Fixing things up!

Fixing things up!

Dear students,

It's time to stop and review the quality

 of your writing. 

In today's lab session:

1.  You'll work on punctuation and types of sentences. 

2. To finish, you'll review some aspects of giving opinion.

Checking punctuation

As well as spelling correctly, you are expected to use correct punctuation. 

You must use capital letters in the 
correct places and use punctuation 
marks such as periods, commas, 
and question marks correctly. It is 
also  important to indent each sentence in
                                                case you decide to use indentation.
                                                Remember to be consistent.

Indent	This is done at the beginning of each paragraph.
Capital letters	These are used at the beginning of each sentence and for proper nouns.
Period, question mark, exclamation point	One of these is always used at the end of a sentence.
Commas	In a list of three or more things. i.e. Home-cooked food is nutritious, tasty, and inexpensive.
	To separate transition words from the rest of the sentence. i.e. Additionally, physical education teaches children important skills such as teamwork.
	Between two independent clauses. i.e. Art and music classes are important, but academic classes are taken as even more important at school.
	To separate a non-restrictive* clause i.e. Maple syrup, which is made from the sap of the sugar maple tree, is an expensive treat.
	After a subordinate clause at the beginning of a sentence. i.e. If I had been more careful, I wouldn’t have lost the watch.

*non-restrictive clauses give additional information about a noun phrase. This extra information is not obligatory in the sentence.

Time for Practice 1!

Go to: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/punct_quiz.htm#

Sentence Types

Using variety in your sentences keeps your writing lively and interesting. 
It also shows the range of your writing ability. One way you can vary 
your sentences is by using a variety of sentence types. There are four 
types of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.

Simple sentence	A simple sentence has one subject and one verb. i.e. Television offers a variety of programs.
Compound sentence	A compound sentence has two or more simple sentences linked by the conjunctions and, or, and but. i.e. Some people are not bothered by violent TV programs, but others avoid them.
Complex sentence	A complex sentence is made up of a simple sentence (an independent clause) and one or more subordinate clauses. i.e. If we don’t like a particular TV program, we can easily change the channel.
Compound-complex sentence	A compound-complex sentence has two or more simple sentences and one or more subordinate clauses. i.e. While many people avoid watching violent TV programs, others don’t mind them and they watch them frequently.

             Time for Practice 2!                     







Now, go to: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/sentence_types_quiz.htm

Stating your opinion

The introduction to your piece of writing should tell the reader what your
 opinion is. There is no right or wrong opinion. Whatever your opinion is, 
the reader will look to see how you express it. You can use certain set 
phrases, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs to express your opinion.

Set phrases	Verbs	Adjectives	Adverbs
In my opinion From my point of view In my view To my way of thinking To my mind It seems to me that To me It is my opinion that	Agree Believe Think Understand Suppose Guess Hope Imagine	Certain Positive Convinced Sure Persuaded Confident	Definitely Doubtless Certainly Probably Conceivably Maybe Perhaps Possibly Seemingly

Examples:

1. It seems to me that we haven't had many assignments in English this term.
2. I suppose it will all make sense when we grow up.
3. I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections and the truth of imagination
4. I will make sure that I definitely pass my exams and show everyone that  I can do it.
5. You've probably promised yourself to get off the couch and get some exercise

Task 7

There are many webpages aiming at discussing about literature. Read the extracts below about Jackson´s The Possibility of Evil:

- It is [a] very obvious [story] and does not catch my attention very much. Although it was quite comical at the ending when she receives the letter back.

- This is a good little story that teaches us to treat others well and that if we don't, karma may not be far behind.

- [This story] shows you what this world truly is and how some people have the face of evil hidden behind the face of a sweet woman/man.

Choose one of the opinions above and write two solid paragraphs supporting your opinion and beliefs. Write the assignment using a wide variety of sentences and check your punctuation before submitting your file.

And now, just enjoy the following song: As you see OPINIONS are everywhere.

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