BBI 3421 EXPOSITORY WRITING

1. BBI 3421 EXPOSITORY WRITING

2. Step 1 (Selecting a Subject) Exercise 1 Identify a potential topic for each of the following general subject. • Your special interest ๑ Collecting coins/ magnets/match boxes b) Things you learned through your readings ๑ Setting your own website c) Places you have visited ๑ Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort / The Mines Wonderland d) Current, social, political, and environmental issues ๑ The East Asia Summit / Child Abuse / Sex harassment in the work place e) Topics on health, business, sports, arts, and education ๑ Health is wealth / Education opportunities for working Adults

3. Prewriting ActivitiesStep 2 After selecting a subject, you need to develop ideas to support your points. There are a number of ways you can get ideas to help you write. They are as follows: A. Brainstorming B. Freewriting C. Clustering D. Keeping a Journal

4. A. Brainstorming • Begin with a broad topic. • Write down as many associations as you can in ten minutes. • Add more items to your list by answering the questions what, how, when, where, why, and who. • Group the items on the list that go together. • Cross out items that do no belong.

5. Friday 13th breaking a mirror always wear pearl necklace for tests look for four-leaf clovers don’t stay on 13th floor in a hotel sit in centre of room for tests wear lucky t-shirt for games finding a penny eat scrambled eggs for breakfast on day of game don’t walk under ladders don’t step on cracks wear green when i fly use lucky shoelaces in tennis shoes switch watch to right Wrist for tests never start a trip on Friday TOPIC: SUPERSTITIONS

6. SUPERSTITIONS SCHOOL: ◊always wear pearl necklace ◊sit in centre of room for tests ◊switch watch to right wrist for tests TRAVEL: ◊never start a trip on Friday ◊don’t stay on 13th floor in a hotel ◊wear green when Ifly SPORTS: ◊wear lucky t-shirt for games ◊use lucky shoelaces in tennis shoes ◊eat scrambled eggs for breakfast on day of game

7. B. Freewriting • Write your general topic at the top of your page. • Start writing, and write as much as you can, as fast as you can, for 10 minutes. • Don’t stop for any reason. Don’t worry if your mind wanders away from your original idea. Don’t worry about mistakes. Just keep writing. You can go back later and revise. Let your ideas flow. • If you can’t think of anything, write “my mind is blank, my mind is blank,” or something similar, over and over again until a new thought comes into your mind. • Read your freewriting and see if there are any ideas you can develop into a paragraph.

8. FreewritingComputers I love computers. They make my life so much easier than it was when I had to use a typewriter every time I wanted to type something. Back then I had to start all over again whenever I made a mistake. I really don’t understand computers very well. Whenever I have a problem, I have to get someone else to help me . I’m always afraid to try to fix it myself. I guess I’m a computer-phobic. My mind just went blank. It went blank. Just like my computer screen does when I have a problem. And I have

9. Computers so many problems with my computer. There are always technical problems with computers. The whole world worries about technical problems. They are so unpredictable and unreliable. What else can I say about computers! I only use them for word processing and e-mail. I enjoy communicating with my friends by e-mail. That’s all. I know there are lots of other uses but I’ll never get involved in them. I don’t understand computers.

10. Some suggested sentences to begin your paragraphs. • There are several reasons why I love computers. • I really don’t understand computers very well. • I guess I’m a computer-phobic. • I have so many problems with my computer. 5. There are always technical problems with computers. • Computers are so unpredictable and unreliable. • I enjoy communicating with my friends by e-mail.

11. C. ClusteringThe Kenex Company Cheap Workers Family Enterprise Kenex Company Expand Company Good Materials Produce Everything Good Reputation Produce On Time Good Quality From Taiwan to World

12. The Kenex Company There are three reasons that the Kenex Tennis Company is so successful. First, the company was started as a family enterprise. The family all worked, so they saved a lot of money in salaries. That money allowed them to expand the company rapidly. Second, the Kenex Tennis Company buys good raw materials, so the products – tennis shoes, tennis balls, and tennis rackets – are high quality. That quality makes Kenex’s products marketable all over the world because the company has a good reputation. Third, the company produces on time, and it delivers the products quickly and efficiently. For these reasons, I believe that the Kenex company will grow even bigger and better in the future.

