First Steps in

Academic Writing
SECOND EDITION
Ann Hogue
!'W


.....
. First Steps in Academic Writing, Second Edition
Copyright 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hogue, Ann.
First steps in academic writing I Ann Hogue. - 2nd ed.
p. em.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN Q-13-241488-0 (student book: alk. paper)- ISBN 0-13-241490-2 (answer key : alk. paper)
I. English language-Rhetoric. 2. Academic writing. I. Title.
PE1478.H57 2007
808'.042-dc22
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Contents
Preface ........................................................... v11
Chapter l Introducing People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l
What Is Academic Writing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chapter Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Prewriting Acti vity: Asking Questions and Taking Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Part 1: Organization
What Is a Paragraph? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Model: What Is a Paragraph? Mrs. Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Paragraph Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Model: Handwritten Assignment My Classmate... .. ... . ..... . .. ... .. . ... . .. 6
Model: Computer-Written Assignment My Classmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Part 2: Grammar and Capitalization
What Is a Sentence? .... . . . .. . ... . . . .... . . . ..... . .. .. ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Command Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Subjects, Verbs, and Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Capitalization: Six Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Journal Writing.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Model: Journal Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Part 3: Sentence Structure
Simple Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Connecting Words: and, or ...... . ........... .. ............. . . .. ........ 23
Sentence Combining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Part 4: Writing
Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
The Writing Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Step 1: Prewrite to get ideas-freewriting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Step 2: Write the first draft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Step 3: Edit the first draft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Step 4: Write the final copy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Writing Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 2 listing-Order Paragraphs ....................... 33
Chapter Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Prewriting Activity: Clustering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Clustering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Model: Clustering 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Model: Clustering 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Contents
Part 1: Organization
Listing-Order Paragraphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Model: Listing-Order Paragraph Flight Attendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
The Three Parts of a Paragraph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
The Topic Sentence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Listing-Order Transition Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Paragraph Unity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
The Concluding Sentence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Outlining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Model: Simple Outline Flight Attendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Part 2: Sentence Structure
Compound Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Coordinating Conjunctions: and, but, or, so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Two Sentence Errors: Run-ons and Comma Splices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Part 3: Writing
Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Writing Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Chapter 3 Givinglnstructions ............................ 65
Chapter Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Prewriting Activity: Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Part 1: Organization
"How To" Paragraphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Model: "How To" Paragraph How to Have a Successful Garage Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Topic and Concluding Sentences for "How To" Paragraphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Time-Order Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Listing and Outlining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Model: Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Model: Edited List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Model: Simple Outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Part 2: Sentence Structure
Independent and Dependent Clauses ........ .................... .......... 76
Adverb Subordinators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Complex Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Sentence Errors: Fragments ............................................. 82
Summary: Three Types of Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Part 3: Capitalization and Punctuation
Capitalization: Four More Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Commas: Four Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Part 4: Writing
Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Writing Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Contents
Chapter 4 Describing a Place ............................. 94
Chapter Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Prewriting Activity: Listing Descriptive Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Part 1: Organization
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Space Order .. ... . . . .............................. . .................. 98
Model: Space Order The Shared Refrigerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Topic and Concluding Sentences for Descriptive Paragraphs ........ . . . ... 99
Specific Details ... . ................................ . .............. . .. I 0 I
Planning a Space-Order Paragraph ............. . .. . .... .. ... . ............ I 03
Part 2: Grammar
Adjectives . ....... . ..................................... . ............ I 04
Order of Adjectives ......... . . .. ................ . ... .. ............ 107
Part 3: Sentence Structure
Prepositions ........ ......... . ......... . .. . ....... . . . ......... .. ... . . 112
Prepositional Phrases . .... . ... . ....................... . .. . ......... .. .. 113
Model: Prepositional Phrases of Place in a Description My Desk . ......... .. ... 114
Using Prepositional Phrases to Vary Sentence Openings .................. 114
Part 4: Writing
Review Questions ..... .. ........ . .. . ........ . . . .... . ......... . .. . ..... 119
Writing Assignment ................. . .......................... . ... . .. 119
Chapter 5 Stating Reasons and Using Examples ............. 121
Chapter Preview ........................ . ................. . .. . ........... 122
Prewriting Activity: Reasons and Examples ........................... . .... 122
Part 1: Organization
Model: Reasons and Examples Costa Rica . . ... . . . .......... . .............. 124
Outlines with Details . .. ....... .. ... . .... . . .... ........ .. ........ . . ... . 125
Model: Detailed Outline: Costa Rica . . : . ............. .. .................. 125
Reasons and Examples ............ . ......... . ...... .. . . ......... . ...... 125
Transition Signals with Reasons ......................................... 129
Conclusion Signals with Reasons ........................................ 130
Transition Signals with Examples .. ........... . ......... . ......... . ...... 131
Part 2: Sentence Structure
More About Complex Sentences ....... . ........ . .................... . ... 133
Reason and Condition Subordinators .... .. ....... . .... . .............. 134
Part 3: Capitalization and Punctuation
Capitalization: Two More Rules .. . .... . .................. . .............. 139
Commas: Four More Rules ........ . ............ . .... . .... . ...... . ...... 141
Part 4: Writing
Review Questions .............. . ........... .. ......... . ........... .. .. 143
Writing Assignment ... .. . ..... . .................. . .................... 144
Chapter 6 Expressing Your Opinion ....................... 145
Chapter Preview ......................................................... 146
Prewriting Activity: Getting Ideas from Reading ............................ 146
Part 1: Organization
Opinion Paragraphs ................................................... 148
Facts and Opinions ............................................... 149
Model: Opinion Paragraph Video Games and Violence . . . . .............. . ..... 150
Transition Signals for Opinion Paragraphs ............................. 152
Part 2: Sentence Structure
Model: Adjective Clauses School Uniforms ................................ 156
Adjective Clauses with who, which, and that ............................... 157
Punctuating Adjective Clauses ...................................... 159
Complex Sentences with Adjective Clauses ............................ 161
More About Fragments . : .............................................. 167
Part 3: Punctuation
Quotation Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 .
Part 4: Writing
Review Questions ..................................................... 171
Writing Assignment ................................................... 172
A.PPENDlCES
Appendix A: Journal Writing ......................................... 173
Appendix B: Correction Symbols ...................................... 177
Appendix C: Grammar Words and hinds of Sentences .................... 180
Appendix D: Conjunctions ............................................ 182
Appendix E: Transition Signals ....................................... 185
Appendix F: Business Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Appendix G: Reader's Response and Writer's Self-Check
Worksheets ............................................. 191
Index ........................................ 215
Preface
First Steps in Academic Writing, Second Edition, is a high-beginning writing
textbook/workbook for English language learners in academic settings.
It teaches rhetoric and sentence structure in a straightforward manner, using a
step-by-step approach, high-interest models, and varied practices.
Students are guided through the writing process to produce well-organized,
clearly developed paragraphs. Simple explanations are supported by clear
examples to help students through typical rough spots, and numerous practices
help students assimilate each skill.
The book contains six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the concept and form
of the paragraph, and Chapter 2 teaches paragraph structure. Chapters 2-6 focus
on writing instructions, descriptions, and expressing opinions; they teach
students several standard patterns of organization as well. Each chapter also
provides instruction in punctuation and in sentence structure, starting with
simple sentences and progressing through compound and complex sentences.
Each chapter also guides students step-by-step through the writing process as
they work on their writing assignments.
What's New in the Second Edition
Instructors familiar with the First Edition will find a few changes, made in
response to the comments of.reviewers and teachers who have used the First
Edition over the years.
Paragraph structure is presented earlier, in Chapter 2.
Work on topic sentences has been greatly expanded to include many
more examples and practices.
A section on the ordering of adjectives has been added to assist students
in writing vivid descriptions.
Some models and practice items have been updated or replaced. Old
favorites have been retained.
Mid-chapter writing assignments are now Try It Out! practices, allowing
students to try out new skills without the pressure of being graded on
their efforts.
Journal writing has been added as an option.
There are separate worksheets for self-editing (Writer's Self-Check) and
peer editing (Reader's Response).
Business letter writing has become an optional, change-of-pace lesson in
F at the back of the book.
vii
Preface
Organization of the Chapters
Chapter
Preview
Organt:zatton
Sections
Sentence
Structure
Sections
Writing
Sections
Models
Questions on
the odels
Each chapter has the following three sections: Organization, Sentence Structure,
and Writing. Most chapters have a fourth section containing lessons on grammar,
punctuation, and/or rules for capitalization.
Each chapter begins with a list of the learning goals for the chapter and a prewriting
activity that prepares the student to write a paragraph a few pages later.
In the Organization sections in Chapters 1 and 2, students learn paragraph format
and paragraph structure. In Chapters 2-4, they learn to organize their paragraphs
using listing order, time order, and spatial order (description). In Chapter 5, they
learn to develop their paragraphs using reasons and examples, and in Chapter 6,
they focus on expressing an opinion with adequate support.
An overview of the writing process appears in Chapter 1, using a recurring
model on a topic similar to the Writing Assignment for that chapter. Students
learn various prewriting techniques, starting with freewriting in Chapter 1 and
proceeding to listing, clustering, and outlining in subsequent chapters.
A good portion of each chapter provides students with opportunities to improve
the structure of their sentences. Simple sentences are the focus in Chapter 1,
compound sentences in Chapter 2, and complex sentences in Chapters 3, 5,
and 6. Chapter 4 teaches students to vary their sentence structure by moving
prepositional phrases.
Each Writing section reviews the points covered in the chapter prior to the
Writing Assignment. The Writing Assignment for each chapter contains clear
step-by-step instructions. Students are never left wondering how to begin or what
to do next. Because students will have encountered the topic for the Writing
Assignment earlier in the chapter, they will have thought about or discussed the
topic before they tackle writing about it.
Students see several writing models in each chapter. Each Organization section
contains a model paragraph that demonstrates the rhetorical forms taught in
that chapter. Some Sentence Structure sections also begin with a model that
demonstrates both the rhetorical mode just taught and the sentence structures just
ahead. In addition, many practice exercises serve double duty-as models and as
exercises.
Following each model are Questions on the Model that focus the students'
attention on specific elements in the paragraph. These questions either help
students consolidate material taught in previous chapters or prepare them for the
Preface
learning task ahead. For example, questions may ask students to locate the topic
sentence, identify the steps in a how-to paragraph, find prepositional phrases, or
notice facts that support reasons in an opinion paragraph.
ln-Class Writing
Group prewriting and in-class writing of the first drafts are especially helpful for
beginning students because the instructor is available for immediate
consultation. Also, the instructor can check to make sure everyone is on the right
track. Pair and group collaboration is appropriate for prewriting and editing
work; however, writing is essentially an individual task even when done in class.
Explanations and Examples
Beginning students grasp points more easily by seeing several examples rather
than by reading long explanations. Therefore, explanations are brief, and
examples are numerous. Important information, such as commas rules, charts of
transition signals, and sentence "formulas," is boxed.
Practice Exercises
Appendices
Journal
Writing
Each teaching point is accompanied by a variety of practice exercises, which
progress from recognition exercises to controlled production to communicative
Try It Out! practices.
There are seven appendices at the back of the book for students' easy reference.
Teachers might point them out to students early in the term.
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Journal Writing
Correction Symbols
Grammar Words and Kinds of Sentences
Conjunctions
Transition Signals
Business Letters
Reader's Response and Writer's Self-Check Worksheets
Chapter 1 introduces students to journal writing and shows them how to do it.
Appendix A contains topic suggestions. Teachers are urged to introduce journal
writing early in the term, for journal writing is particularly valuable for students
at the beginning level to develop writing fluency.
Preface
Editing
Worksheets
Answer Ke-y
Appendix G contains peer-editing (Reader's Response) and self-editing
(Writer's Self-Check) worksheets for each mid-chapter Try It Out! and each
end-of-chapter Writing Assignment. Instructors can use one or the other, or both,
as they prefer. Peer editors can write their comments on the worksheet.
Alternatively, each student can read his or her draft aloud in a small group of
classmates and then elicit oral comments and suggestions by asking the checklist
questions. The student who has read then records the group's suggestions on his
or her own paper. Instructors can also respond to student writing by using the
peer-editing checklist.
An Answer Key is available upon request from the publisher.
Acknowledgments
I sincerely appreciate the contributions of the many people who have helped
shape this second edition of First Steps in Academic Writing. First and foremost,
I thank Executive Editor Laura Le Drean for her unflagging patience, support,
and guidance. I also thank her assistant Wendy Campbell for photo research, and
Caroline Gibbs of City College of San Francisco for permission to use her
excellent material on Journal Writing.
To the many users of the first edition who took the time to offer suggestions,
I extend my heartfelt thanks: Sandy Abouda, Seminole Community College,
Florida; Vicki Blaho, Santa Monica College, California; Barbara Bonander,
College of Marin, California; Jeff Cady, College of Marin, California; Jackye
Cumby, Mercer University, Georgia; Diana Davidson del Toro, Cuyamaca
College, California; Greg Davis, Portland State University, Oregon; Diane
Harris, Imperial Valley College, California; Mohammed Iqbal, City College of
San Francisco, California; Linda Lieberman, College of Marin, California;
Mark Neville, ALHOSN University, United Arab Emirates; Kim Sano, Aoyama
Gakuin Women's Junior College, Tokyo; Laura Shier, Portland State University,
Oregon; Christine Tierney, Houston Community College, Texas. I hope you
recognize the many places where your comments and advice improved the book.
lntroducing People
Chapter Preview
Prewriting Activity: Asking Questions and Taking Notes
Part 1: Organization
What Is a Paragraph?
Paragraph Form
Part 2: Grammar and Capitalization
What Is a Sentence?
Subjects, Verbs, and Objects
Capitalization: Six Rules
Journal Writing
Part 3: Sentence Structure
Simple Sentences
Connecting Words: and, or
Sentence Combining
Part 4: Writing
The Writing Process
1
2 First Steps in Academic Writing
What ls
Academic
Writing?
The kind of writing you will do in this class is called academic writing because
it is the kind of writing you do in college classes. Every kind of writing has a
particular purpose and a particular audience. The purpose of academic writing is
to explain something or to give information about something. Its audience is your
teacher and your classmates.
Academic writing requires certain skills. These skills include sentence
structure (how to arrange words in a sentence), organization (how to arrange
ideas in a paragraph), and, of course, grammar and punctuation. Each chapter
of this book has sections with a lesson and practices for each skill. At the end of
each chapter, you will write a paragraph using the skills you have just learned.
Chapter Preview
Prewriting
Activity:
Asking
Questions
and Taking
Notes
In Chapter 1, you will write paragraphs about people. Your first paragraph will
be about a classmate. You will also study and practice:
paragraph form
subjects, verbs, and objects
simple sentences
six rules for capitalization
four steps in the writing process
journal writing
Your last paragraph at the end of the chapter will be about a person who has
made a difference in your life, in your community, or in the world.
Whenever you write, you need ideas to write about. Taking notes is one way to
get ideas. In this activity, you will ask a classmate some questions and take notes
about his or her answers. When you take notes, you do not have to write complete
sentences. Just write down the important information.
1. Look at the topics in the following chart. With your class, make up
questions about the topics to ask a classmate. Your teacher will write the
questions on the chalkboard.
Note: There are some personal questions that are not OK to ask. Discuss with
the class which questions are OK to ask and which ones you should not ask.
OK
to Ask
lt'J
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sample Questions
What is your first name?
What is your family name?
Where are you from?
How long have you lived
in this country?
Chapter I I 1ntroducing People 3
Sample Notes of Classmate Responses
Santy
Valverde
Michoacan. Mexico
2 years
2. Choose a partner and ask him or her the questions. Take notes by writing
the answers in the chart. Keep the chart. You will use it later to write a
paragraph about your classmate.
3. Introduce your classmate by telling his or her answers to the class or to a
small group.
Not OK
to Ask Topics Classmate's Answers (Notes)
0 First name and family name
~ Age
0 City and country
0 Family status
0 Religion
0 Address in this country
0 Length of time in this country
0 Length of time studying English
0 Reasons for studying English
0 Job or occupation
0 Salary
0 Hobbies or sports
0 Weekend activities
0 Plans for the future
(You and your classmates may add other questions.)
4 First Steps in Academic WrHing
PART 1 I Organization
What ls
a Paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of related sentences about a single topic. The topic of a
paragraph is one, and only one, idea.
A paragraph has three main parts.
I . Topic sentence
The first sentence in a paragraph is a sentence that names the topic and
tells what the paragraph will explain about the topic. This sentence is
called the topic sentence.
2. Supporting sentences
The middle sentences in a paragraph are called the supporting sentences.
Supporting sentences give examples or other details about the topic.
3. Concluding sentence
The last sentence in a paragraph is called the concluding sentence.
A concluding sentence often repeats the topic sentence in different
words or summarizes the main points.
A paragraph is like a cheeseburger sandwich: two pieces of bread (the topic
and concluding sentences) enclosing the filling (the supporting sentences).
Topic Sentence
~
Supporting Sentences
I
t
Concluding Sentence
Each paragraph that you write for this class should also have a title. A title
tells the topic of the paragraph in a few words. A title is short. It is not a complete
sentence. It may be just one word. Here are some examples of titles.
My Classmate
Friendship
A Famous Soccer Player
As you read the following model, look for the three parts of a paragraph.
\tO DEL
at Is a
agraph?
Chapter I I lntroducing People 5
Paragraph 1
Mrs. Robinson
1My first grade teacher was an important person in my life. 2Her name
was Mrs. Robinson. 3ln the schools in my country, children usually learn
to print before they learn to write. 4Mrs. Robinson didn't believe in printing.
5She thought it was a waste of time. 6She taught us to write in cursive
script (like handwriting) from the first day. 7At first it was hard. SShe made
us practice a lot. 91 remember filling entire pages just with capital Os.
10At the end of the year, we felt very grown up because we could write in
cursive. 11Mrs. Robinson was important in my life because she taught me
a valuable lesson. 121 can achieve anything by working hard.
Paragraph 2
My Best Friend
1My best friend, Freddie, has three important qualities. 2First of all,
Freddie is always ready to have fun. 3Sometimes we play Frisbee in the
park. 4Sometimes we just sit around in my room, listening to music and
talking. SWell, I talk. 6Freddie just listens. 7Second, he is completely
trustworthy. 81 can tell Freddie my deepest secrets, and he doesn't share
them with anyone else. 9Third, Freddie understands my moods. 10When
I am angry, he tries to make me feel better. 11When I am sad, he tries to
comfort me. 12When I am happy, he is happy too. 13To sum up, my best
friend is fun to be with, trustworthy, and understanding-even if he is just
a dog.
You will study the three parts of a paragraph in more detail in Chapter 2. For
now, just remember that a paragraph has three parts.
r
6 First Steps in Academic Writing
Paragraph
Form
In academic writing, there is a special form for paragraphs. When you write
a paragraph, make it look like the one below.
MODEL
Handwritten l Anh Nguyen
Assignment .
M ARGIN
/ ;-1. English 50
You April IS, 21! _
COURSE .
DuE DATE r-
. ....... Mv. .. ............................................................................ .
TITLE IN CENTER .. M"J .. .. ... .. .................... .
INDENT THE FIRST .... ..... ....... ; ........................ ........ ... ........ ..................... .. ... ...
SENTENCE .............. ... .. .. .. .. .................... .
................................................................................................................................................................ .
SKIP LINES ... ... . .. .. ... .. ................... ...... .

j \1=:::
.. .. .. .. ... .. ............................... .
................... .; .......................................................................................................................................................................... .
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ........................ .
: : : :

MARGIN r'"
: :::
: :: :
.. !9. ... ... ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ............... .

t ..
Here are the rules for correct paragraph form for handwritten paragraphs:
1. Paper
Use lined, 3-hole paper. The three holes should be
on your left side as you write. Write on one side of the paper only.
I\100El
I
Computer-
Chapter l I Introducing People 1
2. Ink
Use black or dark blue ink only.
3. Heading
Write your full name in the upper left comer. On the next line, write the
course name and number. On the third line, write the date the assignment
is due in the order month-day-year, with a comma after the day.
4. Assignment Title
Center the title of your paragraph on the first line.
5. Body
Skip one line, and start your writing on the third line. Indent (move to
the right) the first sentence Y2 inch from the left margin.
6. Margins
Leave a l-inch margin on the left and right sides of the paper. Also leave
a l-inch margin at the bottom of the page. Your teacher uses these empty
spaces to write comments to you.
7. Spacing
Leave a blank line between each line of writing. Your teacher uses the
space between lines to mark corrections.
If you use a computer, make your paper look like this:


C OURSE NUMBER
DuE DATE
Sacha Petrovsky
English 50
April 15, 20_
Classmate
MARGIN
T ITLE IN CENTER
U SE THE TAB KEY TO
INDENT THE FIRST
SENTENCE FIVE SPACES.
Our classmate from Brazil is very athletic. His name
is Antonio Gonsalves. His friends call him Tony. Tony is from
Brazil. He is the oldest son in his family. His family sent him
here to learn English and to study business. Then he will
to his home and work in his family's company. One
D ouBLE sPAcE thing I learned about Tony is that he is a big
sports fan. He watches sports on television all the time.
He also plays several sports. His favorite sport is soccer.
After all, he is from Brazil! I would like to play soccer with
Tony after class some day.
8 First Steps in Academic Writing
~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PRACTICE I
'Editing
Paragraph
Form
Here are the rules for correct paragraph form for a paragraph typed on
a computer.
I. Paper
Use 8Yc-inch-by-ll-inch white paper.
2. Font
Use a standard font style, such as Times New Roman. Do not use
underlining, italics, or bold type to emphasize words. It is not correct to
do so in academic writing.
3. Heading
Type your full name in the upper left corner. On the next line, type the
course number. On the third line of the heading, type the date the
assignment is due in the order month-day-year, with a comma after the
day.
4. Assignment Title
Skip one line, and then center your title. Use the centering icon on your
word processing program.
5. Body
Skip one line, and start typing on the third line. Indent (move to the
right) the first line of each paragraph by using the TAB key. (The TAB
key automatically indents five spaces.)
6. Margins
Leave a l-inch margin on the left and right margins.
7. Spacing
Double-space the body.
Editing is what you do when you check your writing and correct and improve it.
Work by yourself or with a partner on this editing practice.
Step 1 Find the mistakes in the form of this paragraph.
Step 2 Copy the paragraph using correct form on an 8!;;-by-11-inch piece of
notebook paper. It should be one paragraph.
Chapter J I lntroducing People 9
! Writing class Amy Wong
e 1 MoM1ay
................... l ... Mv. .. 9.9?.?.01o/. ........... .................................................... ... ............ .. ... ....... .. ..... ..... .. ............................ .
r
..... : ............. .j. ... MY .. .. !?. .. .. .. .. .. ... t?. .. P.h.YP.!JB ... P.D.90.?.: ........ .
........... ........ J ... ?.D. .. !.?. .. .. . ..I.Q .. ... ?.D .. ':#.9?..P . ... .......................... .
r .. ..

She is marriec.l .
oooo o ooooo o o oooooo oo> o ooo o ooooooooooo oooOo o oOO o ooooooooooo oooooooo ooooo o oooooooo o oooo oo ooooooooooooo ooo o oooooooo o oooo oooooooooooooooo o oooooooo+ooo o ooo .. oOOO ooooo ooo oo o .oo oOooooooooooo o ooooo
l She lives with her husbanc.l her chilc.lren anc.l her
r ' '
............... .... f .. .. !D ... .. ... .. ... ... .. ............... ........... .
... ... ............. .. ... ... .. .. .. ............................................ .
She likes to listen to
. .................. f''''""' ' ''''' "'""'''''"'"''"'""''''"'"'''"'""''"''''''"''""'' '""''"'"''""'"""''"'"'""'"''"''"''"'"'"'"''"'"'''''''''''"'' " '' ' "' '"' ' '
music anc.l to reac.l books.

she finishes school.
::::::::::::::::::r:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

ooo oooooo oooooooooor ooooooooo .oo oooo oooooo o ooo ooooo oooooo o oooo o oooo oo ooooooooo oooo oo oooOo oooooooo o oo o. oooo o oooooo o o oo oo o o ooooooooo oo o oooooo oo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
:::::::::::::::::::r::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'fr1t 1t Out! Write a paragraph about the classmate you interviewed in the Prewriting
Activity at the beginning of the chapter.
Step 1 Give your paragraph a title, such as "My Classmate" or "My New
Classmate."
Step 2 Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence that tells your classmate's
name and also describes his or her personality in generaL You may
choose a word from the following list to describe your classmate's
personality, or you may use a different word. Discuss the meaning
of new words with your class.
interesting
friendly
likeable
talented
serious
energetic
cheerful
quiet
outgoing
soft-spoken
fun-loving
hard-working
JO First Steps in Academic Writing
, , , . , . ~ - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Here are some examples oftopic sentences.
My new classmate is an interesting young woman.
My classmate is an energetic young man.
My new classmate is a friendly person.
Do NOT tell a specific fact about your classmate in your first sentence. For
example, do not begin your paragraph with a sentence such as My classmate
is from China or My classmate is married.
Step 3 Write several sentences telling about your classmate. Use your notes
from the chart on page 3 to make sentences.
Step 4 End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that tells how you feel
about your classmate.
I am happy to have Alex as my classmate.
I think Amy and I will become good friends.
I would like to play soccer with Tony after class some day.
Step 5 Check your paragraph.
First, read your paragraph to the classmate whom you wrote
about. Then ask him or her to complete Reader's Response lA
on page 190. Then decide together if you should make changes
in your paragraph.
Second, check your paragraph against Writer's Self-Check lA
on page 191.
Step 6 Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to your teacher. Your
teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting and your other drafts.
PART 2 I Grammar and Capitalization
What ls a
Sentence?
In the Organization section of this chapter, you learned that a paragraph is a
group of sentences about one topic. How do you know what a sentence is? Here
is a definition.
A sentence is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb
and expresses a complete thought. A sentence begins with a
capital letter and ends with a period.
1
1
A sentence may also end with a question mark or exclamation point. but in academic writing, most
sentences end with a period.
Chapter I I Introducing People 11
These are sentences:
1 . He is a student.
2. It is hot today.
3. He looks tired.
4. Are you hungry?
5. Who's there?
6. Hurry!
7. The man bought a new car.
8. Does your sister live with you?
9. Where did you buy that hat?
10. Don't be late.
These are not sentences:
11. Is very athletic. (There is no subject.)
In some languages, you can leave out a pronoun subject (he, she, it, we, you,
and they) when the meaning is clear without it. English requires a subject
in every sentence. (Exception: See Command Sentences on page 12.)
CORRECTED: He is very athletic.
12. The baby sleepy. (There is no verb.)
In some languages, you can leave out a verb like is or are when the
meaning is clear without it. English requires a verb in every sentence.
CORRECTED: The baby is sleepy.
13. The man bought. (This is not a complete thought. What did the
man buy?)
Many verbs in English require an object. (An object is a noun or
pronoun that follows a verb.) Some of these verbs are buy, give, have,
like, love, need, own, place, put, spend, and want.
O BJECT
CoRRECTED: The man bought a cup of coffee.
14. When I finish my education. (This is not a complete thought. What
will happen when I finish my education?)
A group of words that begins with when, if, or because (and others) is
only half of a sentence. You must join it to another subject and verb to
make a complete thought.
CoRRECTED: When I finish my education, I will work for my uncle.
You will learn more about these half-sentences in Chapter 3.
12 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 2
Recognizing
Sentences
Command Sentences
If a sentence gives a command or instruction, we understand that the subject is
you, but we don't say or write you. The verb in a command sentence is always
in the simple (dictionary) form-stop, go, wait, be, eat. To make a command
negative, put don't in front of the verb.
Commands
(ett) Be quiet.
(ett) Wait for me!
(ett) Speak slowly.
Negative Commands
(ett) Don't eat so much!
(ett) Don't forget to call home.
(ett) Don't worry.
A. Which two s ~ n t e n c e s in examples 1-10 on page 11 are commands?
Underline their verbs.
B. Work with a partner.
Step 1 Read each group of words out loud.
Step 2 Decide which ones are complete sentences and which ones are not.
Step 3 WriteS (for sentence) next to complete sentences and NS (for not
a sentence) next to word groups that are not sentences.
Step 4 Explain why the NS word groups are not sentences.
Is very hot today. ( There is no subject. ) 1. Ns
2. _2_ It is very hot today. ( __________ )
3. My new classmate from Brazil.
( _________________ )
4. He speaks three languages fluently.
( )
5. Is very handsome. ( )
6. He wants to start his own business.
( )
7. He isn't married. ( )
8. Enjoys many sports, especially baseball.
( )
9. Don't sleep in class. (
10. The children hungry. (
11. They didn't like. ( )
12. They don't want. ( )
13. Go to bed! ( )
)
)
ubjects,
erbs, and
bjects
Chapter I I Introducing People J3
In English, the subject of a sentence is always expressed (except in commands).
The subject tells who or what did something. It is a noun
or pronoun.
My roommate lost his keys.
(Who lost his keys?-my roommate)
The taxi hit the child.
(What hit the child?-the taxi)
Soccer and tennis are my favorite sports.
(What are my favorite sports?-soccer and tennis)
The verb usually tells an action. Sometimes a verb doesn't tell
an action. Sometimes it just links the subject with the rest of the
sentence.
Action verbs name an action, such as hit, live, lose, speak, go, and come.
The taxi hit the child.
My family lives in a two-bedroom apartment.
My roommate lost his keys.
Linking verbs link the subject with the rest of the sentence. Linking verbs do
not have objects. The most common linking verbs are be, become, look, feel,
seem, smell, sound, and taste.
~
'-I S,--o-c_c_e_r -an-d-:-:-te-n-'n=:-is'1 are 1.-m-'y-f-:-a-v-o....,.rit=--e-s_p_o_rt.,...s-,.1
~
rrteel
1
1uck/today.
~
.- 1T-he---'ai==,r 1 smells ..= 1fr,_e_s_h_a_n_d_c_le_a_n_,.1
The object receives the action of an action verb. It is a noun or
pronoun.
To find an object, make a question by putting what after an action verb.
(Note: This method for finding objects doesn't work with linking verbs because
linking verbs do not have objects.)
14 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 3
Subjects, Verbs,
and Objects
The taxi hit the child.
(Hit what?-the child. The child is an object.)
My roommate lost his keys.
(Lost what?-his keys. His keys is an object.)
His girlfriend found them.
(Found what?-them. Them is an object.)
Not all sentences have objects.
My family lives in a two-bedroom apartment.
(Lives what?-not possible. This sentence has no object.)
The sun is shining today.
(Is shining what?-not possible. This sentence has no object.)
The fish didn't smell fresh.
(Didn't smell what?-not possible. This sentence has no object.)
Certain verbs MUST have objects. Some of these verbs are buy, give, have,
like, love, need, own, place, put, spend, and want.
They need some money.
I don't want it.
Identify subjects, verbs, and objects in sentences.
Step 1 Underline the subjects with one line.
Step 2 Underline the verbs with two lines.
Step 3 Circle the objects.
Step 4 WriteS, V, or 0 above each underlined or circled word.
5 v
I. My youngest brother is in high school. (There is no object.)
5 v 0 v 0
2. He watches ([Y) and does (homeworJS) at the same time.
3. He works at a shopping mall.
4. He likes his job but doesn't like his boss.
5. His job is easy and pays well.
6. This semester, he is taking extra classes.
7. He will go to college next year.
PR-\CTICE 4
i ting for
bjects and
erbs
PRACTICE 5
dentifying and
Punctuating
Sentences
Chapter I I lntroducing People 15
8. He speaks and understands English very well.
9. On weekends, he and his friends play soccer.
I 0. He doesn't have a girlfriend yet.
Step 1 Look for missing subjects and verbs.
Step 2 Add the missing words. (There may be more than one possible answer.)
Larry's Bad Habit
IS
1
My friend Larry has a bad habit.
2
He/\never on time to anything.
3
Arrives
ten minutes late everywhere.
4
Larry always an excuse.
5
"1 missed the
bus."
6
"My alarm clock didn't ring."
7
"My watch stopped."
8
"My mother
telephoned me just as I was leaving."
9
He uses each excuse at least
twice a week.
10
1 know them all.
11
Whenever Larry rushes in-ten minutes
late, of course-and starts to say, "Sorry I'm late, but I ... "or "Sorry
I'm late, but my ... " or "Sorry I'm late, but my mother ... ," I can finish
the sentence for him.
12
Larry's bad habit not a problem for me any
longer.
13
lf the movie at 7:00, I tell Larry it starts at 6:45.
14
Then he early!
Step 1 Decide where sentences begin and end. (There are 14 sentences.)
Step 2 Add a period at the end of each sentence, and change the first letter
of each new sentence to a capital.
My Neighbors
a young couple from India lives next door to me the husband's name
is Ajay the wife's name is Anjuli everyone calls her Anju they have a young
son and are expecting their second child in a few weeks they hope to
have a girl this time both Ajay and Anju have good jobs he is an executive
in a computer company she is a computer programmer and works in our
local hospital Anju is a wonderful cook she cooks mostly Indian food they
sometimes invite neighbors on weekends for a potluck meal' we all bring
something to share it is fun to live next door to Ajay and Anju.
1
potluck meal: meal to which everyone contributes a dish to share
16 First Steps in Academic Writing
Capitalization: In English, there are many mles for using capital letters. Here are six important
Six Rules ones.
Rutes
Cap1tatize:
I. The first word in a sentence.
2. The pronoun /.
3. Names of people and their
titles.
BUT NOT a title without a name.
Exception: A title without a name
is sometimes capitalized if it
refers to a specific person.
4. Nationalities, languages,
religions, and ethnic groups.
5. Names of school courses with
numbers.
Note: Don't capitalize school
subjects except names of
nationalities, languages, religions,
and college classes with numbers.
6. Specific places you could find on
a map.
Examples
My neighbor is a mechanic.
My friends and I often study together.
King Abdullah II
President Putin
Professor Indiana Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Homer Simpson
He's a king.
Have you met your math professor?
The President of the United States had
dinner with the Emperor of Japan.
Swedish
English
Spanish
Farsi
Muslim
Psychology 1 01
history
math
physics
Lake Titicaca
the North Pole
South America
Amazon River
Jewish
Christian
Asian
Hispanic
Native American
Russian history
History 101
Physics 352
England
First Street
Times Square
New York City
:>R-\CTICE 6
pitalization
Chapter 1 I lntroducing People 17
Write your own examples for capitalization rules 3-6. Ask your teacher for
help with spelling, or use a dictionary.
Rule3
a queen Queen Noor
a president -----------------------
adoctor _______________________ __
amayororgovernor --------------------
Rule4
alanguage _______________________________________ __
a nationality ----------------------
a religion ------------------------
RuleS
a school subject without a number -------------------
a college class with a number ----------------
Rule6
a street _______________________ __
a city or town----------------------
a state-------------------------
a country ______________________ ___
a sea or an ocean-----------------------
an island ----------------------------------
alake --------------------------------------------
a river ________________________ _
apMk ----------------------
asquMe _______________________ _
18 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRI\CTICE 1
Editing for
Capitalization
Nelson Mandela
Journal
Writing
Change the small letters to capital letters wherever necessary in the following
paragraph.
N M
F'elson ~ a n d e l a
1
my name is nelson mandela, and i have had an unusual life.
2
i have
been both a prisoner and a president in my country.
3
i was born in 1918
in a small village in south africa.
4
my father, henry mandela, was the
chief of our tribe.
1 5
as a child, i took care of the family's cattle and goats.
6
when i grew up, i decided to become a lawyer.
7
this seemed to be a
good way to help my people.
8
after i became a lawyer, i became the
leader of a group of young africans who wanted to change the system of
discrimination
2
in our country.
9
because of my political activities, i went
to prison for twenty-seven years.
10
the prison was on a cold, windy
island in the atlantic ocean.
11
however, the world didn't forget about me.
12
i received important visitors, awards, and university degrees from all
over the world.
13
i also learned afrikaans, which is the language of white
south africans.
14
of course, i also speak english and xhosa, which is the
language of my tribe.
15
in 1990, i was set free.
16
i became the president
of south africa in 1994.
17
during my time in office, i tried to bring peace,
democracy, and prosperity to all of my country's people.
18
now i am
retired.
A journal is a notebook in which you write about your life and your thoughts.
Each time you write in your journal, you make a journal entry.
Your teacher will not grade your journal, so journal writing is a good way to
practice new skills without worrying about a grade. Your teacher will read each
entry and make comments. He or she may ask questions for you to answer in
your next entry. You can also write questions to your teacher in your journal.
A journal can be like a conversation.
1
tribe: group of people who live in the same area and have the same customs. beliefs, and leader
2
discrimination: treating one group of people differently from another in an unfair way
MODEL
Journal E'ntry
Chapter J I Introducing People 19
Your teacher may ask you to write for a certain amount of time every day or
every week, or he or she may ask you to write a certain number of pages. It is a
good idea to write the date and your starting and stopping times above each entry.
Here is a sample page from a student's journal.
September 2() _
Start: 8:15 P.M.
Stop: P.M .
................................................................................................................................................................................................
i ..
.... ............... , ............ . .. .. .................. .
: i W.i1ii : :

