BBI 2421General Writing Skills

Course Introduction

Instructors

Fauziah Hanim Ahmad ShaariB13, 2nd Floor, Sanggar Bahasa,

Faculty of Modern Languages and Communicationfhas@fbmk.upm.edu.my

019 9329753

Hasliza ArisFaculty of Modern Languages and Communication

hasliza@fbmk.upm.edu.my

Textbook

Course Content

Sentence

Clauses: dependent & independentTypes of sentences: simple, compound, complexSentence errors: Fragment, run on, comma splice & parallel structureConjunctions: coordinating & subordinatingGrammar: subject-verb/noun-pronoun agreementMechanics: punctuation, Capitalisation

Course Content

Paragraphs• Format of a paragraph• Types of paragraphs• Paragraph outline

- Topic sentence- Controlling idea- Supporting details- Conclusion

• Unity• Coherence

Course Content

Essays

• Format of an essay• Thesis statements• Supporting details• Concluding paragraph• Unity • Coherence• Citation format• References

Course Assessments

Mid semester examination 25 marks

Final examination 30 marks

Coursework 45 marks

Coursework

Writing Assignments 1 (15 marks)

Writing Assignments 2 (20 marks)

Self Directed Learning Portfolio (10 marks)

Assignments

Writing Assignment 1 - Letter to the Editor Content: Selected newspaper article used Paragraph Outline Draft 1 (&2 if any) Completed self & peer editing forms Your paragraph

* ensure a proper cover page* Arial 11 or Times New Roman 12, 1.5 spacing*Please refer to Tugasan@ppl

Due Date: 3 February 2011

Assignments

Writing Assignment 2 – Academic Essay

Content: All three selected articles

Paragraph Outline

Draft 1 (&2 if any)

Completed group editing form

Your essay

* ensure a proper cover page

* Arial 11 or Times New Roman 12, 1.5 spacing

Due Date:

SDL

Self Directed Learning Portfolio

Completing online exercises

Due Date: 3 February 2011 (Part A) 17 March 2011 (Part B)

* ensure a proper cover page*Ensure the exercises are correctly arranged and labelled * Please print the exercises that you have done. Photocopied exercises are not accepted.* Part A of the SDL should be submitted together with Assignment 1. Part B of the SDL should be submitted together with Assignment 2.

SDL

Self Directed Learning Portfolio (Part A)

*To be submitted with Assignment 1

Grammar Skills (4)

Clauses (1)

Sentence Types (3)

Sentence Errors (1)

Paragraph Writing (1)*Please refer to SDL Tugasan handout (PPL website)

Phrases & Clauses

Phrase?Phrase?

A group of words without a SUBJECT and a A group of words without a SUBJECT and a

VERBVERB

In the morning / A long time ago / Several In the morning / A long time ago / Several hours later / At the far end of the roomhours later / At the far end of the room

Ten minutes ago / around the cornerTen minutes ago / around the corner

Phrases & Clauses

Clause? Clause?

A group of words containing a SUBJECT A group of words containing a SUBJECT

and a VERBand a VERB

A Phrase or a Clause?

Tommy is here.Several hundreds years ago in Malacca.When I come home.Because I care.Behind my back.They went scuba-diving.A beautiful morning.Rahim and Suzie are planning to attend the party.Although we managed to escape the fire.

Class Practice- Answer Key

Tommy is here. (C)

Several hundreds years ago in Malacca. (P)

When I come home. (C)

Because I care. (C)

Behind my back. (P)

They went scuba-diving. (C)

A beautiful morning. (P)

Rahim and Suzie are planning to attend the

party. (C)

Although we managed to escape the fire. (C)

Type of Clauses

Independent Clause (IC) Independent Clause (IC) - a complete sentencea complete sentence- the sentence contains a S + V + Complete - the sentence contains a S + V + Complete thought/ideathought/idea Tommy is here. They went scuba-diving. Rahim and Suzie are planning to attend the party.

