Writing Handout Sentences and clauses Clauses are

Writing Handout

Sentences and clauses Clauses are the building blocks of sentences. A clause contains ( at least ) a subject and a verb. ◎ Clauses ◎ Not Clauses → Cats are cute pets. → Serious problems will happen if you neglect this. → before brushing his teeth. → to catch the bus.

Be alert to the fact that there are two kinds of clauses： independent and dependent clauses. An independent clause contains a subject and a verb, expressing a complete thought. A dependent clause, beginning with subordinating conjunctions such as if, when and because, does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand as a sentence by itself. Ex： 1. I love my grandmother for her kindness. 2. when he was young. 3. after he picked up the ticket.

simple, compound, complex, compound-complex. A sentence is a group of words that express a complete thought. There are four kind of sentences in English： simple, compound, complex, compound-complex. Simple：A simple sentence contains a subject-verb combination. Ex： 1. My brother went camping. 2. John and Mary are fond of swimming. 3. My father was exhausted and went to bed early. 4. John and Mary speak and write Chinese well. 5. I got up early, brushed by teeth, ate my breakfast and went out. 6. I like fruits but hate cheese.

Compound ：A compound sentence connects two or more simple sentences ( independent clauses ) with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. It can be formed as follows：Ic, □ ic. Ex： 1. He is kind, and he is devoted to helping the poor. 2. I studied hard, so I got excellent grades. 3. He didn’t go to school, for he was sick. 4. He was sick, yet he still went to school. 5. I like fruits, but I hate cheese.

對等連接詞：f Ic, for and nor but or yet so anboys ic.

Complex：三大子句(名詞、形容詞、副詞)一定是complex A complex sentence contains one independent and one dependent clause. A complex sentence can be formed as follows：Icdc. =Dc, ic. In a complex sentence, one idea is generally more important than the other. We put the more important idea in the independent clause. Ex：因為他生病了, 他沒上學. ◎ Simple：S + V → He was sick and didn't go to school. → Because of his sickness (being sick), he didn't go to school. ◎ Compound：Ic, 7 ic. → He was sick, so he didn't go to school. → He didn't go to school, for he was sick. ◎ Complex：Icdc. =Dc, ic. → Because he was sick, he didn't go to school. → When he was sick, he didn't go to school. → As he was sick, he didn't go to school. → Since he was sick, he didn't go to school.

Ex：因為他很自私, 所以我討厭他. ◎ Simple：S + V → Because of his selfishness, I hate him. ◎ Compound：Ic, 7 ic. → He is selfish, so I hate him. → I hate him, for he is selfish. ◎ Complex：Icdc. =Dc, ic. → I hate him because he is selfish. → Because he is selfish, I hate him.

Exercise：Wright Simple, Compound, Complex, or Fragment in the blank. _____ 1. Before pitching your tent, prepare the meal for everybody. _____ 2. Before pitching your tent, take the time to prepare the area that will be under the tent. _____ 3. Peter is not the man to do anything by halves. _____ 4. Peter is not the man who will do anything by halves. _____ 5. He tied his shoelaces, put on his coat, and went out. _____ 6. Never will I marry the man. _____ 7. No sooner had he reached the park than it began to rain.

_____ 8. Despite winning the game, Peter was not happy. _____ 9. Even though Peter won the game, he was not happy. _____ 10. The pollution and toxic fumes from the cars. _____ 11. The man named "Prodigy" by every man. _____ 12. The most famous president that I have ever interviewed. _____ 13. After the lecture ends, they went to the cinema to watch the movie. _____ 14. She puts aside her money every day so that she can go abroad . _____ 15. Say when.

Linking Words In writing a good and cogent composition, you need to use linking words to help connect sentences, making a piece of writing hold together as a meaningful text. They can be categorized into different types: transitions, conjunctions, and prepositions. 1. Transitions: serving as a bridge to connect two independent clauses. 2. Conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions connecting two independent clauses Subordinating conjunctions connecting one independent clause and one dependent clause 3. Prepositions: preceding nouns or noun phrases Here are some linking words divided into different groups according to their distinct function. A. Additive (Besides, In addition to, In addition, Furthermore, Moreover, and, also)

B. Contrast and Conflict (Although, Even though, Though, but, yet, however, despite, in spite of, notwithstanding, regardless of, nonetheless) C. Reason and Result: Reason---(for, because, as since, because of due to, as a result of, as a consequence of, thanks _____, due to the fact that) (Refer to p. 41) Because it rained hard, they called off the game. Result---(so, for this reason, therefore, accordingly, as a consequence, as a result, consequently, as a _____) (Refer to p. 43. p. 44) It was raining hard; as a result, they called off the game.

D. Exemplification (for example, for instance, as an example) (Refer to p. 101 --p. 106) Learning English well requires a lot of time and hard work. For example/For instance/As an example, Tim used to spend five hours a day studying English incessantly, and now he masters it. E: Time Expression (when, as, while, as soon as, just as, no sooner …than, before, after, until) As soon as I got to the park, it began to rain. =No sooner had I got to the park than it began to rain. =It began to rain just as I got to the park. F: Conclusion and Summary (In conclusion, to sum up, in summary, in brief, in short, to conclude, all in all) Dogs always stay loyal to their masters. In short, they are wonderful

G. Similarity and Difference Similarity: (similarly, likewise, in the same way, by the same token, just as, just like) Transitions, such as “similarly” and “likewise, ” connect an idea in the first sentence with a similar idea in the second sentence. They are employed to introduce the second sentence. Ex: In India, some marriages are arranged. In Afghanistan, fathers often arrange their sons’ and daughters’ marriages. = In India, some marriages are arranged. Similarly, in Afghanistan, fathers often arrange their sons’ and daughters’ marriages. Helen’s mother enjoys reading detective novels. By the same token, Helen enjoys reading them. =Just as =Just like

Difference: (In contrast, in contrast to, unlike, be different from) George is different from Mary in that Mary is pessimistic, while George is optimistic. =In contrast to George, Mary is pessimistic. =George is optimistic. In contrast, Mary is pessimistic. =Unlike George, Mary is pessimistic. Exercise: Rewrite the sentence by using the word in the parentheses 1. Many kids in Taiwan don’t like broccoli; likewise, Peter doesn’t like it, either. (Like) 2. There was a drizzling weather, so they didn’t go out. (Due to)

3. Even though Helen is hot-tempered, I still love her. (Despite) 4. She is diligent, and she is thoughtful. (In addition to) 5. Because Mary is stunningly beautiful, I am enamored of her. (Because of) 6. He had an autistic son, so he went to consult a psychologist. (as a result) 7. Just as talent brings forth success, diligence can bring forth success. (similarly) 8. Because he had a high blood sugar, he was admitted to the hospital. (As a result of) 9. I won the game because he supported me whole-heartedly. (Because of)

10. He was hardworking, but he didn’t achieve prominence in his study. (however) 11. Although Peter pulled an all-nighter last night, he didn’t score high. (yet) 12. Peter was indulged in playing video games. Ted studied hard. (Unlike) 13. Tim’s father has a penchant for horror movies. By the same token, Tim has a preference for them. (Just as) 14. The experience couldn’t be expunged from my memory because it was impressive. (therefore) 15. Brad was lazy, and he was dishonest. (Besides) 16. As soon as Tim had reached the cinema, he came across his old chum. (No sooner)

Transition 轉折語 ◎ Ic; transition, ic. = Ic. Transition, ic It is raining heavily; he can’t go mountain climbing. = It is raining heavily; therefore, he can’t go mountain climbing. =It is raining heavily. Therefore, he can’t go mountain climbing.