................... i .................................................................................................................... ....................................................... .
................... .... .. .. .. . .J ... ... .. ...................... .

................... i ........................................................................ .......................................................... ........................................ ..
I =:===1 :
l there. Then I ...

................... ! ........................................................................................................................................................................... .
................... 1" ........................................................................................................................................................................ ..
Journal Assignment
Your first journal assignment is to introduce yourself to your teacher. Practice
what you have learned about capital letters. Include as many proper nouns as
possible in order to practice the capitalization rules.
Write about your childhood, your hometown, your family, your education,
your hobbies, or anything else that your teacher might find interesting. Leave lots
of space for your teacher to make comments or to ask for more information.
For other topics to write about in your journal, see the topic suggestions in
Appendix A at the back of the book.
20 First Steps in Academic Writing
PART 3 I Sentence Structure
Simple
Sentences
Now let's begin to study the different kinds of sentences in English.
There are four kinds of sentences in English: ( I) simple, (2) compound,
(3) complex, and (4) compound-complex. In this chapter, you will learn about
simple sentences.
I A simple sentence is a sentence that has one subject-verb pair. I
The word simple in "simple sentence" doesn't ,mean "easy." It means "one
subject-verb pair."
The subject in a simple sentence may be compound:
1
My brother and I are completely different.
The verb in a simple sentence may be compound:
They laughed and cried at the same time.
However, each sentence is a simple sentence because it has only one subject-
verb pair.
Analyze the simple sentences in the left column and their "formulas" in the
right column. There are many variations, but each sentence has only one SV pair.
Simple Sentences "Formulas"
s v
1. My younger sister speaks English well. sv
s s v
2. My mother and father speak English well. ssv
s s v v
3. My mother and father speak and write English well. ssvv
s v
4. My parents will retire soon. sv
s v v
5. Then they will move into a smaller apartment or live with S V V
my older brother and his family. -
1
compound: In grammar, compound means "more than one."
-
PR!\CTlCE 8
Simple
Sentence
Patterns
Chapter I I Introducing People 2J
The following sentence is not a simple sentence because it has two subject-
verb pairs. The formula looks like this: SV SV. You will learn more about this
kind of sentence in Chapter 2.
s v s v
My brother lives in New York, and my sister lives in Paris.
When you look for verbs, count only verbs that change tense.
My grandmother wants to learn to drive.
(Count only wants. Do not count to learn or to drive because they
do not change tense. Verbs with to in front of them are infinitives.
Infinitives never change.)
My sister will teach in exchange for cooking lessons.
(Count will teach as one verb, not two.)
A duck is swimming in the hotel swimming pool.
(Count only the first is swimming. The second swimming is not
a verb; it is a special kind of adjective called a participle.)
Swimming is my favorite way to exercise.
(Count only is. In this sentence, swimming is a special kind of noun
called a gerund.)
A. Identify the formula in the following simple sentences.
Step 1 Underline the subjects with one line.
Step 2 Underline the verbs with two lines.
Step 3 WriteS above each underlined subject and V above each underlined verb.
Step 4 Finally, write the formula for each sentence in the numbered spaces.
My Grandfather
5 v
1
My grandfather is old in years but young in spirit.
2
Every day, he
swims a mile and works in his garden.
3
He and my grandmother have
four children and ten grandchildren.
4
My grandfather loves parties and
invites our entire family to his house for a big dinner on his birthday.
(continued on next page)
22 First Steps in Academic Writing
5
AII twenty of us eat and tell stories half the night.
6
He never gets tired
and is always the last to go to bed.
7
0n his last birthday, my brothers
and I gave him a present.
8
We put our money together and bought him
a video game system.
9
Now he invites us to his house every weekend to
play video games with him.
10
My grandfather will always seem young
tome.
l.SV
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
lO.
B. Work first by yourself, and then with a partner.
Step 1 Write six simple sentences about your family or family members.
Use each of these patterns twice: SV, SSV, SVV.
Step 2 Show your sentences to your partner. Ask your partner to identify
the pattern in each sentence.
SVVI. My youngest brother goes to school
and works part-time.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Connecting
ords:
d,or
Chapter I I Introducing People 23
Often you need to connect words or groups of words in a sentence. One way to
do this is to use a connecting word. Connecting words are called conjunctions.
There are many conjunctions in English. Two of the most common ones are and
and or. They have different meanings.
And joins two or more similar things in positive sentences.
I like Chinese and Italian food.
We have class on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Or connects two or more similar things in negative sentences.
I don't like warm milk or cold coffee.
We don't have class on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Or also connects two or more choices or alternatives.
I would like to go to London, Rome, or Paris on my next vacation.
(I cannot go to all three places. I will choose one.)
My father or my mother will meet me at the airport.
(This sentence means that only one person will come to the airport.
Compare: My father and my.mother will meet me at the airport.
This sentence means that two people will come to the airport.)
Use t6is chart to help you remember the meanings of and and or in a simple
sentence.
. + +
Use and to join two or more items in a positive sentence .
I love tacos, pizza, and egg rolls.
- - Use or to join two or more items in a negative sentence.
I don't like hot dogs or hamburgers.
T? F? Also, use or to connect choices.
Is this sentence true or false?
Do you want to stay home or go out tonight?
24 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRJ\CTtCE 9
Using and, or
Helen Keller
Combine the two sentences in each pair to make one sentence. Use and or or
according to the meaning. Try not to repeat any words.
1. I like chocolate ice cream. I like coffee ice cream.
I like chocolate and coffee ice cream.
2. I can speak English. I can understand English.
3. I can't speak Tagalog. I can't speak Vietnamese.
4. Blue is my favorite color. Yellow is my favorite color. (Be sure to make
the verb and the word color plural.)
5. Would you like soup? Would you like salad? (You can have only one.)
6. You can eat your pizza here. You can take it home.
7. Helen Keller, a famous American woman, was blind. Helen Keller,
a famous American woman, was deaf.
8. She could not see. She could not hear.
9. With the help of her teacher, Helen learned to speak. Helen became
a famous spokesperson for handicapped people all over the world.
tence
bining
Chapter I I Introducing People 25
Sentence combining is a way to improve your sentence-writing skills. When you
do a sentence-combining exercise like the Practice you just completed, you
combine two (or more) short sentences into one longer sentence. All the long
sentences together make a paragraph.
There may be several correct ways to combine the sentences. However, there
are a few rules to follow.
I. Don' t repeat words if possible. For example, in example 1 below, don't
repeat I am.
2. You may omit words, but don't leave out any important information.
3. You may change words. For example, you may change a noun to a
pronoun or make a singular word plural.
4. You may add words. For example, in example 2, you need to add the
connecting word and.
Your goal is to write smooth, grammatically correct sentences that contain all
the information but do not repeat any of it.
Example 1
a. I am a man.
b. I am famous.
Combined sentence: I am a famous man.
I am a man and I am famous is a grammatically correct sentence, but a native
speaker would not write it because a native speaker would not repeat the
words I am. Another possible sentence is I am a man who is famous, but this
sentence contains unnecessary words.
Example 2
a. I have white hair.
b. I have a long white beard.
Combined sentence: I have white hair and a long white beard.
You must keep the word white in the expressions white hair and a long white
beard because it is important information.
26 First Steps in Academic Writing
Tf1! 1t Out! Step 1 Combine the sentences in each pair to make one sentence. There may
be more than one correct way to combine the sentences.
Step 2 Write your new sentences in paragraph form. Do not number the
sentences, and do not write them in a list. Write them as a paragraph.
Who Am I?
I. a. I am a cartoon animal.
b. I am famous.
I am a famous cartoon animal.
2. a. I have big ears.
b. I have blac-k ears.
3. a. I always wear red shorts.
b. I always wear white gloves.
4. a. I look like an animal.
b. I talk like a human.
5. a. I live in a place called Disneyland.
b. I work in a place called Disneyland.
6. a. In Disneyland, I stand around.
b. In Disneyland, I smile a lot.
7. a. I usually team up with
1
my friend Goofy.
b. I usually team up with my friend Minnie.
(I team up with only one friend at a time.)
1
team up with: work together as a team
8. a. Together we greet visitors.
b. We pose for photographs.
Chapter I I lntroducing People 27
9. lam ____________________________________________ _
(Write the name of this cartoon animal. Do not write your own name.)
Who Am I?
I am a famous cartoon animal.
PART 4 I Writing
Review
Questions
Check your understanding of the important points in this chapter by answering
the following questions.
Organization
1. What is a paragraph?
2. Can a paragraph discuss more than one topic?
3. What are the three parts of a paragraph?
4. Where do you write the title of a paragraph?
5. What is indenting?
6. What are margins?
28 First Steps in Academic Writing
The Writing
Process
Grammar and Capitalization
7. What is a sentence?
8. What is a subject? What is a verb?
9. Do sentences in English aiways have a subject? What is the only
exception to this rule?
l 0. Do sentences in English always have a verb? Are there any exceptions
to this rule?
11. Do sentences in English always have an object?
12. What are six rules for capitalizing words in English?
Sentence Structure
13. What is a simple sentence?
14. What are four simple sentence "formulas"?
15. What kind of ideas do you connect with and?
16. When do you use or? (Give two answers.)
Good writing is more than just sitting down and "talking" on a piece of paper.
Good writing involves thinking, planning, writing, and revising. You become a
good writer by always using these four steps:
1. Prewrite to get ideas and organize them.
2. Write the first draft.
3. Edit: Check and revise your work.
4. Write the final copy.
Step 1 Prewrite to get ideas-freewriting.
In the prewriting step, you get ideas to write about. Taking notes is one way to
gather ideas. You did this kind of prewriting for the paragraph you wrote about
a classmate. Another way to get ideas is called freewriting. Here is how to do
freewriting.
Choose a topic and write it at the top of a piece of paper. Then write whatever
sentences come into your mind about the topic. Write horizontally across the
paper as you do when you write a letter.
Don't worry about grammar, spelling, or punctuation, and don't worry about
putting your ideas into any kind of order. You don't even have to write complete
sentences. Just write everything that comes into your mind about your topic. If
you can't think of an English word, write it in your own language. The goal is to
keep writing without stopping for about ten minutes or until you run out of ideas.
MODEL
Freewriti ng
MODEL
Edited
Freewriting
Chapter I I Introducing People 29
Here is an example offreewriting. It has several mistakes which the writer will
correct in a later draft.
'
Freewriting About my Grandmother
My grandmother. She was a good cook. 1he best cook. Every
weekend we have a big dinner. With big. big bowls of food. Lots of talking.
Everybody in the family there. Every time we eat the same food. but
we always love it. Is our favorite meal. She never mad at us. She always
defends us when we are in trouble with our parents. One time I picked
all the roses in her garden. She not even mad then. Grandmother
kind and generous. She gives food to poor people. She never makes
them feel bad about taking it. Makes people feel good, just as she
made me feel good when I picked all the roses. Thanked me for
the beautiful bouquet. Mother really angry. Grandmother always forgives.
Forgiving heart.
After you have run out of ideas, edit your freewriting. (Remember that edit
means to review and change writing in order to improve it.) Read what you have
written and choose one main idea for your paragraph. Cross out ideas that aren't
related to the one main idea.
In the model, the student decided to write about her grandmother' s kindness
and forgiving heart. She crossed out the parts about cooking and food.
Freewriting About my Grandmother
My grandmother. Sl=le ~ , a . , a geee eeek: The se.,t eeek: aeP)
HeekeAfl ,;e !=IEI'te a sig eiAAef'. Witl=l sig. sig Se'lll:! ef Feee. ~ eF talkiAg.
e.e...,seay iA tl=le Fafflil, tl=lePe. ae..., tifl'le \ie eat tl=le :!affle Feee, stlt
'n'e ah.EI)., le.,e it. '[., e t ~ P F&rePite ffleal. She never mad at us. She always
defends us when we are in trouble with our parents. One time I picked
all the roses in her garden. She not mad even then. (Grandmother
kind and generous) She gives food to poor people. She never makes
them feel bad about taking it. Makes people feel good, just as she made
me feel good when I picked all the roses. Thanked me for the beautiful
bouquet. Mother really angry. Grandmother always forgives. Forgiving
heart.
30 First Steps in Academic Writing
MODEL
First Draft
Step 2 Write the first draft.
In the second step, you write your paragraph in rough form without worrying too
much about errors. This first writing is called the first draft or the rough draft.
My Grandmother
My grandmother kind and generous. She never mad at us. She always
makes people feel good. One time I picked all the roses in her garden.
She not mad even then. She made me feel good. Thanked me for
the beautiful bouquet. Grandmother gives food to poor people. She never
makes them feel bad about taking it. Makes people feel good, just as she
made me feel good when I picked all the roses. Grandmother always
forgive. Forgiving heart.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
In the third step, you edit your paragraph. When you edit something, you check
it and make changes and corrections. Editing is usually a two-step process.
In the first step, you check the paragraph as a whole. Is the meaning
clear?
In the second step, you check the paragraph for good form, organization,
grammar, punctuation, spelling, and so on.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
In the last step, you write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to your
teacher.
Here is the final copy of our model paragraph. The corrections made by the
writer include these:
She crossed out unnecessary sentences.
She added missing subjects and verbs.
She moved sentences.
She changed the ending to match the beginning.
'100El
Final Copy
Writing
Assignment
Chapter I I lntroducing People 31
My Grandmother
My grandmother is kind and generous. She always makes people
feel good. One time I picked all the roses in her garden. She wasn't mad
even then. She thanked me for giving her a beautiful bouquet.
Grandmother also gives food to poor people. She never makes them feel
bad about taking it. She makes them feel good, just as she made me
feel good when I picked all the roses. I will always remember my
grandmother's kindness and generosity.
Write a paragraph about your family or about one person in your family. Use
the paragraph "My Grandfather" on pages 21 and 22 or the final copy of
"My Grandmother" just above as a model. Practice everything you have
learned in this unit.
Use the four steps in the writing process:
Step 1 Prewrite to get ideas.
Freewrite about your family or about one person in your family for
about ten minutes. Read your freewriting and mark it up. Circle
ideas that you will use in your paragraph. Cross out ideas that you
won't use.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFT at the top of your paper.
Write the paragraph. Begin it with a sentence that describes your
family or family member in general.
My family is small and close.
My grandfather is old in years but young in spirit.
My brother is the irresponsible one in our family.
Write about eight to ten more sentences about your family or family
member. In these sentences, explain what you wrote in your first
sentence. How does your family show that they are close? How does
your grandfather show that he is young in spirit? In what ways is
your brother irresponsible?
End your paragraph with a sentence that tells how you feel about
your family or family member.
Now we live far from each other, but we will always feel close
in our -hearts.
My grandfather will always seem young to me.
My brother will never grow up.
32 First Steps in Academic Writing
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
First, read your paragraph to a classmate, and ask him or her to
complete Reader's Response lB on page 192. Write a second draft.
Second, check your paragraph against Writer's Self-Check lB on
page 193 to check your own paragraph. Revise your paragraph and
write a third draft if necessary.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to the teacher.
Your teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting and your
other drafts.
Listing-Order Paragraphs
Chapter Preview
Prewriting Activity: Clustering
Part 1: Organization
Listing-Order Paragraphs
The Three Parts of a Paragraph
Outlining
Part 2: Sentence Structure
Compound Sentences
Two Sentence Errors: Run-ons and Comma Splices
Part 3: Writing
33
34 First Steps in Academic Writing
- ; - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chapter Preview
Prewriting
Activif1':
Clustering
In this chapter, you will write paragraphs that use the listing-order pattern of
organization. You will al so study and practice:
the three parts of a paragraph
listing-order transition signals
paragraph unity
simple outlining
compound sentences
two common sentence errors
Choose a job or profession that you have or would like to have in the future.
Here are some possibilities. If you wish, add other jobs that are not on this list.
carpenter chef teacher animal trainer
psychologist politician TV news reporter professional athlete
salesperson dentist architect actor
jockey waiter coach
fashion designer mechanic model
Discuss the topic with your whole class first, and then work by yourself or in
small groups.
1. What characteristics or special abilities does a person need to be successful
at the job you have chosen?
A characteristic is a personal quality that is part of a person's
personality. Examples of characteristics are shyness, boldness,
patience, honesty, and creativity. A characteristic is something that
you are.
An ability is a physical or mental skill. For example, some jobs need
people who are good at math, who are good public speakers, or who
work well with their hands. An ability is something you can do.
Look at the list of some possible characteri stics and abilities. Discuss new
words, or ask your teacher to tell you other words and expressions that you
need.
djectives
:::
mpassionate

=edicated
=ependable
=ligent
diplomatic
fair
humorous
intelligent
knowledgeable
organized
patient
self -confident
Clustering
MODEL
Clustering I
Chapter 2 I Listing-Order Paragraphs 35
Characteristics and Abilities
Nouns
charisma
compassion
creativity
dedication
dependability
diligence
diplomacy
fairness
humor
intelligence
knowledge
organization
patience
self-confidence
Other
is good at math
is a good public speaker
is a leader
likes travel
works well with children
works well with hands
writes well
2. Now think of at least three characteristics and abilities for the job you are
writing about Use the clustering technique described in the next section to
help you.
Clustering is a prewriting technique that helps you get ideas to write about. Here
is how to do clustering.
Begin by writing your chosen job or profession in the center of a piece of paper.
Draw a circle around it. Then think about characteristics and abilities necessary for
that job, and write down every idea that comes into your mind. Don't stop to worry
if the idea is a good one or not. Write words or phrases in circles around the main
circle and then connect them to the main circle like in the picture on page 36.
36 First Steps in Academic Writing
MODEL
Clustering 2
Next, think about the word or phrase in each circle. Try to think of something
that illustrates the word or phrase, such as a situation when the person would
need a certain characteristic or ability. Also, cross out circles that you don't want.
From these clusters, or groups of circles, you can begin to see which ideas to
use and which ones to throw away. Use the clusters that have the most circles.
Throw away the ones that have few circles because they didn't produce many ideas.
Keep your clustering paper. You will use it later to write a paragraph.
PART 1 I Organization
Organization is one of the most important writing skills. A well-organized
paragraph is easy to read and understand because the ideas are in a recognizable
pattern. Just as you organize tools on a workbench or clothes in a closet, you also
organize sentences in a paragraph. Listing order is a pattern often used in
English.
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 37
- -------------------------------;; ... j
listing-Order In a listing-order paragraph, you divide the topic into separate points. Then you
Paragraphs discuss one point, and then another point, and then a third point, and so on.
MODEL
Usting-Order
Paragraph
There are three keys to writing a listing-order paragraph:
I. Begin with a sentence that names your topic and says it has several
points.
2. Write about each point separately.
3. End with a sentence that reminds your reader about the points you
just discussed.
As you read the model paragraph, notice the separate points discussed.
Flight Attendants
1 Flight attendants have three important characteristics. 2First of all,
flight attendants are friendly. 3They enjoy greeting passengers and
making them feel comfortable. 4Sometimes passengers are afraid of
flying. SA friendly flight attendant can talk to them and help them feel
calm. 6For example, he or she can explain strange noises made by the
aircraft. 7Second, flight attendants are self-confident. BThey give
instructions to passengers, and they must be firm enough so that
passengers obey them. 9This characteristic is especially important in
emergencies. 10Third, flight attendants are physically strong. 11They push
heavy carts of food and drinks up and down the aisles. 12They also have
to open and close the heavy doors of airplanes. 131n short, flight
attendants are friendly, self-confident, and strong.
Questions on the Model
I. Look at the title. What is the topic of this paragraph?
2. Look at the first sentence. What does it say about the topic?
3. How many points should the reader look for in this paragraph?
4. List the points here: __________________ _
5. Now look at the last sentence. What information does it repeat?
38 First Steps in Academic Writing
The Three
Parts of a
Paragraph
In Chapter 1, you learned that a paragraph has three parts: a topic sentence,
supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Now we will study each part
of a paragraph in more detail.
The Topic Sentence
Topic Sentence
t
The most important sentence in a paragraph is the topic sentence. It
is called the topic sentence because it tells the reader what the
topic of the paragraph is. In other words, it tells the reader what he
or she is going to read about. The topic sentence is usually the first
sentence in a paragraph. It is the top piece of bread in our paragraph
"cheeseburger sandwich."
The Two Parts of a Topic Sentence
A topic sentence has two parts: a topic and a controlling idea. The topic part
names the topic. The controlling idea part tells what the paragraph will say about
the topic. J.t t e l l ~ the reader: This paragraph will discuss these things-and only
these things-about this topic.
For example, the topic of the model paragraph on page 37 is flight attendants.
What will the paragraph say about flight attendants? The controlling idea tells
us: They have three characteristics. The paragraph will not tell us about their
uniforms, their training, or their duties. It will only discuss three characteristics
that flight attendants have.
Here are examples of other topic sentences. The topic in all three examples is
the same: English. The controlling idea in each says something different about
English. From the controlling ideas, can you imagine what the rest of the
paragraph will say about English?
English is constantly adding new words.
English borrows words from other languages.
English is necessary for many different jobs.
J
PRI\CT1CE 1
Two Parts
of a Topic
Sentence
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 39

