Language and Grammar: Express Opinions

Group Share With a group, think about this: Although some women played professional baseball during World War II, there are no women players on major league teams today. What opinion do you have about women playing baseball in the major leagues? Give reasons for your opinions. Use complete sentences.

I think women should be able to try out for major league baseball teams.

I don’t agree because most women are not as strong and fast as men.

Writing and Grammar: Write Complete Sentences

Study the Models When you write, you want your readers to understand what you are telling them. If you leave out important words, your readers may be confused. If you don’t include enough details, readers won’t be interested.

Not Ok

In baseball, the pitcher throws the ball. Hits the ball with a bat. I think that baseball is more than just a game. Teaches people about teamwork. Every is important. Every hit counts. A successful team always together.

The reader thinks:
“Every what on a team is important? The writer left something out.”

Ok

In baseball, the pitcher throws the ball. The batter hits the ball with a bat, usually made of wood. I think that baseball is more than just a game. It teaches people about the value of teamwork. Every player is important. Every hit that a batter makes counts. A successful team always works together as a group. That’s hard to beat!

Now each sentence is complete, and the writer also includes additional details.

Add Sentences Think of two sentences to add to the OK model above. Be sure to write complete sentences and to include phrases that add details.

Illustration of the pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN What is it like to be part of a team? Write about an experience you’ve had and tell why it was meaningful to you. Write in complete sentences that provide reasons for your thinking and details to keep your readers interested.

REMEMBER

Make sure your sentences express complete thoughts.

  • • A complete sentence has a subject and predicate.

  • • The subject is who or what the sentence is about.

  • • The predicate tells what the subject does, has, or is.