The Adjective

The Adjective is a hero with an incredible eye for detail, and as a member of The Amazing Eight (A.K.A. parts of speech), this hero puts his keen powers of observation to work for the good of all our sentences.

The Adjective is a modifier, and with the help of his super handy modifying tool, he delivers a fist full of descriptive power to nouns.  The details supplied by The Adjective serve our sentences by adding richness and interest to the people, places, and objects within them.  For instance, “the hero” can become “the fearless hero,” and “the villain” can become “the twisted villain.”  Also, adjectives can be very useful additions to our sentences because they add clarity and understanding by answering the questions: which one, how many, and what kind?

So, the next time you want to add some distinct and dynamic description to your sentences, remember our detail oriented hero—The Adjective. 

SUPER POWERS:

The Adjective has the ability to modify nouns in a sentence with the addition of descriptive detail.  By modifying these words with description, he helps answer these questions: which one, how many, and what kind?

 

SUPER EXAMPLES:

1)

The slimy thief got away.

slimy: adjective answering the question which one?

2)

Three heroes are on patrol.

Three: adjective answering the question how many?

3)

Circuit Breaker is a powerful villain.

powerful: adjective answering the question what kind?

THE POWER OF PHRASING:

The Adjective has The Power of Phrasing.  Sometimes an adjective needs to be more than a single word to properly do its job.  This is when The Adjective uses The Power of Phrasing.  This power allows the adjective to stretch out into being several words that act as a single unit within a sentence.  This group of words is called: a phrase.

SUPER EXAMPLES:

1)

The man with the enormous brain is controlling us.

with the enormous brain: adjective phrase answering the question which one?

2)

His more than two arms gave him the advantage.

more than two: adjective phrase answering the question how many?

3)

He is a hero of tremendous virtue.

of tremendous virtue: adjective phrase answering the question what kind?

The Quotation Marks

The Quotation Marks are members of the Super Symbols (A.K.A. punctuation), and as the guardians of direct quotes, our heroes are sworn to protect and preserve the accuracy, correctness, and integrity of any text that is in their care.

Quotation marks are punctuation symbols that signal the beginning and ending of a direct quote.  Direct quotes repeat what someone else has written or said.  Here’s an example: The evil villain said, “I will annihilate you.”  The start quotation mark (“) signals the beginning of the quote, and the end quotation mark (”) signals the ending of the quote.  And, after seeing the quotation marks, we all know, word for word, exactly what the evil villain said: I will annihilate you.

Now keep in mind, good citizen, that when you quote someone, you’re responsible for repeating exactly what that person actually wrote or said—honest and true—and word for word.  This is a high standard to live up to, but being honest, truthful, and correct is always something worth fighting for.  And in the end, your sentences, and your readers, will thank you for it.

Of course, all this talk of truth isn’t to say that The Quotation Marks don’t have a sense of humor, far from it.  You see, these two characters have a second power that lets them add some pretty witty (and sometimes biting) remarks into our sentences.  It’s called The Power of Ironic Quotes, and this power allows The Quotation Marks to ironically twist the meaning of a word (or words) into the opposite of what they truly mean.  Ironic quotation marks are most often used when kidding, joking, or poking fun at something.

Here’s an example: Of course I’ll “surrender” my weapon.  At first glance, it looks like this villain is willing to give up his weapon, but not so fast!  The word—“surrender”—has ironic quotation marks around it, and these quotation marks are meant to imply that the villain is using this word ironically (he really means the opposite: he will not surrender his weapon).  The Power of Ironic Quotes is a sneaky power, but when it’s used correctly, it can really add some “serious” fun into your sentences.

And now, good citizen, you know both sides of our two heroes, The Quotation Marks.  They’re honorable, faithful, and true to their word, except when they’re senses of humor get the better of them.  Though, truth be told, even when they’re being ironic, these two heroes are still being true to themselves, and true to their form—and you can quote me on that.

