Instructions
- Read the rules and examples carefully before starting each section.
- In Section 1, correct the simple sentences by adding a capital letter at the start and a period at the end.
- In Section 2, determine the appropriate end punctuation: Period (.), Question Mark (?), or Exclamation Point (!).
- Complete the Copy Editor Challenge in Section 3 by rewriting the entire paragraph with correct capitalization and punctuation.
Section 1: Start Strong (Capitalization and Periods)
Rule Review: Every sentence must start with a capital letter. If the sentence is a simple statement (declarative), it ends with a period (.).
Instructions: Rewrite the incorrect sentence in the second column, making sure to apply the capitalization and period rules.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence (Example) |
|---|---|
| we went to the park today | We went to the park today. |
| the dog barked loudly | |
| my favorite color is blue | |
| learning english is fun | |
| they finished their homework | |
| the sun set at 7 pm |
Section 2: Punctuation Power (Beyond the Period)
Instructions: Read the sentence. Decide if it needs a Period (.), a Question Mark (?), or an Exclamation Point (!). Write the correct punctuation mark in the box.
- What time does the school bus arrive [ ]
- I finally finished the whole puzzle [ ]
- That roller coaster goes so fast [ ]
- Please remember to clean your room today [ ]
- Did you see the shooting star last night [ ]
- This is the best song I have ever heard [ ]
Section 3: The Copy Editor Challenge (Paragraph Rewrite)
Instructions: Rewrite the paragraph below. Correct all capitalization errors, insert all missing punctuation (periods, question marks, exclamation points), and ensure that every sentence is properly formed.
Original Paragraph:
i love reading science fiction books. have you read the lightning thief it is about a boy named percy jackson who discovers he is a demigod wow, what an adventure the plot is thrilling
(Use the lines below to write the corrected paragraph.)
| Line | Rewrite the Sentence Correctly |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 |
Section 4: Challenge Zone: Proper Nouns
Advanced Hint: Proper nouns (names of specific people, places, days, months, and specific titles) must always be capitalized, even in the middle of a sentence.
Instructions: Read the paragraph. There are 5 missing capital letters for proper nouns. Circle the 5 words that need fixing, then write the corrected words below.
My best friend, tara, lives near lake michigan. last tuesday, we watched the movie harry potter. i love the month of june because my birthday is then. she also has a dog named penny.
Corrected Proper Nouns:
Answer Key
Section 1: Start Strong (Capitalization and Periods)
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| the dog barked loudly | The dog barked loudly. |
| my favorite color is blue | My favorite color is blue. |
| learning english is fun | Learning English is fun. |
| they finished their homework | They finished their homework. |
| the sun set at 7 pm | The sun set at 7 pm. |
Section 2: Punctuation Power (Beyond the Period)
- What time does the school bus arrive [?]
- I finally finished the whole puzzle [!]
- That roller coaster goes so fast [!]
- Please remember to clean your room today [.]
- Did you see the shooting star last night [?]
- This is the best song I have ever heard [!]
Section 3: The Copy Editor Challenge (Paragraph Rewrite)
| Line | Rewrite the Sentence Correctly |
|---|---|
| 1 | I love reading science fiction books. |
| 2 | Have you read The Lightning Thief? |
| 3 | It is about a boy named Percy Jackson who discovers he is a demigod. |
| 4 | Wow, what an adventure! |
| 5 | The plot is thrilling. |
Section 4: Challenge Zone: Proper Nouns
Corrected Proper Nouns:
- Tara
- Lake Michigan
- Tuesday
- Harry Potter
- June