Language and Grammar: Engage in Discussion

Group Talk With a small group, discuss what Chiune Sugihara did and the risks he took. Was he wise to do what he did? Listen attentively to others’ opinions. Use compound sentences to present some of your ideas.

Mr. Sugihara was a hero, but he took some big risks.

Mr. Sugihara helped many people, and he wasn’t afraid of the consequences.

Writing and Grammar: Write About a Heroic Action

Study the Models You can make your writing more interesting by using a variety of sentences. You can also make your writing easier to read by combining your ideas into longer, more interesting sentences. Longer sentences show how ideas relate to each other.

Not Ok

My father looked out the window. He saw many people. They were crowded around the gate in front of the house. My father read the government’s answer. He knew in his heart it was wrong. He could obey the government. He could do what he thought was right. It was a difficult decision. It was worth it.

The reader thinks: “This writing does not flow. It’s hard to see how the ideas relate.”

Ok

My father looked out the window, and he saw many people. They were crowded around the gate in front of the house. My father read the government’s answer, and he knew in his heart it was wrong. He could obey the government, or he could do what he thought was right. It was a difficult decision, but it was worth it.

This writing combines some ideas into smoother, more connected sentences.

Illustration of the pen icon WRITE ON YOUR OWN Write a paragraph about a time when you helped someone. What did you have to risk or give up? Use a variety of sentences in your writing.

Remember

When you join your ideas, use the connecting word that shows what you mean.

  • • Use and to join like ideas.

  • • Use but to join different ideas.

  • • Use or to show a choice.

Don’t put too many ideas together with commas or and. If your sentences are too long, the reader can’t understand them.