THE QUOTATION MARKS HAVE TWO POWERS: 

• The Power of Direct Quotes
• The Power of Ironic Quotes

THE POWER OF DIRECT QUOTES: 
This power allows The Quotation Marks to repeat (quote) what someone else has written or said, word for word.  

#1)

Captain Cliché said, “You’ll never get away with this."

quotation marks: signaling a direct quote

#2)

“Block the exits,” the chief commanded, “and surround the building.” 

quotation marks: signaling a direct quote 

#3)

“Prepare for battle!” she exclaimed. 

quotation marks: signaling a direct quote 

THE POWER OF IRONIC QUOTES: 

This power allows The Quotation Marks to ironically twist words into the opposite of what they truly mean. 

#1)

This criminal “genius” forgot about the alarm. 

ironic quotes: meaning that this criminal is no genius.

#2)

I think I’ll “borrow” this diamond. 

ironic quotes: meaning that he’s not really borrowing. 

#3)

Your “foolproof” plan has failed again. 

ironic quotes: meaning that the plan was not foolproof.

The Parentheses

Just between us, The Parentheses are the very best at sneaking secret messages into your sentences (pretty cool, right?). 

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These super stealthy punctuation symbols, The Parentheses, have the power to sneak secret messages into your unsuspecting sentences.  Their shadowy operations might make them appear to be rule-breakers, but in actuality, their extra level of concealed communication (when used correctly) only adds to the overall effectiveness of our sentences.  

Here’s how they work: the first parenthesis shields the front end of the secret message, and the second parenthesis closes off the back end.  Together, they create a covert barrier (like a cloaking device) that, both, hides the secret message away from the rest of the sentence and simultaneously keeps it visible to the reader (that’s you).  This way, the secret message never interferes with the structure of the sentence, but it still allows the reader to receive the hidden communication.  

This ability to infiltrate sentences with their parenthetical notes makes The Parentheses a strong and strategic addition to the Super Symbols Super-Team.  With their punctuation powers, we can add secret messages of various sizes (including: single words, phrases, or even entire sentences), and we can add them to various places within our sentences, too (such as: the beginning, middle, or end). 

Just make sure to keep this one thing in mind. The Parentheses are a team, so always keep them paired together.  If you don’t—you’ll totally blow their cover. (And that would really suck.)

SUPER POWERS:

The Parentheses have the power to sneak secret messages into your sentences. 

USE THE PARENTHESES TO:

• add clarification
• add useful information
• add commentary

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

He’s robbed every bank in the country (US).

Parenthetical note: adding clarification

#2)

 

I have traveled one lightyear (about 6 trillion miles) to be here.

Parenthetical note: adding useful information

#3)

That missile must be stopped (no matter the cost).

Parenthetical note: adding commentary

#4)

You’re an evil tyrant! (And you smell bad, too.)

Parenthetical note: adding commentary (sometimes very personal)

The Dash

Usually, punctuation symbols are not meant to be overly flashy characters, but in the case of this eye-catching heroine—The Dash—flashy is good.

The Dash is more than just glitz and sparkle, though.  She plays a very pivotal and functional role in your sentences by standing in for her Super Symbols punctuation teammates: The Comma, The semicolon, The Colon, and The Parentheses.  The Dash only stands in for them whenever a sentence calls for the extra emphasis that only she can deliver.  

Technically, a dash, whenever used to emphasize a part of a sentence, is called an em dash because her symbol (—) is the length of a capital letter M (em).  This long length gives her symbol the super striking character it needs to set off a segment of a sentence with style—and power! 

So, the next time one of your sentences needs to be empowered with some extra flair—remember The Dash.

SUPER POWERS:

The Dash has the power to take the place of (more subtle) punctuation symbols, like: commas, semi-colons, colons, and parentheses.  She does this whenever a sentence calls for extra emphasis.  

USE THE EM DASH:

• In place of commas
• In place of semicolons
• In place of colons
• In place of parentheses

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

Surrender your weapons—now!

The em dash: in place of a comma

#2)

His weakness—fire—is my strength.

The em dash: in place of commas

#3)

I will strike—you will fall.

