PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle: 

1. Crust -> Rust
2. Cheat -> Heat
3. Chill -> Hill
4. Climb -> Limb
5. Cable -> Able
6. Caged -> Aged
7. Cease -> Ease
8. Clean -> Lean

New Puzzle:
Guess the words below, which contain the following letters in them: "BO"

Fill in the blanks using the list of letters below--use each letter once:
A, A, D, D,  D, E, E,  E, I, L, L, M, N, N, O, R, R, R, R, R, S, S U, V, W, Y

1. BO_ _ _
2. BO _ _ _
3. BO _ _
4. _ BO_ _
5. BO_ _ _
6. BO _ _ _ _
7. BO _ _ _ _
8. _ _ _ BO _

*Note, the first person with the correct answer gets the bonus point.

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use the word horse:

Watch this video, and then write a sentence that uses one (or more) of these three idioms.

Try not to use the same idiom as the other posters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theteacher/2009/03/090311_teacher_animal_horse.shtml

*ALL CHANGE!*

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated.

Please change only the exact word in the sequence given. Each participant should build on the changes made by the previous participant.

For instance, if the original sentence is "Benson hurriedly told the bad news to his friends":

participant 1 could write "#1 Subject Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad news to his friends";

participant 2 could then write "#2 Direct Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his friends";

participant 3 could then write "#3 Indirect Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his wife";

etc.

You are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change (and indicate the part of speech) so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

When all 7 changes have been made, return to the top of the list and continue.

Here is the sentence:

Mitsuko happily gave her loving husband a birthday gift.

Changes:                                                                                                                          

1. subject noun
2. direct object noun          
3. indirect object noun                  
4. adjective(s)
5. adverb(s)    
6. verb name      
7. verb tense

AFFIXES

The word stem -pathy- (meaning "feeling" or "disease") occurs in many words. 

Add an affix (either a prefix or a suffix) to this stem to make another word. 

Each participant should add a different word to the list.

*COMPLETE THE SENTENCE*

Follow the instructions below to create three different sentences from the following clause:*

... I'm looking forward to the weekend ...

Sentence 1. Add a phrase      
Sentence 2. Add a dependent clause
Sentence 3. Add an independent clause


*Add your words to the beginning or end of the clause (but not both).

*NUMBER CHANGE*

If the sentence is singular, change it to the plural; if it is plural, change it to the singular.

My friends come over every weekend to play cards and watch the playoffs on TV. Sometimes the competition becomes very heated, and arguments break out over differences of opinion, but everyone usually has a good time.

*VOCABULARY*

Vocabulary building is important for both reading comprehension and writing. 

Use the following two words in one sentence (note the parts of speech).

feckless (adjective) and veracity (noun).

To further improve your vocabulary, remember to check out the Word of the Day. 

The site also has word games and puzzles.

http://dictionary.reference.com/

SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS

We can describe having mixed feelings about something as being ambivalent.

Provide a synonym and an antonym for this word. Each participant should suggest a different word.

*ACTIVE vs. PASSIVE*

Write two sentences using the verb bear.

In the first sentence, use the word in the active voice; in the second sentence, use it in the passive voice.

*TIME CHANGE*

Change the time in the following sentences by using a different verb tense and replacing any necessary time clues. Each student should choose a different verb tense.

When you arrive at the airport next week, you should give me a call so I can pick you up and take you to your hotel. 

*SENTENCE COMBINATION*

Learning to combine ideas into more complex sentences is an important writing skill. There are many ways to do this. Try to combine the following three sentences.

Sentence 1: Gisele is a graduate of Athabasca University.

Sentence 2: Gisele was recently hired by a major corporation.
Sentence 3: She will be lead their international unit.

BUILD-A-SENTENCE

Write a sentence using the vocabulary and grammar indicated.

Write a sentence using a dependent clause in the simple present tense and an independent clause in the future tense.

WELCOME!

Welcome to the Effective Writing Blog for ENGL 155, 177 and 189. These courses may be taken separately or as part of the English Language Proficiency Program. The goal is to increase the level of communication between students and instructors, and to provide students with an opportunity to communicate with each other and to practice the grammar and mechanics taught in these courses. If you post general questions about the assignments or the course, they will be addressed in the blog. If you have detailed questions you want answered, then e-mail your instructor.