13. D. Keeping a Journal Some people find keeping a journal is helpful. When you are not given a specific subject to write on, you can refer to your journal for possible topics. If you decide to keep a journal, start by buying a notebook and writing in it for a few minutes every day. Use your journal as a record of your daily thoughts and activities, as a means of self-expression, or as a way of understanding yourself better. You will find a valuable source of material in your future writing and thinking.

14. An example of a journal entry November 19 I just got back from an ice hockey game. Ray had an extra ticket and asked me if I wanted it. The Boston Bruins beat St Louis Blues 5-2. Our seats were really high up, almost to the roof, but we could still see more than if we had watched it on television. It’s so Much easier to see the puck when you are there than when you watch a game on TV. I started talking to the old man sitting next to me about hockey in “the good old Days.” He went to his first hockey game in 1939

15. Journal entry - Cup World Championship! He talked on and on about the changes he has seen in the kinds of the game when the Bruins won the Stanley equipment, rules, and the style of play since his day. He remembers when players weren’t required to wear helmets, but he said that the play was less rough back then. There weren’t as many fights. I wonder if that’s really true. Hockey has always been a pretty physical game, I bet emotions have always run high among the players. It was a good game. I hope Ray can get me tickets to more games this season. It looks like the Bruins might be good this year.

16. Some suggested sentences to begin your paragraphs • It’s more interesting to watch an ice hockey game life at the stadium than when you watch it on TV. 2. There are some changes in the kinds of equipment, rules, and the style of play since the year 1939. • An ice hockey game before was less rough compared to today’s game. • Ice hockey has always been a pretty physical game.

17. Step 3: Organizing Careful planning is essential to produce a well-written piece of work. If you organize your ideas before you write, they will appear in a logical sequence. You can organize your ideas like this: • Jot down your ideas in point form. • Group your ideas according to categories and order of importance.

18. Step 4: Writing the First Draft ☼ Writing a rough draft is a rehearsal. ☼ It gives you an opportunity to explore various possibilities of expressing your ideas. (Notice that it contains many errors)

19. The time I spend at Sunshine Holiday Camp was fulfilling because I make new friends, have plenty of exercise, and learned to be independence. First of all, make new friends is a good experience. Eventhough the campers and I lived in different parts of the country, but all of us found that we shared many things in common. Many of us like listening pop music and going to movies. We like also outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and canoeing. Finally, the most valuable part of the camp is learned to be independence. I made my own bed and tend to my other camping work which include cooking, washing and clean the floor outside . Another reason was that we have many exercise. We have participit in many activities like jungle-treking, hiking and rowing boat. Every one would be exhausting at the end of the day. Therefore, make new friends, exercise daily, and become independence make my stay at the camp fulfilling.

20. Edited paragraph The time I spent at Sunshine Holiday Camp was fulfilling because I madenew friends, had plenty of exercise, and learned to be independence. First of all, makingnew friends is a good experience. Even though the campers and I live in different parts of the country, all of us found that we share many things in common. Many of us like listening to pop music and going to movies.We also like outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and canoeing. Finally, the most valuable part of the camp is learning to be independent. I made my own bed and tended to my other camping work which includes cooking, washing and cleaning the floor outside . Anotherreason is that we had many exercise. We had participated in many activities like jungle-trekking, hiking and canoeing. Every one would be exhaustedat the end of the day. Therefore, making new friends, exercising daily, and becoming independent made my stay at the camp fulfilling.

21. Review Step 1: _____________________ Step 2: _____________________ Step 3: _____________________ Step 4: _____________________ Step 5: _____________________

22. UNIT 2: SENTENCE SKILLS Subject-verb agreement You already know that every English sentence must have a subject and a verb. In order for a sentence to be grammatically correct, the subject and verb must agree with each other. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

23. Compound subjects and collective nouns Sometimes there may be difficulty deciding whether a subject is singular or plural, and whether to use a singular verb or plural verb, in situations such as the following: • With compound subjects • With collective nouns • With nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning • With indefinite pronouns • With relative pronouns • With titles • With units of measurement, time, and money • With gerunds as subjects • When a verb comes before a subject • When words separate subjects and verbs [Refer to text for examples and exercises. You could also refer to Blanchard, K. & Root, C. Ready to Write More: From Paragraph to Essay. (2nd. Ed.)]