The em dash: in place of semicolons

#4)

I only want what’s mine—money, power, and obedience.

The em dash: in place of colons

#5)

The aliens—no big surprise—had the technological advantage.

The em dash: in place of parentheses

WEAKNESS:

Although the Dash is a very appealing punctuation mark, she should be used sparingly so that she doesn’t become weak.  The more you use The Dash in a consecutive series of sentences, the weaker and less effective she becomes.

It can be very tempting to always use an em dash in your sentences, but remember, it’s the better part of valor if you don’t. 

The Hyphen

(Here’s another one of our latest character designs.  We had a lot of fun with this character, especially with his hair design.  We wound up using a lot more hair gel than we thought we’d need, but in the end, it was well worth it.)

* * *

All words have the power to communicate their own specific meaning, but very often, when you need to communicate a larger, more complex meaning—one word alone just won’t cut it.  That’s when you need the power of The Hyphen on your side.   

--> -->This punctuation superhero has the power to join two or more words together into a single, one-of-a-kind, supercharged word.  Thanks to The Hyphen, we can use extraordinary words and expressions like sub-zero, outer-space, and cloak-and-dagger in our sentences.  And although joining words together is by far his most impressive power, The Hyphen is also capable of showing the connection between the two parts of the same word which have been separated by a line break in a sentence.

SUPER POWERS:

The Hyphen has the power to join two or more words together, creating a new word or expression with a powerful, combined meaning.  The Hyphen can also show a connection between the two parts of a word which have been separated at a line break.

USE THE HYPHEN FOR:

• Two or more words that form a new word or expression
• Adding prefixes
• Compound numbers
• Spelled-out fractions
• To show a connection between the two parts of a word at a line break   

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

Her powers are mind-numbing!

mind-numbing: two or more words that form a new word

#2)

 

We’ll have to fight them back-to-back.

back-to-back: two or more words that form a new expression

#3)

My anti-gravity boots are working just fine.

anti-gravity: adding prefixes

#4)

I’ve broken out of prison twenty-six times. 

twenty-six: compound numbers

#5)

 

My body is three-quarters robotic.

three-quarters: spelling-out fractions

#6)

If we don’t shut down the power to the experi-

mental reactor, we will all be annihilated.

experi-mental: to show a connection at a line break

The Apostrophe

-->The Apostrophe is a Super Symbols Team member who is really packed with power.  In fact, this hero has three awesome powers all rolled up into his one very amazing punctuation mark.

As you can imagine, keeping track of three powers is a lot of hard work, but don’t worry.  Our hero, The Apostrophe, is super tough and super organized, too.  

Since the placement of an apostrophe can change the very meaning of a word, The Apostrophe uses a specific set of rules that he diligently follows down to the letter.  These rules assist him in making sure that he’s using each of his three different powers effectively and correctly.  Learn these rules; commit them to heart; and you too can possess the apostrophe’s amazing punctuation power—times three!

The Apostrophe’s three powers are: The Power of Contraction, The Power of Omission, and The Power of Possession.  This powerhouse of punctuation uses his first two powers to help keep our sentences streamlined and efficient, and his third power helps to keep us informed about ownership. 

SUPER POWERS:

• The Power of Contraction
• The Power of Omission
• The Power of Possession

1) THE POWER OF CONTRACTION:

The Apostrophe has The Power of Contraction.  He uses this power to contract (squeeze together) two separate words into one single, shorter, efficient word. 

Words like: I’m  (I am), you’re  (you are), they’d (they would), we’ll  (we will), and don’t  (do not) are all contractions.  The apostrophe symbol shows that the word is a contraction, and it also stays to represent the letters that are no longer visible. 

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

Where's my grappling hook?

contraction: Where’s = Where is

#2)

 

He's levitating the building.

contraction: He's = He is

#3)

You shouldn’t touch plutonium.

contraction: shouldn’t = should not

2) THE POWER OF OMISSION:

The Apostrophe has The Power of Omission.  He uses this power to omit (remove or leave out) part of a word to help make it shorter and quicker to say. 

