1. 1 English Academic Writing Saiwaroon Chumpavan July 21, 2006

2. 2 Types of Sentences Clauses:A group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Clauses: - ecology is a science - because pollution causes cancer Not clauses: - to protect the environment - after working all day

3. 3 Independent Clauses An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. subject + verb + complement Students normally spend four years in college. I will declare my major now, but I may change it later.

4. 4 Dependent Clauses A dependent clause begins with a subordinator such as when, while, if, that, or who. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence by itself.

5. 5 Dependent Clauses (cont.) Subordinator + subject + verb (+ complement) …although students normally spend four years in college … …if I declare my major now… …when they come to the United States… …who was accepted at Harvard university…

6. 6 Clause connectors Subordinators (Subordinating Conjunctions): afterbeforethatwhenwhich althougheven thoughthoughwheneverwhile ashowunlesswherewho as ififuntilwhereverwhom as soon assincewhatwhateverwhose becauseso that

7. 7 Clause connectors (cont.) Coordinators (Coordinating Conjunctions): s forandnorbutoryetso FAN BOYS

8. 8 Clause connectors (cont.) Conjunctive Adverbs: accordinglyfurthermorein contrast meanwhileon the other handbesides henceindeedmoreover otherwiseconsequentlyhowever insteadneverthelesstherefore for examplein additionlikewise nonethelessthus

9. 9 Kinds of Sentences Compound Sentences: Two or more independent clauses -Women live longer than men, for they take better care of their health. -Women follow more healthful diets, and they go to doctors more often. -Women do not smoke as much as men do, nor do they drink as much as alcohol. -Men may exercise harder, but they may not exercise as regularly as women do.

10. 10 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Compound Sentences: -Both men and women should limit the amount of fat in their diets, or they risk getting heart disease. -Women used to be known as the “weaker sex,” yet in some ways, they are stronger than men. -Men are less cautious than women, so more men die in accidents.

11. 11 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs: Indept. clause; + conjunctive adv., + indept. clause

12. 12 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs: and = besides, furthermore, moreover, also Community colleges offer preparation for many occupations; moreover, they prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university.

13. 13 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs: but, yet = however, nevertheless, nonetheless Many community colleges do not have dormitories; however, they provide housing referral services.

14. 14 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs: or = otherwise Students must take final exams; otherwise, they will receive a grade of Incomplete. so = accordingly, consequently, hence, therefore, thus Native and non-native English speakers have different needs; therefore, most schools provide separate English classes for each group.

15. 15 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Compound Sentences with Semicolons Indept. Clause; indept. Clause -My older brother studies law; my younger brother studies medicine. -Poland was the first Eastern European country to turn away from communism; others soon followed.

16. 16 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Complex Sentences: One independent clause and one (or more dependent clause(s) -Although women in the United States could own property, they could not vote until 1920. -In the United States, women could not vote until 1920 although they could own property.

17. 17 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Complex Sentences: -Men who are not married are called bachelors. -Last year we vacationed on the Red Sea, which features excellent scuba diving. -That there is a hole in the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere is well known. -Scientists believe that excess chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere are responsible for creating it.

18. 18 Kinds of Sentences (cont.) Compound-Complex Sentences: A combination of two or more independent clauses and one (or more) dependent clauses -I wanted to travel after I graduated from college; however, I had to go to work immediately. -If housework and childcare are included, women work more hours per week than men every place in the world except North America and Australia, but they also earn less than men everywhere.

19. 19 Sentence Problems Sentence Fragments: incomplete sentences or parts of sentences Because some students work part-time while taking a full load of courses. – dept. clause To correct: Because some students work part-time while taking a full load of courses, they have very little free time. For example, the increase in the cost of renting an apartment. – no verb To correct: For example, the cost of renting an apartment increased.

20. 20 Sentence Problems (cont.) Choppy Sentences: too short We must find new sources of energy. Natural sources of energy are dwindling. Solar energy is a promising new source of energy. Solar energy is energy from the sun. We must find new sources of energy because natural sources of energy are dwindling. Solar energy, which is energy from the sun, is a promising new energy.

21. 21 Sentence Problems (cont.) Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices Run-on sentence: A sentence in which two or more independent clauses are written one after another with no punctuation. My family went to Australia then they emigrated to Canada.

22. 22 Sentence Problems (cont.) Comma splice: Two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. My family went to Australia, then they emigrated to Canada. Add a period: My family went to Australia. Then they emigrated to Canada. Add a semicolon: My family went to Australia; then they emigrated to Canada.

23. 23 Sentence Problems (cont.) Add a coordinator: My family went to Australia, and then they emigrated to Canada. Add a subordinator: My family went to Australia before they emigrated to Canada.

24. 24 Paragraph Structure Three Parts of a Paragraph: -A topic sentence -Supporting sentences -A concluding sentence

25. 25 Paragraph Structure (cont.) Topic sentence – main idea of the paragraph Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics. Topic: Gold Controlling Idea: two important characteristics

26. 26 Paragraph Structure (cont.) Supporting sentences – develop the topic sentence by giving reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and quotations First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion. For example, Macedonian coin remains as untarnished today as the day it was minted 23 centuries ago. Another important characteristics of gold is its usefulness to industry and science. The most recent use of gold is in astronauts’ suits.

27. 27 Paragraph Structure (cont.) Concluding sentence – signals the end of the paragraph and leaves the reader with important points to remember In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for its beauty but also for its utility. End-of-paragraph signals: Finally, In conclusion, In summary, Therefore, Thus, As a result, Indeed, In brief, In short, We can see that …, It is clear that …, These examples show that …The evidence suggests that …

28. 28 Paragraph Structure (cont.) A good paragraph should also have unity and coherence. Unity means that you discuss only one main idea in a paragraph. The main idea is stated in the topic sentence, and then each and every supporting sentence develop that idea.

29. 29 Paragraph Structure (cont.) Coherence means that your paragraph is easy to read and understand because: 1.Your supporting sentences are in some kind of logical order, and 2.Your ideas are connected by the use of appropriate transition signals: first of all, for example, another important characteristics, and in conclusion.

30. 30 Source Ashima, A., & Hogue, A. (1999). Writing Academic English (3 rd ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.