Writing
基礎英文 寫作
進四技應二甲
周怡君
September 2011
Unit 1
Understanding
Sentence Basics
What Is a Sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that
expresses a complete thought. The
words in a sentence are in a special
order.
Letter word  sentence
paragraph  essay
*
Begin with capital letter
Capital letter / lowercase letter
Proper noun
Common noun
Day of week
Months
Languages
Countries
Ending with period
The most common or usual way to
end a sentence is with a period.
Question mark
• prepositions of place
• exclamation points
Prepositions of place----At, On and In
Three important prepositions are at, on,
and in. These prepositions have many
meanings, but one important function is to
indicate location.
at + specific location
on+ street names
in + town or city names,
state names,
larger region names,
countries names
Exclamation points
You use an exclamation point (!)
to show emphasis or emotion
about something.
The Parts of a Sentence
Sentence Development
1. Simple sentence
S+V+O+(other information)
Maria plays the piano well.
S+V+(other information)
Maria plays well.
v.t.( transitive Verb)+ O
v.i.( intransitive Verb)
Grammar and sentence structure
Subjects, Verbs, and objects
Be
There is/ there are
Subjects, Verbs, and objects
Be
There is/ there are+(other information)
Sentences in paragraphs
Sentences and paragraphs
A group of words that tell about one idea
is called a sentence. A group of
sentences that tell about one topic or
one idea is called a paragraph.
The title of a paragraph
•
•
•
•
•
A title gives you information about what is in
a book, a song, a movie, or a paragraph.
A good title is usually very shout.
A good title is usually not a complete sentence.
A good title catches the reader’s interest.
A good title also follows special capitalization rules.
A good title does not have a period at the end.
Simple Sentences
簡單句有五種基本句型︰
(1)S + V[ I ] ( 主詞 + 不及物動詞 )
(2)S + V[ I ] + SC ( 主詞 + 不及物動詞 + 主詞補語 )
(3) S + V[T ] + O ( 主詞 + 及物動詞 + 受詞 )
(4)S + V[T ] + IO + DO( 主詞 + 及物動詞 + 間接受詞+
直接受詞 )
(5)S + V[T ] + O + C ( 主詞 + 及物動詞 + 受詞 + 受詞補語 )
(1) S + V[ I ]
Time flies.
S V
He usually gets up early in the morning.
S
V
The boy in the back of the classroom drew on
S
V
his desk.
*** sit down, stand up, stay up, break down,
dress up, calm down….. ***
(2) S+ V[I] + SC
Miss Liu is my English teacher.
S
V
SC
The students seem happy in their English class.
S
V
SC
To see is to believe.
S V
SC
*** look, sound, smell, taste, feel,+adj *** look, sound,
smell, taste, feel +like + N**
*** appear, become, come, fall, get, go, grow, keep +adj,
N, or clause
(3) S + V[T] + O
Boys and girls played soccer for fun and
health.
S
V
O
Bill always makes his own bed.
S
V
O
He always borrows my clothes .
S
V
O
Our math teacher likes to play chess.
S
V
O
(4) S + V[T] + IO + DO
My boyfriend gave me roses as my birthday
S
V IO DO
present.
I wrote my brother a letter last Sunday.
S V
IO
DO
Would you please pass me the salt?
S
V IO DO
*** bring, give, hand, mail, pass, read, sell, send,
show, take, write + to
*** buy, cook, find, get, leave, make +for
*** ask, beg, inquire, rob +of
*** borrow +from
(5) S + V[T] + O + OC
I consider you my best friend.
S V
O
OC
The bad news made us unhappy.
S
V O OC
Helen sometimes leaves her son alone at home.
S
V
O
OC
***任命 命名: appoint, call, elect, name,
*** 使….keep, leave, make,
*** 認為… believe, consider, find, think
Unit 2
Connecting sentences
and paragraphs
Sentences: Using Adjectives
You can make a sentence much more
interesting if you add descriptive words. These
descriptive words are called adjectives. They
describe nouns.
Ex: I have a red car with a black top.
What is paragraph?
A sentence is a group of words that
expresses a complete thought. A paragraph
has three main parts: the topic sentence, the
body, and a concluding sentence.
A paragraph has 3 main parts:
Topic sentence
The body
Concluding sentence
Indenting the first line of every paragraph
The action of making this space at the beginning
of a paragraph is to indent. It is important to
indent the first line of every paragraph.