The Apostrophe’s Power of Omission is very similar to his Power of Contraction, except that instead of affecting two words by squeezing them together; he’s only affecting a single word by removing a part of it to make it shorter.  The apostrophe symbol shows that part of the word has been omitted, and it also stays to represent the letters that are no longer visible. 

Keep in mind, however, that The Apostrophe’s power of Omission is considered a very casual form of writing (slang), and it should be avoided in formal writing.

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

I’m goin’ after him!

omission: goin’ = going

#2)

 

That ‘gator is gigantic.

omission: ‘gators = alligators

#3)

Prepare for a world o’ hurt!

contraction: o’ = of

3) THE POWER OF POSSESSION:

The Apostrophe has The Power of Possession.  He uses this power to allow single nouns and plural nouns to show possession (ownership).  

This is an important and useful power because it allows us to show and talk about the relationships between ourselves and other people (I'm Frog-man's sidekick.), as well as the things that belong to each of us (Kitty-Kat's claws are deadly.).  

THE APOSTROPHE SHOWS:

• Possession for Single Nouns
• Possession for Plural Nouns

POSSESSION FOR SINGLE NOUNS:

To show that a single noun is in the possessive form, add an‘s.  (Like this: Hero’s)

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

The creature’s breathe is horrible.

#2)

 

The rocket’s thrusters are jammed.

#3)

Turtle-man’s shell is bullet proof.

For single nouns that already end in s (do the same thing), add ‘s.

#4)

The Mantis’s fighting style is tough to beat.

#5)

 

The Boss’s plans always work.

#6)

The Killer Cactus’s needles are deadly.

POSSESSION FOR PLURAL NOUNS:

A lot of plural nouns are already going to end with the letter s (because it’s the letter s that is making them plural in the first place,) so for these words, add the apostrophe after the letter s.  (Like this: Heroes’)

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

His fists’ knuckles are like iron.

#2)

 

The thieves’ loot was left behind.

#3)

The scientists’ creation was out of control.

For plural nouns that do not end in s, add ‘s.

#4)

He is the people’s hero.

#5)

 

The fungi’s spores are toxic.

#6)

The children’s gratitude was his reward.

The Predicate

Every complete sentence has a predicate.  So, if you want your sentences to be strong and complete, then it’s time for you to meet a very important member of The Completion Team, The Predicate.

The Predicate is the part of the sentence that does all the talking.  As a member of the Completion Team (A.K.A. parts of a sentence), The Predicate does everything in her power to verbalize (express in words) a statement about The Subject.  In fact, without this master of the verbal arts, your sentences would be speechless. 

SUPER POWERS: 

The Predicate has the power to verbalize a statement about the subject of a sentence.

FINDING THE PREDICATE: 

To find the predicate, ask yourself: what is the sentence verbalizing (expressing in words) about the subject?

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

The evil scientist invented a new weapon.

What is this sentence verbalizing about the subject?

The predicate: invented a deadly weapon

#2)

The cat burglar is stealing cats.

What is this sentence verbalizing about the subject?

The predicate: is stealing cats

#3)

The Mermaid swam to their rescue.

What is this sentence verbalizing about the subject?

The predicate: swam to their rescue.

#4)

The robbers took everything.

What is this sentence verbalizing about the subject?

The predicate: took everything

WEAKNESS:

The Predicate gets all her strength and power from working together with her partner, The Subject.  If The Predicate is ever separated from The Subject, she becomes incomplete, and that makes her weak.  If this happens, watch out for an attack from that crumbly villain, The Fragment.

SUPER TEAMWORK:

1)  The Completion Team:  There are two members that belong to The Complete Sentence Super-Team (A.K.A. parts of a sentence), and they are The Subject and The Predicate. These two sentence superheroes always work together because they get their strengths and powers from working with each other.

2)  The Predicate and The Verb:  It’s important to know that The Predicate of a sentence always includes a verb.  Verbs are always a part of the predicate because it’s the verb that empowers a predicate to express action or state-of-being.  Luckily, nobody can wrangle a verb better than The Predicate! 