Transition 轉折語 因此, 於是 therefore, consequently, thus, as a result, as a consequence, hence, accordingly 除此之外 besides, in addition, additionally 然而, 僅管 however, nevertheless

Narrative Paragraphs and Chronological Order When you write any compositions that aim at telling a story, you can use time order words to make the sequence of events clear. They will help the reader understand in what order events happen. Look at the example. Last Sunday, my parents took me and my little brother to go Sunday camping with their friends. First, we got up early and packed some cookies, torches, a tent, and some supplies. At seven o’clock, we headed for the destination, driving our RV. On the way, we watched the gorgeous sunrise and chatted merrily. While we were driving through the mountain, the sun was shining brightly, and the breeze was blowing gently. We didn’t get to the camping area until nearly noon. Before we were busy preparing for our lunch, we set up the tent on our own. After that, we enjoyed our lunch and played games

all the afternoon. As the night came, we culminated the atmosphere by making a camp fire and gathering around it. All of us danced and sang at the top of our lungs. We really had a good time then. Eventually, we put out the fire and went to sleep. Exercise: Unscramble the sentences and find out the correct chronological order ___Next, I sat in an oceanfront café and enjoyed some desserts. ___After that, I rented a sports car and drove to Venice Beach. ___Last Saturday, I went sightseeing in Los Angeles. ___Meanwhile, I watched people surfing and flying kites at the beach. ___Before I left Hollywood, I bought some movie posters and postcards ___Finally, I watched the sunset and went back to the hotel to take a Jacuzzi. ___ First, I went to the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

Writing Handout 1 • Vocabulary Verbs Nouns decide decision discussion

a. I have ______ to go abroad for advanced study b. After the class, we got together to ______ the homecoming party. c. The students had a long ______ about the homecoming party. d. It was scorching, so he made a _____ to go to the beach.

B Unscramble these words to make sentences. Discard one word. The first one is done for you. 1. country can things many I about describe my the I can describe many things about my country. 2. the to difficult make decide was very decision → __________________________ 3. it about long time they a for discussed → __________________________ 4. immigration discussed a family the about long had → __________________________ 5. passport get decision has to he decide a → __________________________

• Vocabulary Verbs Nouns enrollment requirement

Fill in the blanks with the words from the vocabulary list. Be sure the verbs are in the correct tense. a. For the costume party, the only ____ is to be over 18. b. He _____ in school in order to learn English. c. Success _____ hard work. d. Our school has a very large ____

• Vocabulary Adjectives pleased satisfied displeased (be displeased with sb) (be displeased at st)

1. My boss gave me a raise because he was ______ with my work. 2. The workers were on a strike because they were ______ with the ill treatment. 3. I am ______ to meet you. 4. ______ at her son’s naughty behavior, the mother yelled at him.

Unscramble these words to make sentences. • • • 1. in school enroll the United States in can free for children all →___________________________ 2. require the seedlings young intensive care → ___________________________ 3. he test pleased passed the he because was →___________________________ 4. dissatisfied schedule her she class with was →___________________________ 5. teacher students because displeased late were the arrived the →___________________________ 6. work director her satisfied was with the →___________________________

A Difficult Decision • Leaving my country was the most difficult decision of my life. Although I had an uncle • in New York. I had to leave the rest of my family in Taiwan, and I didn’t know when I • would see them again. Of course, being able to immigrate to the United States was • a great chance for me, but I also knew that living alone is unbearable. I knew that life • would be difficult and lonely. I and my family discussed my plans. We discussed our • ideas for several months and finally decided I should go. Nobody could understand • my suffering, and this was the most difficult decision that I made.

• On the morning I left, it was raining heavily, and I woke up with tears in my eyes. My • parents were so old that I was afraid to leave them. I was solicitous about their health. • I worried that they would become sick or die. I also worried that I would not be • successful in my new life and would disappoint my family. I really didn’t want my • family to see me crying. When I kissed my parents at the airport, I restrained myself • from crying. Although my heart was breaking, I had a big smile on my face. My • mother was the last to say goodbye. She said, “you may live far away, but Taiwan is • always your precious hometown. ”

Writing Exercise 2 • Dear Henry: • It’s hard to believe that you are in your final year of high school. How time • elapses! I remember when you were born. I’m very pleased because you’ve grown • up to be a fine young man. At this time in your life, you must make many important • decisions, and I am convinced that you probably feel confused. If you make a wrong • decision and go astray, you may pay for your mistake the rest of your life. Now, you • must put a premium on education because it is a first priority. It is the key to a • successful future. Getting a good job requires having a good educational background.

• When I first came to the United States, I didn’t have a high-school diploma. I was • lucky. I had the opportunity to enroll in an adult school to learn English and finish high • school. After I had got the high-school diploma, I had more opportunities for • advancement. The face that a good job requires a good education is hardly news. • Nowadays, a college education is the basic requirement for a good job. • You are an intelligent young man, so you will by all means make the right • choices. Since good universities are getting more and more expensive, I will support • you financially. Whatever you choose, I hope you will not be dissatisfied. I wish you • all the best. • Please write as soon as possible. • Love, • Grandpa

Connecting Words although and because

Combine the two sentences to make one longer sentence. Use a connecting word from the vocabulary list. • 1. He enjoyed his classes. They were difficult and occult. → ___________________________ • 2. He is serious in appearance. He is kind at heart. → ___________________________ • 3. She enrolled in school. She desired to improve her writing ability. → ___________________________ • 4. Last week Ted saw the school counselor. He advised him to enroll in a literature class. → ___________________________ • 5. I want to apply for a full-time job soon. I have to graduate first. → ___________________________

Connecting Words although after because before

Combine the two sentences to make one longer sentence. Use a connecting word from the vocabulary list • 1. He wanted to get a new job. His boss was demanding and stingy. → ___________________________ • 2. He pulled himself up by his own bootstraps. He led a prosperous life. → ___________________________ • 3. She mailed the letter. She typed the letter. → ___________________________ • 4. She dressed carefully. She went to the interview. → ___________________________ • 5. They worked in the same office. They hardly got along well with each other. → ___________________________

Connecting Words because if but so

Combine the two sentences to make one longer sentence. Use a connecting word from the vocabulary list. • 1. He went bankrupt. He was indulged in gambling. → ___________________________ • 2. They will take a honeymoon. They will get married. → ___________________________ • 3. They will elope. Their parents will disapprove of their marriage. → ___________________________ • 4. His father was seriously ill. He spared for no cost at the apothecaries • in buying drugs that might help with the illness. → ___________________________ • 5. He is an imbecile. She still marries him. → ___________________________

Connecting Words although even though so because

Combine the two sentences to make one longer sentence. Use a connecting word from the vocabulary list • 1. I like hot water. I moved to Arizona. → ___________________________ • 2. I like hot water. I live in Alaska. → ___________________________ • 3. He hates spicy food. He will eat in a Mexican restaurant tonight. → ___________________________ • 4. He loves spice food. He eats in a Mexican restaurant every night. → ___________________________ • 5. Ted was at enmity with Helen. • Ted never met Helen without staring at her. → ___________________________

Connecting Words Here are some words that indicate a “reason. ” because of as a consequence of due to since as a result of

• 1. We called off the picnic because the weather was terrible. • → Because of__________________ • 2. He lost an important customer because he made a serious • mistake. • → As a consequence of______________ • 3. The flight was delayed because there was heavy fog. • → Due to____________________ • 4. Since the emperor was circumspect and intelligent, he had • a victorious campaign against the Romans. • → As a result of_________________

Connecting Words Here are some words that indicate a “result. ” so and that’s why as a result thus consequently therefore for this reason as a corollary

• 1. They canceled the picnic because it was raining. • • (and that’s why) →______________________ • 2. Tamora has sworn to avenge the death of her son because • • titus murders her son. (For this reason) →______________________ • 3. Helen was seriously ill this morning, and she called in sick. • • (As a result) →______________________ • 4. He felt remorse for his past because he perpetrated the crime • • of homicide. (therefore) →______________________ • 5. It was raining heavily, and I got soaking wet. (so) • →______________________

• 6. I went straight to bed after I got home because the trip was • • exhausting. (thus) →_______________________ • 7. Michael was diligent and assiduous, and he pulled himself up • • by his own bootstraps. (For this reason) → _______________________ • 8. Tim was tired out, and he fell asleep right away. (therefore) • → _______________________ • 9. She is unwilling to eat dessert because she is on a diet. (thus) • → _______________________ • 10. We should drive high-mileage automobiles that use less fuel. • • The price of gasoline is increasing. (as a consequence) → _______________________

※ 探討原因(cause)的段落時，可用以下句型: • ◎ There are several causes of _______. • ◎ There are several reasons for _______. • ◎ There are several main reasons why ______. • ◎ Several main reasons can explain why ______. • ◎ 人 do/does 事 for several reasons. EX: People learn English for three main reasons. There are several main reasons for people’s learning English. People like to make on-line purchases for several reasons.

