1. Writing 101
Key Parts of Speech

2. Learning Objectives

To understand the jobs 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, Actor, Actress, Supporting
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 function or role a
word plays 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
giving the key ideas.

5. Simple Sentence

The simplest simple sentence has only got a
Noun and a Verb.
1) David stopped.
2) He shouted.
3) Angel sighed.

It is used for dramatic or turning points in a
story. It will show up in the problem and
climax stages.

6. Learning Activity 1

Say what action could have come before or
after these simple sentences:
1) He paused.
2) She ate.
3) He ran.
4) She dived.

Q: These sentences have only a Noun and a
Verb. Do you think they are less meaningful?

7. Learning Activity Suggested Answers
These are possible actions before or after these
simple sentences:
1) He paused. The sound seemed to come from the
bushes.
2) She ate. Finally, she had her fill after three days
wandering in the forest.
3) When the guards did not look this way, David
took action. He ran.
4) She dived. Though she did not know how to swim,
it was now or never as his sister was drowning.

8. Enhancing Simple Sentences

Simple sentences can be enhanced through the
use of descriptions.

Those describing Nouns are called Adjectives.
1) Poor John wept.
2) Little Angel sighed.

Those describing Verbs are called Adverbs.
1) John wept loudly.
2) Angel sighed bitterly.

9. Enhancing Simple Sentences

Simple sentences can be enhanced through the use
of phrases too.

Phrases are two or more words without making a
complete sentence (N or V or both missing).

Adjectival Phrases
Poor, poor Alex wept.
The little Angel sighed.

Adverbial Phrases
Alex wept at night.
Angel sighed in the room.

10. 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/Adjectival Phrase (describes noun)

V – Verb (action)

A – Adverb/Adverbial Phrase (describes action)

11. Learning Activity

Refer to your Learning Guide and read the
following nursery rhyme.

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.

What's the most common Parts of Speech?

12. Learning Activity Answers
The most common Parts of Speech are NAVA.

Jack (N) and Jill (N) went up (V) the (Adj)
hill (N)

To fetch (V) a (Adj) pail (N) of water (N)

Jack fell down (V) and broke (V) his crown (N)

And Jill came (V) tumbling after. (V)

13. Discussion

What are Parts of Speech?

What are the 4 Key Parts of Speech?

Why are they the most important words in a
sentence?

14. In Summary

Parts of Speech describe the functions or roles a
word plays in a sentence.

The 4 key Parts of Speech are Noun, Verb,
Adjective and Adverb.

They describe the key ideas in a sentence.