The Subject

This hero is an important part of the CompletionTeam (A.K.A. parts of a sentence), because without The Subject, our sentences would have nothing to talk about.

Every sentence has a central focus, a main character, someone or something that the sentence is talking about.  It's a tough job, but our hero, The Subject, loves to be the center of attention, and he uses all of his powers to make sure that the sentence is always about him.

SUPER POWER:

The Subject has the power to be someone or something that a sentence is talking about.

FINDING THE SUBJECT: 

To find the subject of a sentence, ask yourself: Who or What is the sentence talking about?

The subject can take the form of:  

• A person
• A place
• A thing

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

Mr. Muscles can bench-press a lot.

 

Who or What can bench press a lot? 

The subject as a person: Mr. Muscles

#2)

The capital city is protected.

Who or What is protected? 

The subject as a place: The capital city

#3)

The time bomb is ticking.

Who or What is ticking? 

The subject as a thing (tangible/concrete): The time bomb

#4)

Greed is a powerful force.

Who or What is a powerful force? 

The subject as a thing (abstact/intangible): Greed 

WEAKNESS:

The Subject gets all his strength and power from working together with his partner, The Predicate.  If The Subject is ever separated from The Predicate, he becomes incomplete, and that makes him weak.  If this happens, watch out for an attack from that crumbly villain, The Fragment.

SUPER TEAMWORK:

There are two members that belong to The CompletionTeam (A.K.A. parts of a sentence), and they are The Subject and The Predicate. These two sentence superheroes always work together because they get their strengths and powers from working with each other.

The Exclamation Point

-->From time to time, everyone needs a sentence which can really stand out above all the rest.  It's the kind of sentence that really makes you sit up and take notice.  It commands your attention, demands your respect, and refuses to be ignored. There is only one member of The Super Symbols Super-Team with the punctuation power to give an entire sentence this kind of extraordinary emphasis. This bold hero of intensity is: The Exclamation Point!

The Exclamation Point is the strongest, and loudest, punctuation that can be used to end a sentence.  When you see him, it means that the sentence you’re reading has something very important, very emotional, or very urgent to say.  The Exclamation Point can also mean that you’ve turned the volume up on a sentence, so it’s often used to show when someone is yelling, shouting, or screaming.  

I’m not kidding!

Back to the point, he’s simply the perfect punctuation to use when you need an important sentence to stand out and be noticed, so remember, the next time you need to end a sentence with power—call on The Exclamation point!

SUPER POWERS:

The Exclamation Point is the strongest member of the Sentence Ending Team, and he has the power to give a sentence strong emotion and strong emphasis.

USE THE EXCLAMATION POINT FOR:

• Emphasis
• Urgency
• Emotion
• Commands

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

 

I am master of this planet!

(Emphasis)

#2)

I need my power pack, now!

(Urgency)

#3)

I hate giant spiders!

(Emotion)

#4)

Hold it right there!

(Command)

WEAKNESS:

This punctuation hero should be used sparingly because the more you use The Exclamation Point in a consecutive series of sentences, the weaker and less effective he becomes.

SUPER EXAMPLE:

#1)

You rescued me from that monster!  I didn’t even know I was in danger!  If it weren’t for you, I’d be a goner for sure!  Thank you for saving my life!

Weak: If every sentence has an exclamation point, then none of them stands out as being important or special.  Also, using too many exclamation points can make it seem like you’re constantly shouting for no good reason.

You rescued me from that monster.  I didn’t even know I was in danger.  If it weren’t for you, I’d be a goner for sure.  Thank you for saving my life!

Strong: only one exclamation point to emphasis the most important sentence.

It can be very tempting to always use the exclamation point, but remember, it’s the better part of valor if you don’t. 

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Before we decided on the unified look of the Super Symbols team, we explored having a unique look for each of the characters.  This is one of the early design sketches where we were having fun exploring the possibilities of The Exclamation Point's emphatic personality.