English DVDs

EIGHT PARTS OF SPEECH

Together, these two videos explain the eight parts of speech in an easy-to-follow format. Each part of speech is defined and explained. For each part rules are stated and examples given. From these two videos students should gain a basic understanding of what each part of speech is and how it functions in English sentences.

EIGHT PARTS OF SPEECH: LESSON 1
Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives And Prepositions
This video presents a comprehensive coverage of these four parts of speech. The noun section covers such items as common, proper, possessive, abstract, concrete,and collective nouns, as well as other related items, such as gender and number. In the next section, various types of pronouns are covered. Charts are included. The video moves on to the adjective section and explains the ways adjectives can be used as describers. The degrees of comparison are explained, including irregular comparisons. In the preposition section, the students see how words can serve as locators and relaters. Prepositions are classified and the places that prepositions may appear are illustrated. The concept of antecedents and subsequents is also explained. [color, 50 minutes] $39.95 EN0001

EIGHT PARTS OF SPEECH: LESSON 2
Verbs, Adverbs, Comjunctions, and Interjections
This video presents a comprehensive coverage of these four parts of speech. In the verb section students see how verbs can be action words and state-of-being words. Linking verbs and helping verbs are discussed. Other aspects of the verb are also included, such as active and passive voice, tenses, and irregular forms. The adverb section goes into detail about the ways in which adverbs can be modifiers. Different placements of the adverb are shown. Adverbs are then categorized as simple, compound, and phrasal, and each is explained. The questions that adverbs can answer are discussed. Then, degrees of comparison are examined. In the conjunction section, detailed discussions of coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions and conjunctive adverbs, complete with examples are presented. Finally, the video ends with a discussion of interjections, including an examination of the differences in punctuation between mild and strong emotional statements. [color, 50 minutes] $39.95 EN0002

SENTENCE STRUCTURE
This video defines the sentence in several different ways and gives examples of the problems with some definitions. The matters of tone and complete meaning are explored. Then word order is explained in terms of first and second positions, splits, and inversions. Moving on through the video, the students will see the problems with telegraphic sentences and how to form period, loose, and balanced sentences. They will examine with the narrator the concept of ascending and descending order. Embedded sentences are discussed. Then the functions and the different types of sentences are investigated. Within these topics, various arrangements are illustrated. The video presentation continues, answering the question of how to tell an independent clause from a dependent clause. Students are led into an analysis of subjects, predicates, and complements and their jobs in sentences. The video pulls the lesson together at the end with a look at some common sentence patterns that are broken down into their parts in formula fashion. [color, 33 minutes] $39.95 EN0003

SENTENCE PARTS AND PATTERNS
In this video, students are presented with several sentence patterns. The patterns are broken down so students can see the parts. Some of the patterns build on others, from simple to complex. By the end of the video, students are working with a wide variety of sentence patterns. They learn various techniques to increase the impact of their sentences. After learning about sentence patterns, students should have the knowledge of when each pattern would be appropriate to use, leading to the ability to form many different types of sentences. [color, 29 minutes] $39.95 EN0004

PHRASES
In this video, students will learn what a phrase is and how it differs from a clause. To help them understand, common phrases that are used to describe people and products are presented. This is followed by a comprehensive discussion of simple, compound, and complex phrases. The different parts of speech that can be used to form phrases are explored. For example, the student will learn how to write adjective phrases of description, limitation, and change and adverb phrases of indication (when, where, how, and to what extent). The differences between adjective and adverb phrases are explained. Such topics as appositive phrases, nominative absolutes, and participial, gerund and infinitive phrases are explained and illustrated. Students will learn how to construct the various types. The video continues with an investigation of combination and elliptical phrases and concludes with a discussion of how to construct effective phrases. [color, 39 minutes] $39.95 EN0005

CLAUSES
In this video lesson, we examine clauses. Students will see that although a clause can be a simple sentence, it can also differ from a sentence. They will see how noun clauses, adjective clauses, or adverb clauses can be used as parts of speech in a sentence. Independent clauses are discussed and ways to use them are illustrated. Three types of dependent clauses are explained. Other types, such as restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses, elliptical clauses and parallel clauses are also discussed and examples given. Next we look at the information that subordinate clauses can give us. Then we turn to clauses as they are found in simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Students will find information on the factors that determine the type of clause to use. The video concludes with a discussion of clauses as they relate to verbs. [color, 39 minutes] $39.95 EN0006

AGREEMENT
Students will learn in this video how to count subjects and verbs--singular and plural. The idea of matching is introduced. Using simple techniques, the video leads students through various problems of agreement. Topics covered include: adjective-noun agreement, subject-verb agreement, subject-complement agreement, subordinating clause agreement, and pronoun-antecedent agreement. A personal pronoun chart is used to help explain agreement of person, gender, and number. Common problems with certain words are illustrated. The video ends with a series of rules and examples covering such matters as agreement when words intervene between subject and verb, agreement in relative pronoun constructions, and subject-complement constructions. Key parts of the narration are on-screen and explanations are illustrated with examples so students can follow along. [color, 42 minutes] $39.95 EN0007

CASE
This video presents a detailed discussion of case. Case is first defined. Then the various cases are explored: nominative, objective, possessive, and independent. The different names for the cases are given. Examples of each case are given. Some sentences used as examples have at least three cases in them so that students can get a holistic view. Next, the history of English case as it evolved is explored. Inflection is explained and discussed. Continuing, the students learn how to decide among case forms for pronouns, using charts and examples which illustrate both wrong and right use. The video ends with emphasis on drills to avoid common mistakes. [color, 36 minutes] $39.95 EN0008

