šŸ“ How to Use This Syntax Exercise Builder
Getting Started
  1. Edit the header: Click on the title, subtitle, or info sections at the top to customize them for your exercise.
  2. Add your text: Type or paste your exercise text into the editor box below the toolbar.
Highlight the syntax features you are working on.
  1. Select text: Highlight the word or phrase you want students to identify.
  2. Choose a color:
    • Blue - For one type of syntax feature (e.g., subjects)
    • Green - For a second type (e.g., verbs)
    • Yellow - For a third type (e.g., objects)
  3. Number of Colored highlights: You do not have to use all three colors. One or two is just fine.
    For example, "Click on all verbs below" only requires one color of your choice.
  4. Syntax, not just grammar:You can use this in many ways, e.g. "Find all the collocations that were also in the article."
    Or a more expansive example:
    • Click on all the following collocations in the article below:
      wake up
      go out
      sit tight
      [horisontal rule]
      He didn't want to wake up and go out; he just wanted to sit tight and stay warm in his little corner of the world.
  5. Format text: Use the simple editor buttons B for bold, I for italic, or HR to insert a horizontal line.
  6. Warning: Don't bold or italic your highlightable/clickable word choices.
Creating the Exercise
  1. Click "Make Exercise": This converts your formatted text into an interactive exercise block.
  2. Check the counters: Each color shows how many highlights students need to find.
  3. Create multiple exercises: Clear the editor and repeat to add more exercise blocks to the same page.
Saving Your Work
  1. Enter a filename: Type a name in the "File Name" field (e.g., "prep_phrases_quiz.html").
  2. Click "Save as Local": This creates TWO files:
    • EditMode version: For you to reopen and edit later (highlights visible).
    • Student version: For your students (highlights hidden until clicked).
Student Experience
  • Students open the file (without "EditMode" in the name).
  • They enter their name and ID, then can print/save as PDF.
  • Highlights are invisible - based on your instructions, students click where they think the syntax features are.
  • Correct clicks reveal the highlight and decrease the countdown.
  • A "Show Answers" button appears in the bottom-right for checking work.
šŸ’” Pro Tip: You can create different exercises for SVO, IO DO, gerund phrases, participle phrases, clauses, use your imagination - just assign each concept/s it's own color in your instructions!

A title if desired

subtitle or info if desired

smaller subtitle or info

Any info here, if desired

Paste or type text here, select text, then click highlight buttons above to mark syntax features.