Summary Engels module 3 & 4

English Module 3
Writing the basics – word level

 Register

The words, style, and grammar used by speakers and writers in a particular situation or in a
particular situation or in a particular type of writing.

4 categories: familiar, informal, formal, ceremonial

¬ Collocation
A collocation is a pair or group of words that are often used together:

--> ‘use money’: ‘spend money’
--> ‘big voice’: ‘loud voice’
--> ‘a large mouth’: ‘big mouth’
--> ‘look at’: ‘watch a’
Collocations and frequent word combinations

Verb + noun ¬ Throw a party
¬ Raised a question
¬ Paid him a compliment
¬ Made an excuse
Adjective + noun ¬ A keen interest
¬ A brief chat
¬ Heavy snow
¬ Invaluable advice
Noun + noun ¬ A loaf of bread
¬ A round of drinks
¬ A round of applause
Adverb + verb ¬ Utterly shocked
¬ Totally satisfied
¬ Incredibly stupid

Different prepositions: at, for, of, on, to

Sentence level

 Simple sentence

Celia searched for the rabbit. (1 main clause: S + V + O)

 Complex sentence

,Celia searched for the rabbit, despite the wind and rain.

--> combining two sentences which are on a different level: main clause + subordinate clause

OR

I’d like to visit Quebec, but I will have to start learning French for my trip there.

--> combining two sentences which are on the same level: main clause + main clause




 Punctuation
Full stop/ period (.) - To mark the end of a sentence
- In abbreviations
Comma (,) - To make a list of information
- To separate main clause and sub
clause
- To indicate extra information
- After most linking words
- After honestly, frankly,
unfortunately, etc.
Colon (:) - To give an example or explanation
- To introduce a list
- Before a quotation
Apostrophe (‘) - To indicate possession
- To show contraction (don’t, ‘s, ‘il)

Paragraph level

¬ A paragraph is a group of sentences organized around a central topic.

How to write a paragraph?
--> a basic paragraph structure usually consists of five sentences:

 The topic sentences
 Three supporting sentences
 And a concluding sentence

,The secrets to paragraph writing lay in four essential elements, which when used correctly,
can make an okay paragraph into a great paragraph!

Element 1: Unity

 Every paragraph should contain a topic sentence which identifies the main idea of the
paragraph.
 A paragraph is unified around this main idea, with the supporting sentences providing
detail and discussion.

Element 2: order

 Order refers to the way you organize your supporting sentences
 Chronological order, order of importance, or another logical presentation of detail
 Reader should be able to follow you easily

Element 3: Coherence

 Sentences within a paragraph need to connect to each other.
 Make use transition of words. These words create bridges from one sentence to the
next
o Transition words that show order (first, second, third)
o Spatial relationships (above, below) or logic
 A consistent verb tense and point of view
 Coherence can be achieved in a number of ways: repeating key nouns, using
consistent pronouns (verb tenses), using transition signals to link idea, linking words,
arranging your ideas in logical order.

Element 4: completeness

 Completeness means a paragraph Is well-developed
 Components of a good paragraph
o A topic sentences
o At least three pieces of supporting evidence (enough info)
o A concluding sentence (summarizes main idea)


Linking words:

To express this relationship You can use these linking words
Addition And, also, further, furthermore, moreover, in addition, also,
too, besides, as well
Time Next, finally, later, last, now, then, when, in the meantime,
while, ultimately, soon, first, second, third, last, after,
before, in the end
Example For example, for instance, such as
Explanation In other words, namely, more precisely, to put it another

, way, i.e.
Result As a result, so, as a consequence, since, therefore, for this
reason, because, as
Comparison Like, similarly, in the same way, likewise
Contrast But, in contrast, however, still, nevertheless, yet, on the
other hand, on the contrary, despite, although
Summary To sum up, briefly, in short, in conclusion

Referencing as a cohesive device

¬ The most common cohesive device in texts is the backward reference to something
that has been mentioned before.
¬ Three examples of this type of reference are:

1. My sister’s on the phone. She says she needs the drill that she lent us.
--> Use of a pronoun to refer to an already-mentioned noun.

2. When I looked out of the window yesterday, I saw a man and a woman
standing by the gate. The man was wearing a hooded jacket and the woman
was carrying a baseball bat.
--> Use of the definite article to qualify a noun that has already been introduced
with the indefinite article.

3. There was so much delicious food on display, but I’m on a diet so I had to stick
to the salad.
--> Substitution of an already mentioned noun by a synonym of hyponym.

¬ Another common cohesive device is forward reference.
¬ Two examples:
o Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you this, but when I was young, I had hair down to my
waist!
o Please send your reply to the following address.




Relative clauses:

--> You can also use relative pronouns to join sentences, these make relative clauses.

¬ Relative clauses are clauses starting with the relative pronouns who, that, which,
whose, whom, where, when, and why. They are most often used to define or identify
the noun that precedes them.
¬ Examples
o Do you know the girl who started in grade 7 last week?
o Can I have the pencil that I gave you this morning?
o A notebook is a computer which can be carried around.