Usually, the topic comes first and the controlling idea comes second in the
topic sentence. However, the controlling idea may come first. In the a sentences,
the topic is first. In the b sentences, the controlling idea is first.
L TOPIC :l CONTROLLI NG IDEA -----,
a. English borrows words from other languages.
,---- C ONTROLLING IDEA C TOPIC I
b. Other languages give words to English.
I TOPIC I CONTROLLING IDEA -----,
a. English is necessary for many different jobs.
,---- CONTROLLI NG IDEA TOPIC I
b. Many different jobs require English.
The following paragraphs show how the controlling idea of a topic sentence
controls a paragraph. The topic of all three paragraphs is the same: beaches.
However, the content of each paragraph is quite different because the
controlling idea is different.
Step 1 Find the topic sentence in each paragraph.
Step 2 Draw a circle around the topic and underline the controlling idea.
There is one topic sentence in which the topic comes after the
controlling idea.
The first one has been done as an Example.
Paragraph 1
Beaches
offer different gleasures to different kinds of geogle. Solitary
1
people can enjoy sunbathing or reading. Social people can usually find
someone to talk to or take a walk with. Curious individuals can collect
seashells or study the habits of seashore creatures, such as sand crabs
or seagulls. Athletes can swim, surf, jog, or play football or volleyball.
Indeed, every type of person can find enjoyment at a beach.
1
solitary: al one, without companionship
--
40 First Steps in Academic Writing
.. ~ . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Paragraph 2
Beaches
Beaches are fun in summer and in winter. In summer, you can swim and
do many other water sports. If you don't like water sports, you can play beach
games or relax on the warm sand. In winter, beaches are less crowded, so
they are good places for solitary walks. Also, on a clear winter night, nothing
is more fun than sitting with a group of friends around a big bonfire, talking,
laughing, and singing. Indeed, a beach is a place to have fun all year.
Paragraph 3
Beaches
Beaches differ in various parts of the world. Thailand has miles of empty
beaches. They are beautiful, clean, and uncrowded, even in summer. You can
spend the whole afternoon on a beach and not see another person. In Japan,
on the other hand, the beaches are very crowded. You can hardly find a
place to sit down at the more popular Japanese beaches. The beaches in
Northern Europe differ in another way. The water is cold, so most people go
to the beach only to sunbathe. Along the French Riviera, the beaches are
rocky, not sandy as they are on tropical islands. Each type of beach-empty
or crowded, sandy or rocky-has its own special characteristics to enjoy.
Paragraph 4
Beaches
People of all ages have fun at beaches. First, young children love going
to a beach. Children love to splash in the water, jump in the waves, and play
in the sand. They happily dig holes, fill buckets, and build sand castles all
day long. A second group of people who have fun at a beach are teenagers.
Teenagers enjoy active water sports, such as surfing, jet skiing, and
boardsailing. They also like to just "hang out"' at the beach with their friends.
Third, senior citizens
2
have a good time at the beach, too. They take long
walks along the water's edge or simply relax and enjoy the sunshine. In brief,
children, teenagers, and grandparents can all have fun at a beach.
1
hang out: relax and socialize (slang)
2
senior citizens: people older than about sixty-five
PR/\CTtCE 1
Topic Sentences
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 41
----------------------------------------------------------------..
A. Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea in each of the following
topic sentences. There is one topic sentence in which the topic comes after
the controlling idea.
1. (Good have four characteristics.
2. College students take many kinds of tests.
3. Small cars have several advantages.
4. Big cars are safer than small cars for two reasons.
5. A baseball player must master several skills.
6. Living with your parents has certain advantages.
7. Living with your parents has certain disadvantages.
8. Talent and dedication are two characteristics of Olympic athletes.
9. The Middle East is the birthplace of three major religions.
10. Tokyo has excellent public transportation systems.
11 . Tokyo is one of world's most expensive cities.
B. Read each paragraph. Then choose the best topic sentence and write it on
the line provided.
1.
2.
________________ . First, living in a foreign country helps
you learn another language faster than studying it at school. Second,
you can learn directly about the history, geography, and culture of
a country. Third, you become a more toleranP person because you
experience different ways of living. Fourth, living in a foreign country
makes you appreciate your own country better.
a. Living in a foreign country helps you learn.
b. Everyone should live in a foreign country for a while.
c. Living in a foreign country has four benefits.
____________ . Some colleges and universities in the
United States are private. Private colleges and universities do not get
money from taxes, so they are usually more expensive. Other colleges
and universities are public; that is, the citizens of each state pay some
of the costs through their taxes. As a result, public colleges are
cheaper for students to attend. No matter which type of college you
attend-public or private, you can get a good education.
a. There are two main types of colleges and universities in the United States.
b. Public colleges and universities get money from taxes.
c. There are many colleges and universities in the United States.
(continued on next page)
3
tolerant: accepting of differences
42 First Steps in Academic Writing
3.
4.
__________ . One reason for choosing a small college
is that classes are small. The average class in a small college is twenty
students. Another reason is that it is easy to meet with professors.
Professors in small colleges have time to help students and are usually
happy to do so. In addition, small colleges are friendly, so new students
make friends quickly. For these three reasons, small colleges are better
than large universities for many students.
a. Small colleges are friendlier than large universities.
b. There are several reasons for attending a small college instead of
a large university.
c. You can get an excellent education at a small college.
------------,- First of all, employers want workers to
be dependable. That is, they want workers who come to work every day.
Second, employers want workers who are responsible. Can the boss
give the worker a project to do and know that it will be done well? Third,
employers look for workers who can work well with others. The ability
to get along with co-workers is important to the success of a business.
To summarize, employers look for dependable, responsible team players.
a. It is difficult to find good employees these days.
b. Employers read job applications very carefully.
c. Employers look for three main qualities in their employees.
C. Write a topic sentence for each of the following paragraphs.
1.
2.
__________ . Green curry is the hottest Thai curry. People
who like very spicy food will enjoy green curry. Red curry is medium hot.
It is flavorful, but it doesn't burn your mouth. Yellow curry is the mildest
of all. It is usually the choice of people who eat Thai food for the first time.
In short, you have three delicious choices when you order Thai curry.
__________ . First, good teachers know their subject very
well. That is, a math teacher has advanced education in mathematics,
and an English teacher is an expert in English grammar. Second,, good
teachers must be good communicators. Being a good communicator
means presenting information in ways that students can understand.
Third, good teachers are enthusiastic. That is, they are so interested
in their subject that they make it fun to learn. To summarize, good
teachers have expert knowledge, good communication skills, and
contagious' enthusiasm.
1
contagious: can be transmitted from one person to another person
Chapter 2 I Listing-Order Paragraphs 43
---------------------------------:.
3.
__________ . The first type of shopper doesn't like to
waste time. She knows what she wants to buy and how much she
wants to pay. If the store has what she wants, she buys it and leaves.
She is a good kind of customer because she doesn't take too much
of a salesperson's time. A second type of shopper comes into a store
with a general idea of what she wants, listens to the salesperson's
suggestions, tries on a few items, and makes a decision. She is also
a good kind of customer. A third kind of shopper has no idea what
she wants. She spends two hours trying on one outfitl after another.
She takes up a lot of a salesperson's time and sometimes doesn't
buy anything. In conclusion, the first two types of shoppers are a
salesperson's dream, but the third type is a salesperson's nightmare.
D. Add two different controlling ideas to these topics to make complete topic
sentences.
l. Sports
Different sports are played at different times of the year.
Each country has its own favorite sport.
2. International students
3. Hollywood movies
4. Automobile drivers
5. Restaurants
6. (Your town, city, or country) .
2
outfit: set of clothes worn together
44 First Steps in Academic Writing
... --- ----------------------------------
PRA.CTICE 3
Supporting
Sentences
Supporting Sentences
The middle sentences of a paragraph are the supporting sentences. Supporting
sentences explain or prove the idea in the topic sentence. They are the "filling" in
a paragraph "sandwich." The supporting sentences are the biggest part of a
paragraph, just as the filling is the biggest part of a sandwich.
Work with a partner or in a small group. Discuss possible supporting points for
these topic sentences from Practice 2A on page 41. Write your points in the
spaces below each sentence. You do not have to write complete sentences.
1. (Good roommate0have four characteristics.
a. are neat. tidy
b. are cheerful
c. share houseworK
d. pay their share of the rent on time
2. College students take many kinds of tests.
a. -----------------------------
b. -------------------------------------------------
c. -----------------------------
3. Small cars have several advantages.
a. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
b. ______________________________________________ _
c. --------------------------------------
4. Big cars are safer than small cars for two reasons.
a. ----------------------------------
b. -------------------------------------------------
5. A baseball player must master several skills.
a. ---------------------------------------------
b. ______________________________________________ _
c. ---------------------------------------------
d. ______________________________________________ ___
6. Living with your parents has certain advantages.
a. ------------------------------------------
b. ______________________________________________ ___
c. ------------------------------------
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 45
---------------------------------:.
7. Living with your parents has certain disadvantages.
a. ------------------------------
b. _______________________________________________ _
c. -----------------------------
Listing-Order Transition Signals
A transition signal is a word or phrase that shows how one idea is related to
another idea. In a listing-order paragraph, use transition signals such as First,
Second, and Third to tell your reader that these are main points.
Here are some transition signals that show listing order.
Listing-Order Signals
1. First, 2. also
First of all, , also.
Second,
Third,
In addition,
Also,
Finally,
1. Place most listing-order transition signals at the beginning of the
sentence, and put a comma after them.
First, living in a foreign country helps you learn another language
faster than studying it at school.
In addition, small colleges are friendlier, so new students make
friends more quickly.
Also, on a clear winter night, nothing is more fun than sitting with
a group of friends around a big bonfire, talking, laughing, and
singing.
2. Also may come in the middle of a sentence (between the subject and the
verb) without a comma or at the end of a sentence with a comma.
They also like to "hang out" at the beach with their friends.
They like to "hang out" at the beach with their friends, also.
46 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRJ\CTICE 4
Listing-Order
Transition
Signals
A. Identify listing-order signals.
Step 1 Circle the listing-order transition signals in the model paragraph about
flight attendants on page 37.
Step 2 Copy the transition signals for the three main points of the model
paragraph:
Transition signal for the first main point: _________ _
Transition signal for the second main point: _________ _
Transition signal for the third main point: _________ _
Step 3 What other listing-order transition signal can you find in the model
paragraph? Write it here: _________ _
B. Read the paragraph about human intelligence that follows. Add listing-order
signals in the blank spaces, and add commas where they are necessary.
Kinds of lntelligence
1
There are many kinds of intelligence. (1) there is
mathematical-logical intelligence. People with this kind of intelligence
become mathematicians, scientists, or engineers. (2) ______ there
is linguistic
2
intelligence. People with linguistic intelligence are good at
language, so they become poets and writers. We are familiar with these
first two kinds of intelligence, but other kinds are not so familiar. There
are (3) spatial and musical kinds of intelligence. Spatial
intelligence is necessary for architects and artists, and musical intelligence is
necessary for musicians. (4) there is kinesthetic
3
intelligence.
Athletes and dancers have kinesthetic intelligence. Personal intelligence is
a kind of intelligence (5) . . People with personal intelligence
manage people well, so they become leaders of society. In short, there is
more than one way to be smart.
Paragraph Unity
Here is an important rule to remember when you write supporting sentences.
A paragraph must follow the rule of unity. All the sentences in
a paragraph are about one main idea.
Another way of expressing the rule of unity is to say that all the supporting
sentences in a paragraph must be relevant. Relevant means "directly related to
the main idea." For example, if your paragraph is about your mother's good
1
Thi s paragraph is based on the work of Howard Gardner, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of
Education.
2
1inguistic: related to language
-' kinesthetic: related to movement of the human body
PRACTICE 5
Paragraph
~ n i t y
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 47
cooking, a sentence such as My sister is also a good cook is not relevant because
the paragraph is about your mother, not your sister. When you write a paragraph,
make sure that all of your supporting sentences are relevant. The opposite of
relevant is irrelevant.
Step 1 Read the following paragraphs and locate the topic sentence in each.
Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea.
Step 2 In each paragraph, two sentences break the rule of unity. Find these
irrelevant sentences, and cross them out.
Paragraph 1
California
1
California is a state with every type of geography.
2
lt has mountains
where you can enjoy the winter sports of skiing, snowboarding, and
snowshoeing.
3
lt has deserts where temperatures can reach 11 ooF (43C)
in the summer.
4
lt has beaches where you can surf, swim, and fish.
5
lt has
forests where the world's tallest trees grow.
6
Finally, it has farmland where a
lot of the nation's fruits and vegetables grow.
7
California also has Hollywood
and Disneyland, which are world-famous centers of entertainment.
8
California
is a popular place to live, so many people move there every year.
9
lndeed,
California has it all: mountains, deserts, beaches, and farms.
Paragraph 2
Nurses
1
A nurse should have at least five characteristics.
2
First, he or she must
be a caring person.
3
He or she must have genuine concern about sick,
injured, frightened people.
4
Second, a nurse must be organized.
5
lf a nurse
forgets to give a patient his or her medicine on time, the consequences could
be serious.
6
Third, a nurse must be calm.
7
He or she may have to make a life-
and-death decision in an emergency, and a calm person makes better
decisions than an excitable one.
8
Doctors need to stay calm in emergencies,
too.
9
ln addition, a nurse should be physically strong because nursing
requires a lot of hard physical work.
1
Finally, a nurse must be intelligent
enough to learn subjects ranging from chemistry to psychology and to
operate the complex machinery used in hospitals today.
11
There is a shortage
of nurses today, so they earn good salaries.
12
1n brief, nursing is a profession
for people who are caring, organized, calm, strong, and smart.
48 First Steps in Academic Writing
.. ,.:---------------------------------
t
Concluding Sentence
The Concluding Sentence
Paragraphs that stand alone (that is, paragraphs that are not part of a longer
composition) often have a concluding sentence at the end. A concluding
sentence closes the paragraph so that the reader is not left expecting more.
I. Sometimes a concluding sentence reminds the reader of the main point
by restating the topic sentence in different words.
Indeed, a beach is a place to have fun all year.
In short, you have three delicious choices when you order Thai curry.
2. Sometimes a concluding sentence summarizes the main points.
In short, flight attendants are friendly, self-confident, and strong.
To summarize, employers look for dependable, responsible team
players.
Do NOT introduce a new idea in your concluding sentence. Just review or
repeat the ideas you have already discussed. Don't add anything new.
WRONG Also, flight attendants love to travel.
WRONG In conclusion, I hope to become a flight attendant some day.
Use a transition signal to tell your reader that this is the end of your paragraph.
The following chart lists several conclusion signals. Notice that there is always
a comma after conclusion signals.
Conclusion Signals
1
To conclude,
In conclusion,
To sum up,
To summarize,
In summary,
In brief,
In short,
Indeed,
1
Many teachers tell students not to use the phrases In conclusion and In summary, but they are listed here
because students encounter them in reading.
PRI\.CTtCE 6
Concludjng
Sentences
Chapter 2 I Listing-Order Paragraphs 49
---------------------------------::
A. Read the following paragraphs. Then choose the best concluding sentence
for it.
Paragraph 1
There are two reasons I love big cities. First of all, big cities are alive
24/7. You can go shopping, see a movie, exercise at a gym, get something
to eat, or go roller skating at any time of the day or night. Second, I love
big cities because of their anonymity.
2
You can be completely invisible in big
cities. No one watches your daily comings and goings.' Neighbors don't
bother you as long as you don't bother them. You can stay out all night
or stay home all day, and no one cares.
a. To sum up, I love big cities because you can be independent.
b. In short, big cities attract me because there are so many things to do.
c. In brief, I like big cities because of their energy and anonymity.
Paragraph 2
There are two reasons I hate big cities. First of all, big cities are full of
noise 24/7. You can hear horns honking, traffic roaring, music blaring, and
people talking at all hours of the day and night. It is never quiet in a big city.
Second, I hate big cities because of their anonymity. No one knows or cares
about you. Neighbors who have lived next door to each other for many years
don't even know each others' names. You can be very lonely in a big city.
a. In brief, big cities are noisy, lonely places to live.
b. In conclusion, I prefer to live in a small town, where it is quieter and
people are friendlier.
c. Also, big cities have a lot of crime.
(continued on next page)
2
anonymity: condition of being unknown
3
comings and goings: activities; times when you leave your house and return to it (informal)
50 First Steps in Academic Writing
.... J:------ --------------- ------------
B. Write a concluding sentence for the following paragraphs.
Paragraph 1
Goldfish have three characteristics that make them good pets. First of
all, goldfish are very quiet. They don't bark, howl, meow, chirp, squawk,
screech,
1
or race around the house at night while you and your neighbors are
trying to sleep. Second, they are economical. You can buy a goldfish at your
local pet store for about 50, and a small bowl for it costs less than $3.00.
Water is practically free. Also, they eat only a pinch of dried fish food daily,
so their food bill is quite low. Third, goldfish are very well behaved. They
don't have teeth, so they can't chew your furniture or bite your guests.
They don't ever go outside, so they can't dig holes in your garden. In
addition, you don't have to spend hours teaching them commands, such
as "Sit!" or "Lie down!"
---------------------
Paragraph 2
The island nation of Singapore, the smallest nation in Asia, is one of the
best cities in the world to live in and to visit. First of all, Singapore is a very
safe city. It has a very low crime rate. Citizens and tourists alike can walk
the streets at night without fear. Also, Singapore is very clean. The nation
has very strong antilittering laws, so there is almost no litter anywhere.
Third, Singaporeans come from many different racial, ethnic, and religious
backgrounds, but they live together in peace. Finally, Singapore's economy
is one of the healthiest in Asia, so its people enjoy a very high standard
of living.--------------------------
C. Choose five topics from Practice 3 on page 44 and write a concluding
sentence for each. Try to use a different conclusion signal in each one.
1. Topic _I
TO sum up. neatness. cheerfulness. helpfulness. and financial
responsibility are qualities of good roommates.
1
bark, howl, meow, chirp, squawk, screech: different animal sounds
Outlining
MODEL
Simple Outline
TOPIC SENTENCE
FIRST MAIN POINT
SECOND MAIN POINT
THIRD MAIN POINT
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
Chapter 2 I Listing-Order Paragraphs 51
2. Topic_
3. Topic_
4. Topic_
5. Topic_
6. Topic_
Making an outline is another part of prewriting. Once you get ideas to write
about, you need to organize them. An outline helps you do this.
The writer of the two clustering models about flight attendants on pages 35
and 36 chose three characteristics to write about: friendliness, self-confidence,
and physical strength. To complete the outline, he added a topic sentence and a
concluding sentence.
Flight Attendants
Flight attendants have three important characteristics.
A. Friendliness
B. Self-confidence
C. Physical strength
In short, flight attendants are friendly, self-confident, and strong.
When you write an outline, try to make the main points (A, B, C, and so on)
the same-all adjectives, all nouns, all verb phrases, or all sentences.
52 First Steps in Academic Writing
.. ~ : - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PRI\CTICE 1
Outlining
T OPIC SENTENCE
FIRST MAIN POI NT
S ECOND MAIN POI NT
THIRD MAI N POINT
C ONCLUDI NG SENTENCE
Now you try it. Make an outline from the Prewriting Activity: Clustering that
you did at the beginning of the chapter (pages 34-36). Use the following form
for your outline.
Step 1 Look at your final cluster of circles. Mark ideas that seem useful for
this topic, and cross out ideas that don't seem useful. Try to find three
main points. Label them A, B, C.
Step 2 Write a topic sentence and a concluding sentence.
Title:----------------- --
A. ________________________________________ _
B. -------------------------
C. ________________________________ __
'n1f 1t Out! Write a paragraph from the outline you wrote in Practice 7. Use the model
paragraph on page 37 as a guide. (You have already completed Step 1 in the
writing process, Prewriting.)
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFf at the top of your paper.
Follow your outline ..
Add details that show when each characteristic or ability is used or
why it is important. Write two or three sentences for each main point.
Intro9uce each main point with a listing-order transition signal.
Step 3 Edit (he first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in Chapter 1.
Use Reader's Response 2A and Writer's Self-Check 2A on
pages 194and 195.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy to hand in to your teacher. Your teacher may
also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your outline, and your other
drafts.
Chapter 2 I Listing-Order Paragraphs 53
PART 2 I Sentence Structure
Compound
Sentences
In Chapter 1, you learned about simple sentences. Another kind of sentence is a
compound sentence.
A compound sentence is two simple sentences connected by a
comma and a coordinating conjunction.
This is the basic formula for a compound sentence:
Simple sentence
These are compound sentences:
COORDINATING
CONJUNCTION
Coordinating
simple sentence.
Simple Sentence Conjunction Simple Sentence
My family goes camping every summer, and we usually have fun.
Last year we went camping at Blue Lake, but we had a terrible time.
Next year we will go to the beach, or perhaps we will stay at home.
We want to buy a house soon, so we need to save money.
Command sentences can also be compound. Remember that the subject "you" is
not expressed in commands.
{ffi:f) Come visit us again soon,
{ffi:f) Have a good time,
and
but
your family with you.
stay out too late.
Here are three important points to know about compound sentences:
1. A comma and a coordinating conjunction connect the two halves of a
compound sentence.
2. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in English: for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, and so. Remember them by the phrase "fan boys." In this book,
you will practice four of them: and, but, or, and so.
3. Don't confuse a compound sentence with a simple sentence that has
a compound verb. The first sentence in each of the following pairs
of sentences is simple and doesn't need a comma. The second one
is compound and requires a comma.
54 First Steps in Academic Writing
. : ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Formulas"
Simple sentence with
compound verb
My family goes camping every
summer and usually has fun.
svv
Compound sentence My family goes camping every
summer, and we usually have fun.
S V, and S V
Simple sentence with
compound verb
Last year we went camping but
had a terrible time.
svv
Compound sentence Last year we went camping, but everyone
had a terrible time.
S V, butS V
Simple sentence with
compound verb
Next year we will go to the beach or
perhaps stay at home.
svv
Compound sentence Next year we will go to the beach, or
perhaps we will stay at home.
S V, or S V
PRI\.CTICE 8
s;mple versus
Compound
Sentences
A. Identify simple and compound sentences.
Step 1 Analyze each sentence in the following paragraphs. Underline the
subjects with one line and the verbs with two lines.
Step 2 Circle coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so) that separate two
simple sentences.
Step 3 Write simple or compound in the space to the left of each sentence, and
write the formula for each: SV, and SV, SVV, or SSV, and so on.
Step 4 Add a comma to compound sentences.
simple sv 1. The summers were hot and humid in my
childhood hometown.
compound SV so SSV 2. Every evening i! was too hot to sleep, so .rm:.
sisters and I played outside until dark.
3. Our parents sat in chairs on the grass and
watched us play our children's games.
4. We played games such as hide-and-seek and
tag or we just sat on the grass and told
stories.
5. We also caught fireflies.
1
6. We put the fireflies into a glass jar and our father
punched air holes in the metal lid.
1
fireflies: insects with tails that shine in the dark
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 55
7. My sisters were afraid of most bugs but they
loved fireflies.
8. We usually went to bed at nine o'clock but
we stayed up until ten on really warm evenings.
9. Around ten o'clock our mother and father told
us to come inside.
l 0. "Come inside now but leave the fireflies
outside, please," our mother always said.
B. Identify simple and compound sentences in a paragraph.
Step 1 Analyze each sentence in the following paragraph. Underline the
subjects with one line and the verbs with two lines.
Step 2 Write simple or compound in the numbered spaces.
Step 3 Then write the formula for each sentence.
Step 4 Add commas wherever they are needed. (You should add seven
commas.)
Teenagers
1
Teenagers find many ways to drive their parents crazy.
2
First, they dye
their hair purple, or they shave their heads bald.
2 3
They also tattoo their skin
and wear rings in their noses.
4
ln addition they spend hours at the shopping
mall and on the phone.
5
They have time to watch TV but they don't have time
(continued on next page)
2
bald: no hair at all
-
56 First Steps in Academic Writing
..-: .. __________________________________ _
to do their homework.
6
Aiso they're always too busy to clean up
1
their rooms
but they're never too busy to clean ouf the refrigerator by eating everything
in it.
7
Finally they are old enough to drive but too young to pay for gas.
8
They
are usually broke' so they always return the family car with an empty gas
tank.
9
lt's hard to be a teenager but it's even harder to be the parent of one.
l. simele sv 6.
2. comeound SV or SV 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5.
Coordinating Conjunctions: and, but, or, so
In compound sentences, and, but, or, and so have these meanings:
And connects two sentences with similar ideas. The sentences can be positive or
negative.
My roommate is an art student, and her boyfriend plays in a rock band.
She doesn't like rock music, and he doesn't like art.
Remember to use or, not and; in a negative simple sentence. To refresh your
memory, turn back to Chapter 1, page 23.
He doesn't like art or classical music.
But connects two sentences with contrasting or opposite ideas.
She likes classical music, but she doesn't like rock.
She likes country music, but he hates it.
Or connects two sentences that express alternatives or choices.
Every Friday night, they go to a classical concert, or they visit an art
gallery.
Every Saturday night, he practices with his band, or they go to hear
a rock concert.
1
clean up: make clean and neat by removing things that make it look messy
2
clean out: make clean and neat by removing things; the slang expression clean out can mean r e m m ~
everything as in The robbers cleaned our the cash drauer.
3
broke: having no money
PRJ\CTICE 9
-\nd, but, or,
and so in
Simple and
Compound
Sentences
PRJ\CTICE 10
Writing
Compound
Sentences
Chapter 2 I Listing-Order Paragraphs 57

So connects a reason and a result.
Reason Result
They both like jazz,
He works a lot,
so they go to jazz concerts together.
so they don't go out very often.
Fill in the blanks with one of these four coordinating conjunctions: and, but,
01; so. You may want to i'eview the use of and, but, or, and so in simple
sentences on page 53 before you do this exercise.
1. The waitress said, "Today we have two specials: fried chicken and

