10

03.11

1:28

Common Types Of Phrases In English Grammar

Phrases are parts of the basic building blocks of writing.  Unable to stand on its own as a complete sentence or express a complete thought, it either lacks a predicate, a subject or both.

Having an understanding of how different kinds of phrases work will allow you  to create sentences that communicate better, expressing thoughts that are more complete and descriptive.   Here are five of the most common of those types:

  1. Noun phrase.  This type of phrase consists of a noun and all its modifiers, fitting into sentences as either a subject, object or complement.
  2. Appositive phrase.  When a phrase functions as a noun that renames a noun or pronoun that comes before, it’s called an appositive phrase.   Usually, you’ll find this enclosed between commas or inserted after a comma at the end of a sentence.
  3. Verb phrase.  A phrase that consists of a main verb and its helping verbs, a verb phrase serves its sole function as a predicate in a sentence.
  4. Absolute phrase.  This type of phrase will often include a noun or pronoun combined with a participle, as well as any object, modifiers or complements for the phrase.   Its purpose is to modify an entire sentence, rather than just a single word.
  5. Prepositional phrase.  Made up of a preposition, with its object and modifiers, a prepositional phrase usually functions as an adjective or an adverb, although it can be used as a noun, as well.
Posted by Author Name in Various / Comments Off on Common Types Of Phrases In English Grammar

21

02.11

5:45

Using Tagmemics As A Way Of Studying A Topic For Writing

Ever heard of tagmemics?  It’s a system that allows you to look at a single object from three different perspectives.  Because of that quality, it’s a very useful activity when you want to examine a topic from a variety of perspectives.

In tagmemics, you look at the topic in three ways:

  1. As a thing in itself.  Look at the subject as a standalone item, looking at its properties, characteristics, classifications and other similar information that makes it identifiably unique.
  2. As a thing that changes over time.   What happens to the subject over a period of time.  Specifically, you want to look at the changes it takes over the period covered by the paper you’re doing.
  3. As part of a bigger context.  Consider the subject in light of everything else going on around it.  You can look for causality (why it’s the way it is) or comparisons with similar topics.

As you probably noticed, using tagmemics is a way to get you asking questions about the subject in question.  More than just random questions, though, it leads you to pose very specific ones requiring focused replies — the kind of answers that can get you writing clear, thoughtful and interesting things about it.

Posted by Author Name in Various / Comments Off on Using Tagmemics As A Way Of Studying A Topic For Writing

19

02.11

8:16

How To Write A Book Review In Five Paragraphs

If you’re asked to write a short book review, the classic five paragraph format might work.   Since that’s geared for more general use, though, this alternative five-paragraph format that uses the standard journalistic questions (who, what, where, when and why) could be more fitting.

In some ways, this structure offers a simpler approach to book reviews.  It breaks up the writing quite well, apart from allowing you to express your ideas in a straightforward manner.

For the first paragraph, answer the “who” question.  Talk about the main character in the text, describing how the character first appeared and the changes that happened to them throughout the course of the story.   Explain their significance.

For the second paragraph, answer the “what” question.   Describe the main theme of the book, detailing how it is explored and developed throughout the various chapters.

For the third paragraph, answer the “where” question.   Talk about the setting where the story takes place, describing how it contributes to the book and how it relates to the main character and overall theme.

For the fourth paragraph, answer the “when” question.   Describe the time period that the story takes place in.  As with the location,  describe how it contributes to the book and how it relates to the main character and overall theme.

For the last paragraph, answer the “why” question. As a conclusion, discuss the reasons why you believe the author wrote this book.  Take a gander at the points it tries to make and the reasons why everything was arranged in the manner that it was.

Posted by Author Name in Various / Comments Off on How To Write A Book Review In Five Paragraphs

« Previous Page — Next Page »


Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - © 2024 Grammar Software. All Rights Reserved.