Maria English Society Essential Writing Skills Teaching Notes - Lesson 2 Table of Contents Section A – Writing Skills - Types of sentences - Analyzing a sentence - Sentence transformation

Section B – Proofreading and rewriting - Error recognition - Proofreading a passage

Section C – Reading -

Humorous sayings

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Section A: Writing Skills When we write, we should be conscious of the type of sentences we are writing. Sentences can be classified in different ways.

According to their functions Declarative sentence -

Browsing on the Internet is my favorite pastime. Bill sent out many applications for a job but hasn’t got any replies yet.

Interrogative sentences -

Isn’t the new edition of this book more expensive than its old edition? What’s today’s exchange rate for US dollars against Japanese yen?

Imperative sentences -

Open the door. Be sure to take your personal belongings before getting off the train.

Exclamatory sentences -

How beautiful the scenery is! What a great idea!

According to their structures Simple sentences -

I enjoy playing badminton. A resume generally consists of personal information, work experience and educational background.

Compound sentences -

Marta enjoys that TV show, and she looks forward to it every weekend. This is the best book I have ever read; it kept me up all night.

Complex sentences -

Although many people were unknown to each other before, they have got acquainted with each other through E-mail. Clyde picked up a hitchhiker who was traveling around the world..

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Simple sentences A simple sentence is not necessarily a short sentence. Look at the following examples: -

Melt!

-

Ice melts.

-

The ice melts quickly.

-

The ice on the river melts quickly under the warm March sun.

-

Lying exposed without its blanket of snow, the ice on the river melts quickly under the warm March sun.

Compound Sentences A compound sentence is formed by joining two clauses with a coordinate conjunction.

Main Clause Simple Sentence Independent Clause S+V

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

Main Clause Simple Sentence Independent Clause S+V

Complex Sentences A complex sentence is formed by joining two clauses with a subordinate conjunction. 1.

Main Clause Simple Sentence Independent Clause S+V

after although as because before even though if since unless when …

[subordinate clause]. [dependent clause].

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2. After Although As Because Before Even though If Since Unless When …

[subordinate clause], [dependent clause],

Main Clause. Simple Sentence. Independent Clause. S + V.

Exercise State whether each of the following sentence is a simple sentence, a compound sentence or a complex sentence.

1. Ottawa is the capital of Canada, but Toronto is the capital of Ontario. 2. Democracy is a noble goal; it is important, however, to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. 3. I do not own a Porsche. 4. Call your father as soon as you arrive in New York. 5. I ate the sushi and left the restaurant. 6. Unless my girlfriend postpones her visit from Calgary, I will not have time to study for my exam. 7. Susanne wanted to be here, but she cannot come because her car is in the shop. 8. The football game was cancelled because it was raining. 9. The football game was cancelled because of the rain. 10. When the train arrives and if Ms. Wong is on it, she will be served with a subpoena.

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Analyzing a sentence With the following six symbols, we can analyze any sentences written in English. S V O C ( ) [ ] Step 1 Locate the subject of the sentence and identify it with S Step 2 Locate all verbs and identify them as action verbs (AV), linking verbs (LV), or auxiliary verbs (AUX). Step 3 Place parentheses ( ) around each phrase. Step 4 Place brackets [ ] around each subordinate clause.

Analysis of simple sentences S -

V

C

Carlos and Maria are foreign students (at the university).

Analysis of compound sentences S -

V

C

Stonehenge is a massive stone monument, now (in ruins), (in southern England), and S

V

C

its most striking feature is a circle of rectangular stone columns.

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Analysis of complex sentences #

S

V

S

V

[Although man’s interest in space flight began many centuries ago], men were not

-

C mmediately successful (in their attempts).

Analysis of compound-complex sentences #

S

V

O

S

V

[Although not everyone accepts the theory], immigrants (from central and east Asia) were probably C

S

V

the first inhabitants (of North America), and their crossing (from Siberia to Alaska) brought O the first humans (to the continent).

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Exercise 1 Analyze the following paragraph in a similar way.