※ 探討原因(effect )的段落時，可用以下句型: • ◎ _______ has had several important effects on ____. • ◎ _______ has had important effects on _____. • ◎ _______ has had some positive / negative effects on _____. EX: Deforestation has had some negative effects on the environment. Global warming has had several important effects on the environment. Regulations about hairstyles had some positive effects on students.

Surfing the Internet • Nowadays, more and more people enjoy spending their time surfing the Internet for • different purposes. Three possible reasons can explain why people do this. The first • reason some people surf the net is that they really don’t know what to do in their free • time. They feel bored most of the time; therefore, they regard surfing the net as a • pastime. The joy of playing online games is available. The second reason people surf • the net is to get some information for their studies. The third reason for surfing the • Interment is that people can make friends with those from a distance. Due to the • modern technology, people can easily keep in touch with their friends. Undoubtedly, • people surf the net to meet different needs. As a result, it’s really hard to imagine a • world without the Internet. If the Internet hadn’t been invented several decades ago, • people would never have had the chance to lead a convenient life.

Comparison ＆ Contrast 比較與對比 To compare means to discuss how two people, places, or things are similar: Both teachers and students need to spend a lot of time preparing for classes. To contrast means to discuss how two people, places, or things are different: One advantage of a bicycle over a car is that a bicycle is good for environmental protection.

※ Here are some words that can indicate “similarity: ” be similar to have…. in common the same as both…. and neither…. nor as…. as Likewise Similarly and…. too

※ Here are some words that can indicate “difference” and “contrast: ” although in contrast even though but while despite not as…. as yet unlike whereas be different from however on the other hand

Exercise: Fill in the blanks by using the correct words. • 1. My wife is fond of playing volleyball. _______, • I enjoy going mountain-climbing. • 2. _____ Mary is very smart and diligent, her twin sister, Helen, has • a completely different personality. • 3. I enjoy horror films, _____ my wife loves action / adventure movies. • 4. I and my brother have one thing __________: we both like • French Escargot. • 5. The air in the mountain is fresh and invigorating. ________, the • air in the city is polluted and dirty.

• 6. My sister is shy and introvert. _____, I am outgoing and talkative. • 7. Our marriage custom is __________ that in Japan. • You have to consult some people in advance. • 8. Many tourists like backpacking traveling; _____, there also • many tourists enjoy joining tours. • 9. Taipei is a modern city in Taiwan, and _____ is Kaohsiung. • 10. Many people can’t enjoy sound sleep, and _____ I. • 11. _____ his shortcomings, I still like her.

My Two Idols Most people have their own idols, and so do I. My idols are neither superstars nor historic heroes. They are two of my relatives: John, my nephew, and Ted, my granduncle. Although John is only twelve years old, he has already made up his mind to be a successful pianist in the future. He makes it a rule to practice playing the piano for six hours every day. He is a man of high resolve, and everyone is impressed with his indomitable spirit. There is an old saying which goes well— “It’s dogged that does it. ” I believe his dream will come true. On the other hand, Ted is not as naturally talented as John. Learning new things is hard for him. However, he is not a quitter. At the age of fifty, Ted started to learn English. It has been three years, but no one understands his English when he speaks it. My granduncle is a man who cannot countenance defeat. Despite his slow progress, he insists on practicing English for six hours every day. He is convinced that he will become an English expert. John and Ted are different in age, but they have one thing in common. They are diligent, and they never give in to difficulties. They become my idols because of their assiduous attitude.

Definition Paragraph 定義性文章 Definition composition aims to clarify some confusing or indefinite terms, thereby helping readers have a concrete idea about something. Here are some tips for writing a good definition composition: 1. Explain something in a concrete way or define it clearly. 2. Provide readers with details or examples to visualize a concrete picture. 3. Avoid giving misleading or confusing definitions. 4. Resort to adjective clauses to modify a new term so that it becomes clear.

EX: Borsch is a kind of thick soup. → (not clear) Borsch is a kind of thick soup that is made with a lot of beets and sour cream. → (clear) EX: . A fortune cookie is a biscuit. → (not clear) EX: . A fortune cookie is a biscuit which contains a piece of paper that says what is supposed to happen in the future. → (clear) ※ Marriage is a union. The union binds two families closely together. →

Exercise: Combine the sentences by using adjective clauses 1. . Low-fat milk is a kind of milk. It contains a little fat. → ________________________ 2. Fine-weather friends are false friends. They may desert you when you are in trouble. → ________________________ 3. A typhoon is a violent storm. The storm has very strong wind. → ________________________ 4. Tourists are the kind of people. They travel for pleasure. → ________________________

5. Dragon is a large imaginary animal. It stands for favorable auspice in China. → ________________________ 6. A model student is the assiduous student. He will preview the lessons before class. → ________________________ 7. Anger is the strong feeling. It makes you feel unhappy. → ________________________ 8. Sushi is a Japanese dish. It contains cold cooked rice and raw fish. → ________________________ 9. Recipes are instructions. They will help people prepare palatable foods. → ________________________

10. Love is the strong attachment. You have the strong attachment when you like someone deeply. → ________________________ 11. A furniture store is the place. People can buy sofas, couches, and so on in it. → ________________________ 12. Christmas Day is the day. Christians celebrate the birth of Christ on the day. → ________________________ 13. A musical is a kind of show. It has a lot of singing and dancing. → ________________________ 14. A home is the place. People live in it. → ____________________________

Writing Exercise Home For some people, a home is just the place where they live. After an exhausting day, they will go back home to take a rest. However, in my apprehension, a home is not merely a house to stay in. Looking in the dictionary, you will find that the definition of home is simply a house or an apartment for rest. Obviously, this definition is unsatisfactory and doesn’t explain what a home really provides people. As far as I am concerned, a home is a place where every family member communicates well and lives together as one. A home is like a shelter that can protect people from worry and fear from real life. Besides, a home is the place where they can share their happiness and sadness with each other. When anyone in a family is faced with thorny problems, the others will strive every nerve to help him or her to solve them. Never will they leave him or her in the lurch. A real home is indeed a paradise where they are carefree and relaxed. The last thing a home will do is to desert its members. Therefore, a home is not only a place for rest but also a place where people can get protection, shelter, mirth, and happiness.

Opinion Paragraphs Opinion paragraphs are used to express opinions and arguments about one particular topic. You can employ such phrases as I think, In my opinion, In my apprehension, and I believe, etc, to introduce opinions. You can resort to facts and opinions to bolster up your main idea. A fact is a piece of information that is true: That movie was two and half hours long. An opinion is an idea or belief about a particular subject: That movie was boring. You can use facts to support your opinions.

Exercise: Read these sentences. Write F if the sentence is a fact, and O if the sentence is an opinion. _____ 1. Bruce Lee died tragically in 1973. _____ 2. English is an easier language to learn than Arabic. _____3. He was born in Tokyo. _____4. Jogging is the best way to stay health. _____5. Owls are birds that hunt at night. _____6. People should ride their bicycles into town rather than cars. _____7. Being a teacher is the best career choice. _____8. Marilyn Monroe spent many years without parents in an orphanage. _____9. Smoking must be banned in all restaurants and bars. _____10. Helen is a very gifted musician.

Writing Exercise Should we Ride Bicycles or Drive It is true that the living environment is getting worse and worse (deteriorating). Most people don’t care about how to protect our environment. In my opinion, more and more people should ride bicycles into town instead of driving. Last year seventy-three percent of all workers drove their own car to work. This results in inconvenience and irrevocable damage. For example, car traffic in town is terrible, parking spaces are hard to find, and pollution from cars is a real problem. Toxic fumes from cars are unbearable. Therefore, it’s time for us to take actions. Citizens who want a cleaner place to live ought to try this non-polluting form of transportation. Cycling is good not only for health but also for environment. The government must not allow this problem to get worse, and it can make some bike paths for people to use. If people ride bicycles to work and school, they will definitely enjoy the health benefits of daily exercise.