VERBS
This video takes an in-depth look at verbs. After definitions there is an examination of some Latin word endings. The use of helping verbs is explained. Matters such as verb splits and transitive and intransitive verbs are explored. Voice, mood (including the subjunctive), tense, number, and other characteristics of verbs, are discussed in detail. The concept of conjugation is examined and illustrated in chart form. After a look at regular and irregular verbs, the participle, infinitive, and gerund are explored. [color, 45 minutes] $39.95 EN0009

MODIFIERS
This video explores the use of modifiers in sentences. Students will learn about the placement of modifiers in sentences. Such matters as dangling modifiers and ambiguous wording are covered. Students are shown why certain wording leads to confusion. Topics covered include: tasks of modifiers, adjectives as modifiers, adverbs as modifiers, comparisons as modifiers, appositives as modifiers, absolute phrases, punctuation in modification, tests for modification, and mistakes in modification. The examples are designed to help the students write more effective sentences. [color, 43 minutes] $39.95 EN0010

SENTENCE COMPLETENESS:
Sentence Fragments, Run-on Sentences, and Fused Sentences
This video addresses some common problems in writing complete sentences: sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and fused sentences. We begin with a review of basic components of sentence structure to promote proper understanding for avoidance of the problems. This is followed by a separate discussion of each problem. Various way to correct each problem are given. Students are shown how to choose correctly through a discussion of emphasis and detailed illustrations. [color, 36 minutes] $39.95 EN0011

COORDINATION AND SUBORDINATION
Students are shown basic ways to write sentences having clauses that are equal and having clauses that are unequal. Students learn to recognize sentences that have coordinated structure and subordinated structure through the use of key words. The advantages of using coordination and subordination are explained. Students will also learn to judge what to use to achieve balance among all parts of a sentence. Many examples illustrate the points being made. [color, 48 minutes] $39.95 EN0012

CLEAR PRONOUN REFERENCE
This video begins with definitions of nouns, pronouns, antecedents, and references. An equation is presented: noun = pronoun. Then the video builds students’ comprehension of pronoun problems and how to solve them. The students see how pronouns can be used incorrectly and correctly in phrases and clauses. They also learn how to avoid the pitfalls of ambiguity, remoteness, and awkwardness. The video ends with a look at pronoun-verb agreement. Included are paragraphs as examples so that students can see the pronoun reference as a link between more than two sentences. [color, 45 minutes] $39.95 EN0013

WRITING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS
This video is a comprehensive presentation on writing properly developed paragraphs that fully convey the idea being expressed. Students learn how to write paragraphs of related sentences about a central idea that are logically and smoothly linked—in other words, sentences that exhibit unity and coherence. These two concepts are discussed in great detail, including coverage of techniques that achieve them and elements that destroy them.

For teaching purposes—that is, ease of illustration and understanding—the video utilizes a five-sentence format to closely examine several paragraphs on various topics. The role of each sentence in developing a paragraph is fully described.

A step-by-step approach to writing effective paragraphs which will promote student comprehension of basic writing techniques. [color, 42 minutes] $39.95 EN0014

PUNCTUATION
Lesson 1: Period, Question Mark, Exclamation Mark And Comma
This video and a companion video cover the major rules in punctuation and works well with any grammar book. The presentation can be used as an introduction or as a refresher. The following punctuation marks are covered: period, question mark, exclamation mark and comma. [color, 36 minutes] $39.95 EN0015

PUNCTUATION
Lesson 2: Semicolon, Colon, Hyphen, Dash, Parentheses, Brackets, Slash, Apostrophe, Quotation Marks And The Underline
This video and a companion video cover the major rules in punctuation and works well with any grammar book. The presentation can be used as an introduction or as a refresher. The following punctuation marks are covered: semicolon, colon, hyphen, dash, parentheses, brackets, slash, apostrophe, quotation marks and the underline. [color, 36 minutes] $39.95 EN0016

CAPITALIZATION, ABBREVIATIONS, AND NUMBERS
This video covers the basic rules for capitalization, abbreviations and using numbers. Students will learn how to use these rules to help ensure using what is correct in all situations. The rules are presented in a clear concise way which will encourage students to memorize them to avoid having to consult reference sources to find what is needed. The video discussion stresses that students must carefully examine the sentences they write to ensure that words are properly capitalized, that abbreviations are clear to the reader, and that numbers are used consistently.

A comprehensive presentation with extensive illustrations of 11 rules for capitalization, 7 rules for abbreviations, and 12 rules for using numbers. [color, 43 minutes] $39.95 EN0017

DICTIONARIES
Although students use dictionaries extensively to look up words and meanings, many are not fully aware of the wide range of information available in them…or even that there are many different kinds. This video will make students aware of these things.

The video describes the various types of dictionaries, giving an overview of what students can find in them—for example, details of specialized information, history of the English language, guide to pronunciation, spelling and sound correspondence, geographical and biographical information, various tables and charts, proper usage, how words are labeled…and much more. Students will gain a greater appreciation of these reference sources and become more knowledgeable about where to look when they are uncertain about specific aspects of words or word usage.

A presentation to encourage more efficient use of one of our most valuable reference sources—dictionaries. [color, 25 minutes] $39.95 EN0018

GOOD USAGE
This video focuses on good usage, which is the proper selection of words to communicate vividly and persuasively. It covers important elements for making better word choices in speaking and writing, giving multiple definitive examples to illustrate each element.

From the video, students will learn about standard, colloquial, and nonstandard usage; geographical variations in speech patterns and pronunciations; obsolete, archaic, and new words; jargon, gobbledygook, and argot; and clichés, idioms and euphemisms. They will also learn how to overcome specific problems associated with word meaning, pronunciation, spelling, words in vogue…and much more.

A presentation that should greatly enhance the ability of students to make proper word choices. [color, 25 minutes] $39.95 EN0019

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