2. I ordered meatloaf, __ my friend ordered fried chicken.
3. After an hour, the waitress came back to our table and said, "I made
a mistake. We don' t have chicken meatloaf."
4. I wanted to leave the restaurant immediately, __ my friend wanted
to stay.
5. He ordered a hamburger __ french fries, __ I didn't order anything.
6. My new neighbors are vegetarians, __ they don't eat meat.
7. They don't eat meat __ chicken, __ sometimes they eat a little fish.
8. I wanted to be friendly, __ I invited them to my house for dinner.
9. They came __ brought their young son.
10. He is just a baby, __ he can't talk yet.
11. They don't drink coffee __ tea, __ I served lemonade with our
meal.
12. For dessert, I offered them a choice of chocolate cake __ apple pie.
13. The husband wanted both cake and pie, __ the wife didn'twant either.
A. Write compound sentences.
Step 1 Connect the two simple sentences in each pair to make a compound
sentence. Connect them with and, but, or, or so-whichever best fits
the meaning. There may be more than one possible choice.
Step 2 Add a comma to each sentence.
1. Canada has two official languages. Everything is printed in both
English and French.
Canada has two official languages. so everything is printed in both
English and French.
(continued on next page)
4
meatloaf: di sh made from ground meat , breadcrumbs, egg, and spices and baked in a pan like a loaf of bread
58 First Steps in Academic Writing
.-: .. ----------------------------------
2. There are several hundred languages in the world. Not all of them
have a written form.
3. Chinese is spoken by more people. English is spoken in more countries.
4. Russian is the third most spoken language in the world. Spanish
is the fourth.
5. There are about one million words in English. Most people use only
about ten thousand of them.
6. Chinese has many different dialects.
1
Chinese people cannot always
understand each other.
7. French used to be the. language of international diplomacy. Now it is
English.
8. International companies are growing. They will soon need more
bilingual workers.
9. Young people should know a second language. They will be at
a disadvantage in the international job market.
1
dialects: variations of the standard language
Two Sentence
Errors:
Run-ons
and Comma
Splices
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 59
i ________________________________ ___..;,,
B. Make compound sentences by adding a second simple sentence to each item.
l. My brother and I look like twins, but our personalities are very different .
2. We are both medium tall , and-------------'------
3. He is an extrovert," but __________________ _
4. I am younger, so _____________________ _
5. Our mother used to tell us, "Stop fighting, or __________ _
6. We fought a lot as children, but now ___ __________ _
7. We married two sisters, so ------------------
Two sentence erTors that writers sometimes make are run-ons and comma splices.
These mistakes happen most often when the two sentences are related in meaning.
A run-on is two simple sentences incorrectly joined with no
coordinating conjunction and no comma.
WRONG:
WRONG:
My roommate wants to win the Tour de France someday
he spends hours riding his bicycle.
Write your signature on the line print your name below it.
A comma splice is two simple sentences incorTectly joined with a
comma alone.
WRONG:
WRONG:
My roommate wants to win the Tour de France someday,
he spends hours riding his bicycle.
Write your signature on the line, print your name below it.
There are two ways to fix these errors.
1. Separate the sentences with a period.
RIGHT:
RIGHT:
My roommate wants to win the Tour de France someday.
He spends hours riding his bicycle.
Write your signature on the line. Print your name below it.
2
extrove1t: someone who is active and confident and who enjoys being with other people
60 First Steps in Academic Writing
.-:-..----------------------------------
PRACTICE Jl
Fixing Run-ons
and Comma
Splices
OR
2. Add (or keep) the comma and add a coordinating conjuncti on.
RIGHT:
RIGHT:
My roommate wants to win the Tour de France someday,
so he spends hours riding his bicycle.
Write your signature on the line, and print your name below it.
Find and correct the sentence errors.
Step 1 Put an X in the space next to. the sentences that are comma splices or
run-ons.
Step 2 Correct the sentences that you marked. Use either method I or 2
(from pages 59-60) to correct them.
_X_ 1. Some people like cats, others prefer dogs.
Some people lik:.e cats. Others prefer dogs.
OR Some people lik:.e cats, and others prefer dogs.
OR Some people lik:.e cats, but others prefer dogs.
2. Kittens are cute, they like to play.
-- 3. Dogs are good companions, and they can al so protect you.
Chapter 2 I listing-Order Paragraphs 61
4. It's acceptable for dogs to bark at strangers they shouldn't bite
them, however.
-- 5. Lions are also good protectors, but they eat too much.
6. Penguins' always wear tuxedos/ they are good pets for people
who like to go to fancy parties.
7. A pet elephant can fan you with his ears and spray you with
his trunk,
3
you won't need or a shower.
-- 8. Goats eat lots of grass, so you will never have to cut your lawn.
4
9. A giraffe can reach things on high shelves, it can see over the
heads of people at parades.
-- 10. Keep a boa constrictors as a pet if you enjoy being alone then
no one will ever visit you.
1
penguins: birds that Jive in Antarctica. They stand upright and have black and white feathers.
2
tuxedos: men's fancy black suits, worn on very formal occasions such as weddings
3
trunk: elephant's long nose
4
lawn: grass in a garden
5boa constrictor: very large snake
62 First Steps in Academic Writing
1Df 1t Out! Step 1 Combine the sentences in each group to make one sentence. Some of
your sentences will be simple, and some will be compound. There may
be more than one possible correct way to combine each group.
Step 2 Write the sentences as a paragraph. Add listing-order transition signals
to each main point and a conclusion signal to the concluding sentence.
(Hint: There are three main points.)
The "Weaker" Sex
1. It is often said that women are the weaker sex, but women are
actually superior to men in several ways. (Don't change this
sentence.)
2. a. Women live longer than men.
b. Women stay healthier than men.
c. They do this in all countries of the world.
3. a. This difference starts at birth.
b. This difference continues until old age.
4. a. On the average, women live seven years longer than men.
b. They do this in the United States.
5. a. There are 105 boys to every 100 girls at birth.
b. There are twice as many women as men at age 80.
(Use but.)
6. a. Women are better than men at things.
b. These things involve the five senses.
(Change these things to that.)
7. a. Women have a sharper sense of taste.
b. Women have a sharper sense of smell.
8. a. Men are physically stronger than women.
b. Women are mentally stronger.
9. a. For example, more men than women had emotional problems.
b. This happened during bombing attacks on London.
c. This happened in World War II.
10. Do you still believe that women are "the weaker sex"? (Don't change
this sentence.)
Paragraph
The "Weaker" Sex
It is often said that women are the weaker sex. but women are actually
superior to men in several ways. Women live longer and stay healthier than
men in all countries of the world.
Chapter 2 I Listing-Order Paragraphs 63
--------------------------------.1
PART 3 I Writing
Review
Questions
Check your understanding of the important points in this chapter by answering
the following questions.
Organization
1. What is clustering? How do you do it?
2. What is listing order?
3. What are the three parts of a paragraph?
4. What are the two parts of a topic sentence?
5. What does the controlling idea do?
6. What are transition signals? What are some listing-order transition
signals?
7. What is unity in a paragraph?
8. What are two ways to write a concluding sentence?
9. What is an outline? How does an outline help writers?
Sentence Structure
10. What is the formula for a compound sentence?
11. Where do you put a comma in a compound sentence?
12. What are two common sentence errors?
13. What are two ways to correct them?
64 First Steps in Academic Writing
./.:'--------------------------------
Writing
Assignment
Choose one of the topics from Practice 2A on page 41 or from Practice 2D on
page 43 and write a paragraph. Use listing order to organize your ideas. Follow
the steps in the writing process.
Step 1 Prewrite to get ideas.
Make a list to get main ideas and details about your topic.
Edit your list. Choose two to four main points.
Make an outline. Make a form for yourself like the one on page 52.
Your outline should include all three parts of a paragraph: topic
sentence, supporting sentences (main points), and concluding
sentence.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFT at the top of your paper.
Use a listing-order signal to introduce each new main point. Also,
use a conclusion signal with the concluding sentence.
Write two or three additional sentences to explain each main point.
Include at least three compound sentences somewhere in your
paragraph.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in Chapter 1.
Use the Reader's Response 2B and Writer's Self-Check 2B on pages
196 and 197.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to the teacher.
Your teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your
outline, and your other drafts.
Giving lnstructions
Chapter Preview
Prewriting Activity: Listing
Part 1: Organization
"How To" Paragraphs
Listing and Outlining
Part 2: Sentence Structure
Independent and Dependent Clauses
Complex Sentences
Sentence Errors: Fragments
Summary: Three Types of Sentences
Part 3: Capitallzation and Punctuation
Capitalization: Four More Rules
Commas: Four Rules
Part 4: Writing
65
-
66 First Steps in Academic Writing
./.:'- --------- -------------- ---------
Chapter Preview
Prewriting
Activity:
Usting
In this chapter, you will write paragraphs that explain how to do something or
how to make something. You will also study and practice:
time order and time-order signals
complex sentences with time clauses
fragments (a sentence en-or)
four new capitalization rules
one new comma rule
Work with a group of at least three students or with the entire class.
1. Look at the picture of the messy house after a party on page 65.
2. Make a list of all the things you should do to clean it up. Write down every
idea. Don't worry about putting the ideas in order. You will do that later.
3. After your group has finished listing, your teacher may ask you to share
your list with other groups. Keep your list. You will use it later to write a
paragraph.
Listing: How to Clean Up After a Party
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 67
'-RT.l I Organization
-How To"
Paragraphs
\10DEL
How To"
Paragraph
In this chapter, you will learn to write a paragraph that gives instructions. This
kind of paragraph is sometimes called a "how to" paragraph because it explains
how to do something or how to make something-how to change a fiat tire or
how to perform a science experiment, for example.
There are four keys to writing clear "how to" paragraphs.
1. Begin with a topic sentence that names the topic and says the
paragraph will give instructions about it.
2. Divide the instructions into a series of steps. For some topics, you
will put the steps in order by time and use time-order transition
signals to show the order.
First, do this. Next, do that.
For other topics, you can use listing order.
3. Explain each step one by one.
4. Use transition signals to introduce each new step.
Keep these four keys in your mind as you read the model paragraph.
How to Have a Successful Garage Sale
1 Prepare ahead in order to have a successful garage sale. 2First,
collect used items in good condition. 3These items can be clothes,
toys, books, dishes, lamps, furniture, TVs, pictures, and sporting goods.
4Ciean everything well and store it in your garage until the day of the
sale. 5Next, decide on a day and time for your sale. 6Third, decide on the
prices, and mark a price on each item. 7lf you are not sure how much
to charge, check the prices at other garage sales in your community.
(continued on next page)
68 First Steps in Academic Writing
'""'--------------------------------
BFourth, make signs advertising the date, time, and address of your sale,
and put them up around your neighborhood. 9Then get some change
from the bank. 10Get at least twenty dollars in one-dollar bills, a roll of
quarters, and a _roll of dimes. 11 Finally, get up early on the morning of
the sale, and arrange the items on tables in your driveway and in your
garage. 12After that, sit back and wait for your customers to arrive.
13Be prepared to bargain! 141f you follow all of these steps, your garage
sale will be a great success.
Questions on the Model
1. What is the topic of the model paragraph?
2. Which sentence tells you the topic? What is this sentence called?
3. How many main steps does the paragraph explain?
4. Circle the transition signals that introduce each main step.
5. Does this paragraph use time order or listing order to organize the steps'.l
Notice that many of the verbs in the model are commands: collect, clean,
store, decide, mark, and so on. Use the command verb form to give
instructions.
PRt\CTlCE I
Topic Sentences
'"or "How To"
Paragraphs
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 69
Topic and Concluding Sentences for "How To" Paragraphs
The topic part of a topic sentence for a "how to" paragraph names the topic. The
controlling idea part tells your readers that they will learn how to do or make
something. In the model paragraph, the topic sentence names the topic: a garage
sale. It also tells what your paragraph will tell your reader about garage sales:
how to prepare in order to have a successful one.
Here are other examples of topic sentences for "how to" paragraphs. Notice
that they use expressions such as by taking these steps, ~ f you follow my advice,
and follow these instructions. These expressions tell your reader that this is a
"how to" paragraph.
Anyone can change a flat tire by taking these steps.
It's easy to soothe a crying baby if you follow my advice.
Follow these instructions to make delicious pizza.
The concluding sentence of a "how to" paragraph mentions the topic again to
remind the reader what the paragraph was about.
In no time at all, your flat tire will be repaired, and you will be on your
way again.
If you follow these four steps, your baby will fall asleep within five
minutes.
You now have a delicious pizza to enjoy.
Work with a partner or a small group.
A. Complete topic sentences for "how to" paragraphs by filling in the blanks.
1. It's easy to write a paragraph if you follow the four steps in the writing
process.
2. It is simple to _______ if you ___________ _
3. Anyone can learn to ___________ if he or she ___ _
4. Follow these instructions to ________________ _
5. Make/Draw/Write/Cook a perfect _______ by following
these steps.
70 First Steps in Academic Writing
.-.-.'------------ - ----------------------
B. Now write three original topic sentences for "how to" paragraphs. Use
some of the topic suggestions that are listed, or think of other topics that
you might want to use later when you write your own "how to" paragraph.
!. __________________________________________________ ___
2. ________________________________________________ _
3. ---------------------------------------------------
Topic Suggestions
Get an A in English
Get an F in English
Meet people in a new place
Learn a new language
Get the job of your dreams
Check the oil in a car
Change a flat tire
Study for a test
Avoid studying for a test
Get on a horse
Time-Order Signals
Rai se a happy child
Rai se a spoiled child
Catch a fish
Train a falcon/hunting dog/parrot
Make pizza/baklava/borscht/nachos
(or any special food)
Make a pinata
Decorate an egg
Use chopsticks
Play a children's game
In a "how to" paragraph, you can use either listing-order signals or time-orde
signals. You learned about li sting-order signals in Chapter 2. Notice that mar::
listing-order and time-order signals are the same.
If the steps in your instructions must be in a specific order (such as in
the model paragraph about how to have a successful garage sale), use
time-order signals.
If the order doesn' t matter, use listing-order signals.
PRA.CT1CE 2
listing Order or
Time Order?
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 71
Usting-Order Signals Time-Order Signals
1. First, 1. First, 2. before a test
First of all, First of all, in the morning
Second, Second, during a flight
Third, Third,
In addition, Next,
Also, After that,
Finally, Then
Finally,
1. These transition signals usually appear at the beginning of a sentence,
followed by a comma. Then is an exception. Do not put a comma
after then.
First, make the pizza dough.
Then add 2 cups of flour.
2. You can use any time expression as a time-order signal. You can put
time expressions such as these almost anywhere in a sentence.
Before a big test, get a good night's sleep.
In the morning, be sure toeat breakfast.
Drink a lot of water during a flight.
Do not put a transition signal at the beginning of every sentence in a "how
to" paragraph. A paragraph with too many transition signals is just as
confusing to the reader as a paragraph with none! Use a transition signal
with important steps, not with every step.
In a small group or with the whole class, think about each of the following
topics for "how to" paragraphs. Which topics require time order, and which
topics can use li sting order? Write TO (Time Order) or LO (Listing Order)
in the space next to each topic.
_]Q_ 1. How to study for a test
_hQ_ 2. How to get fit
3. How to change the oil in a car
4. How to meet people in a new place
5. How to impress your boss
(continued on next page)
72 First Steps in Academic Writing
.;- ---:----------------------------
PRJ\CTtCE 3
Transition
Signals
6. How to learn a new language
7. How to shop economically
8. How to write a paragraph
9. How to get a driver's license
10. How to prepare for an earthquake
Each of the following groups of sentences includes a topic sentence and
several steps.
Step 1 Decide which sentence is the topic sentence. Give it the number "1."
Step 2 Decide which three of the four groups should be in time order.
Number the steps in these three paragraphs in the conect time order.
. (The remaining group of sentences will be listing order.)
Step 3 Choose two groups of sentences and write each group as a paragraph.
Write the paragraphs on a separate piece of paper.
Copy the title and topic sentence. The topic sentence is the first
sentence of the paragraph, so remember to indent it.
Copy the remaining sentences in order.
Add a transition signal to some (not all) steps.
1. How to Prevent Jet Lag
1
_I_ Frequent flyers recommend these steps to prevent jet lag.
__ Don't drink alcohol or coffee during the flight.
__ Go to bed early your first night in the new time zone.
_2_ Eat a high-carbohydrate" meal before your flight.
__ Don't nap
3
during the day when you arTive.
Paragraph
How to Prevent Jet Lag
Frequent flyers recommend these steps to prevent jet lag. First of all,
eat a high-carbohydrate meal before your flight. Second, ...
1
jet lag: tiredness caused by travel through several time zones
2
carbohydrate: foods such as rice, potatoes, and breads
3
nap: sleep for a short time
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 73
2. How to Drive Your Teacher Crazy
__ It's easy to drive your teacher crazy if you follow these simple
directions.
__ Yawn and look at your watch as often as possible during the class.
__ Make a lot of noise when you enter the classroom.
__ At least five minutes before the end of class, slam your books shut
and stare at the door.
__ Always come to class at least five minutes late.
3. How to Plan a Family Vacation
__ Consider the interests and abilities of eve_ryone in the family.
__ Decide how long you can be away from home.
__ Decide how much money you can spend.
__ Planning a family vacation takes careful thought.
__ Find out when everyone can take time off from school and jobs.
__ When you have the answers to all of these questions, visit a travel
agency.
4. How to Wax a Car
Note: In this group, some sentences belong together as part of the
same step. When you write this paragraph, do not use transition
signals with every sentence. Use them only in front of a new step,
which are marked with an asterisk (*).
Keep your car looking great by following these easy steps
to wax it.
After you have put wax on the entire car, start to remove
it, section by section.
*Wash and dry the car thoroughly.
Use a soft towel to remove the wax in the same order that
you applied it.
Work on one section at a time, and rub the wax into the
car in small circles.
*Park your car in a cool, shady spot.
*Polish the car with a soft cloth to remove any remaining
wax and to bring out the shine.
*Dip a damp sponge into a can of wax.
74 First Steps in Academic Writing
Listing and
Outlining
MODEL
Listing
In Chapter I, you got ideas by freewriting. In Chapter 2, you got ideas by
clustering. The listing activity that you did at the beginning of this chapter is
another way to get ideas. In listing, you make a list of every word or phrase that
comes into your mind when you think about a topic. As with freewriting and
clustering, you don't stop to wonder if an idea is good or if your spelling or
grammar is correct. You just keep writing down words in a list until you run out
of ideas.
Here is the list made by the writer of the model paragraph on how to have a
successful garage sale.
................................................ .. .. .. ... .. ................................................ .
.............. ... ................................ .. .. .. r ............................... .
.................... .. ............................................... .......................... .................................... .
.......................... ............................................... .. ... ................................. .
.......................... ...................................................... .. .. . ... ...................................... .
.......................... ............. ..................................... .. ... ............................................... .
.......................... .. .. ........ .............................. ... ... C?.!:l ... ..
............... .. ..................... .. ............................................................. .
............... ... ............................................ ... .. .. ......................... .
............... . .. .......................................... .. . ... .................................. .
.. ........................
............... ................................................ J!Y. .. ... ... ... ... .......................... .
............... ... ..... .................................................. .. .. .. ... ................................... .
............... ... ................................ ... . ..t!?. .. ....................................... .
..................... ........................................................................................................................................... .
After you have made a list, the next step is to edit the list. Decide what you
want to include in your final paragraph and what you want to omit.
Notice how the writer edited his list.
1. He crossed out unimportant and repeated items.
2. He numbered the main steps in order by time.
MODEL
Edited List
Chapter 3 I Giving Instructions 75
.. ...................... ......................... .. ... .. 9 .. ... .. .............................................. ..
........ !: ... .. .. .. !r. ................................. ... .. ... ............................... .
... ............... .. ................................................. ... .............................................................. ..
........................ ........................................... 9.: .. .. .. .. ................................ ..
........................ ......................................................... .. .. ... ..................................... ..
.............................................. ... ... '?.!2 .. .. ............................................... .
........................ ... ............................... , .... ... .. 9 .. .. ... ... @.m. ...................... ; ............ ..
..... ... ?. ..... .. .. if! .. .. ...................... t:!.':!l ... ............................................................ ..
........ ..... ... ..................... .' ....................... .. .. .. ...................... ..
.............. .. .. ......................................... .. .. ... ... ............................... ..
...... !.Q ..... .. .. !?n .. .......................... ................ ........................................................ ..
.............. .. ................................................. t.!':"t. .. ... ... ... ... .......................... .
....... .7.: .. .. :?.!9r.:?. ................................................ .. ... I?.r. ... ... .. . ................................... .
.... ... . .: .. l?.!?.t .. .. . .......................... !J: .. .. ....................................... ..
.................... ....................................................................................................................................... .
The next step is to make an outline. To make a simple outline, change the
numbers to capital letters (A, B, C, D, and so on), write a topic sentence at the
beginning, and add a concluding sentence at the end.
Here is the student's completed outline.
'MODEL
5
.
1 0 1
. How to Have a Successful Garage Sale
1mp e ut me
TITLE easy to have a successful garage sale if you prepare for it ahead
TOPIC SENTENCE Of time.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
A. Collect used things in good condition
B. Clean the items and store them in the garage
C. Decide on a day and time for your sale
D. Decide on the prices and mark a price on each item
E. Make signs to advertise
F. Put signs around the neighborhood
G. Get change from a bank
H. Arrange items on tables in your driveway or yard
I. Be prepared to bargain
If you follow all of these steps, your garage sale will be a great success.
.. ,
76 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRA.CTtCE 4
Simple
OutUning
Write an outline from the list you made at the beginning of this chapter on
how to clean up after a party.
Step 1 Edit the list by crossing out repeated ideas or ideas that don't fit.
Step 2 Decide whether to use time order or listing order.
Step 3 Put the steps in order.
Step 4 Add a title, a topic sentence, and a concluding sentence.
Tr1f 1t Out! Write a paragraph about how to clean up a house after a party. You have already
completed Step 1 (Prewriting). Now continue with the writing process.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFf at the top of your paper.
Follow your outline.
Use transition signals to introduce some steps.
If you wish, add other sentences to explain each step in more detail.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response 3A and Writer's Self-Check 3A
on pages 198 and 199.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to your teacher.
Your teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your
outline, and your other drafts.
PART 2 I Sentence Structure
lndependent
and
Dependent
Clauses
In Chapters 1 and 2, you learned about simple and compound sentences. A third
kind of sentence is a complex sentence. Before we study these, let's learn about
clauses.
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. There are two
kinds of clauses in English: independent clauses and dependent clauses.
Independent Clause
s v
It rained.
Dependent Clause
s v
. .. because it rained ...
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 77
1. An independent clause has one SV pair and expresses a complete thought.
Independent clause is just another name for a simple sentence.
s v
Paris has excellent art museums.
s v
We finished our homework.
2. A dependent clause is an independent clause with a subordinating
word, such as because, after, and when, added to the beginning of it.
SUBORDINATING
WORD S V
. .. because Paris has excellent art museums ...
SUBORDINATING
WORD
. . . after
s v
we finished our homework ...
A dependent clause does not express a complete thought, so it is not a
sentence by itself. It is only half of a sentence. It MUST be joined to an
independent clause. Together, the two clauses express a complete thought.
,----- INDEPENDENT CLAUSE j DEPENDENT CLAUSE -----,
Art students should visit Paris because it has excellent art museums.
,-----DEPENDENT CLAUSE r--- INDEPENDENT C L A U S E ~
After we finished our homework, we watched 1V for a while.
Adverb Subordinators
There are many subordinating words that can make a dependent clause. In
this chapter, we will study adverb subordinators. We call them adverb
subordinators because they introduce dependent clauses that act like adverbs.
That is, they answer the questions when?, why?, where?, and so on.
-...
78 First Steps in Academic Writing
Certain adverb subordinators introduce time clauses. Here are some common
time subordinators.
Time Subordinators
after I will go straight to bed after I finish writing this paragraph.
as soon as She felt better as soon as she took the medicine.
before Wait for a green light before you cross a street.
since It has been a year since I left home.
until We can't leave the room until everyone finishes the test.
when Where were you when I called?
whenever Whenever I don't sleep well, I feel sick the next day.
while My neighbors were having a party while I was trying
to sleep.
Caution!
A few time subordinators are also prepositions. Prepositions are followed by
nouns. Subordinators are followed by subject-verb combinations
after my accident (preposition)
after I had an accident (subordinator)
before class (preposition)
before class begins (subordinator)
until ten o'clock (preposition)
until the bell rings (subordinator)
In addition to time-order transition signals, such as first, next, after that, and
so on, you can use time clauses to show time order.
Before you start writing, look over the test.
After you have answered the easy questions, go back and work
on the hard ones.
PRACTICE 5
dependent
d Dependent
Complex
Sentences
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 79
Identify independent and dependent clauses.
Step 1 Write /C (independent clause) or DC (dependent clause) in the space to
the left of each group of words.
Step 2 If it is an IC, add a period. If it is a DC, circle the time subordinator.
_lf_ 1. I take a walk around the block.
De 2.(Before)I go to work
3. The exercise wakes up my body and clears my mind
4. It's hard to do this in the winter
5. When I go to work
6. It is still dark
7. After I get home from work
8. It is dark again
9. I can always take a walk on weekends, even in the winter
__ 10. When it is raining, of course
__ 11. I never go out
-- 12. On rainy days, as soon as the alarm clock rings
-- 13. I turn over and go back to sleep
Now that you know about dependent and independent clauses, let's learn about
complex sentences.
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one (or
more) dependent clauses.
When the dependent clause begins with an adverb subordinator,
the clauses can usually be in any order.
We ran for shelter as soon as it started to rain.
As soon as it started to rain, we ran for shelter.
If the independent clause is first, don't use a comma.
If the dependent clause is first, put a comma after it.
80 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRJ\CTICE 6
Complex
Sentences
with Time
Subordinators
A. Analyze these complex sentences.
Step 1 Underline the independent clauses with a solid line and the dependent
clauses with a
Step 2 Draw a circle around the time subordinator.
Step 3 Add a comma if one is needed.
1. my wife and I decided to
take a trip.
2. We were very excited when we won.
3. After we got our first payment we started planning a trip to Italy.
4. Before we left on our trip we wrote to our cousins in Rome and
told them our plans.
5. As soon as they received our letter they called and invited us to
stay with them.
6. They were waiting at the airport when we arrived.
7. They waited outside while the Italian officials checked our
passports and luggage.
8. Finally, after we got our suitcases they drove us to their home.
9. As soon as we arrived at their apartment they wanted to feed us.
10. We ate one delicious home-cooked dish after another until
we were stuffed.
1
11. We fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.
12. Almost twenty-four hours had passed since we left home.
B. Write complex sentences.
Step 1 Match a clause from column B with a clause from column A to make
a complex sentence.
Step 2 Write the story on the lines provided. The clauses in column A are in
the correct order. Be sure to punctuate the sentences correctly.
A
1. The trip began badly
2. It was almost noon
3. As soon as I threw out
my fishing line
1
stuffed: very full
B
a. before we could put on our rain
jackets
b. when we had a flat tire on the
way to the lake
c. until I go fishing with my
brothers again
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 81
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . ~
4. I spent most of the afternoon d. I immediately took a hot shower
untangling
2
my line
5. After we had been fishing
for a couple of hours
6. We were totally wet
7. When we got back home
8. It will be a long, long time
e. while my brothers were catching
fish after fish
f. it got caught in some underwater
weeds
g. before we started fishing
h. it started to rain
A Miserable Fishing Trip
The trip began badly when we had a flat tire on the way to the lake.
C. Turn back to Practice 5 on page 79. Write complex sentences by
combining independent clauses with dependent time clauses as follows.
1. Combine 1 and 2: --------------------
2. Combine 5 and 6: ----------------------
3. Combine 7 and 8: ---------------------
4. Combine 10 and 11: -------------------
5. Combine 12and13: _________________ __
2
untangling: removing knots, making straight
82 First Steps in Academic Writing
;- .. -------------------------------
Sentence
Errors:
Fragments
PRA.CT1CE 1
Fragments
In Chapter 2, you learned about the sentence enors called run-ons and comma
splices. Another kind of sentence eiTOr is called a fragment. The word fragment
means a part of something. A sentence fragment is only part of a sentence or half
of a sentence. It is not a complete sentence. These are fragments:
FRAGMENT: Before the test began.
FRAGMENT: As soon as you get home.
Why are they fragments? They are fragments because they are dependent
clauses. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence by itself.
To fix this kind of fragment, add an independent clause to it.
COMPLETE SENTENCE: The teacher passed out pencils and paper
before the test began.
COMPLETE SENTENCE: Call me as soon as you get home.
Identify and correct fragments.
Step 1 Read each sentence. Decide if it is a fragment or a sentence. Write
F for fragment and S for sentence.
Step 2 Then correct each fragment by adding an independent clause.
Write your new sentences on the lines provided.
_F_ 1. Before I learned to speak English well.
2. Every night, after I finish my homework.
3. As soon as we heard the crash.
__ 4. The bicycle racers stopped to rest before they started up the
mountain.
__ 5. Wait until you hear the bell.
6. Whenever my children have a school holiday.
__ 7. I work at night while my husband stays home with t h ~
children.
I. Before I learned to st?eak English well. I was afraid to use the
telephone.
SummallJ:
Three Types
of Sentences
PRA.CTtCE 8
Simp1e,
Compound,
and Complex
Sentences
Chapter 3 I Giving Instructions 83
Let's summarize what you have learned about the three types of sentences. Good
writers add interest and variety to their writing by using all three types.
A simple sentence has one independent clause.
It was a sunny day.
Raise your hand to ask a question.
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined
by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
It was a sunny day, so we went to the beach.
Talk quietly, or don't talk at all.
A complex sentence has one independent and one or more dependent
clauses. A comma is needed when a dependent clause comes before
an independent clause.
While the meat is cooking, prepare the sauce.
Prepare the sauce while the meat is cooking.
A. Identify the different types of sentences.
Step 1 Underline all independent clauses with a solid line and all dependent
clauses with a
Step 2 In the space at the left, write the words simple, compound, or complex
to identify each sentence type.
complex
Unusual Vacations
1. Some people like to relax and do nothing
__ <LYA(:Ati_Qfi.
______ 2. Other people like to travel , and still others like to
have an adventure.
______ 3. Unusual vacations are becoming popular.
______ 4. For example, people go hiking in Nepal or river
rafting in Ecuador.
5. Some people spend their vacations learning, and
some spend their vacations helping others.
6. A friend of mine likes to help people, so he spent
his summer helping to build a school in Bangladesh.
(continued on next page)
84 First Steps in Academic Writing
: ... -.----------------------------------
______ 7. After he returned horne, he wanted to go back to
help build a medical clinic.
8. People may find the local scenery a little boring
after they have climbed volcanoes in Guatemala
or ridden camels in Egypt.
B. The following "how to" paragraph uses a combination of simple,
compound, and complex sentences. Find five compound sentences and
three complex sentences. Then answer the questions that follow.
How to Succeed in a U.S. College
1
1
Succeeding in a U.S. college may require new strategies
2
for students
from other cultures.
2
Here are a few tips from a U.S. college professor.
3
First,
attend every class.
4
Professors talk about the most important material in
class.
5
When you aren't there, you miss important information.
6
Second, take
good notes. "TThen review or recopy your notes as soon as you can.
8
Third,
don't be afraid to ask questions whenever you don't understand something.
9
Professors want their students to succeed, so they want them to ask
questions.
10
Fourth, get to know your professors personally.
11
Go to their
office during office hours, and introduce yourself.
12
0on't waste professors'
time, but make sure they know your name and face.
13
Finally, get involved
in a campus activity, or get a job in the bookstore.
14
Go to football and
basketball games.
15
Join a club.
16
Be friendly, and talk to everyone-other
students, professors, secretaries, cafeteria workers, and janitors.
17
Active,
involved students are successful students.
1. Which sentences are compound? Sentence numbers __ , __ , __ ,
__ ,and __ .
2. Which sentences are complex? Sentence numbers __ , __ , and __ .
Tq; 1t Out! Step 1 Study the pictures, and discuss the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Step 2 Combine the sentences in each group to make one sentence. Some of
your new sentences will be simple, some will be compound, and some
will be complex. There may be more than one possible correct way to
combine each group.
Step 3 Write the eleven sentences as a paragraph. Add time-order signals to
some sentences, but don't start every sentence with a time-order signal.
1
Adapted from Clark Ford, "How To Succeed in College Without falling into the usual traps" [sic],
http:www.public.iastate.edu/-cfford I 01 howtosucceed.htm (accessed December 24, 2006).
2
strategies: tactics, approaches
;;,ett loop
cheese grater
nail file
Fl

"7
f

-
...._
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 85
--------------------------------:', ,
Word List
Nouns
pair (of jeans) nail file hem
denim fabric thread spray bottle
cheese grater bleach belt loop
Verbs
afford spray dip
rub fray bleach
Adjectives
ripped faded
How to Make Your Own Designer Jeans
1. a. Would you like to own a pair of designer jeans?
b. You can't afford to pay designer prices.
sandpaper
thigh
seat
2. a. Follow these instructions to make your own pair of jeans.
b. The jeans are stylishly ripped.
c. The jeans are stylishly faded.
3. a. Buy a pair of inexpensive new jeans.
b. Use a pair that you already own.
4. a. Find the direction of the lines in the denim fabric.
b. Rub a knife back and forth in the opposite direction.
5. a. You can also use a cheese grater.
b. You can also use a nail file.
6. a. Keep rubbing.
b. White threads appear. (Use until.)
7. a. You want the white threads to stay there.
b. Don't cut them.
,------,=::---- ---,
8. a. Dip an old toothbrush into bleach. spray bottle
b. Run the old toothbrush around the edges of the back pockets.
c. Run the old toothbrush over the belt loops.
9. a. Mix a little bleach with water in a spray bottle.
b. Spray the thighs and seat of the jeans.
10. a. Rub sandpaper on the hems of the legs to fray them.
b. Rip one corner of a back pocket.
11 . a. Wash and dry the jeans several times.
b. Your new jeans will look stylishly old! (Use after.)
(continued on next page)
86 First Steps in Academic Writing
.. ----------------- - - ---------- - ----
How to Make Your Own Designer Jeans
Would you like to own a pair of designer jeans but can't afford to paJ-y_
designer prices?
PART 3 I Capitalization and Punctuation
Capitalization: In Chapter 1, you learned six rules for capitalizing words in English. There are
Four More four additional rules in the chart on page 87.
Rules
Rules Examples
Capitalize:
7. Names of specific structures the White House Highway 395
such as buildings, roads,
the Hilton Hotel State Route 15
and bridges.
the Kremlin the Brooklyn Brid ge
8. Names of specific organizations Sears, Roebuck & Co. City College of
such as businesses, schools, and
United Nations
New York
clubs.
Irish Students' Cl ub
9. Names of the days, months, Monday New Year's Day
holidays, and special time
January Ramadan
periods.
BUT NOT the names of seasons. spring fall (autumn)
summer winter
10. Geographic areas. the Middle East Southeast Asia
the Southwest Eastern Europe
BUT NOT compass directions. Drive south for two miles and turn west.
IIRACTICE 9
Capitalization
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 87
A. Work with a partner or a group. Write your own examples of Rules 7- 10.
Rule 7
a building
a road
a bridge
RuleS
a business
a school or
college
a club
Rule 9
a day
a month
a holiday
Rule 10
a geographic area
in your country
a geographic area
in another part
of the world
,-
88 First Steps in Academic Writing
Dear Stacie,
B. Work by yourself or with a partner. Change the small letters to capital
letters wherever necessary in this letter from Heather to her friend Stacie.
~ . ! ~ A
rfPvw23, 20 __
1
1 am so happy that you are coming to visit me this summer.
2
1 hope that you will be able
to stay until july 4.
3
We are planning a big picnic on that O.ay to celebrate inO.epenO.ence O.ay
here in the uniteO. states.
4
'/0U askeO. for O.irections to my house from the airport, so here they are.
5
Drive out of the
airport anO. turn north on u.s. ;,eo, then u.s. 680, then california 1.
6
Galifornia 1 is also calleO.
nineteenth avenue. 7'{ou will pass san francisco state university anO. a large shopping center.
8
C.Ontinue on nineteenth avenue through golO.en gate park.
9
Soon you will come to the
famous golO.en gate briO.ge.
10
Drive across the briO.ge a nO. continue north for about ten more
miles.
11
'/0U will pass the towns of sausalito, mill valley, anO. larkspur.
12
ln larkspur, take the sir
francis O.rake boulevarO. exit from the highway.
13
Drive west for three blocks, a nO. then turn left.
14
Pacific national bank is on the corner
where you turn, anO. across the street is a shell oil company gas station.
15
'/ou will be on elm
avenue.
16
Finally, go one block on elm anO. turn right.
17
My apartment is in the marina towers.
1
8fhe aO.O.ress is 155 west hillsiO.e O.rive.
19
Be sure to bring warm clothes because it is colO. in june anO. july in nortbern california.
20
1 can't wart to see you!
Love;,
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 89
Commas: There are many rules for using commas. You have already learned three of them:
Four Rules
Rules Examples
Use a comma:
1. After listing-order and time- First, put four cups of rice into a pan.
order signals (EXCEPT then).
After that, fold the paper in half again.
After the test, go out and celebrate.
2. Before coordinating Some people like to travel, and others like
conjunctions in a compound to have an adventure.
sentence.
Cook the steak over high heat for six minutes,
but don't let it burn.
Exception: Sometimes Dogs bark and cats meow.
writers omit this comma in
Turn left and drive one block
very sho1t sentences.
3. In a complex sentence when While you are waiting for the pizza dough to rise,
a dependent adverb clause make the sauce.
comes before an independent
After you take the pizza out of the oven, cut
clause.
it into eight pieces.
Here is a fourth comma rule.
Use a comma:
4. To separate items in a series. One dog, one cat, two goldfish, a bird, and four
A series is three or more humans live at our house.
things. These may be words
Every morning I get up early, run a mile, take a
or phrases (groups of words).
shower, eat breakfast, and feed my pets.
Turn left at the stoplight, go one block, and
turn right.
90 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRJ\CTICE 10
Commas
Notice that there is always one less comma than items. If there are four items,
there are three commas; if there are five items, there arc four commas; and so on.
I . If there are three items in a series, some writers omit the last comma.
However, it is a good idea to use all the commas because commas make
your meaning clearer.
I have visited many countries in Europe, Asia, and America.
Shopping, relaxing, and visiting friends are my favorite
weekend activities.
2. With only two items, don't use any commas.
I have visited many countries in Europe and Asia.
Sleeping and hanging out with friends are my teenage son's
favorite weekend activities.
A. Add commas where necessary in the following paragraphs. Add twenty
commas to Paragraph 1 and eight commas to Paragraph 2.
Paragraph 1
My Brother, the Sports Fan
1
My brother Bob is a sports fan.
2
His favorite sports are golf tennis skiing
and swimming.
3
He skis in the winter swims in the summer and plays golf
during the spring summer and fall.
4
He also watches football and baseball
on TV.
5
His bedroom looks like a used sporting goods store.
6
Bob owns skis
tennis racquets golf clubs footballs basketballs baseballs tennis balls soccer
balls a bicycle and weights.
7
Whenever he comes home from a sports event
he throws his equipment in a pile on his bed.
8
When the pile gets too high
you can't see his bed his desk or sometimes even him.
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 91
. ~ , ..~
----------------------------------------------------------------
Paragraph 2
How to Fail a Driving Test
1
1t's easy to fail a driving test if you really try.
2
First park your car so close to the next car that the
examiner cannot get into your car to begin the test.
3
lt also helps to have your two front wheels far up
on the curb-blocking the sidewalk if possible.
4
Second back out of the parking space really fast.
5
After that try to hit something such as another
car.
6
0on't stop at stop signs but speed up to get
through intersections quickly.
7
Then try to make
your tires squeal while turning corners.
8
Next look
for an opportunity to turn the wrong way on a
one-way street.
9
Entering a one-way street in the
wrong direction will cause you to fail immediately.
1
Finally don't stop for pedestrians in crosswalks but use your horn to frighten
them out of your way.
11
Just one of these techniques will probably get you
an F on a driving test and two or more certainly will.
B. Complete these sentences to practice the "items in a series" comma rule.
1. What three foods do you like the most? (Use and before the last item.)
I like Japanese sushi. Middle Eastern falafel. and Mexican tacos
2. What three foods don't you like? (Use or before the last item.)
I don't like ------------------------------
3. What are three places you might go on your honeymoon. (Use or before
the last item.)
On my honeymoon, I might go to --------------------
4. What are six useful items to take on a hike? (Use and before the last item.)
Whenever you go on a hike, be sure to take ______________ _
5. What are two animals that don't get along with each other. (Use and.)
--------------------don't get along with each other.
(continued on next page)
92 First Steps in Academic Writing
6. What are three things you do every morning? (Use and.)
Everrnorning,I ________________________________________ ___
7. What are two things you always do and one thing you never do on
weekends. (Use both and and but. Write a compound sentence.)
On weekends, I always ---------------------
Try 1t Out! Write a paragraph giving directions from one place to another place in your
city, in your neighborhood, or on the campus of your school.
Practice using capitalization rules by giving the names of streets,
buildings, stores, and other landmarks.
Practice writing complex sentences. Try to include at least three
complex sentences in your paragraph.
For fun, read your paragraph to a classmate. See if he or she can draw a map
showing your directions.
PART 4 I Writing
Review
Questions
Check your understanding of the important points in this chapter by answering
the following questions.
Organization
1. What are the four keys to writing clear instructions?
2. What two orders can you use to organize a "how to" paragraph?
3. What are some time-order signals?
Sentence Structure
4. What is an independent clause?
5. What is a dependent clause?
6. What is a complex sentence, and how do you punctuate one?
7. What is a fragment?
8. How do you correct a fragment?
Capitalization and Punctuation
9. What are the four capitalization rules in this chapter?
10. What are four comma rules that you have learned in Chapters 1-3? -
Writing
-\ssignment
Chapter 3 I Giving lnstructions 93
Choose one of the topics from Practice IA or IB on pages 69-70, and write a
paragraph giving instructions. Use time order or listing order to organize the
steps.
Step 1 Prewrite to get ideas.
Use the listing technique.
Edit your list.
Put the steps in order (time order or listing order).
Make an outline.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFf at the top of your paper.
Begin with a topic sentence that names the topic and indicates that
you will give instructions.
Follow your outline.
Add time-order or listing-order signals to some of the steps.
Try to include at least three complex sentences in your paragraph.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response 3B and Writer's Self-Check 3B
on pages 200 and 201.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to your teacher. Your
teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your outline, and
your other drafts.
Describing a Place
Chapter Preview
Prewriting Activity: Listing Descriptive Details
Part 1: Organization
Description
Space Order
Specific Details
Planning a Space-Order Paragraph
Part 2: Grammar
Adjectives
Part 3: Sentence Structure
Prepositions
Prepositional Phrases
Part 4: Writing
94
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 95
apter Preview
Prewriting
ctivity:
listing
Descriptive
Details
. Picture 1 Clues
In this chapter, you will write paragraphs in which you describe places. You will
also study and practice:
sp_ace order
descriptive details
the order of adjectives
prepositional phrases
varying sentence openings
Descriptions are "word pictures." You tell how something looks, feels, smells,
tastes, and sounds. You need to become a sharp observer and notice many small
details so that you can write a good word picture.
1. Discuss each picture on the next pages with your partner or group. What
kind of person do you think lives or works in each place?
2. What clues in each picture led you to your choice? Make a list of the clues
next to each picture. Use the word list on page 96 for picture 1 .
_ameofroom: _______ _
Kind of person: _______ _
(continued on next page)
96 First Steps in A.cademic Writing
Word List for Picture 1
Nouns
bed dresser headset poster
bedspread electric guitar lamp sheet
closet electronic equipment mattress speaker
dresser drawer electronics pillow sports shoes
Adjectives
cluttered disorganized messy open
2. Picture 2 Clues
Name of room: _______ _
Kind of person:
Word List for Picture 2
Nouns
bookshelves framed award leather chair rug
drapes framed certificate oil painting swivel chair
executive desk guest chair picture window
Adjectives
expensive formal impressive luxurious
'
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 97
. Picture 3 Clues
e of room:
Word List for Picture 3
Nouns
chrome helmet motorcycle screwdriver
engine part jacket pliers tool
engine leather rag wrench
exhaust pipes
Adjectives
chrome greasy messy oily
disorganized leather neat organized
Keep your lists. You will use one of them later to write a paragraph.
RT 1 I Organization
cription
In this chapter, you will learn to write a good description. When you write a
description, you tell what something-a person, an object, or a place-looks like.
There are two keys to writing good descriptions:
1. Use space order to organize your description.
2. Use lots of descriptive details.
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 97
. Picture 3 Clues
e of room:
Word List for Picture 3
Nouns
chrome helmet motorcycle screwdriver
engine part jacket pliers tool
engine leather rag wrench
exhaust pipes
Adjectives
chrome greasy messy oily
disorganized leather neat organized
Keep your lists. You will use one of them later to write a paragraph.
RT 1 I Organization
cription
In this chapter, you will learn to write a good description. When you write a
description, you tell what something-a person, an object, or a place-looks like.
There are two keys to writing good descriptions:
1. Use space order to organize your description.
2. Use lots of descriptive details.
98 First Steps in Academic Writing
: ~ . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Space Order Imagine that you are standing in the doorway of your classroom. How would y
describe the room to someone who has never seen it? Here are some possibilities
You might start at the left side of the doorway and work your way
around the room in a clockwise direction to the right side, ending at the
doorway again.
You might start at the front of the room and go from front to back,
first describing the chalkboard, the teacher's desk, and the area around
the teacher's desk. Then you might describe the students' desks in the
center of the room, and finally the walls and/or windows at the back
and sides of the room.
This kind of organization is called space order. Here are other kinds of sp
order that you can use to write a description:
top to bottom bottom to top right to left left to right
far to near near to far outside to inside inside to outsi
The refrigerator in the picture is described in the model paragraph on the n
page. As you read the model, look for phrases that tell you the location of thin"'
\\0 0\_
Space Order
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 9 9
The Shared Refrigerator
1My roommate and I share a refrigerator. 2My roommate's half of our
refrigerator is very neat. 3Qn the top shelf is a carton of milk, a pitcher of
a.t:l.d a b.Qtt!.e. mi.ne.r:al \Nate.r., 4Tbas.a are arr:at:l.g,ed. i.n a
straight line on the shelf. SOn the next shelf are cans of soda. 6fhese are
carefully lined up in rows. 7Qrange soda is in the first row, cola in the
second, and lemon lime in the third. 8Qn the third shelf, he keeps dairy
foods, such as butter, cheese, eggs, and yogurt. SOn the bottom shelf sit
plastic containers of leftovers.
1
10fhese are neatly arranged by. size.
11The large ones are in the back, and the small ones are in the front.
12'fhere are two drawers in the bottom of the refrigerator. 13tn his drawer,
my keeps vegetables and fruit. 14Each item is in a separate
plastic bag .in the drawer. 15tn conclusion, my roommate is an organized
person, and his half of our refrigerator really reflects his personality.
Questions on the Model
1. Which sentence is the topic sentence? (Hint: It is not in its usual
location.)
2. Which space order did the writer use? Choose from the list on the
preceding page.
Topic and Concluding Sentences for Descriptive Paragraphs
The topic part of a topic sentence for a paragraph of description usually names
the person, place, or thing to be described. The controlling idea part usually gives
a general impression (beautiful, neat, messy, interesting, unusual, crowded, busy,
noisy, and so on. Here are some examples of topic sentences for paragraphs of
description.
r--- TOPIC---
11
---CONTROLLING
The old house looked ready to fall down.
I TOPIC! CONTROLLING IDEA----,
The cave was a dangerous place to enter.
I TOPICj CONTROLLING IDEA-----,
The club was full of young people having fun.
1
1eftovers: food that was not eaten at an earlier meal
100 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE I
Space Order
The concluding sentence of a description may repeat the idea stated in the
topic sentence. In the model paragraph, the writer used different words to repeat
the idea that the roommate's side of the refrigerator is neat. It may also give
the writer' s opinion or feeling about the topic. Here are other examples of
concluding sentences for paragraphs of description.
In short, I doubt the old house will survive one more winter.
My friend and I were very happy when we got out of the cave.
To sum up, music, dancing, and flashing lights make clubs exciting
and fun.
Read the following description of a person. Then answer the questions about
the organization of the paragraph that follow.
My Tall Nephew
1
The first thing you notice about my nephew is that he is extremely tall-
six feet, six inches tall, to be exact.
2
His head sticks up almost a foot above
everyone else's.
3
His hair is short, light brown, and curly, and his eyes are
blue.
4
His nose is straight, and his mouth curls into a smile easily and often.
5
His casual clothes are typical of young people everywhere: aT-shirt and
jeans.
6
0n the front of his shirt, you can read the name of his school in red
and blue letters.
7
As your eyes move down his long legs, you notice that his
jeans are a little too short.
8
Perhaps he can't buy pants to fit his long legs and
narrow waist, or perhaps he doesn't care much about clothes.
9
0n his feet,
he wears sneakers.
10
Maybe his sneakers were white when they were new,
but now they are gray with age and wear.
11
Despite his casual clothes,
1
my
nephew is not a casual person.
12
He stands as tall and straight as a redwood
2
tree, and you think to yourself, "This is a strong and confident young man."
1. Analyze the topic sentence. Circle the topic and underline the controlling
idea.
2. What is the nephew's most noticeable physical feature?
3. Which sentence is the concluding sentence? What word in the topic
sentence is repeated in the concluding sentence?
4. What kind of space order does the writer of this paragraph use? Choose
from the list on page 98.
1
des-p\te b\s c.asua\ l'ne meaning, is, "\\e wears ca\',ua\ c\otne5. 'but ne i.s not a casua\ -person:'