Always remember to indent!
Topic sentence
Every good paragraph has a topic sentence.
When you write a paragraph, remember to
use a topic sentence. The topic sentence should
not be too specific or too general. It tells the
readers what the paragraph is about.
The Topic Sentence
A topic sentence usually comes at the beginning of a
paragraph; that is, it is usually the first sentence in a
formal academic paragraph. (Sometimes this is not true,
but as you practice writing with this online lesson site,
please keep to this rule unless you are instructed
otherwise.) Not only is a topic sentence the first sentence
of a paragraph, but, more importantly, it is the most
general sentence in a paragraph. What does "most
general" mean? It means that there are not many details
in the sentence, but that the sentence introduces an
overall idea that you want to discuss later in the
paragraph.
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html#topic
Example of topic sentence
My hometown is famous for several amazing
natural features. First, it is noted for the
Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful.
Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton
Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep.
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html#topic
Some examples of sentences that cannot be used as
topic sentences.
1. My hometown is famous because it is located by
Wheaton River, which is very wide, and because it is
built near an unusually steep hill called Wheaton Hill.
2. There are two reasons why some people like to
buy cars with automatic transmission and two
reasons why others like cars with manual
transmission.
3. Clouds are white.
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html#topic
#1 is that it contains too many details.
A better topic sentence would be like the one mentioned
above, My hometown is famous for several amazing
geographical features.
#2 is not appropriate as a topic sentence because it
mentions two topics, not just one. Paragraphs are usually
about one main thing and so their topic sentences should
also be about only one main thing.
#3 is that it is too general. It is also very boring! Would you
like to read a paragraph with this topic sentence? Most
people would not.
Improvement
#1 There are two reasons why some people like to buy
cars with automatic transmission.
OR (in a different paragraph):
#2 There are two reasons why some people like cars with
manual transmission.
#3 The shapes of clouds are determined by various factors.
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html#topic
Supporting sentences
the body of a paragraph
The body consists of sentences that
gives supporting information and idea
about the topic sentences.
My hometown is famous for several amazing
natural features. First, it is noted for the
Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful.
Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton
Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep.
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html#topic
The second and third sentences are called
supporting sentences. They are called "supporting"
because they "support," or explain, the idea
expressed in the topic sentence.
Of course, paragraphs in English often have more
than two supporting ideas.
The paragraph above is actually a very short
paragraph.
you are suggested to have at least five to seven
sentences in your paragraph.
My hometown is famous for several amazing
natural features. First, it is noted for the
Wheaton River, which is very wide and
beautiful. Also, on the other side of the town is
Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is
very steep. The third amazing feature is the
Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred
feet tall and is probably about six hundred
years old.
The Concluding Sentence
In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a
sentence at the end of the paragraph which
summarizes the information that has been
presented. This is the concluding sentence.
You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort
of topic sentence in reverse.
My hometown is famous for several amazing natural
features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is
very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the
town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very
steep. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This
tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about
six hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly
amazing and make my hometown a famous place.
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html#topic
You can understand concluding sentences with this example.
Consider a hamburger that you can buy at a fast-food restaurant.* A
hamburger has a top bun (a kind of bread), meat, cheese, lettuce, and
other elements in the middle of the hamburger, and a bottom bun.
Note how the top bun and the bottom bun are very similar. The top bun, in
a way, is like a topic sentence, and the bottom bun is like the concluding
sentence. Both buns "hold" the meat, onions, and so on.
Similarly, the topic sentence and concluding sentence "hold" the
supporting sentences in the paragraph.
Grammar and sentence structure
1. Possessive adjectives
2. Checking for the verbs
3. concluding sentences
4. word association
5. using collocations
idea/ideal job
Sentence Patterns -1
Thanks to +N 多虧…...因為
(=because of, owing to, due to, on
account of, as a result of….)
Thanks to his advice, I did not make the
same mistake again.
Thanks to his friends’ help, he succeeded
at least.
Sentence Patterns-2
enjoy, finish, mind (practice, avoid,
consider, regret, keep, admit, ….)+ Ving
I enjoy watering flowers in the garden.
Would you mind telling him I’ll visit him
tomorrow?
Have you finished feeding the dog?
Sentence Patterns-3
With (+adj)+ N = adv
He achieved his goal with ease (=easily).
