Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

College of Natural and Social Sciences

Department of English

Course Title; Basic Writing Skills

Course Code: EnLa 1012
Pre-requisite course: Communicative English Skills (EnLa 1011)

Course Description
This course focuses on developing the learners’ basic writing skills in both academic and non-
academic contexts. Emphasis will be on sentence development, writing paragraphs and
composing essays. Sentence level writing includes constructing different types of error free
sentences. At paragraph level, the course covers basic elements of paragraph, its types and
techniques of developing paragraphs. Finally, the essay part treats basic structures of essay, its
different types and constructing them in a sensible manner.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to :
 Construct meaningful sentences in English
 Write different types of sentences based on the demanding situations
 Identify and correct different types of faulty sentences
 Use appropriate coordination and subordination skills to relate ideas
 Compose the paragraphs that have clearly stated topic sentences, supporting details and
concluding remarks
 Analyze paragraphs for their basic elements and characteristics
 Write a well-structured essay of different types
Course Contents
Unit One: Effective sentence Writing
1.1 Types of sentences based on structures
1.1.1 Simple sentence
1.1.2 Compound sentence
1.1.3 Complex sentence
1.1.4 Compound-complex sentence
1.2 Types of Sentence based on function
1.2.1 Declarative sentence
1.2.2 Interrogative sentence
1.2.3 Imperative sentence
1.2.4 Exclamatory sentence
1.3 Joining Ideas
1.3.1 Adding information
1.3.2 Sequencing
1.3.3 Cause, Reason, Result
1.4 Identifying and correcting faulty sentences
1.4.1 Subject verb agreement
1.4.2 Sentence fragment
1.4.3 Run-on sentence
 1.4.4 Comma splice
1.4.5 Faulty parallelism
1.4.6 Misplace modifiers
1.4.7 Dangling modifies
Unit Two: Writing Effective Paragraph
2. Paragraph
2.1 Parts of paragraph
2.1.1 Topic sentence
2.1.2 Supporting sentence
2.1.3 Concluding sentence
2.2 Basic types of paragraph
2.2.1Expository paragraph
2.2.2 Descriptive paragraph
2.2.3 Narrative paragraph
2.2.4 Argumentative/persuasive paragraph
2.3 Features of paragraph
2.3.1 Unity
2.3.1 Coherence
2.3.3 Completeness
2.4 Techniques of paragraph development
Unit Three
3.1Desfiniition of an essay
3.2 Basic element of an essay
3.3 Types of Essay
3.3.1 Expository essay
3.3.2 Descriptive essay
3.3.3 Narrative essay
3.3.4 Argumentative/ Persuasive essay

Mode of delivery
Online/ email/telegram
Individual and online/email group work

Mode of assessment
Continuous assessment 50%
Sentence level- 20%, paragraph level -20% and essay level- 10%
Final exam.50%

References
Davis, Jason and Liss, Rhonda.Effecive Academic writing. The Essay: Oxford University
Press, London, 2006.
Alamrirew,G.(2005). College Writing skills, Branna.P.E., Addis Ababa
Langagn, J.(2005). College Writing skills, 6th Ed, McGraw-Hill Companies Inc,New York.
Joy, L.(1985). Building English Skills.McDougle and Company, USA.
Solomon,G.(1996). Writing for Academic purpose, AAU Press, Addis Ababa.
 Unit One: Writing effective sentences
Dear students, as we all know the prevalent (Corona Virus pandemic) condition in the world,

there is no face to face learning in the classroom. So you are expected to work hard individually

according to the directions which will be given through email and other alternatives. Individual

works, group assignments and other assessments should be submitted on time.(If you have any

question(s) about the course, please feel free (do not hesitate) to forward me.)Email-

abrked@yahoo.com tel-0911829244

Structure of a Sentence

In unit one -we begin with a discussion pertaining to sentence construction skills. The unit
mainly focuses on writing effective sentences and checking sentence errors (major errors in
writing sentences).

A writing activity demands high concentration as well as good skill of crafting sentences.
Cultivating such skill would help you avoid constructing erroneous sentences. We shall discuss
each section and sub section by providing relevant examples and practical activities.

Objectives
After working through this unit, you should be able to:
 Construct grammatically correct sentences;
 Join sentences in various ways;
 Spot erroneous sentences and correct them successfully.