Process Paragraphs 步驟性文章 A process paragraph is a description of how to do something. It offers and explains the steps you need to follow to complete an activity. Here are some useful transitions: first, second, third, then, next, finally, the first step, meanwhile, after, after that, before, and from then on. EX: The next step is to put everything in the bowl. Make sure you have enough time to apply for it before you buy your ticket. Before you go out, be sure that the table is reserved.

Here are some useful patterns for the topic sentence: 1. It’s simple to _____ if you have the right materials / equipment. 2. It’s not difficult to _____ if you have the right tools / ingredients. 3. _____ is easy when you follow these steps / this procedure. 4. _____ is simple if you follow the directions / instructions. 5. Here are some suggestions to make _____ successful. 6. There are several major steps involved in _____. EX: There are several major steps involved in making some coffee. Here are some suggestions to make writing a good essay successful. Planning a vacation abroad is simple if you follow the instructions.

Exercise A: Use the above-mentioned useful patterns to write the topic sentence. EX: Make a borsch → It’s easy to make a borsch when you follow this procedure. 1. How to make delicious spaghetti. → _______________________ 2. How to plan a vacation abroad. → _______________________ 3. How to lose some weight. → _______________________ 4. How to make good popcorn. → _______________________ 5. How to apply for a university. → _______________________

Exercise B: Fill in the blanks by using finally, first, then, and while. Making delicious spaghetti is not as difficult as people think. It’s easy to make delicious spaghetti if you follow these steps. ____, take out an onion, some beef, two cans of tomato sauce, and some vegetables. _____, cut the onion and vegetables into pieces, and fry them with beef in frying pan. Next, add the mixture of onion and beef with the tomato sauce, and then wait until it starts to boil. _____ you’re doing this, boil some water in another pan and put some spaghetti into the boiling water and boil it until it is soft. _____, put the spaghetti on a plate and pour some sauce on it.

Writing Exercise How to Plan a Vacation Abroad Are you pestered by how to plan a vacation abroad? It is easy to make your trip successful if you follow these steps. First, check if you need a visa for the country that you want to visit. Make sure that you have enough time to apply for it before you buy your ticket. Next, you should research airfares and schedules. Don’t forget to look for the best flight for you. It’s a good idea to fly direct. Third, you can make a hotel reservation if you are sure of your destination. It is necessary for you to learn about the weather, the food, and other details about the country. You can use the Internet because it is a useful source of information. Last but never least, keep in mind that you should go to the airport at least two hours before your flight. If you follow these steps, you will definitely enjoy a gorgeous vacation.

Problem / Solution Paragraphs 問題/解決法 文章 A problem issue is raised in problem/solution writing. It will first explain a problem and then proposes one or more solutions to that problem. Generally speaking, you can describe a problem in the first paragraph and offer solutions in the second paragraph. ★ The first conditionl is a useful way to talk about both problems and solutions: If people keep on driving to work, air pollution will deteriorate. If factories dump their waste into streams, fish will get sick. If global warming continues, polar bears will become extinct.

Exercise: Complete these sentences by choosing the correct word. 1. If you give / will give me a ride, I will go / won’t go to that movie. 2. If we protect / don’t protect young children from violence on TV, they go / will go astray. 3. If deforestation continues /doesn’t continue, the world’s climate changes / will change. 4. City traffic won’t be / will be stuck if we use public transportation vehicles. 5. Students won’t go/ will go berserk if exam stress continues /will continue.

Writing Exercise Deforestation That there are fewer and fever trees is true. Deforestation is a serious problem because trees play an important role in the environmental protection. Their function is two-fold: they are good for both animals and humans. They clean the air, store water, preserve soil, and provide habitats for animals. They also supply food, wood products, and paper products for humans. Hundreds of rain forests were destroyed in the past fifty years. Today, the forests of the world are being cut down at an amazing rate. How important trees are, and nobody can imagine a world without trees. If deforestation continues, the world’s climate will change drastically, floods and mud-slides will happen easily, and animals will become extinct. One solution to the problem of deforestation is to use less paper. If we continue using paper widely, more and more trees will be cut for paper making. In order to reduce your paper use, you can use both sides of the paper when you photocopy, write a letter, or write a paper for school. The second solution is to reuse old paper when you can instead of using a new sheet of paper. The final solution is to recycle used paper products instead of throwing them away. It’s very easy for us to put them in some recycling centers. If we had taken actions before, the forests wouldn’t have disappeared so quickly. I am convinced that through our joint efforts, we can help save the world’s forests and recreate a beautiful environment.

Adverb Clauses An adverb clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb. It can answer questions such as Where ? Why? When? How? For what purpose? and Under what conditions? An adverb clause is introduced by one of the subordinating conjunctions in the following chart.

Time When, as soon as, before, after, since, until When they saw the monster, they were pulverized by panic. Reason Because, since, as Since Earth is getting warmer, scientists are trying to find a solution. Purpose So that, in order that I took a speech class so that I could enhance my speaking ability Result So+adjective/adverb+that Such+a(n)+noun+that At first, speaking in front of people made me so nervous that I got a stomachache before every class. She is such a charming girl that everyone loves her. Concession Although, even though Contrast (direct Opposition) While, whereas Conditional If, unless Although he was assiduous, he still got poor grades. Speaking of personality, I am shy and reticent, whereas my brother is outgoing and enjoys being in the limelight. If you had studied hard, you would have been a successful executive. Unless she apologizes to me first, I won’t talk to her again.

Exercise: Edit the essay for errors in adverb clauses. There are 13 errors. Look for the following kinds of mistakes. Incorrect subordinator → I took a speech class, so I could overcome my fear of public speaking. Two many connectors → Even though he drove fast, but he was late. Comma error → He was despised, because he was dishonest. Wrong subordinator → If you walk more quickly, you’ll miss the bus.

Net Addiction A lot of people cannot live without the Net. They do researches and chat with people all over the world through the instrumentality of surfing the Net. However, some people spend such many hours online that they become Internet addicts. Although an average person spends about eight to twelve hours per week, but and addict speeds eight to twelve hours per day online. Because addicts are indulged in the computer world so their lives are negatively affected. They are transformed into social hermits, because they stop going out and interacting with people face-to-face. The computer world deters them from real-life social situations, and they enjoy being in a dimly lit room with only the glowing screen to light up their lives. Internet addiction affects both the addicts themselves and the people around them. For example, Peter’s marriage to Rosa broke up until he insisted on spending so many hours on the Net, ignoring her completely. As soon as he returned home from work he rushed to his computer room. Before he finished dinner, he would disappear into his computer room again. Completely ignored, she felt very upset. He paid so little attention to her, that she finally divorced him.

Since college students are especially technologically skilled they can easily become nonstop Net-surfers. Most colleges provide computers at several locations around campus, so that student can use them whenever they want. As a result, they are lost in the computer world, throwing their textbooks into the air. They won’t go to bed when the sun rises. Last semester, twenty freshmen at my college were flunk although they became Internet addicts. Indeed, the Internet is both advantageous and disadvantageous to people. In short, even though the Internet is an excellent source of information and entertainment, but we must not be controlled by it.

Sentences and Clauses are the building blocks of sentences. A clause is a group of words that contains (at least) a subject and a verb Clauses Not clauses Dogs make excellent pets after getting into his car If you neglect this problem to avoid nuclear accidents

Be alert to the fact that there are two kinds of clauses: independent and dependent. An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence by itself. A dependent clause, beginning with subordinating conjunctions such as if, when, and because, does not express a complete thought, so it cannot stand alone as a sentence by itself. Ex: I admired my grandmother for her strength and kindness When I was young → →_______ → _____ After you cut the vegetables into one-inch pieces → _______ A Sentence is a group of words that you use to communicate your ideas. Every sentence is formed from one or more clauses and expresses a complete thought. There are four kinds of sentences in English: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. A simple sentence is one independent clause. Ex: Freshwater boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Freshwater boils at 100 degrees and freezes at 0 degree Celsius.