Type of Clauses

Dependent Clause (DC)Dependent Clause (DC)- An incomplete sentenceAn incomplete sentence

- The sentence contains a S + V but the - The sentence contains a S + V but the

thought/idea is incompletethought/idea is incomplete

When I come home. (C)

Because I care. (C)

Although we managed to escape the fire. (C)

A dependent or Independent Clause?

Tina cries.

Tina and Sam cry.

Tina kissed and hugged me.

Tina and Sam kissed and hugged me.

Answer Key

Tina cries. (IC)

Tina and Sam cry. (IC)

Tina kissed and hugged me. (IC)

Tina and Sam kissed and hugged me. (IC)

An Independent clause = A complete sentence

Sentence: A group of words containing a subject, a

verb, and a complete thought/idea

Types of Sentences:

Simple Sentence• S = S + V Tina cries.

• S = S + S + V Tina and Sam cry.

• S = S + V + V

Tina kissed and hugged me.• S = S + S + V + V

Tina and Sam kissed and hugged me.

Compound Sentence

IC + ICIC + IC

AnnaAnna boughtbought several flowers. S + V (IC) several flowers. S + V (IC) SimpleSimpleAnnaAnna sentsent them to her mother. S + V (IC) them to her mother. S + V (IC) SimpleSimple

AnnaAnna boughtbought several flowers, and several flowers, and sheshe sentsent them to her them to her mother.mother.

S + V, S + V (compound)S + V, S + V (compound)

AnnaAnna boughtbought several flowers and several flowers and sentsent them to her them to her mother.mother.

S + V + V (simple)S + V + V (simple)

We cannot wait any longer in this dangerous We cannot wait any longer in this dangerous place.place.

S + V (IC) simpleS + V (IC) simple We and the rest of the team have to move We and the rest of the team have to move

now.now. S + S + V (IC) simpleS + S + V (IC) simple

WeWe cannot waitcannot wait any longer in this dangerous any longer in this dangerous place, so place, so wewe and and the rest of the teamthe rest of the team havehave to move now. to move now.

IC + IC (compound)IC + IC (compound)

• AnnaAnna boughtbought several flowers, several flowers, andand sheshe sentsent them them to her mother.to her mother.

• WeWe cannot waitcannot wait any longer in this dangerous any longer in this dangerous place, place, soso wewe and and the rest of the teamthe rest of the team havehave to to move now.move now.

• so, andso, and

Coordinating conjunctionsCoordinating conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

, for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

FANBOYS

Conjunctive Adverbs

;therefore,;however,;whereas,

;consequently,;moreover,

;furthermore,

Class Practice

• TheyThey should goshould go. . TheyThey should never should never returnreturn..

• TheyThey should goshould go, and, and theythey should never should never returnreturn..

• My childrenMy children admireadmire me. me. II feelfeel proud of proud of myself.myself.

• My childrenMy children admireadmire me me; therefore, ; therefore, II feelfeel proud of myself.proud of myself.

Class Practice

• II ranran very fast. very fast. II missedmissed the train the train.. II ranran very fast very fast; however, ; however, II missedmissed the train the train..

• ItIt isis very common to see people working very common to see people working fourteen to eighteen hours straight a day in the fourteen to eighteen hours straight a day in the United States. United States. ThisThis isis rather rare in other rather rare in other European countries.European countries.

ItIt isis very common to see people working very common to see people working fourteen to eighteen hours straight a day in the fourteen to eighteen hours straight a day in the United StatesUnited States, but, but thisthis isis rather rare in other rather rare in other European countries.European countries.

Complex Sentence

IC + DCIC + DC

AnnaAnna broughtbrought several flowers. (IC) several flowers. (IC)

When she visited her mother. (DC) When she visited her mother. (DC)

AnnaAnna broughtbrought several flowers several flowers whenwhen sheshe visited visited her mother.her mother. (IC DC) (IC DC)

WWhenhen AnnaAnna visitedvisited her mother, her mother, sheshe broughtbrought

several flowers. (DC, IC)several flowers. (DC, IC)

• I will return the books I will return the books whenwhen you return my cdsyou return my cds..

• Since Since Rob moved to CanadaRob moved to Canada,, Christina has Christina has become very temperamental. become very temperamental.