1.1. Fundamentals of the English Sentence

A word is a meaningful unit of language sounds. Or it is a meaningful sound or
combination of sounds that is a unit of language or its representation in a text.
There are two types of words: function words (grammatical words), and Content words
A. Function Words are words such as the, and, but, in, to, because, while, ought, must, etc. the
main use of function words is to express relationships among other words. Compare the
following:
- I am lonely at dark. - The cook prepared a rich feast.
- I am lonely in the dark. - The cook prepared the rich a feast.
B. Content Words are words having meanings beyond grammar functions. The common content
words such as a noun, verb, adjective or adverb that primarily convey meanings rather than
grammatical function.
1.1 Definition
We tend to think of a sentence as a group of words with a period, a question mark, or an
exclamation point at the end and a capital letter at the beginning, but there is more to it than that.
In order to be a sentence, a word group must be complete enough to stand independently. In
other words, sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
-A sentence is usually defined as a grammatically independent unit made up of a word or group
of words so related as to convey a complete thought.
-A sentence is the basic unit of thought someone uses to express her/himself.
The better we understand how to form and use sentences, therefore, the more effectively we can
communicate our thoughts to others.
Phrase is a group of related words that has no subject or predicate and is used as a single part of
speech. As we process language , we recognize phrases as chunks of information that expand a
basic sentence, adding to its meaning , but we also recognize that phrases cannot express
complete thoughts by themselves.
Example:
- I fell on the side walk. (It is a complete thought.)
- On the sidewalk (It is a phrase - not a complete thought)
Typical phrases are composed of a preposition and its object (I fell on the side walk.) or a verbal
and its object (I wanted to see the parade).Phrases are usually classified as prepositional,
infinitive, participial, or gerund phrases.
Example
- He is a man of action. (Prepositional phrase)
- I wanted to buy the house. (Infinitive phrase)
- Covered with ice, the road was dangerous. (Participial phrase)
- Making a profit is their only purpose. (Gerund phrase)
A Clause is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate. The relation of a clause to the
rest of a sentence is shown by the position of the clause or by a conjunction.
There are two kinds of clauses: (1) main, or independent, clauses and (2) subordinate, or
dependent, clauses.
1. A main clause has both subject and verb, but it is not introduced by a subordinating word. A
main clause makes an independent statement; it could stand alone.
Example: Eagles are beautiful.
You can see that this clause is equal to sentence.
2. Subordinate clauses are usually introduced by a subordinating conjunction (as, since,
because, etc) or by a relative pronoun (who, which, that). Subordinate clauses function as
adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. They cannot stand alone but must be attached to a main clause.
They express ideas that are intended to be subordinate to or dependent on the idea expressed in
the main clause. The exact relationship between the two ideas is indicated by the subordinating
conjunction or relative pronoun that joins the subordinate and the main clause.
Eagles are beautiful when they soar high above the cliffs.
Subordinate clause
1.2 Classification of Sentences by Purpose/Function
Declarative Sentences: Sentences that makes statements and end with a period.
Example: The human back-bone has thirty-three bones.
Interrogative Sentences: Sentences that ask questions and end with question marks (?).
Example: Could you tell me your name, please?
Imperative Sentences- Sentences that make commands or request and end with either a period or
if the command shows strong feeling with exclamation mark (!).
Example: Stand up!
Please, use your muscles.
Exclamatory Sentences- Sentences that make (express) strong feeling and end with exclamation
mark.
Example: What an excellent boy! Or how terrific you look!
1.3 Constituent Elements of a Sentence
Every sentence, short or long, is made up of one or more units containing two main parts: subject
and predicate.
Subject is a part of a sentence about which a statement is made. It is a noun or pronoun, with any
of its modifiers.
Predicate is the statement made about the subject .It is a verb or verb phrase, with any modifiers
or words used to complete its meaning. Examples:
Our soccer team won the state championship.
Our soccer team / won the state championship.
Subject Predicate
Simple Subject and Simple Predicate
Every sentence, we said, usually has a subject and a predicate.
Examples:
- John fights.
- They run
In sentence 1, John the actor is, a simple subject, and fights, the action, is a simple predicate.
In sentence 2, the simple subject is they, the actor, and the simple predicate is run, the act.
Simple subject (actor)
Simple predicate(act)
Flowers
Novels
Men
Candles
Honesty
bloom.
teach.
laugh.
burn.
pays.
In the sentences given above, the subject (actor) has consisted of a single word: flowers, novels,
men, candles, honesty. Such subjects are called simple subjects. The predicate (act) has also
consisted of a single word: bloom, teach, laugh, burn, pays. Such predicates are called simple
predicates.
Complete Subject and Complete Predicate
1. Complete Subject
When a simple subject is expanded by the addition of modifying words, the subject thus
expanded is called a complete subject. Examples of expanded form of subject:
- Flowers are blooming. (Flowers, one word, is a simple subject)
- The flowers are blooming.
- The small flowers are blooming.
- The small red-petaled flowers are blooming.
Flowers, the simple subject in the first sentence, has been expanded by the modifiers the, small,
and red-petaled. Hence, it is a complete subject.
2. Complete Predicate
In the same way, when the predicate consists of a single word or a verb phrase, it is called a