A compound sentence is two or more independent clauses joined together by a coordinating conjunction. A compound sentence can be formed as follows: IC, coordinating conjunction + i. C. EX: He was assiduous, so he had high achievement. She was a notorious liar, but nobody knew the truth.

A complex sentence combines one independent clause and one dependent clause. A complex sentence can be formed as follows: Icdc. = Dc, ic. In a complex sentence, one idea is generally more important than the other. We place the more important idea in the dependent clause and the less important idea in the dependent clause. There are three kinds of dependent clauses: adverb, adjective, and noun. Ex: Women who are not married are called spinsters. Everyone knows that our environment is deteriorating. When he saw his mother, he burst out crying. Although he is charming, I don’t like him.

A compound-complex sentence is the combination of compound sentence and complex sentence. It has at least three clauses, at least two of which are independent. Ex: After I graduated from college, I wanted to travel, but I had to earn money immediately. The lost boy didn’t know where he should go, so at first he burst out crying. When you photocopy, you can use both sides of the paper, and you can reduce your paper use.

Reduced Participial Clauses 簡化分詞子句 Participial phrases can be formed by reducing adjective clauses and adverb clauses. For this reason, they are sometimes called reduced clauses. (A) Reduced Adjective Clauses Follow these steps when you want to reduce a subject pattern adjective clause: • • • 1. Cross out the relative pronoun. 2. Change the verb to a participle (Ving or V. p. p. ) 3. Keep the same punctuation (commas or no commas). 4. Put the word not at the beginning of a participial phrase to make it negative.

EX: Reduced Adjective Clauses 1. The soldiers who fought in the Trojan War were brave → The soldiers fighting in the Trojan War were brave. 2. The rock band members, who looked happy after their victory, were cheered by the fans. → The rock band members, looking happy after their victory, were cheered by the fans. 3. The murder suspect, who did not confess his crimes, was put into jail. → The murder suspect, not confessing his crimes, was put into jail. 4. The languages which are spoken widely in Switzerland are German, French, and Italian. → The languages spoken widely in Switzerland are German, French, and Italian.

Exercise: Rewrite each sentence, reducing the adjective clause to a participial phrase. 1. Tourists who plan to go sightseeing must contact the travel agent. →______________________ 2. The cakes which are made by the celebrity chef are delicious. →______________________ 3. A pedestrian who had been hit by a speeding car was lying in the street. →______________________ 4. The driver, who did not realize what had happened, continued on. →______________________ 5. Many students who study at this university are from foreign countries. →______________________

6. People who smoke for a long time are not in good condition. →______________________ 7. Children who are raised in bilingual families have an advantage over monolingual children. →______________________ 8. People who are indulged in gambling will end up being bankrupt. →______________________ 9. Cigarette companies, which have been long criticized for their advertisements, look for new ways to sell their products. →______________________ 10. Robots, which do not need eat, sleep, or take breaks, can work continually. →______________________

(B) Reduced Adverb Clauses (Participial Constructions) It is true that participial phrases can enhance your writing style. You can reduce some adverb clauses to –ing and –ed phrases, thereby making your sentences more cogent and powerful. . To reduce an adverb clause, you have to follow these steps: 1. Make sure that the subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the independent clause are the same. 2. Delete the subject of the adverb clause. If necessary, move it to the subject position in the dependent clause. 3. Change the adverb clause verb to the appropriate participle. ( Ving or V. p. p. ) 4. Delete or retain the subordinator according to the following rules: a. Retain before, and retain since when it is a time subordinator. b. Delete all three reason subordinators because, since, and as. c. Retain after and while if the participial phrase follows the independent clause.

EX: Delete Since he fell on the ground, he broke his wrist. → Falling on the ground, he broke his wrist. As he cheated in the exam, he was punished. → Cheating in the exam, he was punished. Retain He hasn’t called her since he went to Japan two years ago. → Since going to Japan two years ago, he hasn’t called her. → He hasn’t called her since going to Japan two years ago. Before you marry him, you should think twice. → Before marrying him, you should think twice. After he passed the entrance examination, he became a freshman in college. → After passing the entrance examination, he became a freshman in college. ※ Pay attention to the perfect form. Because he had heard the secret, he decided to run away. → Having heard the secret, he decided to run away.

Exercise 1: Rewrite the following sentences, changing the adverb clause to a participial phrase. 1. Before a student chooses a college, he or she should consider several factors. →_______________________________ 2. After she passed the TOEFL exam, she became freshman in college. →_______________________________ 3. While he was preparing for the test, he stayed with us. →_______________________________ 4. Because the team has won the tournament, it is the best team in our country. →_______________________________ 5. Since my parents have spent most of their savings to send me and my brothers to college, they have not enough money for their retirement →________________________________

6. Because he had finished his assignment, he went straight to bed. →_____________________________ 7. Since I arrived at the city, I haven’t had sound sleep. →_____________________________ 8. As we didn’t know where the costume party was, we asked for help. →_____________________________ 9. Since Peter came from a conservative family, he was shocked by the practice of trial marriage. →_____________________________ 10. When he crossed the street, he saw an ambulance whizzing by. →_____________________________

Exercise 2: Improve the following short essay by changing the underlined adjective and adverb clauses to participial phrases. Rewrite the essay on a separate sheet of paper. Global Warming Have you noticed that it is getting hotter and more scorching over the past two decades. One of the biggest problems that faces humankind in the next few decades is the problem of global warming. This is a serious problem that may cause the extinction of all living creatures. In the past 150 years, global temperatures have risen approximately 1℃ (1. 8℉). The year 1998 was the warmest year that has ever been recorded. With the rising global temperature, people will definitely confront catastrophic consequences. As Earth's temperature rises, polar ice will melt, which will cause the water level of oceans to rise. What ensues is the unbelievable flooding along the coasts. Global warming will also bring about climate changes that will affect agriculture. For example, crops that were previously grown in Guatemala may not flourish because it gets too hot.

Because they believe that the increase in carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere is the primary cause of global warming, scientists insist on taking strong measures to decrease CO 2 levels. They are asking the world’s governments to be alert to CO 2 that is released into the atmosphere. They demand that the world’s governments write an agreement that will control the amount of CO 2. They are convinced that with our joint efforts we can expect a beautiful earth that is extricated from a dangerous situation. After each government signs such an agreement, each government should strive every nerve to enforce it. For example, Brazilians should stop burning their rain forests. Furthermore, if Americans stop driving their gas-guzzling SUVs, they will help save the earth. We will definitely have a bright vista if we jump on the bandwagon of environmental protection.

The Structure of an Essay An essay is a piece of writing several paragraphs long. To put it another way, an essay is a group of paragraphs written about a single topic and a central main idea. It must have at least three paragraphs, but a five-paragraph essay is a common assignment for academic writing. There are three main parts in an essay, that is, introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. • The introduction → the first paragraph of an essay, explaining the topic with general ideas. The soul of the introduction is thesis statement. • The body → the paragraphs supporting thesis statement and bridging the introduction and the conclusion. • The conclusion → the last paragraph of an essay, summarizing thesis and the supporting ideas of the essay.

EEssay y ssa I. Introduction General statements Thesis statement II. Body A. paragraph with supporting sentences III. Conclusion B. paragraph with supporting sentences Restatement or summary of the main points C. paragraph with supporting sentences

Here are some rules formatting an essay: • 1. Use double spacing. • 2. Leave 2. 5 centimeters (1 inch ) of space on the sides, and the top and bottom of the page. This space is called the margin. • 3. When typing your essay, you have to start the first line of each paragraph with five spaces. This is called indenting. • 4. Put the title of your essay at the top of the first page in the center.