a kind of tree that grows very ta\1 and straight

I
Specific
Details
PR-\CTICE 2
i ng Specific
The second key to writing a good description is to use specific details. When you
describe something, you paint a picture with words. Your goal is to make your
reader "see" what you have described. The way to do this is to use a lot of
specific details. Specific means exact or precise. The opposite of specific is too
general, or vague. The more specific you can be, the better your reader can see
what you are describing.
Here are some examples:
Vague
a lot of money
a large house
a nice car
jogs a lot
a pretty face
Specific
$500,000
a six-bedroom, four-bathroom house
a Lexus
jogs three miles in the park every day
warm brown eyes, shining black hair,
and sparkling white teeth
Work with a partner. Add as many specific details as you can to these vague
descriptions. Use present tense verbs in your sentences. Then compare your
details with those of other students.
1. My uncle is large.
a. He is six feet. three inches tall and weighs 250 pounds.
b. He wears size fifteen shoes.
c. His shirts are XXX Large.
d. He can hold a basketball upside-down in one hand.
2. My boss has a nice house.
a. -----------------------------------------------------
b. -------------------------------------------------
c. -----------------------------------------------------
d. ______________________________________________ ___
3. Carl is a bad driver.
a. -----------------------------------------------------
b. ____________________________________________ __
c. -----------------------------------------------------
d. ________________________________________________ _
(continued on next page)
102 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 3
Adding Specific
Details
4. The inside of the taxicab was dirty.
a. -----------------------------------------------------
b. ____________________________________________ __
c. -----------------------------------------------------
d. ________________________________________________ _
5. The student cafeteria was noisy and crowded.
a. -----------------------------------------------------
b. ____________________________________________ __
c. -----------------------------------------------------
d. ______________________________________________ ___
Work with a group.
Step 1 Choose one person to be the secretary.
Step 2 Rewrite the paragraph to make the details more specific. Don't change
the first sentence. Rewrite the other sentences, and write at least ten
new sentences to add specific details.
Step 3 Compare your paragraph with other groups' paragraphs. Which space
order did each group use?
The Limousine
The limousine was quite luxurious. It was big. The outside was nice.
The inside was nice. It had nice seats. It had an entertainment center.
It also had food and beverages. Our ride was fun.
anning a
ace-Order
graph
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 103
The Limousine
The limousine was quite luxurious. It was Qt least fifteen feet long. It had
six doors and could carry ten passengers comfortably. The outside of the
limousine ...
You plan a space-order paragraph the same way you plan a time-order paragraph.
First, decide which space order to use-right to left, left to right, front to back, and
so on. Then list your details in that order. Finally, make an outline by adding a topic
sentence, capital letters to each detail, and a concluding sentence.
Here is a partly completed outline of the model paragraph on page 99, "The
Shared Refrigerator." Complete the outline by filling in the missing main details.
Use the top-to-bottom organization of the paragraph to help you select them.
The Shared Refrigercrl:or
My roommate's half of our refrigerator is very neat.
A. On the top shelf is a carton of milk. a pitcher of orange juice,
and a bottle of mineral water.
B. On the next shelf ---------------
c. ___ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
D. ________________________________________ ___
E. ______________________ _
My roommate is an organized person. and hi.s half of our refrigerator
really reflects his personality.
104 First Steps in Academic Writing
l'r1Jit Out! Make an outline for a paragraph describing one of the pictures in the
Activity at the beginning of the chapter. Your outline should look like the one ir.
Practice 4 on page 103. Do not write the paragraph yet. You will do that later.
Step 1 Write a topic sentence that names the place and tells what kind of
person lives or works there. For example, your first sentence for the
picture of the office might be one of these:
This is the office of a very important person.
An important business executive works in this office.
Step 2 List the main details that describe the room. List them in space order,
and give each detail a capital letter (A, B, C, and so on).
Step 3 Write a concluding sentence that tells your feeling or opinion about
the place. For example, you could write:
I hope to work in an office like this one some day.
Step 4 Remember to give your outline a title.
PART 2 I Grammar
Adjectives
In this section, you will learn how to use adjectives to make a description vi
and interesting.
Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. Adjectives tell what things (or people
look like, what kind they are, or how many of them there are. Adjectives answ
the questions: What kind? Which one? and How many?
what kind?
which one?
how many?
the old car with the broken window
the fourth chapter of the book, his car
twelve students, a few students
Here are some things to know about adjectives.
1. Adjectives always come in front of nouns, not after them.
twelve talented young musicians
-- ---
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 105
2. Adjectives can also follow linking verbs.
be The children are happy.
seem You seem sad.
look Brides always look beautiful.
smell The cookies smell delicious.
taste Candy tastes sweet.
feel Silk feels smooth.
3. English has a kind of adjective called a compound adjective. A compound
adjective is two or more words that function together as one word.
A compound adjective often has a hyphen or hyphens between its parts.
ten-week semester part-time job two-year-old child
4. Adjectives are always singular. Never add s to an adjective, and never
use a plural word as an adjective.
big feet (not bigs feet)
terrible memories (not terribles memories)
Be especially careful when a compound adjective containing a number
comes before a noun.
a six-foot wall
a five-dollar bill
a two-year-old child
(not a six-feet wall)
(not a five-dollars bill)
(not a two-years-old child)
Of course, when words such as foot, dollar, and year are nouns, they can
be plural.
The wall is six feet high.
The book costs five dollars.
The child is two years old.
5. Nouns can be adjectives.
the English book
some tennis balls
a shoe store
the Japanese students
6. Proper adjectives (adjectives referring to nationalities, languages,
geographic places, and so on) are capitalized.
Egyptian custom
Spanish class
Cuban government
Asian languages
106 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRi\CT1CE 5
Identifying
Adjectives
door handle
gas gauge
7. -ing and -ed words can be adjectives.
swimming pool
cooking class
sleeping baby
boring class
bored students
used car
broken heart
stolen money
1. Circle all the adjectives in the following paragraph. (Some sentences may
not have any.)
2. Which space order did the writer of this paragraph use?
passenger door
hood
back bumper dent
My First Car
1
M y ~ c a r was@and @!V but I loved it anyway.
2
lts main paint color
was black, but it also had blue, green, yellow, and white paint in different
places. 3"fhe body was in terrible condition.
4
lt had several big dents.
5
The Joe
on the hood was broken, so I had to tie it down with a strong rope.
6
Aiso, the
back bumper was rusty, and the front window was cracked. 7The inside of the
car was also in terrible condition. SThe passenger door handle was missing,
so you couldn't open the passenger door from the inside. SThe seats had
at least ten large holes in them.
10
Aiso, the gas gauge was
broken.
11
lt always showed "full," so I often ran out of gas.
1
'The speedometer was broken too, so I never knew how
fast I was driving.
13
Like a first love, my old VW had a few
faults,
1
but in my mind it was perfect.
1
faults: flaws; problems; bad or nonworking parts
speedometer
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 107
Order of Adjectives
When you write several adjectives in a row, sometimes you must put them in a
particular order, and sometimes you can choose your own order depending on
the kind of adjective. One kind is called cumulative adjectives, and the other
kind is called coordinate adjectives.
Cumulative Adjectives
The poor little black dog
Coordinate Adjectives
The wet, cold, (and) hungry dog
The cold, wet, (and) hungry dog
The hungry, wet, (and) cold dog
Cumulative Adjectives
Cumulative adjectives always go before a noun. They must be in a particular
order. For example, you cannot write the little black poor dog; you must write
the poor little black dog. Do not put commas between cumulative adjectives.
The following list shows you the order of cumulative adjectives.
Order of Cumulative l\djectives
2
Kind of Adjective
I. Articles, demonstrative
pronouns, possessives
2. Quantity
3. Opinion
.4. Appearance
5. Age, color
6. Nationality, religion
7. Material, purpose
8. Noun used as an
adjective
Examples
an, an, the, this, that, these, those, her, their,
Mary's
two, fifty, some, many, (a) few
poor, beautiful, interesting, cheerful, expensive
Size
Shape/Length
Condition
old, new, young
black, red, blond
big, little
round, square, short, long
rusty, broken, hungry, wet, cold
Guatemalan, European, Congolese, Asian
Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant
silk, wood, cotton, gold, metal
swimming, reading, hiking
shoe (as in shoe store), wedding (as in
wedding dress)
2
Students may encounter exceptions to the order of adjectives presented here.
108 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 6
Cumulative
Adjectives
1mwma
It is possible to use several cumulative adjectives in a row, but using too many
adjectives confuses your reader and weakens your description. In general, do
not use more than three cumulative adjectives in a row.
The bride wore her mother's beautiful satin wedding dress.
Add the cumulative adjectives in parentheses to describe the underlined noun
in each sentence. Add them in the correct order and write the sentences on the
lines provided.
I. There were toys in the middle of the floor. (broken, several, plastic)
There were several broken plastic toys in the middle of the floor.
2. Clouds announced an approaching rainstorm. (black, big)
3. Flags hung from every window. (colorful, rectangular)
4. Children played on the grass. (green, thick)
5. I dream about relaxing on a beach. (sand, white, beautiful)
6. They got married in a church. (stone, small, Italian)
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 109
7. The parents left children with the grandparents while they worked.
(young, their, two)
8. Class has thirty students. (advanced, Mr. Thompson's, English)
9. The real estate agent pointed out problems with the house.
(minor, several)
10. Windows were broken. (large, bedroom, four)
Coordinate Adjectives
Coordinate adjectives can go before a noun or after a linking verb. You can write
coordinate adjectives in any order, and you separate them from each other with
commas. Also,
When coordinate adjectives come before a noun, you may put the word
and before the last one (but you don't have to).
When two or more coordinate adjectives come after a linking verb, you
must put and before the last one.
Before a noun
(and optional)
After a linking verb
(and required)
A hungry, cold, wet dog sat outside our
front door.
A wet, cold, and hungry dog sat outside our
front door.
The dog was hungry, wet, and cold.
110 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 1
Coordinate
Adjectives
PRACTICE 8
Cumulative and
Coordinate
Adjectives
PRACTICE 9
Editing
Adjectives
Add commas to the coordinate adjectives in the following sentences.
I. The people want a smart, experienced, honest leader.
2. Most students like friendly enthusiastic imaginative teachers.
3. I am tired of the cold rainy weather.
4. I am looking forward to the warm sunny relaxing days of summer.
5. The prince in a fairy tale is either tall dark and handsome or tall blond
and handsome.
6. A fairy-tale prince is never short bald and ugly.
Step 1 Underline each adjective in the following sentences.
Step 2 Mark each one cum. for cumulative or coord. for coordinate.
Step 3 Add commas where they are necessary.
cum. coord. Coord.
1. I found a small piece of smelly, moldyJ cheese under my bed.
2. Four shiny black limousines were parked outside the hotel.
3. The small red apples looked sweet crisp juicy and delicious.
4. Hundreds of happy cheering football fans ran onto the field.
5. The pretty new French teacher is from Quebec.
6. My father bought a beautiful antique Persian rug as a twentieth
anniversary gift for my mother.
Find and correct the errors in the following sentences. In some sentences,
commas are missing. In other sentences, adjectives are in the wrong order.
1. The hungry frightened dog waited for someone to feed him.
2. The black little dog waited for someone to feed him.
3. My mother always bakes a chocolate delicious cake for my little
brother's birthday.
4. For his tenth birthday, he received a metal new baseball bat.
5. The coach's enthusiastic supportive manner gave the team confidence.
'moldy: covered with a soft green or black substance, like old bread
PRACTICE 10
riting
Sentences with
djectives
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 111
Write sentences describing objects you might find under the bed of a "pack
rat."
2
Use at least two adjectives (either cumulative or coordinate) to describe
each object. Use your imagination!
I. Under the bed, I saw several fuzzy dust balls
2. I also saw a pair of--------------------
3. Then I discovered a box of ________________ _
4. Next to it, I found a greasy paper bag with __________ _
------------------------inside it.
5. The discovery of---------------------
____________________ didn't surprise me.
TllJ 1t Out! Write a paragraph from the outline you made describing a room for the
Try It Out! on page 104. Complete the steps in the writing process.
(You have already completed Step 1, Prewriting.)
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFf at the top of your paper.
Follow your outline, which is in space order.
Make your description vivid and interesting by adding adjectives to
the details. For example, instead of writing "There is a pen and
pencil set on the desk," add adjectives, such as shiny, silver,
expensive, and so on.
There is a shiny silver pen and pencil set on the desk.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response 4A and Writer's Self-Check 4A
on pages 202 and 203.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to your teacher.
Your teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your
outline, and your other drafts.
2
pack rat: a person who never throws anything away (slang)
112 First Steps in Academic Writing
PART 3 I Sentence Structure
Prepositions Prepositions are little words such as oj; to, from. in, and at. Most preposition
are one word. A few prepositions are two words (because of) or three words (in
front of). Here is a list of common prepositions.
about besides near under
above between of until
across beyond off upon
after by on with
against down out without
along during outside according to
around except over because of
at for since in addition to
before from through in back of
behind in throughout in front of
below inside till in place of
beneath into to next to
beside like toward out of
IIMADW
Some words, such as to, are sometimes prepositions and sometimes another
part of speech. Compare these two sentences.
1. We went to the supermarket.
2. We wanted to buy some fruit.
In sentence 1, to is a preposition because it is followed by a noun (the
supermarket). In sentence 2, the word to is part of the infinitive verb phrase
to buy.
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 113
epositional A preposition is usually combined with a noun or noun phrase to make a
rases prepositional phrase, such as in the house or at six o'clock.
Some prepositional phrases answer the question where. These are prepositional
phrases of place. Prepositional phrases of place are useful in space-order
paragraphs to show the location of objects in a description.
on the desk
next to the window
under the bed
in front of the house
opposite the door
in the closet
in the middle of the room
in the distance
Other prepositional phrases answer the question when. These are prepositional
phrases of time. Prepositional phrases of time are useful in "how to" paragraphs
to give the order of the steps.
at last
after that
after class
on New Year's Day
before the test
upon arrival
in the morning
at midnight
Other prepositional phrases show possession:
(the father) of the bride
(the name) of my boss
(the colors) of the rainbow
(the president) of the company
Others describe or identify someone or something:
(the woman) with red hair
(the student) from Ecuador
(the man) in the blue shirt
(the car) with the flat tire
As you read the model paragraph, look for prepositional phrases. Put
parentheses around them.
114 First Steps in Academic Writing
I
MODEL
Prepositional
Phrases of
Place in a
Description
My Desk
1The inside (of my desk) looks (like a second-hand store.) 2Each
drawer is full of junk. 3ln the center drawer, you can find paper clips,
erasers, pencils, pens, rubber bands, and small bottles of glue. 41 have a
small hardware store in my top drawer. Slf you want to repair something,
you can find whatever you need there. 6ln the second drawer, I keep
snacks in case I get hungry at night. 7Small items of clothing are in the
third drawer, and the bottom drawer holds my collection of wind-up toys.
81 play with them during study breaks. 91 have such a variety of things in
my desk that I could start a small business, according to my friends.
Questions on the Model
1. Which space order did the writer of this paragraph use?
2. How many prepositional phrases are there in the model?
3. How many of them tell where something is?
Using Prepositional Phrases to Va'1f Sentence Openings
One way to improve your writing is to start sentences with prepositional phrases
of time and place. A paragraph in which every sentence follows the sa "'
subject-verb-object pattern can be boring. Vary your sentence openings .
sometimes starting a sentence with a prepositional phrase. Notice that you put
comma after a prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence.
UsuAL PATTERN: Get eight hours of sleep before a big exam.
NEW PATTERN: Before a big exam, get eight hours of sleep.
UsuAL PATTERN: I keep snacks in the second drawer.
NEw PATTERN: In the second drawer, I keep snacks.
Moving a prepositional phrase is also possible in sentences beginning wi
there is/there are and there was/there were.
UsuAL PATTERN: There is a secret hiding place under the stairs.
NEW PATTERN: Under the stairs, there is a secret hiding place.
UsUAL PATTERN: There are several kinds of trees in the park.
NEw PATTERN: In the park, there are several kinds of trees.
PRACTICE II
Prepositional
Phrases
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 115
Sometimes the subject of a sentence can just exchange places with a
prepositional phrase of place. This can happen when the sentence contains only
a subject, an intransitive verb (a verb that has no object), and a prepositional
phrase. In this case, don't use a comma .
USUAL PATIERN:
NEW PATIERN:
USUAL PATIERN:
NEW PATIERN:
.-----s v l-:- pp ~
A comfortable chair is in the corner.
In the corner is a comfortable chair.
,------ s v pp ----,
A picture of Beethoven hangs above her piano.
Above her piano hangs a picture of Beethoven.
A. Identify and punctuate prepositional phrases of time and place.
Step 1 Put parentheses around all prepositional phrases.
Step 2 Add a comma after prepositional phrases of time and place that begin
a sentence.
My Favorite Place
1
My favorite place (on the campus) (of our school) is the lawn (in front
of the library.}
2
(During my lunch break,) I go there to relax (with friends.)
3
ln the center of the lawn there is a fountain.
4
Water splashes from the
fountain onto some rocks around it.
5
The sound of the splashing water
reminds me of a place in the mountains where we go in the summer.
6
Under
a group of trees at the edge of the lawn are wooden benches and tables.
7
0n warm days students sit at the tables in the shade of the trees to eat their
lunches. B"fhe chatter' of students makes studying impossible.
9
After lunch
it becomes quiet again.
B. Improve the paragraph on the next page by moving some of the prepositional
phrases of time and place to the beginning of their sentences.
Step 1 Put parentheses around prepositional phrases of time and place.
Step 2 Then rewrite the paragraph on the lines provided. Move two or three
prepositional phrases of time and place to the beginning of their
sentences. Do not change every sentence.
1
chatter: noisy talking
116 First Steps in Academic Writing
My Childhood Hideout
1
1
1 had a secret hiding place (near my childhood home.)
2
No one knew of
its existence, so it became my refuge
2
from the world.
3
1 often went there to
escape from my older brothers and sisters.
4
1 would sit alone for hours and
daydream.
5
1 was quite comfortable in my hideout.
6
An old rug covered the
floor.
7
A pillow and blanket that I had permanently "borrowed" from my oldest
(and meanest) brother were along one wall.
8
A metal box with a strong lid
was in the corner. 9'fhe box contained snacks, a flashlight, and a few of my
favorite mystery novels.
10
1 could spend all day in my hideout.
1
hideout: hiding place
2
refuge: place of safety
My Childhood Hideout
Chapter 4 I Describing a Place 117
Tn;lt Out! Step 1 Combine the sentences in each group to make one sentence. There may
be more than one possible correct way to combine each group.
Step 2 Write the sentences as a paragraph on page 118. Put prepositional
phrases at the beginning of some sentences to show the space order.
The Shared Refrigerator (continued)
1. a. My half of our refrigerator is messy.
b. My half of our refrigerator is disorganized.
2. a. A box of eggs sits on the shelf.
b. The eggs are broken.
c. The shelf is the top one.
3. a. Carrots and salami share the shelf.
b. The shelf is the second one.
c. They share it with bread and lettuce.
d. The carrots are old.
e. The salami is brown.
f. The bread is hard.
g. The bread is green.
h. The lettuce is soft.
4. a. Pizza lies under a bowl of spaghetti.
b. The pizza is leftover.
c. The spaghetti is three weeks old.
d. These things lie on the third shelf.
5. a. The bottom drawer holds a combination.
b. The combination is interesting.
c. The combination is of paper bags of food.
d. The food is from McDonald's.
e. The food is from Taco Bell.
f. The food is from the Chinese Kitchen.
6. a. A puddle covers the bottom.
b. The puddle is smelly.
c. The puddle is disgusting.
7. a. My roommate and I are different.
b. We get along.
c. We do this very well.
(continued on next page)
118 First Steps in Academic Writing
;>.---------------------------------
The Shared Refrigerator (continued)
My naif of our refrigerator is messv and disorganized.
ART 4 I Writing
Review
Questions
riting

