Writting Basics

WRITING BASICS

SENTENCE

* subject + verb (s + v + o / c)

e.g. I have a car. It is red.

• end in a period, question mark or exlcamation point

PARAGRAPH

* a group of sentences on the same topic (same central idea)

* indent

* continuous writing

* 4-5 sentences minimum:

a) introductory sentence – 1 sentence

b) supporting sentences – 3-4 sentences

c) concluding sentence – 1sentence

ESSAY

 intro:

 Topic sentence.

 Mention main ideas (e.g. 3).

 development

 Develop the ideas you mentioned in the intro (e.g. 3).

 conclusion

 Summarize

 Opinion (if necessary)

AVOID USING FIRST PERSON AND STATING YOUR OPINION AT THE BEGINNING.

PUNCTUATION

 PERIOD, QUESTION MARK, EXCLAMATION POINT – at the end of a sentence

 COMMA:

 A LIST – e.g. I like purple, red, black and green.

 SEPARATE CLAUSES (IF THE SUBJECT IS DIFFERENT) – e.g. I play the accordeon, and my husband plays the bass. (BUT I play the accordeon and the piano).

 WHEN A CONJUNCTION IS REAPEATED – e.g. I like tropical fruit, such as bananas, pineapples and oranges, and tangerines.

 TO INTRODUCE A QUOTE – e.g. Ann said, “I am tired today.”

 COLON:

 EXPLANATION – e.g. I've been very busy lately: I have two jobs, I'm studying and I also try to find time to practice music.

 INTRODUCE A LIST – e.g. I like tropical fruit: bananas, tangerines and papayas.

 DASH:

 (ONE) EXPLANATION – e.g. I've been very busy lately – I have two jobs, I'm studying and I also try to find time to practice music.

 (DOUBLE) EXTRA INFO – e.g. A neighbor of mine – who is a really nice woman – actually works as an archaeologist.

 PARENTHESES:

 EXTRA INFO -- e.g. A neighbor of mine (who is a really nice woman) actually works as an archaeologist.

 HYPHEN:

 MAKE COMPOUND WORDS – e.g. Twenty-one, a three-year-old boy

 SEMI-COLON:

 JOIN SENTENCES – e.g. There have been many improvements around the city in terms of transport; by the same token, the government has been investing in education.

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