24. Verb Tenses • The Simple Tense • The Continuous Tense • The Perfect Tense

25. UNIT 3Sentence Structures Phrases ◊ a group of words without a subject or a verb that functions as a single part of speech. ◊ prepositional phrases and verbal phrases

26. Clauses A clause is a group of words consisting of one subject and one verb . There are 2 types of clauses: ◊ Independent clauses and ◊ Dependent clauses

27. Independent Clauses An independent or main clause ◊ expresses a complete thought ◊ can stand by itself A simple sentence is an independent clause. Examples: I came home late. Aishah found a new friend.

28. Dependent Clauses A dependent or subordinate clause ◊ does not express a complete thought ◊ cannot stand alone as a sentence ◊ usually begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. There are 3 kinds of dependent clauses: ◊ adjective clauses ◊ adverb clauses, and ◊ noun clauses

29. Adjective Clauses Examples: • The manwho spoke to you is my uncle. • This is the placewhere he found my money. • Thecomputer which I bought yesterday was stolen. • The studentwho went swimming in the river was punished.

30. Adverb Clauses Examples: 1. When I arrived, Mary greeted me. • I called you because I need your help. • He came to my house although I told him not to do so. • My parents decided to build a new house when all of us were grownups. 5. Although the test was difficult, I managed to answer all the questions.

31. Noun Clauses Examples: 1. That he is sincere is doubtful. • No one knows who is responsible.

32. Sentence Types There are four types of sentences in the English language: ◊ simple, ◊ compound, ◊ complex, and ◊ compound-complex.

33. Simple sentences A simple sentence has ◊ one independent clause consisting of one subject and one verb ◊ sometimes, two subjects and one verb ◊ can also be expanded by adding prepositional phrases, verbal phrases, noun phrases, adjectival phrases, adverbial phrases

34. Examples • Students study. • Farah and Aileen study every day. (Compound noun) • They study and play games during weekends. (Compound verb) • Some students at UPM study for weeks before the final examination. (Prepositional phrase) • Some students study for weeks before the finalexamination to get good grades. (Verbal phrase) • Some hardworking college students study for weeks before the final examination. (Adjectival phrase) • Some students study conscientiously every day. (Adverbial phrase)

35. Compound sentences A compound sentence: ◊ is made up of two simple sentences ◊ can be joined in 3 ways - can be connected by a coordinating conjunction or - a sentence connector or - a semicolon

36. With a coordinating conjunction With a sentence connector 3. With a semi colon Nurul won the medal, but Lina won the silver. Nurul won the medal, but Lina won the silver. Nurul won the gold medal; Lina won the silver. Examples

37. and but or Universities prepare students for many occupations, and they prepare students to be responsible citizens. Many universities do not have enough residential colleges, but they provide housing referral services. You can put your money in the bank, or you can invest it in a property. Using Coordinating Conjunctions to make a compound sentence (1)

38. so for nor yet We did not attend the annual meeting, so the Head of Department wanted a show cause letter. I slept early last night, for I was very tired. I don’t like jogging, nor do I like swimming. I have prepared very well for the interview, yet I am not confident to face the interviewers. Using Coordinating Conjunctions to make a compound sentence (2)

39. besides/ furthermore/ moreover/ also however/ nevertheless/ nonetheless otherwise Universities prepare students for many occupations; besides, they prepare students to be responsible citizens. Many universities do not have enough residential colleges; nevertheless, they provide housing referral services. You can put your money in a bank; otherwise, you can invest it in a property. Using connectors to make a compound sentence (1)

40. therefore/ hence/ thus/ consequently/ as a result however/ nevertheless/ nonetheless We did not attend the annual meeting; therefore, the Head of Department wanted a show cause letter. I have prepared very well for the Interview ;however, I am not confident to face the interviewers. Using connectors to make a compound sentence (2)

41. Using a semi colon to make compound sentences • My older sister is fair; my younger sister is dark. • Malaysia obtained its independent peacefully; it remained a model for other South East Asian countries. • I planned to go to Port Dickson in the morning; I went there in the afternoon instead. • We reached the camping site; we set up our tents.

42. Complex sentences A complex sentence has one or more dependent clauses. Examples: 1. Although students are allowed to register for the maximum number of credits per semester, they usually sign up for the minimum number in order to maintain their CGPA. 2. Students who do well in their studies have the chance to enter any local university. 3. Many people believe that the number 13 brings bad luck.

