How can nouns enhance my writing?

What is a noun?

As you probably know, a noun is a person, place, thing, or idea

Using nouns

We use nouns all the time in our writing

Using nouns

Can you find the nouns in the sentence?

The surface of the pond shimmered in the sunlight.

Using nouns

Can you find the nouns in the sentence?

The surface of the pond shimmered in the sunlight.

Try this one

The boy watched the creek from the bridge.

Try this one

The boy watched the creek from the bridge.

Using nouns

When we write with specific, interesting nouns, we can help our readers to build pictures in their minds

Using nouns

Tom paddled the thing at the place.

Why is this sentence not very specific?

Using nouns

Tom paddled the thing at the place.

The nouns aren’t very clear! How could we use stronger, more interesting nouns?

Using nouns

Tom paddled the kayak at the marsh.

The nouns aren’t very clear! How could we use stronger, more interesting nouns?

Be specific

Use some specific nouns to describe the picture.

Try this one!

Proper Nouns

When we want to be even more specific, we can use proper nouns. These are nouns that name a specific person, place, or thing.

The boy is in the bus at the orchard.

No proper nouns

Proper Nouns

When we want to be super specific, we can use proper nouns. These are nouns that name a specific person, place, or thing.

Brent is in the bus at Hollabaugh’s Orchard.

With proper nouns

Proper Nouns

When we want to be super specific, we can use proper nouns. These are nouns that name a specific person, place, or thing.

Brent is in the bus at Hollabaugh’s Orchard.

Notice that proper nouns are capitalized

Proper Nouns

What proper nouns should be capitalized in this sentence?

mark looked at the water at laurel lake.

Proper Nouns

What proper nouns should be capitalized in this sentence?

Mark looked at the water at Laurel Lake.

Proper Nouns

What proper nouns should be capitalized in this sentence?

Mark looked at the water at Laurel Lake.

Notice that both Laurel and Lake get capital letters!

Proper Nouns What proper

nouns should be capitalized in this sentence?

sanderville fourth graders visit waterside park.

Proper Nouns What proper

nouns should be capitalized in this sentence?

sanderville fourth graders visit waterside park.

Proper Nouns What proper

nouns should be capitalized in this sentence?

Sanderville fourth graders visit Waterside Park.

Try writing

Try writing a sentence about this! It’s a candy house made of Hershey bars at Chocolate World.

Try writing

Try writing about this. It is a store in Williamsburg, Virginia.

What have you learned?

What have you learned about nouns?

How can specific nouns enhance your writing?

Emily Kissner 2016