☆ Essay outlining Because an essay is long, you had better organize and plan before you begin to write. The best way to do this is to make an outline. An outline is a list of the information you will put in your essay, telling what ideas you will discuss and showing which ideas will come first, second, and so on. Here are some tips for writing an outline: 1. Brainstorm and go through the usual process of gathering ideas. 2. Number your ideas to show they work together. To avoid confusion, use different types of numbers and letters to show the organization of the ideas. Use roman numerals for your introduction, body paragraphs, and your conclusion. 3. Then, use capital letters (A, B, C, etc. ) to fill in more information for your body paragraphs. 4. Finally, use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc. ) to give details for your supporting points.

This is what an outline looks like: • I. Introduction • II. First main idea • A. First supporting point • • • 1. First detail 2. Second detail B. Second supporting point 1. First detail 2. Second detail • III. Second main idea • IV. Third main idea • IV. Conclusion

Exercise A: Fill in the blanks using different types of numbers and letters to complete this outline. The Perils of Nuclear Energy • • • ___. Nuclear Power is not a good energy source for the world. ___. Very Expensive ___. Nuclear fuel is expensive ___. Nuclear power plants are expensive to build and operate. ___. Cost of construction. ___. Cost of training workers. • • • ___. Nuclear materials are not safe. ___. Nuclear fuels are dangerous. ___. Radioactive gases are noxious. ___. Working with radioactive fuels can harm workers. ___. Nuclear waste products are dangerous. ___. Difficult to dispose of or stole safely. • • ___. There is a great possibility of accidents. ___. Nuclear power plants can fail. ___. Three Mile Island, U. S. A. (1979) __. ___. Tarapur, India (1992) • ___. The world should develop different types of energy because nuclear power is costly and dangerous.

Exercise B: Write an outline for the essay “Studying in Great Britain” and then complete the essay. Studying in Great Britain I. Although studying in a new country is a little stressful, knowledge of a few British characteristics and customs helps you feel comfortable in your temporary home. II. British people are usually reserved and orderly. A. They are quiet and restrained B. They are very orderly 1. Waiting in a queue for a bus or a ticket is a must 2. You may encounter some frosty stares if you jump the queue III. The weather is no joke--it rains a lot. IV. Cars drive on the left side of the road. V. If you maintain a positive attitude, you will soon adapt yourself to the way of the British.

Studying in Great Britain Due to the top and well-renowned universities, people come from all over the world to the United Kingdom to pursue education. Some come for a year, whereas others may stay four years or longer to complete a program or earn a degree. Leaving one’s hometown for advanced study is not an easy thing. Undoubtedly, studying in a new country is a little stressful, but knowledge of a few British characteristics and customs helps you feel comfortable in your temporary home. British people are unique in their behavior. They are usually reserved and orderly. They are the people of undemonstrative nature, so they are quiet and restrained. Despite their reticence, they are friendly. They are very orderly in the sense that they will never violate the law or social ethics. For example, you may encounter some frosty stares if you jump the queue. Therefore, waiting in a queue for a bus or a ticket is a must.

Living in a new country, you will have completely new experiences: seeing new sights, eating new food, hearing the foreign sounds of a new language, and most of all, feeling a different climate. You have to pay attention to the fact that the weathere is no joke. It rains a lot, and the weather is inclement and freezing in winter. You don’t have to worry about this too much, for you can protect yourself from coldness by wearing jackets, windbreakers, and mufflers. Traffic condition is the last thing with which you have to be familiar. Arriving at the airport, you will find that cars drive on the left side of the road. Beside, it may take you a few days to remember which direction traffic is coming from. If you are not used to looking to the right instead of to the left, stepping off a curb can be dangerous. In fact, this is a matter of time because sooner or later you will get used to this condition. There is a proverb which goes well: “Do as the Romans do in Rome. ” All you have to do is to observe what the British people do. By maintaining a positive attitude and with time, you will soon adapt to the ways of the British and feel comfortable in your temporary home. You can learn how to lead a happy life in a short time.

The Example Essay There are many different kinds of essay, and one of them is example essay. In an example essay, each paragraph gives an example to support thesis statement. To buttress your argument by giving concrete examples, you can resort to the following transitions at the beginning of your paragraphs. Body Paragraph Transitions 1. One example of NP is ……… Take, for example, ……… An example of NP is……… 2. Another example of NP is ……… An additional example is ……… A second example of NP is ……… 3. A final example of NP is ……… Finally, ………

Pay attention to the usage of for example, for instance, such as, and e. g…. . 1. For example and for instance have the same meaning. When your sentence is conducted by for example or for instance, put a comma after these words, and it must be followed by a complete sentence. →For example, running a treadmill helps you relive the stress. →For instance, a person born under the sign Virgo is very ambitious. 2. Sometimes e. g. is used to, how example; it is an abbreviation of the Latin exempli gratia. For example and e. g. have the same meaning. →The ancient Greeks compared the human face to the faces of various animals and birds, e. g. , the eagle and the horse. →The ancient ………. . . For example, they compared it to those of the eagle and the horse.

3. One way to introduce an example is by the use of such as. In order to be brief, people use such as + example…. . Owing a pet can help children cope with family problems. For example, it helps children deal with illness or the death of a relative. →Owing a pet can………, such as illness or the death of a relative. →Owing a pet can……………, e. g. , illness or the death of a relative. →Studies show that pets provide a range of health benefits. For instance, pets help in lowering blood pressure and faster healing after surgery. →Studies show …………. , such as lowering blood pressure and faster healing after surgery.

☆ No commas are needed when the such as phrase offers essential information. Use commas when the such as phrase can be take out without changing the meaning of the sentence. Some harms caused by the nuclear explosion in Japan, such as fires, explosions, and radiation exposure, are really frightening. Studies such as these alert us to how to take precautions. Exercise: Rewrite the sentences by using the words in the parenthesis. Use correct punctuation. 1. Speaking of my character, enduring patience is on of my good traits. I am patient with different types of people. For example, I am patient with children, senior citizens, and even people who are sick. (e. g. ) →_______________________

2. Canada is renowned for its stunning scenery. For example, it has beautiful mountains, gorgeous waterfalls, and clean beaches. (such as) →________________________ 3. Studies show that pets have done a perfect job an tendering the elderly. For example, pets help the elderly feel less lonely and encourage them to exercise. →________________________ 4. Today there are many animal healing programs, such as a program that uses dogs to detect cancer. (For example) →________________________ 5. Healing programs use many different animals. For instance, these programs use dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds to help the sick feel better. →________________________ 6. People get many benefits from pet ownership. For instance, pet owners have lower cholesterol levels, which can help extend their lives. →________________________

The Example Essay Exercise: Fill in the blanks by using the words in the box. for example in conclusion for instance and if but example then such as instead however A Virgo It is true that every person is born with both good and bad character traits. No matter how shy or outgoing you are, you must like yourself as you are. If you do not love even a part of yourself, _____ you are practically deal. As I have the opportunity to write about myself, I will describe the good traits of my character. I was born under the sign Virgo, _____ I believe I have some of characteristics of people born under this sign.

An example of a good trait of a Virgo that I possess is patience. Sometimes I think I am too patient, even to the extreme extent, ____ I have also found that patience helps me in several way, _____, it helps me to concentrate on my study when the lesson is difficult or boring. Besides, _____ I don’t succeed in something, I am willing to try several more times. Never will I give it up. My patience also helps me to relax and stay calm. I am also very patient with people, ________ children, senior citizens, and even people who are sick and in trouble. I can deal with people who are nervous, angry, and upset, helping them to calm down. _____, people take advantage of my patience, and I don’t like that at all. Ambition is the second _____ of a typical Virgo trait that I possess. Sitting in one place for more than 10 minutes is the last thing I will do. I detest sitting at home all day doing nothing. ____, I am very ambitions and eager to do anything to accomplish my goal. Once I make up my mind, I will by all means strain every nerve to meet my goal. _____, I used to be assiduous, and I spared no efforts to achieve distinction in my study. Obviously, ambition is what helped me to graduate from college in three years. ____, I am happy and proud to be a Virgo. As I intend to be a psychologist in the future, my patience and ambition enable me to be eligible for this job. With these two traits, I think I will someday be very successful in this profession. I am bound to benefit a lot from these two character traits.

