This document provides an introduction to parts of speech, focusing on the four key parts of speech - nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. It explains their roles and how they provide the essential ideas in a sentence. Examples are given of simple sentences and how they can be expanded by adding adjectives, adverbs, and phrases. Students are given exercises to identify the four key parts of speech in sample sentences.

1. Writing 101
Key Parts of Speech

2. Learning Objectives

To understand the roles of words called Parts of
Speech in a sentence.

To recognise the key Parts of Speech in a
sentence.

3. Introduction

A movie has many people working to make it
happen.

There are some who play more important roles
like the Director, Producer, Main Actor and
Actress.

The same applies in a sentence too.

There are many words but some are more
important than others as they
provide key ideas.

4. Introduction
A part of speech describe the job a word does in a
sentence. Let's take the simplest sentence for a
start:
John wept.

'John' is a name and is called a Noun whereas
'wept' is an action and is called a Verb.

A Noun and a Verb form a complete sentence.

Hence, they are the key words in a sentence as
they give key ideas.

5. Simple Sentence

Simple sentence, as the name implies, is the
simplest sentence in English. It only has a
Noun and a Verb.
1) David stopped.
2) He shouted.
3) Angel sighed.

It is used specially for dramatic or exciting
moments in a story.

Often, our sentences are longer than that.

6. Expanding Simple Sentences

Simple sentences – with a Noun and a Verb –
can be made longer – or expanded – through
the use of 2 other Parts of Speech:

Those describing Nouns are called Adjectives.
1) Poor Alex wept.
2) Little Angel sighed.

Those describing Verbs are called Adverbs.
1) Alex wept loudly.
2) Angel sighed bitterly.

7. 4 Key Parts of Speech

Sentences with all 4 key Parts of Speech carry
greater meaning:
1) Poor Alex wept loudly.
(Adj) (N) (V) (Adv)
2) Little Angel sighed bitterly.
(Adj) (N) (V) (Adv)

They express more while still keeping your
sentences simple.

8. 4 Key Parts of Speech

Together, Noun, Verb, Adjective and Adverb
form the key parts of speech in a sentence.

They give the key ideas in a sentence.

To help you remember them easily, these 4 key
Parts of Speech are called NAVA.

N – Noun (name)

A – Adjective (describes noun)

V – Verb (action)

A – Adverb (describes verb)

9. Expansion with Phrases

Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives and Adverbs can be
expanded to become phrases too. Phrases are
made up of two or more words that does not
express a complete idea like a sentence does.

Adjectival Phrases
Poor, poor Alex wept. (Compare: 'Poor Alex wept')
The little Angel sighed. (Compare: 'Little Angel
sighed')

Adverbial Phrases
Poor Alex wept loudly at night.
Little Angel sighed bitterly in the room.

10. Learning Activity

Identify the 4 Key Parts of Speech (P/S) –
NAVA – in the following sentences.
1) Glenda is a very successful violinist locally.
2) Peter hymns his favourite tunes loudly.
3) Raina works diligently in her job.
4) The professional dancers performed often in
Esplanade.
5) We need to get moving soon.
●
Note: Not all questions have all 4 P/S and some
are phrases, such as noun phrase.

11. Learning Activity Answers (Part 1)

The 4 Key Parts of Speech – NAVA – in the
following sentences are:
1) Glenda is a very successful violinist locally.
(N) (V) (Adj) (N) (Adv)
2) Peter hymns his favourite tunes loudly.
(N) (V) (Adj) (N) (Adv)
3) Raina works diligently in her job.
(N) (V) (Adv) (N)

12. Learning Activity Answers (Part 2)

The 4 Key Parts of Speech – NAVA – in the
following sentences are:
1) The professional dancers performed often in
Esplanade.
(Adj) (N) (V) (Adv)
(N)
2) The massive cruise liner need some time to
get moving.
(Adj) (N Phrase) (V) (Adv. Phrase)
(V) (N – Gerunds are Verbal Nouns)

13. Discussion

What are Parts of Speech and the 4 Key Parts
of Speech?

Why are they the most important words in a
sentence?

What can be used to expand sentences besides
using all four Key Parts of Speech?

14. In Summary

Parts of Speech describe the job a word does in
a sentence.

The 4 key Parts of Speech are Noun, Verb,
Adjective and Adverb.

They describe the key ideas in a sentence.

To expand sentences, phrases can be used,
besides using all 4 key Parts of Speech.