consumers carry out more than just contents – they carry out the potential for illness and premature death. Final sentence Ex: Given all the health problems associated with steroids, maybe they are not beneficial at all…
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“BASKETBALL” BOOK OF WRITING SECTION 7 TEMPLATE AND GUIDELINES GRAMMAR BOOK SECTION 7 ESSAYS 1. Essays – a. Types Persuasive(Argumentative) Definition: indicated to convince reader to do something or not do something.
Expository (Informative) Definition or Description: explains, illustrates, or clarifies something in a way that it becomes clear for readers. Process: o Prewriting o Drafting o Revising o Editing Compare and Contrast: an essay evaluating the similarities and differences between two subjects. Cause and Effect: an essay that looks at the reasons for something then discusses the results.
Analytical/Critical Evaluative: a composition that offers value judgments about a particular subject according to a set of criteria. Interpretive: an essay that provides an analysis of another piece of writing.
Narrative (Tells a Story) Personal Anecdote: short story that is significant to the topic at hand.
Research MLA Citation Format: often includes Authors last name, first name. “Title of Source.” Title of Container, other contributors, version, numbers, publisher, publication, date, location. APA Citation Format: Authors last name and year of publication for source should appear in the text and a complete reference should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.
Timed Document Based Question (DBQ): an essay or series of short answer questions that is constructed by student’s using one’s own knowledge combined with support from several provided sources. Synthesis: Takes a viewpoint that is unique about a given central idea, topic, or theme. Prompt Based: focus on a topic or an issue, followed by questions.
Strategies/Planning Tips/Steps Process: 23
o o o o
Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing
Work Cited Page MLA Citation Format: often includes Authors last name, first name. “Title of Source.” Title of Container, other contributors, version, numbers, publisher, publication, date, location. APA Citation Format: Authors last name and year of publication for source should appear in the text and a complete reference should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.
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Dedication I would like to dedicate this grammar book to a couple of significant people in my life. First, I would like to dedicate this book to my mother because without her pushing me daily I would not be where I am today. Secondly, I would like to thank my sister for helping me throughout the semester. She is continuously there for me when I need academic assistance.
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