Punctuation Marks Semicolons (; ) People use a semicolon to join two independent clauses which are closely connected in meaning. In addition, transitions joining two independent clauses may be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. The formula looks like this ◎ Ic; ic. ◎ Ic; transition, ic. = Ic. Transition, ic. Ex：. It is raining heavily; he can’t go mountain climbing. It is raining heavily; therefore, he can’t go mountain climbing. =It is raining heavily. Therefore, he can’t go mountain climbing.

Transition：轉折語 因此, 於是 therefore, consequently, thus, as a consequence, as a result, hence, accordingly 除此之外 besides, in addition, additionally 然而, 僅管 however, nevertheless Colons (: ) People use the colon to introduce a list of groups or categories. The colon can’t be used after verbs or prepositions; it is used only after nouns. Ex：There are three primary colors: red, blue, and white. The primary colors are red, blue, and white.

Commas (, ) 1. Use commas to list three or more things with and or or. 三個以上相同詞性 → Helen treated us a lot of desserts, such as cakes, doughnuts, candy, and yogurt. 2. Use commas to list three nouns, verbs, or phrases with and or or. → He kicked off his shoes, poured a glass of milk, and turned on the TV. 3. Use commas after the first part of a compound sentence. → Mrs. Wu is busy, so she doesn’t have time to go shopping. → He didn’t show up, for he was sick. 4. Use commas after a dependent clause in a complex sentence. → Because Peter ate his words, people didn’t trust him.

5. Use commas to separate the parts of dates and after years. → December 31, 1999, will be the last day of this millennium. 6. Use commas after a sequence or marker phrase when it starts a sentence. → First, we took the coach to Union Station. → He was lost. What’s worse, he lost all his money. 7. Use commas to separate a phrase that describes a person or thing. 同位語 → Mary, my younger sister, is the apple of my father’s eye. 8. Use commas to separate the parts of an address except between the state and the zip code. → Avenue, Washington, DC 20500.

Comma Splices A comma splice is a sentence error that writers sometimes make. It occurs when a comma instead of a period is put between two independent clauses. Ex：She had a colic pain, she called in sick. 1. Change the comma to a period (. ). 4. Change one of the clauses to a → She had a colic pain. She called in sick. dependent clause by using a subordinate conjunction. Complex：Icdc. =Dc, ic. 附屬連接詞 → Because she had a colic pain, she called in sick. 2. Change the comma to a semicolon(; ). → She had a colic pain; she called in sick. 3. Keep the comma and add a coordinating conjunction. Compound：Ic, □ ic. 對等連接詞 → She had a colic pain, so she called in sick. 5. Add a transition to bridge the two sentences. Ic; transition, ic. = Ic. Transition, ic. 轉折語 → She had a colic pain; therefore, she called in sick.

Run-on Sentence A run-on sentence is two independent clauses put together with no conjunctions at all. Ex：It rained heavily however they arrived at the airport on time. 1. Make two separate sentences by using a semicolon or period(. ). EX：I helped my mother clear up the table after dinner then we went shopping. →I helped my mother clear up the table after dinner. Then we went shopping. →I helped my mother clear up the table after dinner; then we went shopping. 2. Make a compound sentence by using a coordinating conjunction. →I helped my mother clear up the table after dinner, and then we went shopping. 3. Make a complex sentence by using a subordinate conjunction. →After I helped my mother clear up the table, we went shopping.

A comma splice is an incorrect sentence where only a comma is used to connect or “splice” together two complete thoughts. However, a comma is not sufficient enough to connect two complete thoughts. A run-on occurs when two complete thoughts are put together with no adequate sign given to mark the break between them. Having no punctuations at all to mark the break, run-ons are known as fused sentences: two complete thoughts are incorrectly and confusingly fused or joined together as if they were only one thought. Exercise: Write CS or RO for each sentence and correct it 1. I heard laughter inside the house, no one answered the bell. 2. Tim decided to quit smoking he didn’t want to die of lung cancer. 3. I voted for the president four years ago, I am not willing to vote for him today. 4. The English exam is around the corner therefore I have to pull an allnighter.

5. They accused me of being a spy however this charge was groundless. 6. Going up a ladder is easy, looking down can be difficult. 7. The plumber comes quickly our bathroom will look like a swamp. 8. He spent money recklessly, he was in a deep debt. 9. She was very circumspect as a result she seldom made mistakes. 10. There was a horrendous tsunami, many people were killed. 11. She was brilliant at languages the English exam was a breeze for her. 12. He went to pay the tuitions he could attend the computer classes. 13. The Pearl milk tea is palatable, it sweeps the world by storm.

• Add correct commas, semicolons, and colons to the sentences • 1. When Sarah was taking a nap the meteorite fell on her house. • 2. A nice service is offered on our plane a great meal a drinking spree and a good night’s sleep. • 3. You can get a great meal a drinking spree and a good night’s sleep on our plane. • 4. He was in a hurry therefore he jumped the queue.

• 5. Columbus “discovered” America in 1492 the Vikings got here before that. • 6. Camping is fun besides it can relax your body. • 7. The elements of a good writing include good ideas organization and clarity. • 8. As long as I am alive I will devote myself to protecting you.

• 9. She bought kiwi sugarcane and papaya in the mall. • 10. Wilson Smith my close friend an accomplished artist has told me the knack of painting. • 11. My sister Helen is smart funny pretty and thoughtful. • 12. To my amazement she is never tired of tidying up toys sweeping and mopping.

• 13. There are several nutritious elements in the food Vitamin A Vitamin B Vitamin E and Zinc. • 14. She can talk and think wittily and penetratingly therefore you can turn to her for help. • 15. There are three kinds of students lazy diligent and indifferent.

• 16. As he was humorous and polite he was admired by many girls. • 17. Helen is thoughtful in addition she is diligent. • 18. Even though racial discrimination is illegal it happens a lot. • 19. The boy snatched the juice emptied it and ran away. • 20. As soon as you enter a theater you should turn off your cell phone.

Organization: The Topic Sentence, Supporting Sentences, and Concluding Sentence To achieve a good paragraph, we have to follow this formula: Main idea ＋support ＋conclusion = a good paragraph The first sentence in the paragraph is the topic sentence, which is the most important sentence in a paragraph. Supporting sentences tell readers more about the main idea introduced in the topic sentence. In terms of organization, especially in expository paragraphs, there are two types of supporting sentences: major (SS) and minor (ss). Major supporting sentences tell readers about the topic sentence. Minor supporting sentences tell readers more about the major supporting sentences.

Exercise: Identify TS, SS, ss, and CS in the paragraph Smoking is Something You Should Quit The disadvantage of smoking is two-fold. To begin with, smoking will cost you a fortune. You have to spend a considerable sum of money on cigarette every month. If you quit smoking, you will definitely save up a lot of money. It is indeed a money-consuming and bad habit. Second, smoking will do harm to your health. According to medical reports, smoking continually will lead to lung cancers. If you are a chain smoker, you will by all means be in poor condition. What’s worse, you will get sick and even die. Only when you lose health will you realize its value. Shunning smoking, you will lead a happy life. In short, smoking is really bad in two ways. Answer:

Exercise: Identify TS, SS, ss, and CS in the paragraph Golden Week in Japan is a mixed celebration of four days. The first takes place on April 29 th, the birthday of the Emperor Showa, and commemorates the 64 years that he was in power. It is a time for the Japanese people to remember this significant period in their history. The second holiday in Golden Week is Constitutional Memorial Day. This day marks the establishment of the Japanese Constitution on May 3, 1947. The next holiday, on May 4 th, is called Midorino-hi and is a day for people to be outside enjoying the environment. In fact, Midorino-hi means “green day. ” The fourth holiday of Golden Week, Children’s Day, is on May 5 th. This holiday is intended to celebrate the health and happiness of children. Traditionally, this day was

Boy’s Day, and some families still recognize this. For example, they flags shaped like carp outside their homes to bring forth strength and success to their boys. In short, Golden Week is a whole week of celebration for the Japanese people. Answer:

Unity and Irrelevant Sentence As is mentioned earlier, a good paragraph must have three separate parts: a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Besides, it must have unity. Unity means that all of the supporting sentences are about the controlling idea in the topic sentence. When a paragraph has unity, all the supporting sentences relate to the topic sentence. In writing, you have to be cautious about writing an irrelevant sentence, a sentence that does not belong in a parargraph.