Check your understanding of the important points in this chapter by answering
the following questions.
Organization
1. What are the two keys to a good description?
2. What are some different kinds of space order?
3. How can you help your reader "see" what you have described?
Grammar
4. What does an adjective do?
5. Where are two places in a sentence that you can find adjectives?
6. What is special about cumulative adjectives? Do you put commas
between cumulative adjectives?
7. How are coordinate adjectives different from cumulative ones? Do you
put commas between coordinate adjectives?
Sentence Structure
8. What is a prepositional phrase?
9. What are two types of prepositional phrases and what do they do?
l 0. How can you use prepositional phrases to improve your writing?
Write a paragraph in which you describe a place that is special to you, or
choose one of these topic suggestions.
Topic Suggestions
Your classroom
The student cafeteria at
lunchtime
Your grandmother's kitchen
A crowded bus on a hot day
The subway at rush hour
A club on a weekend night
A beach at sunset
A holiday parade
Your bedroom or room where you study
Your favorite room in your house
Your neighborhood
A hospital emergency room
The town square on market day
The apartment or horne of a pack rat
Your dream house
The clothes closet of a fashionistal
1
fashionisto: person interested in clothing and fashion
120 First Steps in Academic Writing ,\,._________________________________ _
Follow the steps in the writing process.
Step 1 Prewrite to get ideas.
Use the prewriting technique that is most productive for you:
freewriting, clustering, or listing.
Make an outline.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFT at the top of your paper.
Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence that names the place an
gives a main idea about it. You can give its general size or conditio
or a general impression. Use an adjective, such as big, small,
luxurious, messy, beautiful, plain, wild, mysterious, or comfortable.
Use space order (right to left, top to bottom, far to near, and so on)
to organize your sentences. Use prepositional phrases to show the
order. Put some of the prepositional phrases at the beginning of t h e ~
sentences.
Write several sentences that give descriptive details. You can descri
objects, and you can also tell what people are doing in the place.
adjectives in your descriptive details.
End your paragraph with a sentence that tells your feeling about
the place.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response 4B and Writer's Self-Check
on pages 204 and 205.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to your teacher
Your teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your
outline, and your other drafts.
Stating Reasons and
sing Examples
Chapter Preview
Prewriting Activity: Reasons and Examples
Part 1: Organi:zation
Outlines with Details
Reasons and Examples
Transition Signals with Reasons
Conclusion Signals with Reasons
Transition Signals with Examples
Part 2: Sentence Structure
More About Complex Sentences
Part 3: Capitalization and Punctuation
Capitalization: Two More Rules
Commas: Four More Rules
Part 4: Writing
121
122 First Steps in Academic Writing
Chapter Preview
Prewriting
A.ctivicy:
Reasons and
Examples
In this unit, you will write another listing-order paragraph using reasons an
examples to prove your points. You will also study and practice:
outlines with details
transition signals with reasons
transition signals with examples
two more capitalization rules
four more comma rules
1. A friend from home has asked you to recommend a language school.. You,
of course, want your friend to come to your school. With a partner or a
small group, discuss various reasons your friend should come to your
school.
Here are some points to consider.
classes cost
teachers location
other students nearby attractions
campus facilities (gymnasium,
computer lab, dormitories,
etc.)
student success rate
2. Use the space below to take notes or to use the freewriting, clustering, or
listing techniques to get ideas. Try to find at least four reasons.
Reasons to Study at ----------
Chapter s I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 123
3. Now do more thinking to find one or two specific examples for each reason.
A specific example might be the name of a class (TOEFL Preparation),
a favorite teacher (Mrs. Oser), a campus facility (the computer lab), or a
school activity (Welcome Week). A specific example could also be a cost
($600 per semester) or a distance (20 miles to the nearest surfing beach).
4. Complete the outline.
Outline
-----------is a good place to learn English
(name of school)
for several reasons.
Reason A:----------------------
Example:--------------------
Example:---------------------
ReasonB: _____________________ _
Example: ___________________ _
Example: ____________________ _
ReasonC: _____________________ _
Example: ___________________ _
Example: ___________________ _
ReasonD: _____ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Example: ___________________ _
Example: ___________________ _
124 First Steps in Academic Writing
PART 1 I Organization
MODEL
Reasons and
Examples
In this section, you will learn to write about reasons and use examples to suppon
your reasons. Read the model paragraph below. Then answer the questions.
Costa Rica
1Costa Rica is a great place to spend a vacation for two reasons.
2First of all, Costa Rica has an excellent system of national parks where
visitors can observe nature. 3For example,
in Tortuguero National Park, visitors can
watch sea turtles come ashore' to lay their
eggs in nests in the sand. 4Then they can
come back several months later to see the
new babies crawl down to the sea. 51n
Santa Rosa National Park, visitors can
see unusual birds, such as toucans and
quetzals. 6They can also observe exotic
animals, such as spider monkeys.
7Second, Costa Rica has many beautiful
beaches. 8For instance, the beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park
are among the most beautiful in the world, and the beaches on Cafioa
and Cocos Islands offer perfect conditions for snorkeling and scuba
diving. 91ndeed, Costa Rica is a wonderful place to go if you love the
outdoors.
Questions on the Model
1. What is the title of this paragraph?
2. What is the topic sentence? What information does it give you?
3. How many supporting sentences are there?
4. How many reasons are given? What words introduce these reasons?
5. How many examples are given for each reason? What words tell you
that these are examples?
6. What is the concluding sentence?
7. What kind of organizational pattern did the writer use in this
paragraph- space order, time order, or listing order?
1
ashore: on the shore, on the beach
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Exampl es 125
tli nes with In previous chapters, you practiced making simple outlines with main points A,
tails B, C, and so on. In this chapter, you will add details to your main points.
\I ODEL
tailed Outline
TOPIC SENTENCE
1ST REASON
EXAMPLE FOR A
EXAMPLE FOR 1
EXAMPLE FOR 1
EXAMPLE FOR A
EXAMPLE FOR 2
EXAMPLE FOR 2
2ND REASON
EXAMPLE FOR B
EXAMPLE FOR 8
EXAMPLE FOR 2
EXAMPLE FOR 2
CoNCLUDING SENTENCE
easons and
E amples
I. Give main points (reasons) capital letters: A, B, C, and so on.
2. Give examples for A, B, and C numbers: I , 2, 3, and so on.
3. Give examples for 1, 2, and 3 small letters: a, b, c, and so on.
4. Indent each kind of letter or number.
The following model outline has two main points (A, B) and two levels of
details: 1, 2 and a, b.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great place to spend a vacation for two reasons.
A. Excellent system of national parks-visitors can observe nature
1. Tortuguero National Park
a. Sea turtle nests
b. Baby turtles
2. Santa Rosa National Park
a. Unusual birds-toucans and quetzals
b. Exotic animals-spider monkeys
B. Beautiful beaches
1. Beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park
2. Beaches on Caiioa and Cocos Islands
a. Snorkeling
b. Scuba diving
Costa Rica is a wonderful place to go if you love the outdoors.
When you write a topic sentence such as Costa Rica is a great place to visit, or
Women should be jet fighter pilots, you need to support it with reasons. You need
to explain why Costa Rica is a great place to visit, or why women should be jet
fighter pilots. The writer of the model paragraph gave two main reasons why
tourists enjoy visiting Costa Rica:
1. It has many national parks where tourists can see nature.
2. It has beautiful beaches.
126 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE I
Specific
Examples
TOPI C SENTENCE
1ST REASON
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
2ND REASON
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
After you state your reasons, you need to support them. A good way to support
reasons is to give specific examples. In the model paragraph, each of the reasons
has two supporting examples. The examples are specific. They are the actual
names of places: Tortuguero National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, Manue
Antonio National Park, Cafioa Island, and Cocos Island. Other specific examples
in the paragraph are the names of birds (toucans and quetzals) and of an animal
(spider monkeys).
A. Work with a partner. Think of two specific examples for each reason in
Outline A.
Outline A
Joe's Diner is the best restaurant in town.
A. The food is delicious.
1. Joe's double cheeseburger is juicy and full of flavor.
2. --------------------------------------------------
B. The service is fast and cheerful.
1. ------------------------------------------------
2. -----------------------------------------------
3RD REASON
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
TOPIC SENTENCE
1ST REASON
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
2ND REASON
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
3RD REASON
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE
C ONCLUDING SENTENCE
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 127
C. The prices are low.
1. -----------------------------------------------
2. --------------------------------------------------
When you are hungry and in a hurry, try Joe's Diner for a fast. delicious.
inexpensive meal served with a smile.
B. For Outline B, think of both reasons and examples.
Outline B
Pete's Pizzeria is the worst fast-food restaurant in town.
A.
1.
2.
B.
1.
2.
c.
1.
2.
For slow service and expensive pizza with cardboard crust and rubber
cheese. always go to Pete's.
128 First Steps in Academic Writing
C. Organize the scrambled sentences for each of the following topics into an
outline. The sentences are reasons, examples or other specific details, topi
sentences, or concluding sentences. Write your outlines on a separate piece
of paper.
Topic 1: Reasons not to own a Hummer
1
1. To sum up, for the health of your bank balance as well
as for the health of the environment, don't buy a
Hummer.
2. Hummers are big gas hogs.
2
3. The H2 model gets less than 10 miles per gallon
of gas.
4. In one year, a Hummer gives off 24,100 pounds of
carbon dioxide, which is two to three times more than
average cars give off.
5. There are at least two reasons for not buying the huge.
military-type vehicle called a Hummer.
6. The U.S. government's Environmental Protection
Agency gives it a failing grade.
7. When gas costs $3 per gallon, it costs $100 to fill up a
Hummer's big gas tank.
8. Hummers are bad for the environment.
Topic 2: Reasons to own a Smart3
I. The Smart is easy on the wallet.
4
2. The Smart will be the next "cool" car to own for
several reasons.
3. The design is eye-catching.
4. It costs between $15,000 and $25,000.
5. It has changeable door panels in stylish colors.
6. It is only 8 feet, 2Yz inches (250 em) long, which is the
width of a street parking space.
7. Its body is modern in design.
8. You can park two or three Smarts side-by-side in a
single street parking space.
1
Information from "Top Ten Reasons Not to Buy a Hummer," Code Pink: Women for Peace, http://wWV>
codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=86 and "Green Vehicle Guide," U.S. Environmental Protection A g e n ~ .
http://www.eps.gov/greenvehicles/E-HUMMER-H2-06.htm (accessed October 23, 2006).
2
gas hogs: automobiles that use a lot of gas (A hog is a male pig.)
3
lnfonnation from John Gartner, "Small Car Seeks Small Niche," Wired News, May 3, 2005, http://wired.
com/news/autotech/0,2554,67405,00.html (accessed July 8, 2006) and Philip Reed, "The Smart Invasion: A
New Smart Line of Cars Is Coming to the U.S.," Edmunds.com, March 9, 2004, http://www.edmunds.corn.
advice/specialreports/articles/101361/article.html (accessed October 23, 2006).
4
easy on the wallet: economical (idiom)
ransition
ignafs with
easons
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 129
9. The European model gets 60 miles per gallon of gas, and the U.S.
model 50 miles per gallon.
10. The Smart is easy to park.
11. For style, economy, and easy parking, the Smart is the car to buy.
When you give reasons, you should introduce each one with a transition signal.
Use the listing-order transition signals: first, first ofall, second, third, finally, and
so forth.
Pattern 1
First of all, _____________ _
Second, ________________ _
First of all, Costa Rica has an excellent system of national
parks.
Second, Costa Rica has many beautiful beaches.
You can also put the transition word in the subject (without commas), like this:
Pattern 2
The first reason is ______________ _
The second reason is _____________ _
There are two ways to complete the Pattern 2 sentences above.
With a noun phrase:
5
The first reason is the excellent system of national parks.
The second reason is Costa Rica's beautiful beaches.
With a sentence connected by that:
The first reason is that Costa Rica has an excellent system
of national parks.
The second reason is that Costa Rica has many beautiful
beaches.
Remember: Don't use a comma when the transition signal is included in the
subject.
5
noun phrase: a group of words ending with a noun that belong together in meaning: the old house, a good
book, several friends
130 First Steps in Academic Writing
Conclusion
Signals with
Reasons
PRACTICE 2
Transition
Signals with
Reasons
In addition to the conclusion signals such as Indeed and To sum up that you ha
already learned, you can begin a concluding sentence with For these (two, th
four, and so on) reasons, followed by a sentence.
For these __ reasons, ____________ _
For these two reasons, Costa Rica is a wonderful place to go if
you love the outdoors.
Another way to write a concluding sentence is to begin it with Because
followed by one or more noun phrases.
Because of _______ _
Because of its national parks and beautiful beaches, Costa
Rica is a wonderful place to go if you love the outdoors.
Here are three more reasons that Costa Rica is a good place to visit. Rewrite
each reason twice to add transition signals.
Step 1 On the first line (a), rewrite the sentence and use a listing-order
transition signal as in the a example for Reason 3 below. Be sure to -
a comma.
Step 2 On the second line (b), rewrite the sentence and include the transitio
signal in the subject as in the b example. Don't use a comma.
Reason 3:
San Jose, the capital, has a pleasant climate.
a. Third. San Jose. the capital. has a pleasant climate.
b. A third reason is that San Jose. the capital. has a pleasant
climate.
Reason 4:
Hotels and restaurants are inexpensive.
a. ________________________ ___
b. _________________________________ ___
Transition
Signals with
Examples
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 131
Reason 5:
The people are friendly to tourists.
a. __________________________________________________ ___
b. ____________________________________________ _
There are three transition signals to introduce examples: for example, for
instance, and such as. Notice the two different punctuation patterns used with
them.
Use For example and For instance when your example is a complete sentence.
The two transition signals have exactly the same meaning. Put them at the
beginning of the sentence and follow them with a comma.
1
Pattern 1 For example, ________ _
Forinstance, __________ ________ _
For example, visitors can watch sea turtles come ashore to lay
their eggs in the sand in Tortuguero National Park.
For instance, visitors can watch sea turtles come ashore to lay
their eggs in the sand in Tortuguero National Park.
Use such as, for example, and for instance in the middle of a sentence when
your example is a noun or a list of nouns that appear at the end of the sentence.
Pattern 2
__________ , such as ______ __ _
________ , for example, ____ _
__________ , for instance, ____ ____ _
Put a comma before such as.
2
Visitors can see rare birds, such as toucans and quetzals.
Put a comma before and after for example and for instance.
Visitors can see rare birds, for example, toucans and quetzals.
Visitors can see rare birds, for instance, toucans and quetzals.
1
For example and for instance can also be inserted into the middle or added to the end of an example that
is a complete sentence.
2
Sometimes such as appears without commas. The rule for using commas with such as has to do with
restrictive and nonrestrictive structures, which will be introduced in Chapter 6.
132 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 3
Transition
Signals with
Examples
IIDitgDIItl
Be careful when you begin a sentence with For example or For instance. Make
sure your sentence follows either Pattern 1 or Pattern 2.
WRONG: The restaurant specializes in shellfish. For example, fresh
lobster and crab.
RIGHT: The restaurant specializes in shellfish. For example, it serves
fresh lobster and crab. (Pattern 1)
RIGHT: The restaurant specializes in shellfish, such as fresh lobster
and crab. (Pattern 2)
RIGHT: The restaurant specializes in shellfish, for example, fresh
lobster and crab. (Pattern 2)
A. Add commas to the following sentences.
1. Denmark has many attractions for children such as Tivoli Gardens
and Legoland.
2. Japan is famous for its beautiful gardens. For example the rock garden :
Ryoanji Temple is known all over the world.
3. In Sao Paulo, there is a mix of architecture. You can see traditional
architecture in some buildings for example the Martinelli Building and
Banco do Estado de Sao Paulo.
4. There are also many modern buildings in Sao Paulo. For instance the
Banco Sumitomo and Conjunto Nacional are very modern in design.
5. Bolivia offers tourists many interesting places to visit for instance the
capital city of La Paz and the islands in Lake Titicaca.
B. Fill in the blanks with for example, for instance, or such as. Add commas
where necessary. (There may be more than one correct answer.)
1. San Francisco has several ethnic
1
neighborhoods ________ _
North Beach (Italian), the Mission District (Hispanic), and Chinatown
(Chinese).
2. When you visit the ethnic neighborhoods of Miami, you feel that you are
in a foreign country. _________ in Little Havana you can
easily imagine that you are in Cuba.
1
ethnic: of different cultures. races, and nationalities
Chapter S I Stating Reasons and Using Exampl es 33
3. Summers are much cooler in San Francisco than in Los Angeles.
________ the average July temperature in San Francisco is
about 65F, but it is 85F in Los Angeles.
4. Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula has many luxury beach resorts
Cancun and Cozumel.
--------
5. The Yucatan is full of archaeological treasures _______ _
the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum.
l'r1!1t Out! Write a paragraph recommending your school as a place to study English.
Use the reasons and examples that you developed in the Prewriting Activity
at the beginning of the chapter. Complete the steps in the writing process.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFT at the top of your paper.
Use the same topic sentence as in your outline, and add a concluding
sentence.
Use transition signals for your main points and for your examples.
Try to use for example, for instance, and such as at least onc.e.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response SA and Writer's Self-Check 5A
on pages 206 and 207.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy of your paragraph to hand in to your teacher.
Your teacher may also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your
outline, and your other drafts.
~ R T 2 I Sentence Structure
ore About
omplex
ntences
In Chapter 3, you learned about complex sentences with dependent time clauses.
Now let's study other kinds of dependent clauses. First, review these five points:
An independent clause is a sentence by itself.
A dependent clause is not a sentence by itself. A dependent clause needs
an independent clause to complete its meaning.
Independent clause The class ended.
Dependent clause ... when the class ended . ..
134 First Steps in Academic Writing
~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A complex sentence is one independent clause and one or more
dependent clauses.
The clauses can be in any order.
Put a comma after a dependent clause when the dependent clause comes
before an independent clause.
COMMA
I DEPENDENT CLAUSE t r-INDEPENDENT CLAUSE ~
As soon as the class ended, the students left the room.
No COMMA
r---- INDEPENDENT CLAUSE ~ r---DEPENDENT CLAUSE -----,
The students left the room as soon as the class ended.
Reason and Condition Subordinators
In Chapter 3, you practiced writing sentences with time subordinators. Here are
two other kinds. One kind tells a reason for something to happen, and the o
kind states a condition for something to happen.
because
since
if
Reason Subordinators
They canceled the game because the field was too wet.
Since the field was too wet, they canceled the game.
Condition Subordinator
John is unhappy if he doesn't get an A in every class.
Here are some things to know about these subordinators.
1. Because and since have exactly the same meaning, and there is no
difference in their use.
Because Tina is good at math, she decided to become an
engineer.
Since Tina is good at math, she decided to become an engineer..
Tina decided to become an engineer because she is good
at math.
Tina decided to become an engineer since she is good at math.
PRACTICE 4
Complex
Sentences
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 135
2. The word since can be either a reason subordinator or a time
subordinator.
Since I don't own a car, I take the bus to school. (reason)
Since Eddie started lifting weights, he has become much
stronger. (time)
3. Because is a subordinator. Because ofis a two-word preposition.
Hawaii is a popular vacation spot because of its beautiful
beaches. (preposition)
Hawaii is a popular vacation spot because it has beautiful
beaches. (subordinator)
4. If introduces a condition. (Note: Sentences with conditional clauses
often require special combinations of verb tenses. Consult a grammar
book for information.)
If you don't practice, you won't learn as quickly.
If you cook chicken too long, it becomes tough and dry.
Don't open an email if you don't know the sender.
A. Analyze these complex sentences.
Step 1 Underline the independent clauses with a solid line and the dependent
clauses with a
Step 2 Draw a circle around the subordinator.
Step 3 Add a comma if one is needed.
I. Tourists love to visit

2. Since summers are hot in Arizona the best time to go there is
the spring or fall.
3. If you are interested in Native Americans you should visit the
Navajo and Hopi reservations
1
in northern Arizona.
4. You might be able to visit a tribal fair
2
if you are lucky.
5. The Navajo call themselves a "nation" because they govern
themselves.
6. Because the Navajo language is so difficult the U.S. military used it
for secret messages during World War II.
(continued on next page)
1
reservations: areas of land in the U.S. kept separate for Native Americans to live on
2
tribal fair: an outdoor event where Native Americans celebrate their culture
136 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 5
Editing
Sentence and
Punctuation
Frrors
B. Complete the dependent clause to make a complex sentence.
I. I enjoy traveling because I like to learn about new cultures
2. I take a trip whenever-------------------"
3. After , I plan to work my way
around the world.
4. Before ________________ , I want to see as much
of the world as possible.
5. I have to travel now because _______________ _
6. If---------------- I want to spend at least one
year on the road.'
Step 1 Look for sentence and punctuation errors in the following paragraph.
You should find two comma errors, two fragments, one run-on, and one
comma splice.
Step 2 In the lines below, rewrite the incorrect sentences correctly.
Soccer
1
Soccer is truly the world's most popular sport.
2
Since the game began
in England about 150 years ago it has spread to every corner of the globe.
3
M ill ions of people go to soccer stadiums to watch their favorite team.
4
Whi e
millions more watch on television.
5
0ne reason for soccer's popularity may
be its economy and simplicity.
6
Anyone can afford to play soccer, because
doesn't require expensive equipment.
7
Aiso, has simple rules.
8
Soccer is the
number one sport in most of the world, it is not the most popular sport in
North America.
9
lce hockey is the favorite in Canada American football is
the favorite in the United States.
10
However, soccer is gaining new players
and fans in those countries too.
Corrected Sentences:
1
on the road: traveling (idiom)
1DJ 1t Out!
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 137
Step 1 Combine the sentences in each group to make one sentence.
Some of your sentences will be simple, some will be
compound, and some will be complex. If there is only one
sentence, do not change it but simply copy it. Punctuate each
sentence carefully.
Step 2 Write the sentences together as a paragraph. Add an
appropriate transition signal where suggested.
My Love-Hate Relationship with Camping
1. a. There are two reasons I love camping.
b. There are two reasons I hate camping.
2. a. Living outdoors for a few days refreshes my mind.
b. Living outdoors for a few days renews my spirit.
(Add a transition signal to 2a.)
3. a. I have spent a few days in nature.
b. I feel free again.
c. I feel happy again.
(Use after in front of 3a.)
4. a. Camping brings my family closer together.
b. Everyone helps plan the trip.
c. Everyone helps set up the campsite.
d. Everyone helps prepare the meals.
(Add a transition signal to 4a. Use because in front of 4b.)
5. On the other hand, sometimes I hate camping.
6. I don't sleep well. (Add a transition signal.)
7. a. I hate to sleep on the ground.
b. The ground is hard.
(Use because infront of7b.)
8. a. I get up in the morning.
b. I can hardly move.
(Use when in front of 8a.)
9. a. My back hurts.
b. My muscles ache.
(continued on next page)
138 First Steps in Academic Writing
10. a. The second reason I hate camping is this.
b. We always forget something important.
(Replace the word this with the subordinating Mord that and
combine the sentences.)
11. a. We forgot to bring our tent.
b. This happened last year.
c. We had to sleep in the open.
1
(Use so in front of 1/c.)
12. a. Ididn'tsleepatall.
b. I am afraid of snakes.
c. I am afraid of bugs.
(Use because in front of 12b.)
13. a. I see a snake.
b. I see a bug.
c. I am frozen with fear.
(Use if infront of 13a.)
14. a. Why do I continue to go camping?
b. I have such a love-hate relationship with it.
(Use when infront of 15b. Your combined sentence will be a
question.)
My Love-Hate Relationship with Camping
There are two reasons I love camping and two reasons I hate camping.
1
in the open: outside, without shelter
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 139
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~
PART 3 I Capitalization and Punctuation
In this section, you will learn more about capitalization and using commas.
Capitalization: Here are two more capitalization rules.
Two More
Rules
Rutes
CapitaH:ze:
11. Some abbreviations.
NOTE I: USA is an abbreviation for
United States of America. Do not
capitalize all of the letters in a
country's name.
NOTE 2: Capitalize only the first letter
of the abbreviation of a person's title.
12. All the words in a greeting and the
first word in the closing of a letter.
Examptes
IBM UN UCLA
vw TV CBS
USA UAE UK
United States of America
Saudi Arabia
Japan
Dr. Mr. and Mrs. Prof.
Dear Sir:
To Whom It May Concern:
Love,
Very truly yours,
140 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 6
Capitalization
Review
dear miki,
Change the small letters to capital letters wherever necessary in the letter from
Nicole to her sister Miki. To review the rules you learned earlier, turn back to
pages 17 and 89.
september ~ ~ 20 __
well, here i am in new york city. i still can't believe that i'm actually hereJ i arrived on
saturday after a long flight from paris on air france. the food was excellent, ana so was the
movie. we saw gone with the wind. i stayed saturday ana sunday nights at the fairmount
hotel near rockefeller center. then on monday i moved into my dormitory at nyu.'
i spent my entire first weekend here sightseeing. i saw many famous places: rockefeller
center, the united nations, the guggenheim museum, the ny stock exchange, ana the statue
of liberty. i window-shopped at gucci ana saks fifth avenue. i also visited another famous
art museum ana the nbc television studios.
today is a holiday in the united states. it is labor aay, so all government offices, schools,
ana banks are closed. people in the united states celebrate the end of summer by having a
three-day weekend. many new yorkers spend the aay in central park or go to the beach on long
island.
i learned some interesting things about new york. its nickname is ''the big apple,n but no
one knows Why i t ~ called an apple ana not a banana or an orange. another interesting fact is
that the first europeans who came here bought manhattan island
2
from the natives for only
~ 2 4 . of course, it's now worth trillions of dollars.
well, that's all for now. classes begin next week. i'm having a good time, but i miss you
all, ana i really miss french food. write soon.
with love,
nicole
1
NYU: New York University
2
Manhattan Island: the island on which part of New York City is located
,.......
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 141
Commas: Fo ur So far, you have learned these four comma rules:
\Jtore Rules
Rules
Use a comma:
I. After transitio n signals and prepositional
beginning of a sentence (except phrases at the
then).
2. Before coordi nating conjuncti ons in a
tence. compound sen
3. In a complex s entence when a dependent
comes before an adverb clause
independent cl a use.
4. To separate ite ms in a series.
Examples
First, carry out the empty bottles and cans.
From my window, I have a beautiful view.
After lunch, my grandfather takes a nap.
For example, some teachers give pop quizzes.
Cook the rice over low heat for twenty minutes, but
don't let it burn.
Many students work, so they don't have'time to do
homework.
Because Mexico City is surrounded by mountains, it
has a lot of smog.
In our class there are students from Mexico, Japan,
Vietnam, Iran, China, and Guatemala.
Here are four more comma rules:
Rules
Use a comma:
5. To separate th
BUT NOT in an
ousands, millions, billions, etc.
umbe'r that expresses a year or
d NOT to separate dollars from an address, an
cents or whole numbers from decimals. (Use a
omma.) period, not a c
Examples
The college has 23,250 students.
in the year 2010
2935 Main Street
$59.95
6 ~ = 6.875
6. To separate the parts of dates and after years in The third millennium started on January 1, 2001, not
the iniddle of a sentence. on January 1, 2000.
7. To separate the parts of a U.S. address EXCEPT
ate and the zip code when the
sentence. In the address of
nvelopes, do not use commas.
between the st
address is in a
letters and on e
8. After the greeti
personal letter,
a business lette
....._____
ng and closing in a
and after the closing in
r .
The address of the White House is 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue, Washington, DC 20500.
Dear Michiko,
Dear Mom,
Love,
Very truly yours,
142 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 7
Commas
A. Add commas to the sentences. (Not all sentences need them.)
Rules 1-4
1. Some students work full time and go to school part time.
2. For example one of my classmates takes six units and works forty
hours a week.
3. Since he is also married and has two children he is a very busy person.
4. He works at night attends class in the morning and sleeps when he can.
5. When he fell asleep in class yesterday we decided not to wake him up.
6. Scientists believe that animals can think feel and communicate just as
humans can.
7. My dog certainly acts like a human at times.
8. For instance when he does something bad he looks guilty.
9. He hangs his head drops his tail and looks up at me with sad eyes.
10. Later we usually discover the reason for his guilty looks but it's hard
to punish him.
Rules 1-7
11. China is the country with the largest population, but with a land area
of 17075400 square kilometers, Russia is the largest country in size.
12. My mother lives in Miami Florida in the winter and in Denver
Colorado in the summer.
13. When it becomes too hot in Florida she moves to Colorado.
14. She moves back to Florida when it gets too cold in Colorado.
15. Her address in Florida is P.O. Box 695 Miami Florida 33167 and her
address in Colorado is 3562 State Street Apt. 3-C Denver Colorado
80210.
16. On Sunday June 10 2007 I graduated from college.
17. Then on Monday June 11 2007 I started looking for ajob.
Chapter 5 I Stating Reasons and Using Examples 143
B. Work by yourself and then with a partner. Write one sentence of your own
for Rules 1-7, but leave out the commas. Then give your seven sentences
to your partner and ask him or her to put in the commas.
!. ________________________________________________ _
2. ________________________________________________ ___
}. ______________________________________________ __
4. ______________________________________________ __
5. ______________________________________________ __
6. ________________________________________________ _
7. ______________________________________________ __
PART 4 I Writing
Review
Questions
Review the important points in this chapter by answering the following questions.
Organization
1. Which pattern of organization is best to use in a paragraph that gives
reasons: time order or listing order?
2. What three transition signals introduce examples?
3. Which two examples signals can you use at the beginning of a sentence?
4. Which ones can you use in the middle of a sentence to introduce a series
of nouns?
Sentence Structure
5. What two subordinators can you use to introduce a reason?
6. What subordinator can you use to introduce a condition?
7. How do you punctuate a complex sentence?
144 First Steps in Academic Writing
Writing
Assignment
Capitalization and Punctuation
8. What two new capitalization rules did you learn in this chapter?
9. What four new comma rules did you learn in this chapter?
Imagine that, you work for a travel agency. Write a paragraph recommending
your hometown, the place where you live now, or any place that you know
well as a place to go on vacation. Give at least three reasons why a visitor
would enjoy vacationing there. Give specific examples for your reasons.
Use the paragraph about Costa Rica on page 124 as a model.
Step 1 Prewrite to get ideas.
Get ideas by using the freewriting, listing, or clustering technique.
Find two to four reasons and at least one specific example for each
reason. The more examples you give, the better your paragraph
will be.
Organize your reasons and examples by making an outline. Make
your outline as detailed as possible. It should be similar to the
outline on page 125.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFT at the top of your paper.
Be sure to use transition signals.
Pay attention to sentence structure. Try to write a variety of sentence
types: simple, compound, and complex.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response 5B and Writer's Self-Check 5B
on pages 208 and 209.
Step 4 Write the .final draft.
Write a neat final draft to hand in to your teacher. Your teacher may
also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your outline, and your other
drafts.
Expressing Your Opinion
Chapter Preview
Prewriting Activity: Getting Ideas from Reading
Part 1: Organization
Opinion Paragraphs
Part 2: Sentence Structure
Adjective Clauses with who, which, and that
More About Fragments
Part 3: Punctuation
Quotation Marks
Part 4: Writing
145
146 First Steps in Academic Writing
Chapter Preview
Prewriting
Activity:
Getting ldeas
from Reading
In this chapter, you will write a paragraph in which you express an opinion and
support it. You will also study and practice:
distinguishing between opinions and facts
adjective clauses with who, which, and that
a different kind of fragment
quotation marks
Work with a partner or small group.
1. Read the newspaper story on page 14 7 several times. Make sure you
understand all the words and sentences.
2. Then look at the chart on page 148 and discuss this question with your
partner or group: Should the judge allow Gregory to divorce his parents?
Make a list of yes reasons if you agree.
Make a list of no reasons if you don't agree.
Support each reason. As support, use information from the newspaper
story and/or use information from your own knowledge and experience.
Here are some points to discuss:
What kind of parent is Rachel Kingsley?
Does a biological parent have more rights to his or her child than an
adoptive parent?
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 147
BOY DIVORCES PARENTS
T
welve-year-old Gregory
Kingsley is in court
asking a judge to give
him a divorce from his natural
mother and father. He wants
his foster parents,
1
George and
Lizabeth Russ, to adopt
2
him.
Gregory's lawyers say that
Gregory's natural mother,
Rachel Kingsley, has not taken
good care of him. They say that
she abandoned
3
him because
she sent him to live with
relatives and foster parents.
Gregory has lived for many
years as a foster child. Gregory
tells the judge that his mother
is cold and doesn't seem to
care about him. He says that
for many years, his mother
sent him no cards, no letters,
no Christmas gifts, and no
birthday presents.
"I thought she forgot about
, me," he says.
Other people describe
Rachel Kingsley as a person
who abuses
4
drugs and alcohol.
They say that she spent more
time partying with male
Gregory Kingsley
visitors than she spent with
Gregory and his two younger
brothers. They also say that
she sometimes hit the children.
Gregory says that she kept
marijuana in a brown box in
the living room. He also says,
"She stayed out all night and
brought her friends home and
drank. We never had enough
money, and sometimes we
didn't have food."
Mrs. Kingsley says she
tries to be a good mother. She
says she had to send Gregory
away for a while because she
didn't have enough money to
take care of him. At the time,
she didn't have a job. Now
she has two jobs, and she is
living near her parents, who
can help her take care of the
children.
She thought it would be
better for Gregory to live with
a foster family while she was
having financial problems,
but she never wanted him to
be away from her and his
brothers permanently. She
says, "I thought that if I
worked hard, he would be
returned to me."
Her lawyer says that Rachel
Kingsley's problems were
temporary and that she is
trying to become a responsible
parent. He also says that the
rights of a natural family to
remain together are stronger
than the rights of a foster
family.
Her father believes that she
has learned from her mistakes
and should be given a second
chance.
1
foster parents: parents who are paid by the government to take care of children when the children's
own parents cannot do so
2
adopt: become the legal parents of someone
3
abandoned: left behind
4
abuses: uses in a bad or wrong way
148 First Steps in Academic Writing
Should the judge allow Gregory to divorce his parents?
YES, the judge should allow Gregory to divorce NO, the judge should not allow Gregory to
his mother. divorce his mother.
A. Reason: A. Reason:
Support: Support:
B. Reason: B. Reason:
Support: Support:
C. Reason: C. Reason:
Support: Support:
PART 1 I Organization
Opinion
Paragraphs
In everyday life, people have opinions about issues and talk about them. Should
smoking be allowed everywhere? Do you agree with restrictions on teenagers
during their first year of driving? Should the government ban the sale of
handguns?
People also write their opinions. If you look at the "Letters to the Editor'
section of any newspaper, you will find letters from people discussing their
points of view. In college classes, you often have to express and support your
opinions.
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 149
There are four keys to writing a successful opinion paragraph.
1. State your opinion clearly in the topic sentence.
2. Explain each reason in logical order.
3. Use facts to support each reason.
4. End with a powerful concluding sentence that your reader will
remember.
Facts and Opinions
Opinions are statements of someone's belief. When you say, "I believe ... "or
"I think that . .. ," you are expressing your opinion. Opinions are different from
facts. People can disagree with opinions. Facts are true statements that no one
can disagree with.
Read these sentences. Which ones are facts, and which ones are opinions?
The sun rises in the east.
The temperature of the lake
is 55F.
According to highway accident
reports, using a cell phone while
driving is dangerous.
Women could not vote in the
United States until 1920.
Mrs. Kingsley said, "I am a good
mother."
The sunrise was beautiful this
morning.
The lake is too cold for swimming.
Using a cell phone while driving is
dangerous.
Everyone should vote.
Mrs. Kingsley is a good mother.
The sentences on the left side are facts. They are true. Even the last sentence,
"Mrs. Kingsley said, 'I am a good mother,' " is a fact. It is a fact that she said
this. What she said-"I am a good mother"-is an opinion, but the fact is that
Mrs. Kingsley said something. No one can disagree with the fact that she said
something.
The sentences in the right column are opinions. People can disagree with
them. They may or may not be true.
Of course, you can use opinions as reasons, but your paragraph will be
stronger if you support your opinion with facts.
150 First Steps in Academic Writing
MODEL
Opinion
Paragraph
Read the model paragraph that follows and study its organization.
Video Games and Violence
11n my opinion, violent video games are harmful to young people.
2First of all, playing these games can cause changes in the behavior of
young people. 3According to studies by psychologists, frequent players
have poorer grades in school. 4They are also more hostile and act more
aggressively toward their teachers and classmates.' SA second reason that
violent video games are harmful to young people is that they make young
people less sensitive to violence in the real world. 6The games make it fun
to shoot and kill, and the line between play violence and real violence
becomes very thin or disappears entirely. 1Thirteen-year-old Noah Wilson
was stabbed to death by a friend who often played the violent game
"Mortal Kombat." BNoah's mother said, "The boy who stabbed him was
acting out the part of Cyrex," who is a character in the game.
2
9A third
reason that violent video games are harmful to young people is that they
teach players to use violence to solve problems. 10if classmates tease you,
don't try to work it out-bring a gun to school and shoot them. 11An
extreme example of this kind of thinking resulted in the Columbine High
School massacre.
3
12Two students shot and killed twelve classmates, a
teacher, and themselves at Columbine High School in Colorado. 13The two
young killers were fans of the games "Doom" and "Wolfenstein 3Dn"."
14For these three reasons, I feel that violent video games are harmful to
young people and should be controlled-<>r, even better, banned.
4
Questions on the Model
1. What is the writer's opinion about violent video games? What phrase
does she use to introduce her opinion?
2. How many reasons does she give for her opinion?
3. What order does she use to discuss her reasons?
4. In your opinion, which reason is stronger-the first one or the last one?
Why?
1
Craig Anderson and Karen Dill, "Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior in the
Laboratory and in Life," Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 78, no. 4 (2000): 772-790.
http://www.apa.org/journals/features/psp784772.pdf (accessed November 3, 2006).
2
Quotation from a transcript of the television program Donahue, July 22, 2002, http://www.lionlamb.org
news_articles/donahue..July _22.htm (accessed November 3, 2006).
3
massacre: murder of many people
4
banned: prohibited, not allowed
PRACTICE I
-\ nalyzing an
Opinion
Paragraph
TOPIC SENTENCE
FIRST REASON
DETAIL
DETAIL
SECOND REASON
DETAIL
DETAIL
DETAIL
THIRD REASON
DETAIL
DETAIL
DETAIL
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 151
Analyze the model paragraph and determine which supporting details are facts
and which are opinions.
Step 1 First, complete the outline for the model paragraph on page 150.
Step 2 Then analyze each supporting sentence or detail and decide if it is a
fact or an opinion. Write fact or opinion in the parentheses at the right
of each entry in the outline. Remember that people can disagree with
opinions but not with facts.
Video Games and Violence
In my opinion, violent video games are harmful to young people. (Opinion)
A. Playing these games can cause changes in the behavior of (Opinion)
young people.
B.
c.
I. According to psychologists. frequent players have poorer ( Fact )
grades in sehool.
2. They are also more hostile and act more aggressively
toward their teachers and classmates.
( Fact )
(
I. (
2. Noah Wilson was stabbed to death by a friend who often (
played the violent game "Mortal Kombat."
3. Noah's mother said, "The boy who stabbed him was acting (
out the part of Cyrex.
..
(
I. ___________________________________ (
2. Story of the Columbine High School massacre. (
3. The two killers were fans of "Doom" and "Wolfenstein 30." (
Fact
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
152 First Steps in Academic Writing
Transition Signals for Opinion Paragraphs
I . When you state an opinion, you should indicate that it is an opinion by
using an opinion signal, such as one of these.
In my opinion, ... (with a comma) In my opinion, everyone should be
allowed to own a gun.
In my view, . . . (with a comma) In my view, no one should be
allowed to own a gun.
I believe (that) . . . I believe that smoking should not
(without a comma) be allowed in public places.
I think (that) . . . I think smokers have rights too.
(without a comma)
Notice that the first two opinion signals are followed by commas. The
second two do not have commas, and you may omit the connecting
word that.
2. To give information from an outside source (a book, a newspaper,
another person), use according to with a comma.
According to X, ...
(with a comma)
According to Gregory, his mother
never wrote to him or sent him
birthday cards.
According to a story in Science
Today magazine, the Earth is
becoming warmer.
According to a government report,
few Russians have more than one
child.
3. In your concluding sentence, you can remind your reader of the number
of reasons.
For these (two, three, four,
and so on) reasons, .. .
(with a comma)
For these two reasons, I believe
that pesticides are harmful.
If you wish, make a recommendation for action.
For these three reasons, the government should ban the use of
all pesticides.
PRA.CT1CE 2
Outlining an
Opinion
Paragraph
T OPIC SENTENCE
F IRST REASON
POSSIBLE DETAILS
S ECOND REASON
POSSIBLE DETAILS
THIRD REASON
POSSIBLE DETAILS
C ONCLUDING SENTENCE
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 153
Work by yourself or with a partner. Choose two topics (topics 2, 3. or 4) and
complete the out.line for each. Use the outline for topic I as an example.
Step 1 On the first line, write an opinion topic sentence.
Step 2 Think of two or three reasons for your opinion and write them on the
appropriate lines.
Step 3 Think of possible supporting details for each reason, and write them on
the appropriate lines.
Could you take a class survey to get some statistics?
Could you get a quotation from a classmate or a neighbor?
Could you use an example from your own personal experience?
Step 4 Write a concluding sentence on the appropriate line.
Example:
1. Topic: Gun control laws
Guo Control Laws
In my opinion. responsible people should be allowed to own a guo.
A. Most people need to be able to defend themselves in today' s
violent society.
Personal story? News story? Interview classmates/neighbors
to get quotations?
B. Criminals will always find ways to get guns.
Bumper sticker: "If guns are outlawed. only outlaws will have
guns."
C. The U.S. Bill of Rights gives citizens the right to own guns.
Quotation from the Bill of Rights (Internet or library)
For these three reasons. I believe that laws prohibiting guo ownership
are wrong.
(continued on next page)
154 Fi r s t Steps in Academic Writing
2. Topic: Capital punishment
1
Capital Punishment
T OPIC SENTENCE
FIRST REASON A.
---------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE DETAILS
S ECONDREASON B.---------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE DETAILS
THIRD REASON C.
---------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE DETAILS
C ONCLUDING SENTENCE
3. Topic: Using cell phones in public places
Using Cell Phones in Public Places
T OPIC SENTENCE
FIRST REASON A. ---------------------------------------------------------------
P OSSIBLE DETAILS
1
capital punishment: the death penalty
Chapter 6 I Expressi ng Your Opinion 155
SECOND REASON B.
POSSIBLE DETAILS
THIRDREASON C. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE DETAILS
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
4. Topic: (Your choice)
(Title) _ _____ ________ _
TOPIC SENTENCE
FIRSTREASON A. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE DETAILS
SECOND REASON B.
POSSIBLE DETAILS
THIRDREASON C. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
POSSIBLE DETAILS
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
156 First Steps in Academic Writing
Tn! 1t Out! Write a paragraph in which you express and support an opinion about the issue
you read about on page 147: Should the judge allow Gregory Kingsley to
divorce his mother? Use the reasons and support that you wrote in the chart in
the Prewriting Activity at the beginning of the chapter. (Use information from
only one side of the chart.) Complete the steps in the writing process.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFf at the top of your paper.
Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence that expresses your
opinion.
Add transition signals where they are appropriate.
End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that summarizes
your reasons.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit .your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response 6A and Writer's Self-Check 6A
on pages 210 and 211.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy to hand in to your teacher. Your teacher may also
a ~ k you to hand in your prewriting, your outline, and your other drafts.
PART 2 I Sentence Structure
MODEL
Adjective
Clauses
In this section, you will learn about another kind of dependent clause called an
adjective clause.
1
As you read the following model, find three sentences containing
the word who and one sentence containing the word which. Underline the sentences.
School Uniforms
2
1
1n my opinion, public school students should wear uniforms.
2First of all, students who wear uniforms behave
better. 3Long Beach, California, which was one of
the first cities in the United States to require uniforms
in elementary and middle school, reported increased
attendance and decreased bad behavior. 41n the
first year, school crime decreased by 36 percent,
1
Adjective clauses are also called relative clauses.
2
Supporting details in this paragraph are from Lynne A. Isaacson, "Student Dress Codes," ERJC Digest no. 11 7
(January 1998), http://eric.uoregon.edu/publications/digests/digest 117 .html (accessed November 8, 2006).
!\djective
Clauses with
who, which,
and that
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 157
------------------------------------:
fighting by 51 percent, and vandalisml by 18 percent. SA second reason
for requiring school uniforms is that uniforms increase school spirit.
6According to a survey taken in South Carolina, middle school students
who wear school uniforms have more positive feelings about their
schools than students in schools with no uniforms. 7Third, schools that
require uniforms erase economic and social differences. sstudents from
wealthy, middle class, and poor families all wear the same clothes to
school, so parents don't feel pressure to spend a lot of money for the
latest fashions. 9Aiso, students who cannot afford the latest fashions
do not feel self-conscious. 10For these three reasons, I feel that public
schools in the United States should require students to wear uniforms,
at least in grades K-8.
Questions on the Model
1. How many reasons does the writer give for requiring school uniforms in
elementary and middle school?
2. Are all of the reasons supported with fact s? Which one(s) are? Which
one(s) are not?
In earlier chapters, you studied dependent clauses beginning with words such as
because. since, when, after, before, and if. These clauses are called adverb clauses
because they act like adverbs. That is, they give more information about a verb.
There is another kind of dependent clause that begins with words such as who,
which, and that. These clauses are called adjective clauses because they act like
adjectives. That is, they give ni.ore information about nouns.
In the following sentences, the adjective clause is underlined with a broken
line. There is a circle around who, which, or that and an aiTow points to the noun
that the adjective clause gives more information about. Notice that the adjective
clause comes directly after that noun.

