WEEK 10 (NOVEMBER 17-22)

 

Thank you for your lovely visit :))

 

Dear All,
This week, we have written some paragraphs focusing on Topic Sentence, Supporting Ideas together with details and examples, and Concluding Sentence.
Your paragraphs are getting better and better:)

1- Page 99, Exercise 3
Topics are given to you. You need to norrow down one of the topics to make a topic sentence. Then write a paragraph referring to your outline. Do remember to use the checklist to edit your sentences.

2- Page 103
Find the mistakes about unity and coherence in the second paragraph. complete the blanks with an approppriate connector and find the 3 off-topic sentences.

3- Page 105
Choose two of the topic sentences and write outlines and paragraphs. Remember to use the editing checlist.
a- Pollution is one of the biggest problems in the world today.
b-Making friends is the best way to get used to somewhere new.
c- There are many causes of animal excinction,
d- Many young people enjoy playing a variety of computer games.
e- People can learn many things from owning a pet.


Good luck:)

WEEK 9 (NOVEMBER 10-14)

Dear All,

We have just started 'paragraph writing'. However, I still think you need  more practice on Coordinators, Subordinators, Sentence Connectors, and 'In addition to'.

1) Coordinators

Coordinators (and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet*) connect elements of equal importance.

S + V , but S + V S + V and V S or S + V N and N Adj. and Adj. Phrase and Phrase Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D

(A comma is normally used.) (No comma is necessary.)

 

Examples: He drinks coffee, but she drinks tea.

(S + V , coordinator S +V)

Gary lives in Ohio, and Deana lives in Michigan.
She loves to dance, so she bought a studio.
You could buy a car, or you could put the money in the bank.
When there is a new subject and verb, a comma is used before (not after) the coordinator.
I hate to sing but, I love to dance. (Incorrect)
I hate to sing, but I love to dance. (Correct)

John and George both play football. Paul listens to music and reads books. John, Paul, George, and Harry are classmates.

(two subjects) (two verbs) (series)

*For is also commonly used as a preposition. Yet can sometimes be used as an adverb.


2) Subordinators

Subordinators are linking words that are used to join clauses together. They are used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. A clause is a group of words that must contain a subject and predicate. There are two types of clauses:

• independent clauses - these can stand alone as a sentence by themselves
• dependent clauses - these make no sense by themselves.

Example

Common Subordinators

Below are some examples of commonly used subordinators.

Comparison & Contrast	Cause / effect	Time
Although Though Even though While Whereas	Since So that Because	After When Until Whenever Before
Possibility	Place & manner
if as if whether unless	Wherever Where How

3) Sentence connectors

Sentence connectors are used to link ideas from one sentence to the next and to give paragraphs coherence. Sentence connectors perform different functions and are placed at the beginning of a sentence. They are used to introduce, order, contrast, sequence ideas, theory, data etc. The following table lists useful connectors.

 Useful Sentence Connectors

Logical / sequential order Firstly, secondly, thirdly etc Next, last, finally In addition Furthermore Also At present / presently	Order of importance Most / more importantly Most significantly Above all Primarily It is essential / essentially
Contrast However On the other hand On the contrary By (in) comparison In contrast	Result As a result As a consequence Therefore Thus Consequently Hence
Comparison Similarily Likewise Also	Reason The cause of The reason for

4 ) Let's see some more examples for 'in addition to' and ' In addition'

In addition, additionally also

Anne and Alex act and sing.  In addition, they dance.

(= In addition to dancing, Anne and Alex act and sing.) Anne and Alex are very graceful dancers.  Also, they have years of experience dancing together.

(=In addition to having years of experience dancing together, Anne and Alex are graceful dancers/  Anne and Alex are graceful dancers. In addition/ Additionally/Also, they have years of experience dancing together. Anne and Alex will learn samba and cha cha.  Additionally, they will try merengue.

She must dance gracefully.  In addition, she must dance precisely.

She must follow the rules. Also, she must use proper dance technique.

The judges want her to extend her arms.  Additionally, they expect her to point her toes.

In addition to the recipe ingredients, you'll need a good saucepan.

In addition to being used as mixing bowls, the abalone shells served as storage containers.

In addition to exhibit descriptions, docents are on hand to expand on posted descriptions.

Choose one of the topics below. and write a paragraph using connectors you have learnt. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

1. What do you think influences someone's personality more: 'environment or genetics'?
2. What are the most important characteristics of a good friend?
3. what do you like more: a good movie or a good play at the theatre? Why?
4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 'Grades (marks) encourage students to learn'.

 

WEEK 8 (3-7 NOVEMBER)

Dear All,
This week you had an exam. We had the class hour right after the exam, so we mostly focused on exam questions, which included sentences with connectors.
You need to pay more attention to your sentences. Thus, please submit the following homework by November 11th, 2014.
Have a nice weekend.

1- Use the information on page 76 and write about Sarajevo.
2- Write about another city you know or research another city and write about it.