Exercise: Find out the irrelevant sentence 1. My roommate, Brad, was extremely clumsy. When he walked in the street, he tended to trip over stones and pebbles. In the department store, he bumped into other people all the time. He was a chocolate addict. Whenever he drank coffee, he spilt some on his clothes. The most unbelievable thing was that last time he attended a high-school reunion, he sat on the cat. 2. The 1960 s was a time of many social revolutions in the United States. The first one was the civil rights movement. Tired of being treated as second-class citizens, the black people in the country rose up to vindicate their rights. They insisted that they be treated equally as the white majority in the country. One of the well-known leaders of this movement was Martin Luther King. He lived with his family. Another social revolution derived from the women in the country.

This movement was called women’s liberation. Women were belittled and mistreated for a considerably long time, so they came out to demand equality with men in the workplace and at home. They no longer wanted to be subservient to men. 3. Tennis is one of the cheapest recreational sports. The only equipment required is a racket and a can of tennis balls. In addition, there are many free tennis courts at parks and schools. It is a sport that provides aerobic exercise. Very inexpensive lessons can be obtained through local schools and colleges. Since so many people play tennis, it is easy to get a friend to get you a lesson. Obviously, learning tennis won’t cost you a fortune.

4. Nowadays, as far as I am concerned, the meaning of this holiday is tow-fold. First, it’s a time for expressing our gratitude to Nature, a time when farmers are happy and content to have a harvest of all year’s crops. Everything seems to come to a state of consummation. Second, this is a big occasion for reunion and merriment. People avail themselves of this opportunity to celebrate with their family, having BBQ and some moon cakes as well as gazing at the fullest and brightest moon in the year. What a bliss it is to chat merrily and eat delicious moon cakes. Chang-Er is very famous. The “note” stuffing has expanded to all various flavors, like lotus, green bean, red bean and even ice-cream, to name only a few, to satisfy all appetites and occasions. However, the meaning of the Moon Festival is not all about food; it means a lot to family members to show their love and devotion for each other, thereby remaining connected and having their relationships cemented. The Moon Festival is indeed my favorite holiday.

Topic-based Writing • • • My Most Memorable Teacher Topic Sentence 1: The teacher I will by no means forget is my high-school English teacher, Mrs. Wu. (a)She was_____ (b)She encouraged us not to _____ (c) She _______ while we were studying (d) She also ____ the English drama team (e)She demanded that ________, but she also treated us with respect.

• Topic Sentence 2: The best quality Mrs. Wu possessed was her sense of humor. • (a) She was always _____ • (b)Her humor, modesty, ____, and _____ have inspired me to model myself after her. Concluding Sentence: I sincerely hope that ______________________

My Most Memorable Teacher The teacher I will by no means forget is my highschool English teacher, Mrs. Wu. She was somewhat unconventional. Instead of asking us to memorize grammar by rote, she taught it in an interesting and inspiring way. If we weren’t able to figure out difficult problems, she would show us how to solve them and encouraged us not to give up learning. She also played music in class to create a cozy and interesting aura where we learnt English happily. In addition to teaching us English, she was also the coach of the English drama team, of which I am a member. She demanded that we work hard and persevere in practicing, but she also

treated us with respect. As a result, the members of the English drama team treated her with respect, too. Perhaps Mrs. Wu’s humor was the best quality she possessed. She was always telling jokes and making people laugh. No wonder she was popular among people. Besides, she was very modest even though she was knowledgeable. Her humor, modesty, knowledge, and inventiveness were awesome, inspiring me to model myself after her. I sincerely hope that I can become a well-rounded person like Mrs. Wu someday. Hopefully I will be as humorous, knowledgeable, and modest as she. Never will I forget such a memorable teacher.

Topic-based Writing Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School Topic Sentence: Students should be allowed to use cell phones in school in the sense that they serve as useful tools, bringing forth _______. Supporting Sentences: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Concluding Sentence: In short, any disadvantages that cell phones may have are _____________.

Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School Students should be allowed to use cell phones in school in the sense that they serve as useful tools, bringing forth many benefits to students. First and foremost, many cell phones are equipped with dictionaries, and thereby students can look up words and get translations. In the second place, students can use them to organize their schedules and store important information. Thus, students can manage their time wisely. Third, instead of going to the library, students can find information they need by doing research on the Internet. Last but never least, cell phones keep students safe. Whenever they

are in trouble, they can call for help or report to the police station. Cell phones enable them to get in touch with the authorities concerned if they need to. In short, any disadvantages that cell phones may have are outweighed by their benefits in a classroom setting. Despite distracting features, cell phones are useful tools. Therefore, all people, including students, should enjoy the benefits that cell phones bring forth.

Argumentative Writing Here is the tip for writing an argumentative writing. Before you start to write, you can 1. Highlight the pros and cons of the topic and then decide your position Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in School Pros: Cell phones are equipped with dictionaries so that students can look up words and get translations. Cell phones enable students to call for help when they are in trouble. Cons: Cell phones are equipped with distracting features, such as games. Cell phones enable students to surf the Internet and find answers. However, this also deters students from using their minds to figure things out and may lead to laziness.

2. Weigh the arguments and counterarguments for agree with support defend see eye to eye on stand up for be in favor of in vindication of against be opposed to object to/oppose disagree with not see eye to eye on Opponents of this idea claim that Those who are critical of this idea think that …… Despite the fact that …, I think … Although many people insist that …, I believe …

3. Write a sound concluding sentence Because of all the above-mentioned reasons, I believe … Due to these facts, it is evident that … In light of all the points mentioned, it is obvious that … Owing to these advantages (disadvantages), I think … Taking into account all of these points, I believe …

Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in School Cell phones are distractions that keep students from learning, so students should be forbidden from using them in school. Although cell phones have dictionaries to help students look up words and get translations, they are equipped an unnecessary and lethal temptation. To be more specific, distracting features, such as games and sending text messages to friends in class, definitely deters students from concentrating on the material being taught. Furthermore, even though students can do research on the Internet through their cell phones, they will become passive learners. Cell phones enable students to surf the Internet and find answers; however, this also stops them from using their minds to figure things out and may lead to laziness. Exorbitant dependence inhibits mind development, discouraging students from truly learning material. Once the answers are always at their fingertips, there is no

motivation or incentive to study. It is difficult to justify using cell phones when they prove to be obstacles to mind development. Because of all the above-mentioned reasons, I believe that cell phones should not be allowed to be used in school.

Should the Death Penalty Exist? Pros: It makes criminals pay the price for their wrongdoings It rids society of menaces It stops people from perpetrating (committing) crimes Cons: It is a punishment that may cause irrevocable harm It sometimes ends up in killing an innocent person It is a real punishment to put a criminal in jail for life imprisonment

Subject-Verb Agreement In writing, always keep in mind that a verb must agree with its subject in number. To press a step further, a singular subject (one person or thing) takes a singular verb. A plural subject (more than one person or thing) takes a plural verb. The following situations may sometimes give rise to mistakes in subject-verb agreement: 1. When words come between the subject and the verb Ex: The books in the bookcase are detective novels. One of my pencil sketches hangs in the living room. 2. When a verb comes before the subject Ex: Under the bed was an album of stamps. Where are the brochures for the travelers?

3. With indefinite pronouns Ex: Somebody has stolen my wallet. Both of these blouses fit perfectly. 4. Compound subjects Ex: Perseverance and good luck are the keys to his success. Either the restaurant manager or his assistants are to be fired for using the plasticizers. 5. Who, which, and that Ex: Gary is one those people who roam around this area. The convertible which whizzes by belongs to Mr. Brown.

Exercise: Choose the correct verb form in parentheses. 1. The posters on the wall (includes, include) athletes and models in bathing suits. 2. The number of the students attending night school (is, are) decreasing.