Sir William Thompson was very deaf, but he always pretended that he could hear everything. One evening he invited several friends to dinner. While they were sitting at the table, one of the friends told a funny story. Everyone laughed. William laughed very loudly too. Then he said, ‘That was a very funny joke, but I know a funnier one. Would you like to hear it?’ They all said they would, so William began his story. When it ended, everyone laughed louder than before. William smiled happily. But he didn’t know the reason for their laughter. He had told the same story.

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Exercise 2 Analyze the first sentence in the following application letter and point out the mistakes in structure.

Dear Sir,

RE: Application - Reporter

In response to your advertisement in the SCMP dated 14 March, 1998 and have much pleasure in applying for the vacant of reporter.

On my completion of three-year education in University of Hong Kong with double majors of Translation and English Literature, I feel confident that I can meet the special requirements indicating that the candidate must fluent in English and Chinese. Other than Cantonese and English, I can also speak fluent Mandarin which strengthens my language ability.

Although my previous related working experience was insufficient, I believe that my education and personality will prove useful for work in your magazine since I an alert, mature, patient and outgoing. To be a journalist is my dream because it is challenging and stimulating, it will be my pleasure to be given the chance to realize my dream.

The enclosed resume will prove my capability. Trusting you will give my application kind consideration and hoping to discuss my application with you in an interview at your convenience.

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Sentence transformation Interchange of parts of speech Examples: [a] It is not difficult (adj.) to find the way. [b] There is no difficulty (n.) in finding the way. [a] The flood damaged (v.) my plan. [b] The flood caused damage (n.) to most of the highways. [a] He approved (v.) my plan. [b] He gave his approval (n.) to my plan. [a] It is very dangerous (adj.) to swim in the storm. [b] There is a great danger (n.) to swim in the storm. [a] We have no fear (n.) of his anger. [b] We do not fear (v.) his anger. [a] There was no proof (n.) of his guilt. [b] There was nothing to prove (v.) his guilt. [a] You will not admitted (v.) without a ticket. [b] You cannot gain admission (n.) without a ticket. [a] The cost (n.) of the apple is one dollar. [b] The apple costs (v.) one dollar. [a] The best way to be healthy (adj.) is to temperate in all things. [b] To be temperate in all things contributes to good health (n.) [a] We have no intention (n.) of leaving Hong Kong. [b] We do not intend (v.) to leave Hong Kong. [a] [b] [c] [a] [b]

Her dress was poor (adj.) She was poorly (adv.) dressed. He gave the situation a careful (adj.) analysis. He carefully (adv.) analyses the situation.

Exercise [a] The two books differ (v.) greatly. [b] ___________________________________________________________ (n.). [c] ___________________________________________________________ (adj.).

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[a] They examined the products with great care (n.). [b] ___________________________________________________________ (adv.). [c] ___________________________________________________________ (adj.). [a] Tom is the pride (n.) of his family. [b] ___________________________________________________________ (adj.).

Interchange of compound and simple sentences Examples: Compound: He is rich, yet he is not contented. Simple: Despite his riches he is not contented. Compound: His partner died, and this added to his difficulties. Simple: The death of his partner added to his difficulties. Compound: He neither returned the goods nor paid the bill. Simple: He refused to return the goods or pay the bill. Compound: He practised daily and so became expert player; Simple: Practising daily, he became an expert player. Compound: He is a well-read man, but in matters of business he is a fool. Simple: Though being a well-read man, he is a fool in matters of business. Simple: Throwing off his coat, he plunged into the sea. Compound: He threw off his coat and plunged into the sea. Simple: To everyone’s surprise, the project completely failed. Compound: The project completely failed, and it surprised everyone. Exercise Simple: By his pleasant manners he gained many friends. Compound: ___________________________________________________________. Simple: They had not completed their work by sunset. Compound: ___________________________________________________________. Simple: The storm having washed away the embankment, the train was wrecked. Compound: ___________________________________________________________.