• We bumped into Ning We bumped into Ning as as we were leaving the we were leaving the café.café.

When, since, asWhen, since, as

Subordinating ConjunctionsSubordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating Conjunctions

As, When, While, Since, Although, ThoughEven though, Because, Until

Till, Where, As if, Before, UnlessWhether, Whenever

Course Assignments

• Many of the victims died Many of the victims died because they did not because they did not receive medical attention early.receive medical attention early.

• Because the victims did not receive medical Because the victims did not receive medical attention earlyattention early, many of them died., many of them died.

• They are working so hard to complete the They are working so hard to complete the project project while we are enjoying ourselves here.while we are enjoying ourselves here.

• While we are enjoying ourselves hereWhile we are enjoying ourselves here,, they are they are working so hard to complete the project.working so hard to complete the project.

Sentence Errors

FragmentFragmentUntil I am cured. Until I am cured. Although Anna is new.Although Anna is new.Whenever Rani visits her parents.Whenever Rani visits her parents.

I will not leave the houseI will not leave the house until I am cured. until I am cured.Although Anna is new, Although Anna is new, she knows how to she knows how to complete her work efficiently.complete her work efficiently.

Comma-spliceComma-splice

I drove fast, I missed my flight.I drove fast, I missed my flight.

(Two complete sentences (IC) combined using (Two complete sentences (IC) combined using

merely a comma)merely a comma)

Repairing a comma-splice errorRepairing a comma-splice error

I drove fast, but I missed my flight.I drove fast, but I missed my flight.

I drove fast; however, I missed my flight.I drove fast; however, I missed my flight.

I missed my flight though I drove fast.I missed my flight though I drove fast.

Though I drove fast, I missed my flight .Though I drove fast, I missed my flight .

I drove fast. I missed my flight.I drove fast. I missed my flight.

• Run-onRun-on

I drove fast I miss my flight.I drove fast I miss my flight.(Two complete sentences (IC) joined as one (Two complete sentences (IC) joined as one

sentence without a conjunction or proper sentence without a conjunction or proper

punctuation) punctuation)

Course Assignments

Repairing a run-on errorRepairing a run-on error

I drove fast. I still missed my flight.I drove fast. I still missed my flight.

I drove fast, but I still missed my flight.I drove fast, but I still missed my flight.

I drove fast; however, I still missed my flight.I drove fast; however, I still missed my flight.

Although I drove fast, I still missed my flight.Although I drove fast, I still missed my flight.

I drove fast; I still missed my flight.I drove fast; I still missed my flight.

Course Assignments

ParallelismParallelism

I enjoy reading and to plant flowers.I enjoy reading and to plant flowers.

I enjoy I enjoy reading reading and and plantingplanting flowers. flowers.

She is friendly, nice and loves to help She is friendly, nice and loves to help

others.others.

She is She is friendly, nicefriendly, nice and and helpfulhelpful..

Paragraph Writing

• A collection of 5-12 sentencesA collection of 5-12 sentences• Focuses on Focuses on ONEONE topic (use a controlling idea) topic (use a controlling idea)• Contains a topic sentence (ts)Contains a topic sentence (ts)• Several points to support the topic sentence Several points to support the topic sentence • Usually ends with a concluding sentence (cs)Usually ends with a concluding sentence (cs)

Select a TopicSelect a Topic

Dr MahathirDr Mahathir

Computer gamesComputer games

JoggingJogging

CampingCamping

Create a focusCreate a focus

Dr Mahathir Dr Mahathir

life/ success/ personality/ contributions/ influencelife/ success/ personality/ contributions/ influence

Computer gamesComputer games

disadvantages/ types/ software/ cost/ attractionsdisadvantages/ types/ software/ cost/ attractions

JoggingJogging

danger/ reasons/ benefits/ equipmentdanger/ reasons/ benefits/ equipment

CampingCamping

reasons/ benefits/ difference/ costreasons/ benefits/ difference/ cost

Write a clear topic sentence . Write a clear topic sentence . Ensure to include a controlling idea.Ensure to include a controlling idea.

