ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

WRITING:
SENTENCES, PARAGRAPHS AND ESSAYS Elements of a Sentence:
SVO( subject, verb and object)(for details see your book-notes).

Punctuation:
. Period ?Question Mark ! Exclamation Mark , Comma ' Apostrophe " Quotation Marks : Colon ; Semicolon - Dash - Hyphen

Period [.] 1. Use a period to show the end of a sentence. Hockey is a popular sport in Canada. The federal government is based in Ottawa. 2. Use a period after certain abbreviations. B.C. is the province located on the West Coast. Dr. Bethune was a Canadian who worked in China. The company is located at 888 Bay St. in Toronto. It is 4:00 p.m. in Meknes right now. Question Mark [?] Use a question mark at the end of a sentence to show a direct question. How many provinces are there in Morocco? Note: do not use a question mark for indirect questions. The teacher asked the class a question. Do not ask me why. Exclamation Mark [!] Use an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence to show surprise or excitement. We won the world Cup! The forest is on fire! Comma [,] 1. Use a comma to show a pause in a sentence. Therefore, we should write a letter to the prime minister. 2. Use a comma with quotation marks to show what someone has said directly. "I can come today," she said, "but not tomorrow." 3. Use commas for listing three or more different things. Ontario, Quebec, and B.C. are the three biggest provinces. 4. Use commas around relative clauses that add extra information to a sentence. Emily Carr, who was born in 1871, was a great painter. Apostrophe ['] 1. Use an apostrophe to show ownership of something. This is David's computer. These are the player's things. (things that belong to the player) Note: For nouns in plural form, put the apostrophe at the end of the noun. These are the players' things. (things that belong to the players) 2. Use an apostrophe to show letters that have been left out of a word. I don't know how to fix it. Quotation Marks ["] Use quotation marks to show what someone has said directly. The prime minister said, "We will win the election." "I can come today," she said, "but not tomorrow." Colon [:] 1. Use a colon to introduce a list of things. There are three positions in hockey: goalie, defence, and forward. 2. Use a colon to introduce a long quotation. The prime minister said: "We will fight. We will not give up. We will win the next election."

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

Semicolon [;] 1. Use a semicolon to join related sentences together. The festival is very popular; people from all over the world visit each year. 2. Use a semicolon in lists that already have commas. The three biggest cities in Canada are Toronto, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; and Vancouver, B.C. Dash [-] 1. Use a dash before a phrase that summarizes the idea of a sentence. Mild, wet, and cloudy - these are the characteristics of weather in Vancouver. 2. Use a dash before and after a phrase or list that adds extra information in the middle of a sentence. The children - Pierre, Laura, and Ashley - went to the store. Most Canadians - but not all - voted in the last election. 3. Use a dash to show that someone has been interrupted when speaking. The woman said, "I want to ask - " when the earthquake began to shake the room. Hyphen [-] 1. Use a hyphen to join two words that form one idea together. sweet-smelling fire-resistant 2. Use a hyphen to join prefixes to words. anti-Canadian non-contact 3. Use a hyphen when writing compound numbers. one-quarter twenty-three

Nouns:
A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. Every sentence must have a noun as its subject. Examples: The bear sleeps. Meknes is a city. Types of Nouns Proper Nouns Common Nouns Forms of Nouns Plural Nouns Possessive Forms Proper Nouns A proper noun is the name of a person, place or thing. Proper nouns should always be capitalized. Examples: Meknes Mr. Brown Sally Common Nouns A common noun is any noun that is not a proper noun. Common nouns are not capitalized. Examples: the city a leader this woman Plural Forms The plural form of a noun indicates more than one. The plural form is usually formed by adding an s or es. Examples: one week, two weeks a house, many houses one box, two boxes Nouns that end in a consonant followed by a y are made plural by dropping the y and adding ies. Example: one country, two countries Nouns that end in a vowel followed by a y are made plural by adding s. Example: one toy, twotoys Nouns that end in f or fe drop the f or fe and add ves. Example: one leaf, twoleaves Certain irregular nouns have special plural forms. Examples: one foot, twofeet a mouse, manymice (For more details about plural of irregular nouns see you book-notes)

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

Possessive Forms The possessive form of a noun indicates ownership or modifies another noun. The possessive form is usually formed by adding 's to the end of a noun. Examples: the player's equipment the woman's job Canada's government Verbs