behave better.

Long Beach, California, gf _timt io_ LtE?Q
_ _ reported
increased attendance and decreased bad behavior.

erase economic and social differences.
' vandalism: damage such as broken windows and graffiti
158 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 3
Adjective
Clauses with
who, which,
and that
Here are some things to know about adjective clauses:
1. Adjective clauses begin with the words who, which, and that
(and others).
who is used for people
which is used for things
that is used for things (and for people in informal English)
2. An adjective clause always follows the noun it gives more
information about.
3. Commas are sometimes used with adjective clauses, and
sometimes not. (You will learn about this rule later.)
A. Identify adjective clauses.
Step 1 Underline the adjective clause with a broken line.
Step 2 Circle who, which, or that.
Step 3 Draw an arrow from who, which, or that to the noun that the adjective
clause gives more information about.

1. Gregory Kingsley, wants to divorce his
mother.
2. His mother, who neglected him and his brothers, wants to keep him.
3. He wants to be adopted by the Russes, who are his foster parents.
4. Foster parents are people who take care of abused or neglected
children.
5. A box that contained marijuana was in the living room.
6. Mrs. Kingsley smoked marijuana, which is an illegal drug.
7. The boys' father, who did not live with their mother, did not want
the children to live with him.
8. This case, which was the first child-parent divorce in the United
States, received a lot of attention.
9. The lawyer who represented Mrs. Kingsley was a woman.
10. The judge made a decision that most people agree with.
1
1
The judge allowed Gregory to divorce his parents. The Russes adopted him, and his name is no
Shawn Russ.
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion J59
B. Complete the adjective clause in each sentence.
Step 1 Write who or which in the space in each sentence. (Do not use that in
this exercise.)
Step 2 Draw an arrow from who or which to the noun that the adjective clause
gives more information about.
Step 3 Circle the verb in the adjective clause. Is it singular or plural? Is the
noun that your arrow points to singular or plural?
Arranged Marriages
~
1. In arranged marriages, which @common in many
countries, someone else chooses your marriage partner.
2. Sometimes the parents, know their child better than
anyone, choose.
3. Sometimes the parents hire a matchmaker, charges
a fee to find a suitable
2
person.
4. The two young people are probably very nervous at their first meeting,
_______ usually takes place in the bride's home.
5. In some cultures, a young man or woman ________ doesn't
like the parents' or matchmaker's choice may say "no."
6. Marrying for love, is the custom in most Western
cultures, does not guarantee happiness.
7. The divorce rate among couples marry for love is
very high.
8. People listened only to their hearts sometimes wish
they had listened to their heads.
Punctuating Adjective Clauses
In some situations, you use commas with adjective clauses and in some
situations, you don't. Using commas depends on whether the information in an
adjective clause is necessary to identify the noun or just gives extra information
about it.
2
suitable: right or acceptable for a particular situation
---
160 First Steps in Academic Writing
Compare the sentences in the following chart:
Extra information NecessallJ information
(Use commas) (Don't use commas)

Rachel Kingsley, is not A person is not a good parent.
a good parent.
In the sentence on the left, the adjective clause who uses drugs is extra
information about Rachel Kingsley. We don't need this information to
identify her because her name tells us who she is. If an adjective clause
gives extra information, separate it from the rest of the sentence with
commas.
In the sentence on the right, the adjective clause who uses drugs is
necessary information to identify person. Which person is not a good
parent?-a person who uses drugs. If the information in an adjective
clause is necessary, do not use commas.
Here are more examples:
Extra information NecessallJ information
(Use commas) (Don't use commas)
Children shouldn't play the video game
...-------_
Grand Theft Auto,


Sergio, w1J2 _ win92W.
isn't paying attention.

Let's study at my apartment,

llftlMiiQ
........------_
Children shouldn't play video games
frimin{l!

The student
isn't paying attention.

They rented an apartment
!9_ 1)!1.9
1. Use that with necessary clauses only.
2. Never use commas when a clause begins with that.
A college majorxthat is very popular these daysxis psychology.
A book_xthat gives synonyms for wordsx is called a thesaurus.
PRJ\CTtCE 4
Punctuating
-\djective
Clauses
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 161
A. Punctuate adjective clauses.
Step 1 Underline the adjective clause in each sentence with a broken line.
Step 2 Draw an arrow to the noun that the adjective clause gives more
information about.
Step 3 Add commas if necessary.