Dr Mahathir - Dr Mahathir - influenceinfluence Dr MahathirDr Mahathir is a very is a very influentialinfluential man. man.

Computer games - Computer games - addictiveaddictivePlaying computer gamesPlaying computer games can be can be addictiveaddictive..Playing computer gamesPlaying computer games can be can be addictive addictive for thesefor these three three reasons.reasons.

Jogging - Jogging - reasonsreasonsMany people Many people enjoy joggingenjoy jogging for for these reasonsthese reasons..

Camping - Camping - best holidaybest holidayCampingCamping is the is the best formbest form of holiday for of holiday for these reasonsthese reasons..

Plan your content . Plan your content . Draw an outline.Draw an outline.

Camping is Camping is the best the best form of holiday for form of holiday for these reasonsthese reasons..

P1: Get in touch with natureP1: Get in touch with naturesd: direct access to natural surroundingsd: direct access to natural surroundingsd:. bath in cold river, breath pure mountain air and listen to birds sd:. bath in cold river, breath pure mountain air and listen to birds chirpingchirpingP2: poor telephone reception P2: poor telephone reception Sd: enjoy a truly relaxing holidaySd: enjoy a truly relaxing holidaySd: No one can call, forget work problemsSd: No one can call, forget work problemsP3: CheapP3: Cheap Sd: doesn’t cost much to rent a tent and a camping siteSd: doesn’t cost much to rent a tent and a camping siteSd: RM100 to RM200 for hotel, RM10 or less for a tent Sd: RM100 to RM200 for hotel, RM10 or less for a tent

CS: These are why I believe everyone should go camping.CS: These are why I believe everyone should go camping.

Plan your content . Plan your content . Draw an outline.Draw an outline.

Camping is Camping is the best the best form of holiday for form of holiday for these reasonsthese reasons..

CS: These are why I believe everyone should go camping.CS: These are why I believe everyone should go camping.

P1: Get in touch with P1: Get in touch with naturenature

P2: poor telephone P2: poor telephone receptionreception

P3: CheapP3: Cheap

sd: direct access to sd: direct access to natural surroundingnatural surrounding

Sd: enjoy a truly Sd: enjoy a truly relaxing holidayrelaxing holiday

Sd: doesn’t cost much Sd: doesn’t cost much to rent a tent and a to rent a tent and a camping sitecamping site

sd:. bath in cold river, sd:. bath in cold river, breath pure mountain breath pure mountain air and listen to birds air and listen to birds chirpingchirping

Sd: No one can call, Sd: No one can call, forget work problemsforget work problems

Sd: RM100 to RM200 Sd: RM100 to RM200 for hotel, RM10 or less for hotel, RM10 or less for a tent for a tent

Sample Paragraph

Camping is Camping is the best the best form of holiday for form of holiday for these reasonsthese reasons.. Firstly,Firstly, it allows you to get in touch with nature. it allows you to get in touch with nature. Unlike Unlike other typical holidays, camping gives you direct access to other typical holidays, camping gives you direct access to the natural surrounding. You can actually bath in the cold the natural surrounding. You can actually bath in the cold river, breath pure mountain air, and listen to birds chirping river, breath pure mountain air, and listen to birds chirping as you relax in your tent.as you relax in your tent. Next,Next, as telephone reception is as telephone reception is poor in many camping grounds, you can enjoy a truly poor in many camping grounds, you can enjoy a truly relaxing holiday.relaxing holiday. No one from the office can call you, so No one from the office can call you, so you can forget your work problems for a whileyou can forget your work problems for a while. . Lastly,Lastly, it is it is also cheap.also cheap. It doesn’t cost much to rent a tent and a It doesn’t cost much to rent a tent and a camping site. If you normally pay RM100 to RM200 per camping site. If you normally pay RM100 to RM200 per night for a hotel room, you only need to pay RM15 or less to night for a hotel room, you only need to pay RM15 or less to rent a tent a night.rent a tent a night. These are why I believe everyone These are why I believe everyone should opt for a a camping trip.should opt for a a camping trip.