Sam handled the situation with little
patience (=impatiently).
with a smile= smilingly
with excitement= excitedly
with delight = delightedly
Sentence Patterns-4
make it a rule + to +V
+ that + S + V
He makes it a rule to exercise every
morning.
My father makes it a rule that I have to
watch the news in English every evening.
Sentence Patterns-5
Sb + spend + time / money + (in) Ving
He spent two hours finishing it.
It takes (+ sb) + time + to +V
= N (Ving)+ take (+ sb) + time
It took him two hours to finish it.
It costs (+ sb) + money + to +V = N (Ving)+
cost (+ sb) + money
It costs him two dollars to buy that candy.
Sentence Patterns-5
They spent three days searching for
the missing child.
= It took them three days to find the
missing child.
She spends a lot of money on
clothes every month.
= It cost her a lot of money to buy
clothes every month.
Follow the sentence patterns to make sentences.
1. Although he is lazy, he makes a lot of money. (she/beautiful/use/ makeup)
Although she is beautiful, she uses a lot of makeup.
2. He was so frightened that he didn’t say a single word. (intelligent/ fail/
examination)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3. She hasn’t been here since the tragedy occurred. (the
family/home/cook/leave)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
4. He was trembling as he spoke, as if he was very nervous. (the
girl/cry/come in/upset)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
5. Unless you go now, you will be late. (come/ miss the opportunity)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
6. He will finish the job before the factory closes. ( pick/fruit/sun/set)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
7. We must go now because it is quite late. (have to/ a long way)
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
8. His work is better than mine, but not so(as) good as John’s.
( book/interesting/Vivian)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
9. I think you had better go before it gets too cold. (he/I/ought to come in/
dark)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
10. Both Gerald and George are strong, but neither of them is clever. (the
bed/the sofa/wide/ comfortable)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Unit 3
Writing about the present
Simple Present Tense
When you write about daily habits and
activities or things that are generally true,
use the simple present tense.
1. using contraction
2. there is/there are
3. objective pronoun
Using Contractions
A contraction is a short version of two words
combined, such as a pronoun and a verb (I’m = I
am ) . The apostrophe (’) shows where a letter
has been left out.
Ex. You are = You’re
He is = He’s/She is = She’s
We are = We’re
They are = They’re
Simple and Compound Sentences
A simple sentence has a subject and a verb.
When writers combine two simple sentences
in one longer sentence, and that is called a
compound sentence.
Compound Sentences
•
•
•
•
two or more independent clauses
NO dependent clauses
Ways to make compound sentences:
a. using a comma and coordinating conjunction: and, but, or,
so, yet, nor,
Ex: 1. He opened the door. He found the missing paper.
 He opened the door, and (so) he found the missing paper.
2. semicolon + transitional word + comma
 He found the missing paper; therefore, he was satisfied.
Clauses
S+V
a part or all of the complete sentence
Independent Clauses
•S+V
•stand alone
•express a complete thought
•as a separate sentence
•Ex: He has studied English for 10 years.
Dependent Clauses
•
•
•
•
S+V
CAN NOT stand alone
depend on a main clause
connected by subordinating conjunctions such
as:
• after, although, if, until, as, since, when …….
• Ex: Since he was a kid
• He has studied English for 10 years since he was
a kid.
Relative Clauses
one type of dependent clause
relative pronoun (that, which, who) +V
Ex: She is the only one who stayed here.
Phrases
a group of words that go together
DOES NOT have S+V
Ex: in the morning, at school
Types of Sentences
Simple sentences
One independent clause
NO dependent clauses
may have phrases, more than one S, or V
Ex: My father came to see my school play.
My father, mother and I came to school play
and attended the party.
Compound Sentences
two or more independent clauses
NO dependent clauses
Ways to make compound sentences:
a. using a comma and coordinating conjunction: and,
but, or, so, yet, nor,
Ex: He opened the door. He found the missing paper.
 He opened the door, and (so) he found the missing paper.
b. semicolon + transitional word + comma
 He found the missing paper; therefore, he was satisfied.
Complex Sentences
one independent clause +
one (or more) dependent clause
Ex. 1. When we went to school, I called my
mom immediately.
2. Although it rained last night, we
decided to take the path that led
through the woods.
3. I knew the actress who played that
part in the 1980s.
Compound-complex Sentences
two (or more) independent clauses and one or
more dependent
clauses.
Ex: 1. Albert enlisted in the Army, and Robert,
who was his older brother, jointed him a
day later.