1. A country is called a monarchy.

2. England, is a monarchy.
3. A pediatrician is a doctor who takes care of children.
4. Dr. Jones who is our neighbor is a pediatrician.
5. Students who studied got As on the final exam.
6. Gabriela and Trinh who studied got As on the final exam.
7. My birthday is next Monday which is a holiday.
8. A holiday that is especially fun for children is Halloween.
B. Add commas where they are necessary in the following paragraph.
The Story of Coca-Cola
1
A popular beverage that is sold all over the world is Coca-Cola.
2
A
doctor who lived in Atlanta, Georgia, invented it in 1886.
3
Dr. John Pemberton
who was also a pharmacist first sold Coca-Cola as a nerve tonic,' stimulant
2
,
and headache medicine.
4
The name of the dark brown syrup that made
people feel better was "Pemberton's French Wine Coca."
5
Later someone
added soda water to the syrup and it became the beverage that is our
modern Coca-Cola.
6
The first part of the name (coca) comes from cocaine
which was one of the original ingredients.
7
The second part of the name
(co/a) comes from kola nut which is still an ingredient.
8
The original formula
has changed over the years.
9
0f course Coca-Cola no longer contains
cocaine which is an illegal drug but it still tastes delicious.
1
lrfhe formula for
Coca-Cola is a secret that is carefully guarded.
Complex Sentences with Adjective Clauses
In the next practices, you will write sentences with adjective clauses. Remember
that an adjective clause is a dependent clause. Therefore, you must combine it
with an independent clause to make a complex sentence.
'tonic: something that gives you energy
2
stimulant: something that stimulates, gives you energy (similar to tonic)
162 First Steps in Academic Writing
PRACTICE 5
Sentences with
Adjective
Clauses
A. Choose an adjective clause from the list on the right and combine it with
an independent clause from the left. Several different combinations are
possible. Be sure to put the adjective clause directly after the noun it gives
more information about, and add commas if necessary. Write your new
sentences on the lines below.
Independent Clauses
1. They gave their boss a Rolex
watch.
2. The purse is hers.
3. Alice moved to New York
last month.
4. She is living in an apartment.
5. On our honeymoon, we stayed
at the Bellagio.
6. Uncle John has everything.
7. A person has everything.
Adjective Clauses
a. who owns a house on every
continent, his own private jet,
and two yachts
b. which has a view of Central Park
c. who was celebrating his fiftieth
birthday
d. who has love
e. who is my best friend
f. that is lying under the chair
g. which is our favorite hotel in
Las Vegas
1. They gave their boss. who was celebrating his fiftieth birthday.
a Rofex watch.
2. -------------------------------------------------------
3. ________________________________________________ _
4. ____________________________________________________ ___
5. ________________________________________________ ___
6. ______________________________________________ ___
?. ________________________________________________ ___
Cbapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 163
B. Combine two simple sentences to make a complex sentence containing an
adjective clause.
Step 1 Read the two sentences in each pair. Which noun in the first
sentence is the second sentence talking about? Find it and underline
it. Notice whether it is a person or a thing.
Step 2 Change the second sentence into an adjective clause by crossing
out the subject and substituting who, which, or that.
Step 3 Write a combined sentence. Move the new adjective clause to its
correct position (right after the underlined noun) in the first sentence.
Step 4 Add commas if necessary.
Cultures in Conflict
who (person)
l. Jamila Haddad ran away from home last week. J ~ a is a high school
student in Chicago.
Jamila Haddad. who is a high school student in Chicago. ran away
from home last week.
which OR that (thing)
2. She ran away to avoid a marriage. ~ was arranged by her
parents.
She ran away to avoid a marriage which (or that) was arranged by
her parents.
3. Mr. and Mrs. Haddad are very traditional. Mr. and Mrs. Haddad are
from Lebanon.
4. Jamila is the oldest daughter in the Haddad family. The Haddad family
immigrated to this country seven years ago.
5. Her parents want her to marry a man. The man is thirty-two years old.
6. The husband-to-be lives in Lebanon. Lebanon is a country in the
Middle East.
(continued on next page)
164 First Steps in Academic Writing
; ..-,_ , ---------------------------------
7. He owns a business. The business is very successful.
8. People say that he is very nice. People know him.
9. Jamila ran away from home rather than marry the man. She wants to
to college in her new country.
10. Mr. and Mrs. Haddad don't understand why she ran away. Mr. and
Mrs. Haddad thought they had arranged a good future for their daughter.
C. Unscramble the following definitions. Each unscrambled sentence will
contain an adjective clause. Do not add commas. Look up unfamiliar words
in a dictionary.
1. A hermit/who/a/person/alone/lives/is
A hermit is a person who lives alone.
2. Carrots/vegetables/are/which/in color/orange/are
3. A vegetarian/person/doesn't eat/meat/is/a/who
4. A hybrid/automobile/gasoline/and/which/an/is/runs/on/electricity
5. Orphans/ have/who/parents/no/children/are
6. A giant panda/animal/lives/that/in/China/an/is
7. An ichthyologist/scientist/fish/studies/who/is/a/
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 165
For items 8-12, write your own definitions. Use the given words in your
definition.
8. chicken/eggs
A chicken is an animal that lays eggs.
9. cow/milk
10. jockey/horses
11. dental hygienist/teeth
12. eel/fish
D. Work with a partner or with a group on this exercise.
Step 1 Read the story on page 166. Make sure that you understand all the
words. Discuss it with your partner or group.
Step 2 Take information from the story and complete each sentence by
finishing the adjective clause. Remember to make the verb in the
adjective clause agree (singular or plural) with the noun it gives more
information about.
I. Nathan Warmack, who is a high school student in Jackson. Missouri.
wanted to wear a kilt to a school dance.
2. A kilt, which------------------ -
is traditional men's clothing from Scotland.
3. Warmack became interested in his Scottish heritage after seeing the
movie Braveheart, which --------------
4. The vice-principal, who ----------------
---------------didn't tell him not to wear it.
5. Rick McClard, who-----------------
___________ told him to change into a pair of pants.
6. Scottish heritage organizations, which -----------
-----------' are collecting items of clothing to
complete his outfit.
(continued on next page)
166 First Steps in Academic Writing
TEEN VERSUS
SCHOOL DRESS
CODE
1
Student Can't Wear Scottish
Kilt to School Dance
I
n 2005, high school senior
Nathan Warmack wanted to
honor his Scottish heritage
2
by wearing a kilt
3
to a high
school dance in Jackson,
Missouri. A kilt is the tradi-
tional clothing of Scottish
men. It looks like a skirt. At the
dance, the principal
4
told him
to change into a pair of pants.
Warmack refused. He said that
the kilt was recognizing his
heritage.
The issue started a national
debate about freedom, symbols,
and cultural dress.
5
More than
1 ,600 people have signed a
petition
6
seeking an apology
for the student. Scottish organi-
zations support him also.
They are gathering articles of
clothing-boots, socks, and so
on-to complete his outfit.
The issue is not new. In
1992, a high school principal
in Texas ordered two boys
to put on "more appropriate"
clothing when they wore
kilts to school. In 1993, a
student in the state of Georgia
was not allowed into a school
dance because he wore a kilt.
Warmack became interested
in his family's Scottish origins
after seeing the Hollywood
movie Braveheart. The movie
is about a Scottish hero who
fought to free Scotland from
English rule in the thirteenth
century. Young Warmack began
reading about Scottish history
and researching his family's
genealogy. He also bought a
kilt and showed it to a vice-
principal at his school before
the dance. The vice-principal
joked about it with him but did
not say he couldn't wear it.
Warmack and his date arrived
at the dance, and Principal Rick
McClard told him to go home
and change clothes. When
Warmack refused, McClard
allegedli said, "This is my
dance, and I'm not going to
have students coming into it
looking like clowns."
Several Scottish heritage
organizations are angry. They
say that the kilt is a symbol of
Scottish pride and is consid-
ered to be formal dress. "To say
the traditional Scottish dress
makes you look like a clown
is a direct insult to people of
Scottish heritage and those
who live in Scotland," said Tom
Wilson. Wilson is a member of
one of the organizations.
1
Associated Press, "Teen Seeks Dress Code Change: Principal Sparks Debate After Telling Student toW=
Pants at School Dance," MSNBC.com, December 22, 2005, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/105703
(accessed November 25, 2006).
2
heritage: ethnic or national origin
3
kilt: traditional clothing of Scottish men; it looks like a skirt
4
principal: the head of a school
5
dress: In this story, the meaning of dress is clothes or clothing in general. It does not mean the particu
item of clothing worn by women.
6
petition: written request asking for something
7
allegedly: adverb used when reporting something that other people say is true but that has not been prov
More About
Fragments
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 167
In Chapter 3, you learned about the sentence error called a fragment. Sometimes
this error happens when you write a dependent clause and forget to add an
independent clause.
FRAGMENT: If you want to transfer to a four-year college.
FRAGMENT: Because it was raining when we left.
Here is another kind of sentence fragment.
FRAGMENT: Ron, who also takes night classes.
FRAGMENT: The book that was on the table.
In these fragments also, there is no independent clause. There is only a noun
and an adjective clause. There are two ways to correct this kind of fragment.
1. Finish the independent clause.
CORRECTED: Ron, who also takes night classes, is very busy.
CoRRECTED: The book that was on the table belongs to the
teacher.
2. Delete who, which, or that to make a simple sentence.
CoRRECTED: Ron takes night classes.
CORRECTED: The book was on the table.
When you fix this kind of fragment by deleting who, which, or that, be sure
the remaining words make a meaningful sentence. For example, this is a
fragment:
Pedestrians who cross the street.
If you delete who, you get "Pedestrians cross the street." This is not a very
interesting or meaningful sentence. It is better to correct this fragment by
finishing the independent clause:
Pedestrians who cross the street should look in both directions
before stepping off the curb.
168 First Steps in Academic Writing
:->.1"'" . ----------------------------------
PRACTICE 6
Fragments
PRACTICE 1
Editing
Fragments
Step 1 Read each sentence. Decide if it is a fragment or a sentence. Write F
for fragment and S for sentence.
Step 2 Correct each fragment by completing the independent clause or by
deleting who, which, or that. Write the corrected sentences on the lin""
below.
_F_ 1. Women who work.
~
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Nowadays, more women work in traditionally male
occupations.
For example, the field of medicine.
There are now more women than men in medical school.
Medical schools, which didn't use to accept many women.
Men are also working in traditionally female occupations.
Such as nursing, which used to be a woman's profession.
More women are applying to engineering schools, too.
I know a young woman who is studying construction
management.
Her dream, which is to supervise the construction of bridg :
and dams.
Corrected sentences:
I. Women who work have many opportunities these days.
Step 1 Read each sentence in the following paragraph. Underline the
fragments and write FRAG above them. There are five fragments.
Step 2 Then correct each fragment. Write the corrected sentences on the lines
below. There is more than one possible way to correct the fragments.
Should Schools Ban Religious Head Coverings?
1
1n my opinion, schools should not ban religious head coverings in
school. Z"fhe .most important reason is freedom of religion.
3
Which is
guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
4
The First Amendment to the
Constitution says that people have the right to practice their religion.
5
lt
says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 169
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof .... "
6
Many religions have special
clothing and symbols.
7
Such as turbans,
1
head scarves, and crosses.
8
For
example, Sikh men must wear turbans to cover their hair.
9
lt is a requirement
of their religion.
10
Muslim women may choose to wear scarves on their
heads for religious reasons.
11
Some Christians, both men and women, like
to wear crosses on chains around their necks.
12
1s their right to follow their
beliefs.
13
ls wrong for a school to take away that right.
14
A second reason is
discrimination, which is also against the law.
15
lf a school bans only head
coverings.
16
This is discrimination.
17
Schools must also ban stars of David,
crosses, or any other religious item if they ban head coverings.
18
To sum up,
banning religious head coverings is wrong because it violates the law that
guarantees freedom of religion and because it discriminates against one
group of people.
Corrected sentences:
3. The most important reason is freedom of religion. which is guaranteed
by the U.S. Constitution.
1
turban: long cloth wrapped around the head; worn by men in some parts of the world
170 First Steps in Academic Writing
PART 3 I Punctuation
Quotation
Marks
In the opinion paragraph that you will write at the end of this chapter, you may
want to use quotations from classmates you have interviewed. In this section are
the rules for punctuating quotations correctly.
Rules Examples
1. Put quotation marks before and after another Classmate Sabrina Reyes says, "Mothers
person's exact words. of young children should not work because
young children need their mothers at home."
2. Use a "reporting phrase," such as he says or she She stated, "It's not easy to be a single mother."
stated. The reporting phrase can come before,
"It's not easy," she stated, "to be a single
after, or in the middle of the quotation. Separate
mother."
it with a comma (or two commas).
"It's not easy to be a single mother," she stated.
Another useful reporting phrase is according to. According to classmate Sabrina Reyes,
If you use someone's exact words after according "Mothers of young children should not work
to, use quotation marks. because young children need their mothers
at home."
3. Begin each quotation with a capital letter. When a "It's not easy," she stated, "to be a single
quoted sentence is separated into two parts, begin mother."
the second part with a small letter.
4. Commas, periods, and question marks go inside She said, "Goodbye."
the second quotation mark of a pair.
"Don't leave so soon," he replied.
"Why not?" she asked.
PRACTICE 8
Punctuating
Quotations
Punctuate the following sentences. Add quotation marks, commas, capital
letters, periods, and question marks. One sentence requires a comma but does
not require quotation marks or capital letters.
"Don't
1. Before I came to the United States, my parents said to get sick
while you are there.
2. Why not I asked
3. care in the United States is too expensive they answered
Chapter 6 I Expressing Your Opinion 171
4. According to a little book about healthcare in the United States a two-
hour visit to the emergency room can cost 'more than $3,000 (not the
exact words)
5. I asked what happens if I can't pay
6. I don't know my father replied but I think you should find out
7. According to the booklet the school will provide medical insurance
while you are a student (exact words)
8. My advisor said it doesn't cover everything, so you might want to buy
additional insurance from a private company
PART 4 I Writing
Review
Questions
Check your understanding of the important points in this chapter by answering
the following questions.
Organization
1. What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?
2. Can you use both facts and opinions as support?
3. Which is stronger support?
Sentence Structure
4. Why is an adjective clause called an adjective clause?
5. What word introduces adjective clauses that give more information
about a person?
6. What two words can introduce an adjective clause that gives more
information about a thing?
7. When do you use commas with an adjective clause?
8. Can you use a comma with that?
9. What is wrong with the following sentence? Students who fail the same
class three times. How can you fix it?
Punctuation
10. How do you punctuate a quotation?
11. Give two examples of "reporting phrases."
172 First Steps in Academic Writing
Writing
Assignment
Write a paragraph about a topic from Practice 2 on page 153-155.
Step 1 Prewrite to get ideas.
You have already written down some ideas. If your teacher allows,
interview classmates or take a class survey to get quotations and/or
statistics to use as supporting details in your paragraph.
Organize your ideas into an outline. Make your outline look like the
outline on page 151.
Step 2 Write the first draft.
Write ROUGH DRAFT at the top of your paper.
Begin your paragraph with a topic sentence that expresses your
opinion.
Add transition signals where they are appropriate.
Try to include at least two sentences containing adjective clauses.
Use at least one quotation. Introduce the quotation with a reporting
phrase, and use quotation marks.
Step 3 Edit the first draft.
Edit your paragraph with a partner as you have done in previous
chapters. Use the Reader's Response 6B and Writer's Self-Check 6B
on pages 212 and 213.
Step 4 Write the final copy.
Write a neat final copy to hand in to your teacher. Your teacher may
also ask you to hand in your prewriting, your outline, and your other
drafts.
Journal Writing
1
When you learned to speak your first language, you didn't immediately start talking
in long, grammatically correct sentences. Instead, you listened and experimented
with words and phrases. After a while, you started to speak in sentences, and by the
time you started school, you were fluent in the spoken language.
To become fluent in written language, you need to expetjment too. Journal
writing gives you this opportunity.
How Journal Writing Can Help You
How to Start
1. You improve your writing by writing. Writing every day will help you
become fluent.
2. You choose the topics. In your journal, you can write about topics that are
interesting and relevant to your life. You are practicing expressing your
ideas and feelings in your journals.
3. Writing a journal can be very enjoyable. You don't have to worry about
using a dictionary or checking your grammar or organization and you don't
have to write several drafts. You just concentrate on the content.
1. Buy an 8!1-inch-by-11-inch spiral notebook.
2. Each time you write in your journal, put the date, the time you start, and
the time you stop.
3. Don't skip lines.
4. Write for at least an hour a week. You may write for ten minutes each day
or for twenty minutes three times a week.
5. Don't worry about making mistakes. Concentrate on your ideas, not on
grammar or spelling.
1
This section was adapted from material written by teacher Caroline Gibbs of City College of San
Francisco. Used with permission.
173
174 A.ppendix A. I Journal Writing
General
Topics
6. Try to practice the grammar and new vocabulary or idioms you are
learning in class.
7. Write about your daily life, your problems, your feelings, or your
opinions. In fact, write about anything that interests you.
8. Your journal will not be shared with other members of the class. Only
your teacher will read it.
9. Your teacher will collect your journals regularly, every week or two, to
check that you are doing them, to offer advice on your writing, or
to respond to your writing. He/she will not correct your grammar or
spelling although he/she may point out errors that you make repeatedly.
10. If you can' t think of a topic to write about, you can choose a topic from
the "General Topics" list any time. "Special Topics" are topics that are
related to a particular chapter. You could write about one of them after
finishing work on that chapter.
1. A special skill you have
2. A hobby
3. Why are you studying English? Do you plan to use it in your future job?
4. What is the most difficult part of English for you? Writing?
Pronunciation? Vocabulary? Understanding spoken English?
5. Learning to play a sport
6. Your favorite sport to play or watch
7. An accident
8. Being on time
9. The people you live with
10. American customs you like/dislike
11. An important story in the news
12. The working student
13. A big mistake you once made
14. Teenagers
15. The right age to get married
16. A good friend
17. Shopping
18. Your last day in your country
19. Your first day in the United States
20. Discrimination
Special
Topics
Appendix 1\ I Journal Writing 175
21. Your favorite food
22. The best car to own
23. A movie star or singer you like
24. A belief that you have or used to have
25. A story from your childhood
26. A favorite possession
27. Music that is special to you
28. A special gift you have given or received
29. A special day or event in your life
30. Your worst habit
3 I . A frightening experience
32. A funny experience
Chapter 1
Write a "Who Am I?" paragraph about a famous person. Choose a well-known
person and give facts about his or her life. Give enough facts so that your teacher
and classmates can guess who your person is. Use the sentence-combining exercise
you wrote on page 27 as a model.
I am a famous singer and actress. I am Latin American, and
I am from New York I also design clothes.
Chapter 2
Write about the seasons of the year in your area or in the place where you are from.
How many seasons are there? How long does each one last? What is special about
each season?
Chapter 3
1. What is your daily routine during the week? Is it the same every day? Does
it change on weekends? Write about your activities on a typical weekday
and on a typical weekend day. Practice using time clauses and other time
expressions.
2. A friend is coming to visit. Plan three days of sightseeing and
entertainment for him or her. Practice using capital letters correctly. Include
names of places you will visit, restaurants you will eat at, days of the week,
street names, and so on.
176 Appendi-x J\ I Journal Writing
Chapter 4
1. Write a paragraph describing a favorite picture or photograph. Bring the
picture to show to the class and your teacher.
2. Write a short paragraph describing a common object such as a pencil, a
wristwatch, or an umbrella. Don't tell what it does. Just describe what it
looks like. Don' t use the name of the object in your paragraph. In other
words, don't use the word pencil or wristwatch. Instead, use the word
"whatsit" (=what is it?). Then read your paragraph to a classmate. Your
classmate should be able to guess what you have described.
Example:
A whatsit looks like a long thin stick. It is about 8 inches long. but
it can be shorter. It is sometimes round on the outside, but it UsUally
has six sides. It can be any color. but it is often yellow. One end
of a whatsit is very pointed and sharp. 1he other end is soft and
rubbery. What is it?
Chapter 5
1. Do you have a love-hate relationship with anything or anyone? Your
computer? Your siblings? Write a paragraph about it that is similar to
the sentence combining paragraph you wrote on page 138.
2. Write about arranged marriages and marriages "for love." Which do you
think is better, and why?
3. A friend has asked you what kind of car to buy. Make a recommendation,
and give reasons for your recommendation. Support your reasons with
examples.
Chapter 6
Write a letter to Jarnila Haddad OR to her parents. Do you think she should go
Lebanon and marry the man, or do you think she should stay in the United States
go to college? Give Jarnila OR her parents advice. What should she/they do?
Correction Symbols
Symbol Meaning Examp\c cf En-cr Corrcctod Sontcncc
p punctuation I l i v e ~ and go to I live and go to school here.
p
school here
am
missing word I working in a restaurant. I am working in a
"
restaurant.
capitalization
cap
It is located at Main and cap It is located at main and
cap cap cap
.Qaker l2treets in the Q1ty.
Baker Streets in the city .
vt verb tense
vt
I never work as a cashier I had never worked as a
until I ~ a job there.
cashier until I got a job
there.
s/v agr
s/v agr subject-verb The manager work hard. The manager works hard.
agreement
s/v agr --
There are five employees.
There five employees.
pron pronoun Everyone works hard at All the employees work
agr agreement
pron agr
hard at their jobs.
their jobs.
connect to We work together J?o We work together, so we
make one
we have become
have become friends.
sentence
friends.
spelling The ma:ger is The manager is a woman.
a woman.
sing/pi singular or She treats her
sing/pi
She treats her employees
plural
employees like slave.
like slaves.
X
unnecessary My boss * watches
My boss watches everyone
word
everyone all the time.
all the time.
wf
wrong word Her voice is irritated. Her voice is irritating.
form
(continued on next page)
177
178 Appendix B I Correction Svmbols
Symbol Meaning Example of Error Corrected Sentence
ww wrong word The food is delicious. The food is delicious.
ww
Therefore, the restaurant
Besides, the restaurant
is always crowded.
is always crowded.
ref pronoun The restaurant's The restaurant's specialty
reference
ref
is fish. It is always fresh.
specialty is fish. They
error
are always fresh.
The food is delicious. The food is delicious.
ref
Therefore, the restaurant
Therefore, tl is always
is always crowded.
crowded.
Wo OR wrong word Friday is always our
f'J order
our busiest night.
busiest night.
ro
ro run-on [Lily was fired she
sentence
is upset.]
Lily was fired, so she
cs
is upset.
Cs comma [Lily was fired, she
splice
is upset.]
trag fragment She was fired. She was fired because
trag
she was always late.
[Because she was
always late.]
trag
[Is open from 6:00 P.M. The restaurant is open
until the last customer
from 6:00 P.M. until the
fast customer leaves.
leaves.]
trag
[The employees on The employees are on
time and work hard.]
time and work hard.
prep preposition We start serving We start serving dinner
prep
dinner 6:00 P.M.
at 6:00P.M.
"
conj conjunction Garlic fried Garlic shrimp, fried
COOJ
clams, and broiled lobster
clams, oroiled lobster
"
are the most popular
are the most popular
dishes.
dishes.
Symbol Meaning
art article
add a
transition
start a new
paragraph
nfs/nmp needs further
support/needs
more proof. You
need to add some
specific details
(examples, facts,
quotations) to
support your
points.
A.ppendix B I Correction Symbols 179
Example of Error
Diners in the United
art
States expect glass
"
of water when they
first sit down.
The new e m ~ o y e e
was careleslshe
frequently spilled
coffee on the table.
Corrected Sentence
Diners in the United
States expect a glass
of water when they first
sit down.
The new employee was
careless. For example,
she frequently spilled
coffee on the table.
Grammar
Words
Adjective
Adverb
Article
Clause
Independent clause
Dependent clause
Grammar Words and Kinds
of Sentences
Describes a noun or pronoun red, hungry, fourth, angry,
Canadian
Three little pigs lived in three
different houses.
Describes a verb, adjective, or beautifully, easily, quickly, very,
~ m o t h e r adverb too, often here, there,
Tells how, where, or when
everywhere, now, then, later
The ambulance came ~
quickly.
Makes a noun specific or a, an (general); the (specific)
general
Please take g_ piece of fruit from
the basket.
Contains a subject and a verb We sat down. Before we sat
down ...
Can be a sentence by itself We sat down.
Begins with a subordinating Before we sat down ...
word; cannot be a sentence
by itself
Coordinating conjunction Connects equal elements for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
("Fan boys")
He didn't find them, so he left.
Red and blue are my favorite
colors.
Noun Names a person, place, or Alice, book, friendship, fear,
thing education
Is used as a subject or as an Alice wrote a book of poems
object for her friend.
Preposition Shows direction, location, in, on, at, around, from, by, wit h,
ownership, and so on of, because of, next to,
according to
He went into his office and look
in every drawer of his desk for n
missing contracts.
180
A.ppendix C I Grammar Words and Kinds of Sentences 181
Prepositional phrase Preposition + noun into his office, of his desk, for a
long time
Pronoun Replaces a noun he, I, them, it, ours, yours, us,
this, that
His secretary had hidden them.
Subordinating conjunction Is the first word in a dependent when, after, before, as soon as,
("Subordinator") clause because, since, if
Makes the clause dependent
He didn't find them because his
secretary had hidden them.
Verb Tells action, feeling, condition write, is writing, wrote, was
writing, can write, has written,
is going to write, will write
How many paragraphs have
you written? I am going to write
OR
a letter tonight.
Links the subject with an is, was, has been, seem, appear,
adjective feel, look, taste, smell
The baby looks sleepy.
Kinds of Sentences
In this book, you studied three kinds of sentences in English: simple, compound,
and complex.
A simple sentence is one independent clause.
It's hot today.
John and Mary are engaged to be married.
I go to school during the day and work at night.
A compound sentence is two independent clauses joined together by
a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Her daughter is a doctor, and her son is a dentist.
Yesterday was a beautiful day, so we went to the beach.
A complex sentence is one independent clause + one (or more) dependent
clauses.
As soon as we arrived, it started to rain.
The sun came out again after we drove back home.
Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions (Coordinators)
182
Coordinating conjunctions connect grammatically equal parts of a sentence. The
parts can be words, phrases, or clauses. There are seven coordinating conjunctions:
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. We sometimes call them "fan boys" to make it easy
to remember them:
for and nor but or yet so
The four coordinating conjunctions covered in this book are and, but, or, and so.
Coordinating Use Examples
Conjunction
and Connects equal similar John likes to fish and hunt.
ideas
John likes to fish, and he
often goes fishing.
but Connects equal different They were poor but happy.
ideas
The soup was good, but it
wasn't hot.
or Connects equal choices Do you prefer coffee or tea?
You can renew a driver's license
by mail, or you can do it in
person.
so Connects a reason to a I did not eat breakfast this
result morning, so I am a little hungry.
t\ppendix D I Conj unctions 183
Subordinating Conjunctions (Subordinators)
A subordinating conjunction is the first word in a dependent clause. Subordinating
conjunctions used in this book are the following.
Subordinating Conjunctions
-
To ten a time
after He goes to school after he finishes work.
as soon as She felt better as soon as she took the medicine.
before Before you apply to college, you have to take an entrance
exam.
since It has been a year since I left home.
until We can't leave the room until everyone finishes the test.
when When you start college, you usually have to take placement
tests in math and English.
whenever Whenever I don't sleep well, I feel sick the next day.
while Several overcrowded busses passed while they were waiting.
To give a reason
because Jack excels at sports because he trains hard.
since Since she works out daily, Jill is in great condition.
To state a condition
if If you eat too much sugar, you will gain weight.
184 Appendix D I Conjunctions
Subordinating Words for Adjective Clauses
Adjectives clauses are a kind of dependent clause. The three subordinating words
for adjective clauses, which are also called relative pronouns, covered in this boo -
are who, which, and that.
Relative Pronouns
who
which
that
To refer to people
Alfredo, who is from Switzerland, speaks three languages.
People who speak several languages are valuable employees.
To refer to animals and things
My new cell phone, which I just got yesterday, stopped working
today.
Yesterday I received an e-mail that I did not understand.
Yesterday I received an e-mail which I did not understand.
Transition Signals
To show time order
First, ... Next, ...
First of all, ... After that, ...
Second, ... Then ...
Third, ... Finally, ...
To show listing order
First, ... Also, .. .
First of all, ... . .. also ...
Second, . .. . .. , also.
Third, ... Finally, ...
In addition, . ..
To show space order
On the right, ... Above the .. .
On the left, ... On one side of the ...
In the center, .. . On the other side of the . . .
In the middle, ... Opposite the ...
Next to the ... Near the ...
Beside the ... Under the ...
Between the ...
To give a reason
The first reason is (that) ...
The second reason is (that) ...
The most important reason is (that) . . .
To give an example
For example, ... ... such as
For instance, ... . .. , such as
. .. , for example
... , for instance
(continued on next page)
185
186 Appendix E I Transition Signals
To give an opinion
In my opinion, ... I believe (that) .. .
In my view, ... I feel (that) ...
According to
' ...
I think (that) ...
To add a conclusion
In brief, ... To conclude, ...
Indeed, ... To summarize, ...
In conclusion, ... To sum up, ...
In short, ... For these reasons, ...
MODEL
Business Letters
A business letter is any letter that is not personal; that is, it is a letter you write to
anyone except your family and friends. Business letters in English have a special
form.
Study the model and notice the location, spacing, capitalization, and punctuation
of the different parts.
Business Letter / 225 Water Street
/ Boston, MA 12356
WRITER's ADDREss December
15
,
20
DATE/ (SKIP 4 LINES) --
RECIPIENT'S ADDRESS
GREETING
BEGINNING
MIDDLE
END
lAST SENTENCE
CLOSING
HANDWRITIEN SIGNATURE
TYPED NAME
ENCLOSURES
Mr. Daniel Miller
Miller Imports
666 Knoll Lane
Denver, CO 30303
(SKIP 1 LINE)
Dear Mr. Miller:
(SKIP 1 LINE)
I am writing to --------------------
(SKIP 1 LINE)
Please ______________________ _
(SKIP 1 LINE)
Thank you very much for your time and attention.
(SKIP 1 LINE)
Very truly yours,
Robert"
(SKIP 4 LINES)
Robert Henderson
Encl.
187
188 Appendix F I Business letters
Follow these guidelines when you write a business letter.
WRITER's ADDREss Write or type your address and the date at the top of the page. The number and street
DATE are on the first line; the city, state, and zip code are on the second line; and the date
is on the third line. Put these three lines at the left side of the page as shown.
REciPIENT's ADDREss Skip four lines between the date and the name and address of the person you are
writing to.
GREETING Capitalize all of the words in a greeting. Use the last name and title of the person if
you know them. Put a colon at the end.
Dear Mr. Smith:
Dear Professor Einstein:
If you don't know the name of the person you are writing to, use a greeting like one
of these:
Dear Customer Relations Department:
Dear Miller Imports:
To Whom It May Concern:
BEGINNING A business letter usually begins with a sentence that directly states the reason you
are writing. Do not indent the first sentence. Typical first sentences are like these:
I am writing to complain about ...
I am writing to request (a refund, information, etc.).
I am writing in response to your ad for a part-time assistant.
MIDDLE In the middle part of your letter, explain the details of your complaint or request. Be
as brief as possible, but give enough details so that the person you are writing to will
know what you want him or her to do.
END At the end of your letter, write exactly what you want the person to do. Start a new
paragraph. Do not indent.
Please send the requested information to me at the address shown
above.
Please call me at your earliest convenience. My telephone number is ...
Please send a refund ...
LAsT sENTENCE End with a polite sentence expressing thanks. A typical ending is
Thank you very much for your time and attention.
Appendix F
C LosiNG Skip one line, and write the closing word or words. Capitalize the first word in e
TYPED NAME
HANDWRITTEN SIGNATURE
ENCLOSURES
closing and put a comma after it. Standard closings in business letters are the e:
Sincerely,
Sincerely yours,
Very truly yours,
Respectfully,
Skip four lines and print or type your full name. In the space between the closing
and your name, handwrite your name.
If you enclose anything in the envelope with your letter, such as a copy of a disputed
bill or your resume, skip one line and write or type the abbreviation Encl. below
your name.
Reader's Response
and Writer's Self-Check
Worksheets
Reader's Response lA
lntroducing a Classmate
Reader: ________________________ __ Date: ________________________ _
1. Is the information about you correct? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what is the correct information?
2. Do you understand everything? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
3. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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191
Writer's Self-Check JA
1ntroducing a Classmate
Writer: _____________ _ Date: ________________________ __
Paragraph Form
My paragraph has a title.
The title is centered.
The first line is indented.
There are margins on both sides of the page.
The paragraph is double-spaced.
Organization
My first sentence gives my classmate's name
and tells something about his or h ~ r personality.
My supporting sentences give information from
the interview questions.
My concluding sentence tells how I feel about
my classmate.
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192
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
...._
Reader's Response 18
lntroducing My Family/a Family Member
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - ~ ~ ~ ' -
Reader: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ __
1. Does the paragraph give enough information about your classmate's
family or family member?
If your answer is no, what else would you like to know?
2. Do you understand everything?
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
Dyes
Dyes
3. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
Dno
Dno
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193
Writer's Self-Check 18
lntroducing My Family/a Family Member
Writer: _____________ _
Date: ________________________ ___
Paragraph Form
My paragraph has a title.
The title is centered.
The first line is indented.
There are margins on both sides of the page.
The paragraph is double-spaced.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
Grammar
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Every student has his or her own personal grammar trouble spots. Some students battle with verb
tenses. For others, articles are the main enemy. Some find it hard to know where to put periods.
In the spaces, write down items that you know are problems for you. Then, throughout the term,
work on them. Delete items that you have mastered and add new ones that you become aware of.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for __________ errors.
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194
Number found
and corrected
~
Reader's Response 2A
Title:
Reader: Date:
1. How many main points does the writer make? number:
- -
2. Does the writer introduce each main point with a listing-order
transition signal? Dyes Dno
Which signals? Write them here:
3. Do you understand everything? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
4. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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195
Writer's Self-Check 2A.
Title:
VVr1ter: __________________________ ___
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 37.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
My topic sentence has both a topic and a controlling idea.
I use listing order to organize my paragraph.
I use listing-order transition signals to introduce each main point.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for ----------------- errors.
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196
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and corrected
Reader's Response 2B
Title:
~ I
Reader: Date: __________________________ _
1. How many main points does the writer make? number:
2. Does the writer introduce each main point with a listing-order
transition signal?
Which signals? Write them here:
3. Does each main point have a detail?
Write one detail that you especially like:
4. Do you understand everything?
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
5. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
Dno
Dno
Dno
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197
Writer's Self-Check 28
Title:
VVnter: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ __
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 37.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
My topic sentence has both a topic and a controlling idea.
I use listing order to organize my paragraph.
I use listing-order transition signals to introduce each main point.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Sentence Structure
I wrote at least three compound sentences.
I checked my paragraph for run-on and comma splice errors.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for------------------ errors.
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198
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Ono
Ono
Dno
Dno
Number found
and conected
Reader's Response 3A
How to Clean up After a Party
I
R e a d e r = - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Date: ________________________ __
1. Does the paragraph begin with a topic sentence? Dyes Dno
Copy the topic sentence here:
2. Do you understand everything? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don' t you understand?
3. Does the paragraph have time-order signals or listing-order signals?
D time order D listing order
Write three of the transition signals here:
4. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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199
Writer's Self-Check 3A
How to Clean up After a Parq,t
Writer: _____________ _ Date: _______________________ _
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 68.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a "how to" topic sentence.
The steps are in either time order or listing order.
I used transition signals with some of the steps.
I wrote a concluding sentence.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for __________ errors.
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200
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and corTeCted
Reader's Response 38
How to
Reader: Date: ____________ _
1. What is the topic of this paragraph? _,_H...:..:o::..:.w-'----"'to=-------------------
2. Does the paragraph begin with a topic sentence?
Copy the topic sentence here:
3. Do you understand everything?
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
4. Does the paragraph have transition signals (first, next, then, and so on)
to help you understand each step?
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
5. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
Dno
Dno
Dno
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201
Writer's Self-Check 38
How to
Writer: _____________ _ Date: ____________ ___
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 68.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a "how to" topic sentence.
The steps are in time order.
I used time-order signals with some of the steps.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
I wrote at least three complex sentences, and I punctuated
them correctly.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: run-ons,
comma splices, and fragments.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for __________ errors.
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202
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and corrected
Reader's Response 4A
Describing a Room
Reader: ________________________ ___ Date: ________________________ ___
1. What room does the writer describe?
2. Does the paragraph begin with a topic sentence? Dyes Dno
Copy the topic sentence here:
3. Do you understand everything? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
4. Does the writer use space order? Dyes Dno
Write three space-order signals that you remember:
5. What adjectives does the writer use in his or her description? Write three adjectives that you
remember:
6. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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203
Writer's Self-Check 4A
Describing a Room
VVriter: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ _
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 99.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
I use space order to organize my description.
I used lots of details to make my reader "see" the room.
Grammar
I used adjectives to describe different objects in the room.
I was careful to put cumulative adjectives in the correct order
and to put commas between coordinate adjectives.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
I wrote different kinds of sentences-simple, compound,
and complex.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: run-ons,
comma splices, and fragments.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for ___________________ errors.
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204
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and corrected
Reader's Response 48
Title:
Reader: __________________________ __ Date: __________________________ __
1. What place does the writer describe?
2. Does the paragraph begin with a topic sentence? Dyes Dno
Copy the topic sentence here:
3. Do you understand everything? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don' t you understand?
4. Does the writer use space order? Dyes Dno
Write three space-order signals that you remember:
5. What adjectives does the writer use in his or her description? Write three adjectives that you
remember:
6. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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205
Writer's Se1f-Check 48
Title:
Writer: Date:
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 99.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
I use space order to organize my description.
I used lots of details to make my reader "see" the room.
Grammar
I used adjectives to describe different objects in the room.
I was careful to put cumulative adjectives in the correct order
and to put commas between coordinate adjectives.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
I wrote different kinds of sentences- simple, compound,
and complex.
I began some sentences with a prepositional phrase.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: run-ons,
comma splices, and fragments.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for errors.
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206
!
I
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
D yes Dno
Dyes Dno
D yes Dno
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
Dyes Dno
Number found
and corrected
1:
I'
I'
II
II
-
Writer's Self-Check 48
Title:
!
vvnter: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ _
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 99.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
I use space order to organize my description.
I used lots of details to make my reader "see" the room.
Grammar
I used adjectives to describe different objects in the room.
I was careful to put cumulative adjectives in the correct order
and to put commas between coordinate adjectives.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
I wrote different kinds of sentences-simple, compound,
and complex.
I began some sentences with a prepositional phrase.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: run-ons,
comma splices, and fragments.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for ___________________ errors.
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206
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and corrected
Reader's Response 5A.
Recommending Your School
Reader: __________________________ __ Date: __________________________ __
1. How many reasons does the writer give? number:
2. Does the writer introduce each reason with a transition signal? Dyes Dno
Which signals? Write them here:
3. Does each reason have an example? Dyes Dno
Write one example that you especially like:
4. Do you understand everything? Dyes Ono
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
. .
5. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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207
Writer's Self-Check SA.
Recommending Your School
Writer: ____________ _
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 124.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
I used listing order to organize the reasons.
I used transition signals to introduce each reason.
I used at least one example or other specific detail for each reason.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
I wrote different kinds of sentences-simple, compound,
and complex.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: run-ons,
comma splices, and fragments.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I put a period after every sentence.
I used capital letters correctly.
I checked my spelling.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for __________ errors.
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208
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and corrected
Reader's Response 58
Title:
Reader: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ __
1. How many reasons does the writer give? number:
2. Does the writer introduce each reason with a transition signal? Dyes Dno
Which signals? Write them here:
3. Does each reason have an example? Dyes Ono
Write one example that you especially like:
4. Do you understand everything? Dyes Ono
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
5. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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209
Writer's Self-Check 58
Title:
VVnter: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ _
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 124.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
I used listing order to organize the reasons.
I used transition signals to introduce each reason.
I used at least one example or other specific detail for each reason.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I checked my paragraph for correct punctuation, capitalization,
and spelling.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
I wrote different kinds of sentences-simple, compound,
and complex.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: run-ons,
comma splices, and fragments.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for----------------- errors.
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210
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and conected
Reader's Response 6A.
Title:
Reader: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ __
1. How many reasons does the writer give? number:
2. Does the writer introduce each reason with a transition signal? Dyes Dno
Which signals? Write them here:
3. Does each reason have support? Dyes Dno
Write one example that you especially like:
4. Do you understand everything? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
5. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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21l
Writer's Self-Check 6A.
Title:
VVriter: __________________________ ___ Date: __________________________ _
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 150.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a topic sentence and ends with
a concluding sentence.
I used listing order to organize the reasons.
I used transition signals to introduce each reason.
I used one or two supporting details for each reason.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I checked my paragraph for correct punctuation, capitalization,
and spelling.
Sentence Structure
Every sentence has at least one SV pair and expresses
a complete thought.
I wrote different kinds of sentences-simple, compound,
and complex.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: fragments, run-ons,
and comma splices.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for ------------------- errors.
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212
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Ono
Ono
Ono
Ono
Dyes
Number found
and corrected
Reader's Response 68
Title:
Reader: __________________________ __ Date: ________________________ ___
1. How many reasons does the writer give? number:
2. Does the writer introduce each reason with a transition signal? Dyes Dno
Which signals? Write them here:
3. Does each reason have supporting facts? Dyes Dno
Does the writer use at least one quotation? Dyes Dno
4. Do you understand everything? Dyes Dno
If your answer is no, what part(s) or sentence(s) don't you understand?
5. What do you like the best about this paragraph? Write one positive comment here:
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213
Writer's Self-Check 68
Title:
I
Writer: _____________ _
Date: _______________________ __
Paragraph Form
My paragraph looks like the model on page 150.
Organization
My paragraph begins with a clear opinion topic sentence.
I used transition signals to introduce each reason.
I used one or two supporting details for each reason.
I used at least one quotation.
Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
I checked my paragraph for correct punctuation, capitalization,
and spelling.
Sentence Structure
I wrote different kinds of sentences-simple, compound,
and complex.
I wrote at least two sentences containing adjective clauses.
I checked my paragraph for sentence errors: fragments, run-ons,
and comma splices.
Personal Grammar Trouble Spots
I checked my paragraph for errors.
(verb tense, article, word order, etc.)
I checked my paragraph for __________ errors.
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214
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dyes
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Dno
Number found
and corrected
Index
Abbreviations, 139
Abilities
explanation of, 34
list of, 35
Academic writing, 2
Action verbs, 13
Addresses, commas with, 141
Adjective clauses
commas with, 159-161
complex sentences with, 161-162
explanation of, 156-157
facts about, 158
with who, which, and that, 157-158
Adjectives
capitalization of proper, l 05
compound, l 05
coordinate, l 09
cumulative, l 07, l 08
explanation of, l 04
facts about, l 04-l 06
nouns as, l 05
order of, l 07, 108
Adverb clauses
commas with, 141
explanation of, 157
Adverb subordinators
explanation of, 77-78
to introduce dependent clauses,
77-79
also, 45
and, 23, 56
Assignments
computer-written, 7-8
hand-written; 6-7
Assignment titles, 7, 8
because, 11 , 134, 135
Business letters, 187-189
Businesses, capitalization of, 87
but, 56
Capitalization
of proper adjectives, l 05
in quotations, 170
rules for, 16, 86, 139
Characteristics
explanation of, 34
list of, 35
Clauses
adjective, 156-158
adverb, 141 , 157
dependent, 76, 77-79, 89, 133-134
explanation of, 76
independent, 76, 77, 79, 82, 133-134, 167
Clustering, 35-36
Command sentences
compound, 53
explanation of, 12-13
Command verb form, 69
Commas
with adjective clauses, 158-160
with also, 45
in complex sentences, 79, 83, 89,
134, 141
in compound sentences, 53, 89, 141
with coordinate adjectives, 109
with coordinating conjunctions, 53,
89, 141
with examples, 131
to fix sentence errors, 59, 60
with items in series, 89-90, 141
with numbers, 141
with prepositional phrases, 114, 115, 141
with quotations, 170
rules for using, 89, 141
with transition signals, 45, 71, 89,
141, 152
Comma splices, 59-60
Complex sentences
with adjective clauses, 161-162
commas in, 79, 83, 89, 134, 141
explanation of, 76, 79, 83, 134
Compound adjectives, l 05
Compound sentences
commas in, 141
contrasted with simple sentence, 53-54
examples of, 54
explanation of, 53-54, 83
Concluding sentences
for descriptive paragraphs, 100
for "how-to" paragraphs, 69
for opinion paragraphs, 152
in paragraphs, 4, 48
Conclusion signals
explanation of, 48
with reasons, 130
215
Index
Condition subordinators, 134, 135
Conjunctions
coordinating, 53, 56-57, 89, 141
explanation of, 23
Controlling ideas, in topic sentences, 38, 39
Coordinate adjectives, I 09
Coordinating conjunctions
commas with, 53, 89, 141
explanation of, 53, 56-57
list of, 53, 182
Correction symbols, 177-179
Dates, commas with, 141
Days, capitalization of, 87
Dependent clauses
adjective clauses as, 156, 157, 161
adverb subordinators to introduce,
77-79 '
commas with, 89
explanation of, 76, 77, 133
as sentence fragments, 82, 167
Descriptions
explanation of, 95, 97
prepositional phrases of place in, 114
space-order, 98-99
specific details for, 101
Descriptive paragraphs
example of, 100
topic and concluding sentences for,
99-100
Details
outlines with, 125
use of specific, 101
Drafts
example of, 30
first, 30, 32
-ed, 106
Editing
freewriting, 29
steps for, 8
Ethnic groups, capitalization of, 16
Examples
commas with, 131
giving specific, 126
transition signals with, 131-132
Facts, 149
First drafts, 30; 32
Font, 8
for example, 131, 132
for instance, 131, 132
Fragments
explanation of, 82, 167
method to fix, 82, 167
Freewriting
examples of, 29
explanation of, 28-29
Geographic areas, capitalization of, 87
Grammar words, definition, 180-181
Greetings, capitalization of, 139
Headings, 7, 8
Holidays, capitalization of, 87
"How-to" paragraphs
concluding sentences for, 69
example of, 67-68, 84
explanation of, 67
topic sentences for, 69
Hyphens, with compound adjectives, 105
if, 11
Independent clauses
in complex sentences, 79, 162, 163
explanation of, 76, 77, 133
to fix fragments, 82, 167
Infinitives, 21
-ing, 106
Ink, 7
Journal writing, 18-19, 173-176
example of entry, 19
explanation of, 18
topics for, 174-176
Languages, capitalization of, 16
Letters
capitalization in, 139
commas in, 141
Linking verbs, 13
Listing-order paragraphs
example of, 37
keys to writing, 37
transition signals in, 45-46
Listing-order signals
commas with, 45, 89
examples of, 71
explanation of, 45-46
in "how-to" paragraphs, 70-71
with reasons, 129
Listing
examples of, 74, 75
explanation of, 74
Margins, 7, 8
Months, capitalization of, 87
Names, capitalization of, 16, 87
Nationalities, capitalization of, 16
Negative commands, 12
Nouns, as adjectives, I 05
Numbers
commas with, 141
compound adjectives with, I 05
Objects
explanation of, II
in sentences, 13-14
Opinion paragraphs
analysis of, 151
example of, 150
explanation of, 148-149
keys to writing, 149
transition signals for, 152
Opinions, 149
or, 23,56
Organization, within paragraphs, 2, 4- I 0, 36
Organizations, capitalization of, 87
Outlines
detailed, 125
examples of, 75, 125
guidelines for, 51-52
simple, 51, 75
steps to create, 75, 76
Paper, 6, 8
Paragraphs
concluding sentences in, 4, 48, 69, 100
examples of, 5, 37-39, 68, 99, 103,
114, 150
explanation of, 4-5
form for, 6
"how-to," 67-69, 84
listing-order, 37
opinion, 148-152
parts of, 4, 38- 5 I
rules for computer-written, 7-8
rules for handwritten, 6-7
space-order, 99, 103
supporting sentences in, 4, 44
titles for, 5
topic sentences in, 4, 38-39
transition signals at end of, 48
unity in, 46-47
writing final copy of, 30, 32
Participles, 21
Periods, 170
Phrases
prepositional, 113-1 I 5, 14 I
reporting, 170
Places, capitalization of, 16
Prepositional phrases
commas with, 114, 115, 141
explanation of, 113
lndex
to vary sentence openings, 114-115
Prepositions
explanation of, 112
list of, 112
time subordinators as, 78
Prewriting techniques
clustering as, 35-36
freewriting as, 28-29
outlining as, 51-52
Pronouns, subject, 11
Punctuation. See also specific
punctuation
with adjective clauses, 158-160
with also, 45
with listing-order. transition signals, 45
for quotations, 169-170
Question marks, 170
Quotation marks, 170
Quotations, 169-170
Reasons
giving support for, 126
paragraphs with, 124
in topic sentences, 125
transition signals with, 129, 130
Reason subordinators, 134, 135
Relevant sentences, 46-47
Religions, capitalization of, 16
Reporting phrases, 170
Run-on sentences, 59-60
School courses, capitalization of, 16
Schools, capitalization of, 87
Sentences
command, 12,53
complex, 76, 79, 83, 89, 134, 141,
161-162
compound,53-54,83, 141
concluding, 4, 48, 69, 100, 152
connecting words in, 23
errorsin,59-60,82, 167
examples of, 11
explanation of, 10-11
kinds of, 83, 181
method to combine, 25
objects in, 14
prepositional phrases for openings
to, 114
pronouns in, 11
simple, 20-21, 53, 54, 83
subject of, 13, 115
supporting, 44, 46-47
topic, 4, 38-39, 99
verbs in, 11, 13-14, 20, 21
Index
Sentence structure, 2
Series, commas with items in, 89-90, 141
Signals
conclusion, 48, 130
listing-order, 45-46, 48, 129
time-order, 70-71
Simple sentences
explanation of, 20-2I, 83
contrasted with compound sentences,
53, 54
since, 134, J 35
so, 56-57
Space-order descriptions
examples of, 99, IOO
explanation of, 98-99
planning for, I 03-I 04
Spacing, 7, 8
Specific details, I 0 I
Specific examples, 126
Subject, of sentences, 13, II5
Subject pronouns, 11
Subject-verb pairs, 20, 2I
Subordinators
adverb, 77-78
chart of, 183
condition, I34, I35
reason, 134, I35
time, 78
such as, 131
Supporting sentences
explanation of, 4, 44
rules for writing, 46-47
that, 157, 158, 167
then, 71
Time-order signals
commas with, 89
examples of, 71, 78
explanation of, 70-71
Time subordinators, 78 -
Titles, capitalization of, 16
Topic sentences
controlling ideas in, 38, 39
for descriptive paragraphs, 99
examples of, 38-39
explanation of, 4, 38-39
for "how-to" paragraphs, 69
parts of, 38
Topics, freewriting about, 28-29
Transition signals
chart of, 185-I86
commas with, 45, 71, 89, 141, 152
at end of paragraphs, 48
with examples, 131-132
explanation of, 45-46
for opinion paragraphs, 152
with reasons, 129, I30
time-order, 70-71, 78, 89
Unity, in paragraphs, 46-47
Verbs
action, 13
command form of, 69
explanation of, I3
linking, I3
in sentences, II, 13-14, 20, 21
what, 13-14
when, II
which, 157, 158, 167
who, I57, I58, 167
Writing, steps for good, 28
Writing process
draft writing as step in, 30, 31
editing as step in, 30, 32
prewriting step in, 28-29, 31
writing final copy as step in, 30, 32
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