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Interchange of complex and simple sentences Examples: [a] complex sentences containing a noun clause Complex: He asked why I came. Simple: He inquired the reason of my coming. Complex: All believed that he was guilty of murder. Simple: All believed his guilt of murder. Simple: He owed his success to his father. Complex: It was owing to his father that he succeeded. Exercise Simple: His father is not likely to trust him. Complex: ___________________________________________________________. [b] Complex sentences containing an adjective clause Complex: His son, who was his chief pride in his old age, is dead. Simple: His son, the pride of his old age, is dead. Complex: A person who relies on his own efforts has the best chance to succeed. Simple: A person relying on his own effort has the best chance to succeed. Simple: The value of exercise is great. Complex: The value which can be drawn from exercise is great. Simple: It was the work of a wild animal. Complex: It was the work which had been done by a wild animal. Exercise Simple: A dead man needs no riches. Complex: ___________________________________________________________. [c] complex sentences containing an adverb clause Complex: While there is life there is hope. Simple: Life and hope are inseparable. Complex: As you sow, you will reap. Simple: You will reap the fruit of your sowing. Complex: He can afford to be generous because he is rich. Simple: He is rich enough to be generous. Simple: Despite having failed twice, he will try again. Complex: Although he has failed twice, he will try again. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Essential Writing Skills Lesson 2 Page 11 Maria College - Maria English Society (Version 2.0 – 2008)

Simple: She was too tired to sleep. Complex: She was so tired that she could not sleep. Exercise Simple: He disappeared at our sight. Complex: ___________________________________________________________.

Interchange of compound and complex sentences Examples: Complex: I am certain that you have made a mistake. Compound: You have made a mistake, and of this I am certain. Complex: He lost more than he could afford. Compound: He could lose something, but he lost somewhat more. Complex: He finished first though he began late. Compound: He began late, but he finished first. Compound: Do your best and you will never regret it. Complex: If you don’t do your best, you will regret it. Compound: Life has few enjoyments; still we cling to it. Complex: Although life has little enjoyment, yet we cling to it. Exercise Compound: Give him an inch and he will take an ell. Complex: ___________________________________________________________.

Interchange of principal and subordinate clauses Examples: [a] It never rains but it pours. [b] It always pours when it rains. [a] No sooner did he appear than all were silent. [b] All were silent as soon as he appeared. [a] The fog grew denser until the houses on the peak became invisible. [b] The houses on the peak became invisible when the fog grew denser. Exercise [a] He has done his job better than I expected. [b] ___________________________________________________________. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Essential Writing Skills Lesson 2 Page 12 Maria College - Maria English Society (Version 2.0 – 2008)

Section B: Proofing and rewriting Error recognition 1. The latest report provided analysts with renewing confidence in solid economic growth A B C for the first half of the year. D 2. In order to avoid to make mistakes, have your colleague check the statistics. A B C D 3. Although the new associate had put in much time and effort as Ms. Foley, his proposal A was rejected.

B

C

D 4. The secretary was kind enough to prepare a coffee for the visitors who had come to look into business opportunities. 5. Mr. Chung finally realized that there must be error in his earlier calculations.

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Exercise (Homework) Proofread and rewrite the following paragraph.

I take a part time job from September, what I do is arranging the Inventory in a shop. In general, enter database, print barcodes, post the barcodes on the merchandiese, and so on. Sometimes I service the customers if it is too busy in the shop. I often go to work in the weekends, and one evening in the weekday after my school. It is good for me although I just get pocket money. However, I don't know how long I can work here because it is a seasonal shop, most of the customers are visitors, travellers, it is always closed several months in the winter because there are not many travellers.

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Section C: Reading Humorous sayings 1.

Money is not everything. There‘s Mastercard & Visa.

2.

One should love animals. They are so tasty.

3.

Love the neighbor. But don’t get caught.

4.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman. And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.

5.

Every man should marry. After all, happiness is not the only thing in life.

6.

The wise never marry; And when they marry they become otherwise.

7.

Success is a relative term. It brings so many relatives.

8.

Never put off the work till tomorrow what you can put off today.

9.

Love is photogenic. It needs darkness to develop.

10. Children in backseats cause accidents. Accidents in backseats cause children. 11. "Your future depends on your dreams." So go to sleep. 12. There should be a better way to start a day than waking up every morning. 13. "Hard work never kills anybody." But why take the risk? " 14. "Work fascinates me." I can look at it for hours! " 15. God made relatives; Thank God we can choose our friends.

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