This is the frontpage of the microstructure section
The microstructure of a text is what links the smaller elements of a text together. The central elements are sentences, phrases and words. In our class we are going to focus on the following structuring functions and elements:
1. Paragraph writing
2. Cohesion markers
3. Punctuation
4. Sentence structure (Word order and theme/rheme)
Writing a paragraph
Basic level
On the basic level, we will look at 3 important steps that you can follow to make a good paragraph. These 3 steps are:
The topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph, and that sentence should tell the reader what the paragraph is about. If you do not have a topic sentence, the reader may find it hard to understand what the paragraph, and eventually what the text is about.
Example: In many countries many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles, rather than use public transport.
The developing sentence:
The next sentence should add more details to the topic. The next sentence is often an answer to "why", "how", "where", "what", "who" or "more specifically..."
Example:
In many countries many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles, rather than use public transport. This is often because buses and trains can be expensive, but also because people find their own car to be more convinient.
You will notice that the second sentence is an answer to WHY many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles.
The supporting sentence:
The supporting sentence is supposed to give some evidence or an example to support the previous statement(s).
Example:
In many countries many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles, rather than use public transport. This is often because buses and trains can be expensive, but also because people find their own car to be more convinient. For example, they are not tied to a timetable and can travel to their destination at whatever time or pace they choose.
The most central element of the intermediate level, is to extend the body of the paragraph a bit, and to make e conclusive line at the end of the paragraph. You still need, of course, to follow the three basic steps of writing a paragraph explained on the "basic level".
Expert level
Punctuation (Sources 1, )
Period
Comma
A comma marks a slight break between different parts of a sentence. Commas make the meaning of sentences clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses.
We can divide the comma rules into four segments (Click each link to read more): 1) In lists
You need to put a comma between the different items in a list, as in the following sentences:
Saturday morning started with a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and French toast.
The school has a vegetable garden in which the children grow cabbages, onions, potatoes, and carrots.
The final comma in these lists (before the word ‘and’) is known as the ‘serial comma’. Not all writers
or publishers use it, but it is used by Oxford Dictionaries – some people refer to it as ‘the Oxford
comma’. Using it can make your meaning clearer. Take a look at this sentence:
My favourite sandwiches are chicken, bacon and ham and cheese.
It isn’t entirely clear from this sentence whether the writer is listing three or four of their favourite
sandwich fillings: is ‘ham’ one of their favourites and ‘cheese’ another, or is it ‘ham and cheese’ that
they like? Adding an Oxford comma makes the meaning clear:
My favourite sandwiches are chicken, bacon, and ham and cheese.
2) Indirect speech
3) To separate clauses
4) To mark off certain parts of a sentence
This is the frontpage of the microstructure section
The microstructure of a text is what links the smaller elements of a text together. The central elements are sentences, phrases and words. In our class we are going to focus on the following structuring functions and elements:
1. Paragraph writing
2. Cohesion markers
3. Punctuation
4. Sentence structure (Word order and theme/rheme)
Writing a paragraph
Basic level
On the basic level, we will look at 3 important steps that you can follow to make a good paragraph. These 3 steps are:1. Topic sentence
2. Developing sentence
3. Supporting sentence
The topic sentence:
The topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph, and that sentence should tell the reader what the paragraph is about. If you do not have a topic sentence, the reader may find it hard to understand what the paragraph, and eventually what the text is about.Example:
In many countries many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles, rather than use public transport.
The developing sentence:
The next sentence should add more details to the topic. The next sentence is often an answer to "why", "how", "where", "what", "who" or "more specifically..."Example:
In many countries many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles, rather than use public transport. This is often because buses and trains can be expensive, but also because people find their own car to be more convinient.
You will notice that the second sentence is an answer to WHY many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles.
The supporting sentence:
The supporting sentence is supposed to give some evidence or an example to support the previous statement(s).Example:
In many countries many people prefer to travel in their own vehicles, rather than use public transport. This is often because buses and trains can be expensive, but also because people find their own car to be more convinient. For example, they are not tied to a timetable and can travel to their destination at whatever time or pace they choose.
CLICK HERE to practice what you have learned
Intermediate level
The most central element of the intermediate level, is to extend the body of the paragraph a bit, and to make e conclusive line at the end of the paragraph. You still need, of course, to follow the three basic steps of writing a paragraph explained on the "basic level".Expert level
Punctuation (Sources 1, )
Period
Comma
A comma marks a slight break between different parts of a sentence. Commas make the meaning of sentences clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses.
We can divide the comma rules into four segments (Click each link to read more):
1) In lists
2) Indirect speech
3) To separate clauses
4) To mark off certain parts of a sentence
Semicolon
Colon
Apostrophe (go here)
Sources
Source 1: http://oxforddictionaries.com/page/punctuationcomma/comma-#commas_to_separate_clauses