Verbs are words that are used to express an action. Every sentence must have a verb that shows what the subject is doing or explains what is going on. Examples: The bear sleeps. Toronto is a city. Other Verb Rules Subject and Verb Agreement Verb Tense Subject and Verb Agreement Each verb must agree with the subject in number. Check your sentences carefully to make sure your verbs agree with your nouns. Examples: I study He/She/It studies You study They study Incorrect: We studies at the university. Correct: Verb Tense Verb tenses give information about when an action took place. Choose the right tense to indicate your meaning in your sentences. Change verb tenses only when there is a real change in time. When you are writing about an idea, stay with the same tense. Examples: Incorrect: Correct: When I open the door, my dog greets me. (present tense) Types of Verb Tenses: Simple tenses: simple past, simple present and simple future Continuous tenses: past continuous, present continuous and future continuous Perfect tenses: past perfect, present perfect and future perfect Others: Past perfect continuous, present perfect continuous and future perfect continuous (for explanation and examples see your book-notes). When I open the door, my dog greeted me. When I opened the door, my dog greeted me. (past tense) We study at the university.

Adjectives:
Adjectives are words used to describe or modify nouns. They give the reader more information about a noun. Use adjectives to make your writing more interesting. Examples: a good essay the intelligent student our hard-working leader Some adjectives can be used for comparing different things. Examples: Vancouver is cold. Toronto is colder. Winnipeg is coldest. This book is good. That book is better. My book is the best.

Adverbs:
Adverbs are words used to describe actions. They give additional information about when, how, and where something is happening. Use adverbs to make your writing more precise and interesting. 3

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

She spoke yesterday. (when) She spoke quickly. (how) She spoke here. (where) Some adverbs are used to compare different actions. I can run fast. She can run faster. He can run the fastest. I spoke well. She spoke better. He spoke the best.

Prepositions:
Prepositions are used before nouns to give additional information in a sentence. Usually, prepositions are used to show where something is located or when something happened. Location above below over under among between beside in front of behind next to with in the middle of on in at Time at on by before from since for during to until after Action and Movement at by from into on onto off out of

Frequently Confused Words:

accept / except, advice / advise,all ready / already, buy / by, choose/ chose, complement/ compliment,emigrate / immigrate, it's/ its, loose / lose, miner / minor, past / passed, principal/ principle,stationary / stationery, than / then, their / there/ they're, threw / through, to / too / two, weather / whether, your / you're

accept/ except:
Accept means "to receive". Example: Please accept my gift. Except means "not including". Example: I brought all the gifts except yours.

advice/ advise:
Advice is an "opinion about what should be done". Example: She gives good advice. Advise means "to recommend". Example: Please advise me on what to do.

affect/ effect:
Affect means "to influence". Example: Do not let the loss affect you. An effect is "a result". Example: The loss did not have an effect on me.

all ready/ already:

All ready means "everything is ready". Example: We are all ready to move. Already means "previously". Example: We already moved our things yesterday.

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

Buy / by:
Buy means "to purchase". Example: Please buy me a ticket. By means "beside". Example: The book is by the table.

Choose / chose:
Choose means "to select". Example: Today, I will choose a new house. Chose is the past tense of choose. Example: Yesterday, I chose a new house.

complement/ compliment:
Complement means "to make complete". Example: This hat will complement my new dress. A compliment is something said in praise. Example: Thank you for the compliment about my dress.

emigrate/ immigrate:
Emigrate means "to leave one country to settle in another". Example: I intend to emigrate from Hong Kong. Immigrate means "to come to live in a new country". Example: I intend to immigrate to Canada.

it's, its:
It's is the short form of "it is". Example: It's in the dog house. Its is a pronoun that shows ownership or possession. Example: The dog has its own house.

Loose / lose:
Loose means "not tight". Example: My pants are loose. Lose means "to be defeated or no longer have". Example: I do not want to lose the game.

miner/ minor:
A miner is a person who works in a mine. Example: My uncle is a miner. Minor is an adjective that means "unimportant". Example: This is a minor problem. A minor also refers to a person who is not yet an adult. Example: It is illegal for a minor to drink alcohol.

Past / passed:
Past means "gone by" or "history". Example: The car drove past my house. My past is very interesting. Passed is the past tense of pass. Example: We passed the truck earlier.

Principal / principle:
A principal is the head of a school. Example: The principal spoke to us today. A principle is an important fact or law. Example: The principle of democracy is important to Canadians.

Stationary / stationery:
Stationary means to be "standing still". Example: Please remain stationary. Stationery means "writing materials". Example: They went to the store to buy some stationery.