Feel free to post comments and suggestions for how to improve this site. 

WELCOME NEW STUDENTS!

A hearty welcome to all the new students joining this course. We hope you enjoy your studies and have fun participating in this blog.

For information on how to participate, please contact the administrator.

IMPORTANT: This blog site is open to the public; do not post personal information that could identify you. Your first name and the initial of your last name are the only personal information you should post. Please watch this video from the Government of Canada about privacy and social networking issues.

Also, be sure to let your tutors know the nickname you have chosen for this blog; otherwise, they will not be able to give you the bonus marks that you have earned for your participation.

Next blog: Friday, May 8, 2015.

PREVIOUS GRAMMAR QUESTION

Studying on my own pace is a lot of benefit for me due to I do not need to be worrying about no time for attend classes.

1. Preposition use:

We often use the phrase "on pace" to describe something that is proceeding according to schedule; but when we describe how fast something is, we use the preposition "at". Likewise, we often speak of having "time for" something; but in this case we need "to" because we are using the infinitive.

2. Plural:

Since "a lot" refers to more than one thing, we need to use the plural ("benefits"). Otherwise, we could remove the modifier and simply use of the idiomatic phrase "of benefit".

3.  Verb choice:

We can keep the verb "is" if we use the phrase "of benefit". But if we want to go with the plural, we should say that studying "has" or "offers" a lot of benefits. Otherwise, we could use the adjective form, and say that it "is beneficial".

4.  Connective problem:

If you want to keep "due to", then you need to add a noun, for example, "the fact" ("...due to the fact that..."). Otherwise use something like "because" instead.

5.  Verb form:

After "need" use the infinitive ("to worry").

6.  Negatives:

Using two negatives this close together is awkward and confusing; omit “no” , and use “having”.


Possible solution:

Studying at my own pace has a lot of benefits for me because I do not need to worry about having time to attend classes.

*GRAMMAR QUESTION*

Correct the errors in the following sentence:

Michaels always been borrowing his red stylish sporty-looking newer car to his brother who’s lending it while his old battered rust-spotted white truck is in the garage for repairing.

The solution will be posted in the next edition of the blog.

PUZZLE

Solution to the previous puzzle:  

1. PYGMY
2. BAGMAN
3. STIGMA
4. PHLEGM
5. AUGMENT

New Puzzle:

Find the word pairs defined below. 

Hint: The two words will be the same except for the extra letter at the beginning of the first word.

Example: Begin --> Sour
Answer:   Start   --> Tart

1. Outer layer                      -->     Oxidized metal
2. Defraud; violate rules      -->     energy in transit
3. Sensation of cold             -->     Local land elevation
4. Go upward                      -->     Jointed appendage; branch
5. Strong metal rope           -->      Having necessary skill
6. Confined; restrained        -->     Old; grew older
7. Stop; discontinue             -->     Freedom from hardship
8. Lacking dirt                     -->      Lacking fat

*Note, the first person with the correct answer gets the bonus point.

IDIOMS

There are three idioms that use the word fish:

Watch this video, and then write a sentence that uses one (or more) of these three idioms.

Try not to use the same idiom as the other posters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theteacher/2009/03/090311_teacher_animal_fish.shtml

*ALL CHANGE!*

Change the words in the sentence below as indicated.

Please change only the exact word in the sequence given. Each participant should build on the changes made by the previous participant.

For instance, if the original sentence is "Benson hurriedly told the bad news to his friends":

participant 1 could write "#1 Subject Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad news to his friends";

participant 2 could then write "#2 Direct Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his friends";

participant 3 could then write "#3 Indirect Object Noun: Michael hurriedly told the bad joke to his wife";

etc.

You are free to make as many changes as you wish. Just remember to number each change (and indicate the part of speech) so it is clear to everyone where we are on the list.

When all 7 changes have been made, return to the top of the list and continue.

Here is the sentence:

The young man enthusiastically studied sociology at the local college.

Changes:                                                                                                                          

1. subject noun
2. direct object noun          
3. indirect object noun                  
4. adjective(s)
5. adverb(s)    
6. verb name      
7. verb tense