2. Because Roberts was a talented
teacher, he was voted teacher of the
year, and his students prospered.
Why Questions
You use the word because to answer a
question with why. You can put because at the
beginning or in the middle of a sentence. If you
use it at the beginning of a sentence, follow this
clause with a comma. Because is never used in
a simple sentence.
Ex: Because Laura felt ill, she went to the doctor.
Laura went to the doctor because she felt ill.
Lan ate dinner because he was hungry.
Brain storming with Questions
Good writers often ask questions to help
them get ideas about what to write.
Ex:
Topic: A popular sport
Possible questions:
What is a popular sport?
How many people are needed to play this sport?
Is this sport popular on television?
How old is this sport?
Unit 4
Writing about the Past
Simple Past Tense
When you talk about actions in the past, you use the
simple past tense.
Time Phrases with the Simple Past Tense
We use certain words and phrases in a sentence to help
show that something happened in the past. Some of these
time phrases include:
last night last week this morning
yesterday (two minutes) ago
The uses of past tense and the quiz
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbtenses_past_u.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simple
past.html
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/tensesi
mpast.htm
Irregular Simple past Tense Verbs
begin
break
bring
build
buy
catch
choose
cost
drink
began
begun
broke broken
brought
brought
built
built
bought
bought
caught
caught
chose
chosen
cost
cost
drank
drunk
You can put these time phrases at the beginning
or the end of a sentence. Avoid using them in
the middle of a sentence.
Incorrect: I yesterday scratched my knee.
Correct: Yesterday I scratched my knee.
Compound sentences with But
One common sentence connector is “But”.
This word is often used to make compound
sentences. The connector but shows a contrast.
Ex: I bought a car. John bought a truck.
 I bought a car, but John bought a truck.
Unit 5 Describing Actions
Present Progressive Tense
1. The present progressive tense is often used
to describe actions that are happening right
now.
be +Verb +-ing
Amanda is studying Math now.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
leave
write
dance
make
Exercise
smoke
lie
die
 leaving
 writing
 dancing
 making
 exercising
 smoking
lying (說謊)
 dying (死亡)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
put
swim
sit
stop
run
jog
shop
 putting
 swimming
 sitting
 stopping
 running
 jogging
 shopping
•
•
•
•
•
study
cry
try
fix
play
 studying
 crying
 trying
 fixing
 playing
Complete the sentences with present continuous.
1. Jason is __________________(wait) at the bus stop.
2. I __________________(write) a letter to my best friend.
3. Excuse me, you ____________________ (sit) in my seat.
4. We _____________________(not/listen/to) the music now.
5. _______________Nancy ______________(study) for the quiz?
Complete the sentences with present continuous.
6. My friend and I ___________________(run) in the park.
7. Do believe him. He __________________(lie).
8.______________mom___________(make
dinner) now?
9-10. He ________________(not/fix) the radio now. He
________________(leave).
Present tense & present continuous
Verb for present tense:
belong to, cost, have**, own
believe, forget,
like*, hate,
know,
prefer,
understand
Sentences with different tenses
• I have two sisters. I have a house.
• I am having lunch. I am having problems with
this computer.
• I live in Kaohsiung. (forever)
• I am living in Kaohsiung. (temporary)
Sentences with different tenses
• Paul is leaving early tomorrow morning.
(future plan)
• My parents are buying me a mountain bike for
my birthday. (future plan)
• He always arrives here on time.
• You’re always forgetting your keys.
(complaining)
Exercises
• 1. That can’t be right! I (don’t believe/ I’m not
believing) it.
• 2. Carol can’t swim today. She (has/is having) a cold.
• 3. See you in the morning. I (leave/am leaving) now.
• 4. ( I drive/I am driving) you can sit in the back with
Martin.
Exercises
5. Chemistry is hard. I (am not understanding/don’t
understand it).
6. Where (do you go/are you going)? I haven’t finished
talking to you.
7. Excuse me, but (do you speak/ are you speaking) English? I
am looking for a hotel.
Using the connector “And”
Good writers often use the connector and to join
words and ideas.
Ex:
1. And is used to join two (or more) words that
are in the same grammar category (or
group).
2. The connector and is also used to form
compound sentences.
Using the connector “So”
The connector “so” shows a cause and result.
I was hungry, so I ate a sandwich.
Leslie has a big exam tomorrow, so she is
studying at the library.