Than / then:
Than means "in comparison with". Example: He is bigger than me. Then means "next". Example: After going home, he then started his assignment.

their/ there/they're:
Their is a form of "they" that shows ownership. Example: Their flowers are on the table. There describes where something is. Example: The flowers are there on the table. They're is a short form of "they are". Example: They're going to buy flowers.

threw/ through:
Threw is the past tense of throw. Example: He threw the ball over the fence. Through means from "end to end". Example: We drove through the tunnel.

To / too/ two:
To means "in the direction of". Example: He went to the store. Too means "also". Example: He went to the store, too. Two is a number. Example: Two of my friends went to the store.

weather/ whether:
Weather means "conditions outdoors". Example: The weather is terrible. Whether is an expression of choice between two options. Example: I do not know whether I will stay home or go to school.

your/ you're:
Your is a form of "you" that shows ownership. Example: Your car is new. You're is a short form of "your are". Example: You're going to the store.

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

How to Write a Paragraph

Prewriting Paragraphs
What is the prewriting stage? The prewriting stage is when you think carefully and organize your ideas for your paragraph before you begin writing.

Six Prewriting Steps:

1. Think carefully about what you are going to write. Ask yourself: What question am I going to answer in this paragraph or essay? How can I best answer this question? What is the most important part of my answer? How can I make an introductory sentence (or thesis statement) from the most important part of my answer? What facts or ideas can I use to support my introductory sentence? How can I make this paragraph or essay interesting? Do I need more facts on this topic? Where can I find more facts on this topic? 2. Open your notebook. Write out your answers to the above questions. You do not need to spend a lot of time doing this; just write enough to help you remember why and how you are going to write your paragraph or essay. 3. Collect facts related to your paragraph or essay topic. Look for and write down facts that will help you to answer your question. Timesaving hint: make sure the facts you are writing are related to the exact question you are going to answer in your paragraph or essay. 4. Write down your own ideas. Ask yourself: What else do I want to say about this topic? Why should people be interested in this topic? Why is this topic important? 5. Find the main idea of your paragraph or essay. Choose the most important point you are going to present. If you cannot decide which point is the most important, just choose one point and stick to it throughout your paragraph or essay. 6. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea. Once you have chosen the most important point of your paragraph or essay, you must find the best way to tell your reader about it. Look at the facts you have written. Look at your own ideas on the topic. Decide which facts and ideas will best support the main idea of your paragraph. Once you have chosen the facts and ideas you plan to use, ask yourself which order to put them in the paragraph. Write down your own note set that you can use to guide yourself as you write your paragraph or essay.

Writing Paragraphs
What is the writing stage? The writing stage is when you turn your ideas into sentences.

Five Writing Steps:

1. Open your notebook and word processor. 2. Write the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and closing sentence. 3. Write clear and simple sentences to express your meaning. 4. Focus on the main idea of your paragraph. 5. Use the dictionary to help you find additional words to express your ideas.

Editing Paragraphs
What is the editing stage? The editing stage is when you check your paragraph for mistakes and correct them.

Grammar and Spelling

1. Check your spelling. 2. Check your grammar. 3. Read your essay again. 4. Make sure each sentence has a subject. 5. See if your subjects and verbs agree with each other. 6. Check the verb tenses of each sentence. 7. Make sure that each sentence makes sense.

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

Style and Organization
1. Make sure your paragraph has a topic sentence. 2. Make sure your supporting sentences focus on the main idea. 3. Make sure you have a closing sentence. 4. Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea. 5. See if your paragraph is interesting.

Publishing Paragraphs:
What is the publishing stage? The publishing stage is when you produce a final copy of your paragraph to hand in.

Three Publishing Steps:

1. Make a paper copy of your paragraph. 2. Show your work to your teacher, tutor, or parents. 3. Ask them for hints on how to improve your writing.

Parts of a Paragraph:
Topic Sentence:
What is the topic sentence? The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph. What does it do? It introduces the main idea of the paragraph. How do I write one? Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about. Example: There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Supporting Details:
What are supporting sentences? They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph. What do they do? They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph. How do I write them? You should give supporting facts, details, and examples. Example: There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Closing Sentence:
What is the closing sentence? The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

What does it do? It restates the main idea of your paragraph. How do I write one? Restate the main idea of the paragraph using different words. Example: There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Kinds of Paragraphs:
Definition Paragraph:
When writing a definition paragraph, you take a thing or an idea and explain what it is. Example: Write a paragraph giving the definition of a pest. The following words can help you to write a good definition paragraph: 1. "isdefined as" Example: A pest is defined as any animal or plant that damages crops, forests, or property.

2. "is a kind of" Example: A pest is a kind of animal or plant that damages crops, forests, or property.