simple predicate. When it is expanded by the addition of other words, then the simple predicate
plus its modifiers, plus any other words that completes its meaning, are called complete
predicate.
Examples of expanded form of predicate:
- Solomon is walking.
- Solomon is walking quickly.
- Solomon is walking quickly to school.
- Solomon is walking quickly to school in the morning.
- “is walking” ,the simple predicate in the first sentence , has been expanded by the modifiers
quickly, quickly to school and quickly to school in the morning. Hence, it is a complete
predicate.
Note: In both cases (complete subject and predicate) though the sentences contain expanded
form of subject and predicate, each is a simple sentence because each sentence contains only one
main clause involving one subject and one predicate and no subordinate clauses (dependent
clauses).
Compound Subject and Predicate
1. Compound Subject
A subject can be made up of two or more nouns or pronouns. In this case the sentence has a
compound subject.
Example:
- Gemechuand Chaltusaved $ 500 a year with grocery coupons.
- A right attitude and a winning personality /should be your best principles to get a job.
- The movement of the tropical fish and the bubbles from the filter/ fascinate the young cat.
2. Compound Predicate
A sentence can have two or more verbs for the same subject. In this case the sentence is said to
have a compound predicate. Example:
- We chopped the celery, diced the carrots, and sliced the onions.
- The snow fell throughout the night and blanketed the area.
- You should leave at six o‟clockand arrive by midnight.
1.3 Types of Sentences
In terms of their construction (function), there are four types of sentences: Simple Sentence,
Compound Sentence, Compound-Complex Sentence, Complex Sentence, and Complex- Complex
Sentence. The following is a detailed discussion of the sentence types.
1. Simple Sentence is a sentence consisting of one subject and one predicate, either or both of
which may be compound. It, in other words, is one main clause. Example
- The players arrived. - The judges arrived.
- The players and the judges arrived. -The players arrived and reported.
- The players and the judges arrived and reported.
- The big oak tree in front of our house is a permanent house for thousands of birds.
N.B. Do not be confused by the length of a sentence. You should simply count the number of
clauses in the sentence.
2. Compound Sentence is a sentence which consists of two or more independent clauses
connected by a coordinating conjunction, conjunctive adverbs or separated by a semi-colon.
Example: I have never played tennis, but I hope to start taking lessons next year.
I steamed the carrots, thenI baked the potatoes.
I ate everything on the tray; I was really hungry.
I bought coca cola, and I drank it at once.
3. Complex Sentence is a sentence which consists of one main clause and one or more
subordinate clauses.
Example: Although I have never played tennis, I planned to start taking lessons next year.
The subordinate clause modifies a word (a noun/ a verb/ the whole main clause) in the sentence,
and it can be either adjectival or adverbial. Examples:
- He met a student who left school last year. (Adjective clause)
- After I took a nap, I felt better. (Adverb clause)
- If you come late, you will miss the bus. (Adverb clause).
4. Compound -Complex Sentence is a sentence which consists of two independent clauses with
one or more subordinate clauses.
Example:
- Although I have never played tennis, I planned to start taking lessons next year; I really need
the aerobic exercise that tennis provides.
- I bought coca cola, and I drank it at once because I was very thirsty.
5. Complex-Complex Sentences
A complex-complex sentence has one or more independent clauses and two or more dependent
clauses, one of which depend on the other. In other words, one of the dependent clauses depends
on the other dependent clause.
Example: The girl whom I told you about yesterday when we were at the café is a lawyer.
I like students who work hard when they are told.
You can see that this sentence has two dependent clauses: Who work hard, and When they are
told.
You can also see that the dependent clause ―when they are told‖ is dependent on the preceding
dependent clause, not on the independent (main) clause.
Look also the following examples:
Nelson Mandela, who had fought against apartheid for a long time because he wanted to make
his people free, has gained immense respect from the whole world.
Because my child likes toys which can talk, I have sent inquiries to the nearby factory for such
toys.
Come on time; otherwise, you will miss the Sophomore English class whose teacher is very
angry at late comers.
EXERCISE
Read the following sentences and identify whether each of them is simple, compound, complex,
compound-complex, or complex-complex. Then write the answer on the space provided.
________1.Bekele dislikes sitting on the beach; he always gets nasty sunburn.
________2.Although they are 250 miles apart, they keep in constant contact on the internet.
________3.Those students who live in the area often find the local college boring, but students
from out of the area seem to like it.
________4.After a lengthy and noisy debate, they decided to take separate vacations
________5.Ronaldiniho dribbled past two defenders and made a good shot, but the goalkeeper
easily saved.
_________.6.A gentle man of wealth and position has been found guilty of theft.
_________7.The life which seems so fair is like a bubble blown in the air
_________8.There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it bad
_________9.Those who seek faultless friends remain friendless.
_________10.Reading a novel after work is a pleasant way of spending leisure
_________11.If you really want me to help you wash your floors, please give me a week‘s notice
for I am busy this month.
_________12.The people of Bahir Dar are throwing garbage anywhere in the city; consequently,
the air is polluted.
_________13. My brother who used to give me money whenever I want has been fired out of his
work, and I am in a financial problem now.