43. Compound-complex sentences A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and one (or more) dependent clauses. Examples: • I wanted to study in UPM after finished schooling; however, I had to go to work immediately. • After finished schooling, I wanted to study in UPM, but I had to go to work immediately because I had to support my family. • I wanted to study in UPM after I finished schooling, but I had to go to work immediately because I had to support my family. • I couldn’t decide where I should study or what I should do, so I ended up doing nothing.

44. Formula for the types of sentences

45. Unit 4: Paragraph WritingParagraph Organization A paragraph: ☼ is a group of related sentences that develops a main idea ☼ has 3 parts: - a beginning: Topic sentence - a middle: Body (Supporting points) - an end: Concluding sentence ☼ the series of sentences comprise logical and interrelated pieces of information.

46. TOPIC SENTENCE SUPPORTING SENTENCES CONCLUDING SENTENCE Superstitions affect several aspects of my life. First of all, I have a lot of superstitions about school, especially tests. For example, I always wear the pearl necklace that my grandmother gave me when I have to take a test. I think it brings me good luck, and I am afraid that I will do poorly if I forget to wear it. When I get to school, I always find a seat right in the middle of the room, sit down, and then switch my watch to my right wrist before the test begins. In addition, I am very superstitious about travelling. I will never start a trip on a Friday because Iam sure it will bring me bad luck. When I have to stay in a hotel, I refuse to sleep in a room on the 13th floor. For me, 13 is an unlucky number. In addition, I always wear something green, my lucky colour, on the first day of the trip. Finally, like many ther athletes, I am especially superstitious when it comes to my sport, tennis. When I dress for a match, I always wear the same T-shirt with my initials on it. I also use the same shoelaces in my sneakers that I have had since I first started playing tennis. As soon as I buy a new pair of sneakers, the first thing I do is replace the laces with my lucky ones. I am also superstitious about my breakfast on the day of a match. I always eat the same things: eggs and muffin. All in all, I am superstitious about many aspects of my life. A good paragraph

47. A POORLY CONSTRUCTED PARAGRAPH Japan is a nation of workaholics. Japan has more national holidays than the United States or Germany.The average worker uses only nine of his or her eighteen days of paid vacation every year. Many Japanese are uncomfortable taking vacation days when their coworkers have to be at work, according to Japanese sociologists who have studied the problem. “I wish I could take more than a week,” said office worker Masako Tanaka, “but the environment at work doesn’t really let you do that.” Americans who work for Japanese companies quickly learn to put in the same long hours as their Japanese colleagues. Japanese schoolchildren go to school every other Saturday, and they spend most evenings, weekends, and holidays attending study clubs or cram schools. The Japanese government wants government workers to take more time off because people spend more money on vacation, which would help the Japanese economy.Many Japanese enjoy hark work and long hours; if they didn’t, they wouldn’t do it. Japanese get used to working long hours when they are schoolchildren.

48. Topic Sentences A topic sentence comprises 2 parts: ☼ a subject ☼ a controlling idea / focus A topic sentence must be a complete sentence. An effective topic sentence must fulfill 2 things: ☼ specific enough to narrow down a subject into an idea ☼ general enough to be expanded and elaborated by the rest of the sentences in the paragraph Examples: • Keeping wild animals in captivity is cruel. • Preparing Maggie Mee is simple. • There are sevral reasons why I hate to go shopping during weekends.

49. Supporting Points After you have stated your point in a topic sentence, you need to support it with reasons, facts, and examples. As a writer, it is your job to provide enough support to prove the point you made in your topic sentence. Your supporting sentences should be as specific as possible. Supporting sentences that are vague or that merely repeat the point you made in the topic sentence are not effective.

50. Paragraph 1 The repairs on my car were much expensive than I had anticipated. When I saw the final bill, I was in shock. It was twice as much I had planned on. I had to pay RM395 to get the brakes repaired and another RM100 to get the wheels aligned. The engine oil change was RM30, and the replacement of the air filter was another RM20. Paragraph 2 The repairs on my car were much more expensive than I had anticipated. The mechanic did a good job, but I think I was overcharged for everything. I never imagined that the final bill would be so high. In fact, I had to borrow some money from my friend to pay it. The next time my car needs repairs, I’ll go to a different garage. Exercise 1Compare the two paragraphs