Classification Paragraph:
When writing a classification paragraph, you group things or ideas into specific categories. Example: Write a paragraph discussing two types of energy resources. The following words can help you to write a good classification paragraph: Helpfull Words: is a kind of can be divided into is a type of falls under belongs to is a part of fits into is grouped with is related to is associated with

Description Paragraph:
In a description paragraph, you are writing about what a person, place, or thing is like. Sometimes, you may describe where a place is located. Examples: Write a paragraph describing what a polar bear looks like. Describe where Canada's industry is located. The following words can help you to write a good description paragraph: HelpfullWords: Properties size colour Measurement length width Analogy is like resembles Location in above 8

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

shape purpose mass/weight speed below beside near north/east/south/west

Compare and Contrast Paragraph:

In a compare and contrast paragraph, you write about the similarities and differences between two or more people, places, things, or ideas. Example: Write a paragraph comparing the weather in Vancouver and Halifax. The following words can help you to write a good compare and contrast paragraph: HelpfullWords: Similarities is similar to both also too as well Differences the other hand however but in contrast differs from while unlike

Sequence Paragraph:
In a sequencing paragraph, you are writing to describe a series of events or a process in some sort of order. Usually, this order is based on time. Example: Write a paragraph outlining how a person becomes the prime minister. The following words can help you to write a good sequence paragraph. HelpfullWords: Order first, second, third, etc. in the beginning before then after finally at last subsequently Time recently previously afterwards when after

Choice Paragraph:
In a paragraph where you have to make a choice, you need to choose which object, idea, or action that you prefer. Often, you will need to give your opinion on a choice of actions or events. Example: Write a paragraph stating whether you would prefer to play hockey or lacrosse. The following words can help you to write a good choice paragraph: Helpfullwords: Point of View in my opinion belief idea understanding I think that I consider I believe it seems to me I prefer 9 Personal Opinion like/dislike hope feel

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

Explanation Paragraph In an explanation paragraph, you need to explain how or why something happens. Very often in social studies class, you will be asked to explore causes and effects of certain events. Example: Write a paragraph explaining why so many Europeans moved to Canada during the nineteenth century. The following words can help you to write a good explanation paragraph: HelpfullWords: Cause because since as a result of is due to Effect therefore thus consequently hence it follows that if . . . then

Evaluation Paragraph:
In an evaluation paragraph, you make judgments about people, ideas, and possible actions. You need to make your evaluation based on certain criteria that you develop. In the paragraph, you will state your evaluation or recommendation and then support it by referring to your criteria. Example: Write a paragraph evaluating whether pesticides should be used on farms. The following words can help you to write a good evaluation paragraph: HelpfullWords Criteria for Evaluation good / bad correct / incorrect moral / immoral right / wrong important / trivial Recommendation suggest recommend advise argue

ESSAY:
PARTS OF AN ESSAY:
1.Introduction 2.Supporting Paragraphs 3.Summary Paragraph

Introduction paragraph:
What is an introduction paragraph? The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay. What does it do? It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important. How do I write one? 1. Write the thesis statement. The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence called the thesis statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced in your thesis statement. 2. Provide some background information about your topic. You can use interesting facts, quotations, or definitions of important terms you will use later in the essay. Example: Hockey has been a part of life in Canada for over 120 years. It has evolved into an extremely popular sport watched and played by millions of Canadians. The game has gone through several changes since hockey was first played in Canada.

Supporting paragraphs:
Supporting Paragraphs What are supporting paragraphs? Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay. What do they do? They develop the main idea of your essay. How do I write them? 10

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ESTM, COURSE: ENGLISH, ACADEMIC YEAR: 2011 / 2012

1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay. 2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph. 3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples. To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs.

Examples of transition words that can help you to link your paragraphs together:
For listing different points: First, Second, Third...Etc. For counter examples: However, Even though, On the other hand, NeverthelessEtc. For additional ideas: Another, In addition to, Related to, Furthermore, AlsoEtc. To show cause and effect: Therefore, Thus, As a result of, consequentlyEtc. Like all good paragraphs, each supporting paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a summary sentence.

Summary paragraph:
What is a summary paragraph? The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a "conclusion." What does it do? It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a sense that your essay is complete. How do I write one? 1. Restate the strongest points of your essay that support your main idea. 2. Conclude your essay by restating the main idea in different words. 3. Give your personal opinion or suggest a plan for action. Example: Overall, the changes that occurred in hockey have helped to improve the game. Hockey is faster and more exciting as a result of changes in the past 120 years. For these reasons, modern hockey is a better game than hockey in the 1890s.

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