Writing in The Discipline
Writing in The Discipline
Writing in The Discipline
Area: ENGLISH
Focus: Writing in the Discipline
LET Competencies:
A. Fragments
• “A fragment is a group of words that looks like a sentence but is in fact only part
of a sentence.” (Hogue, 2003)
• Fragments are only “parts” of the sentence but they are not exactly the sentence
for the reason that the thought is not completely conveyed. While it is true that
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good writing suggests brevity, it does not mean that shortening sentences without
considering its effects on the meaning is correct. This is where most fragments
occur.
• A possible cause for committing fragments is when “we speak when we write” that
is, when we scribble down something that we usually hear or say. In spoken
conversations, sentence fragments normally occur and most of the time, they are
acceptable since the most important objective of speaking is to get a message
across as briefly yet as accurately as possible.
In the sample conversation above, notice that George’s reply to the question is
constructed incompletely. However, the message got across and the sender was
able to understand it. But try to read the italicized part independently and you will
notice that you cannot extract any idea from it.
1. Dependent Clauses
Buying groceries for the whole month saves time and energy. Because you do not
need to go to the market from time to time.
One way of correcting this type of fragment is to remove the period in between the two
“sentences” and replace the capitalized subordinating conjunction with a small one.
Buying grocery supplies for the whole month saves time and energy because you do
not need to go to the market from time to time.
2. Participial Phrases
Participial phrases usually start with an –ing or –ed word, which functions as a noun or
subject of the sentence. In some cases, when a group of words begin with participial
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phrases the tendency is for the writer to think that it is already a sentence. However, in
the sample sentence below, you will notice that the second “sentence” does not possess
a complete thought because of the participial phrase.
Oliver jumps every New Year season. Believing that he will become taller.
There are various means in order to correct this type of fragment. One is to interchange
the position of the clauses, placing the dependent before the independent clause and
separating them using comma.
Believing that he will become taller, Oliver jumps every New Year season.
Because he believes that he will become taller, Oliver jumps every New Year
Season.
Finally, this fragment may also be corrected by removing the participial phrase in the
second “sentence”
Oliver jumps every New Year Season. He believes he will become taller.
Infinitive phrases begin with the infinitive marker to + the base form of the verb. Similar to
participial phrases, infinitives can also function as nouns in a sentence, and they can also
be a part of a group of words that appears as a sentence.
Jacob went to his grandmother’s house last week. To check if she is recovering from
the accident.
Try to read the second “sentence” and you will notice that it does not convey a complete
thought. This fragment can be corrected by removing the period and making the
capitalized infinitive
Jacob went to his grandmother’s house last week to check if she is recovering from
the accident.
Another way is by interchanging the position of the infinitive phrase with that of the
independent clause, and dividing them using a comma.
To check is she is recovering from the accident, Jacob went to his grandmother’s house
last week.
Lastly, this fragment may also be corrected by adding a subject and a verb (e.g. “He” and
“wants”) to the second “sentence” with the infinitive phrase.
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Jacob went to his grandmother’s house last week. He wants to check if she is recovering
from the accident.
4. Afterthought Fragments
Afterthoughts are additional or extension ideas that writers express in order to expand the
previous idea that he/she has discussed. Afterthoughts usually begin with transitions like:
for example, for instance, like, such as, including, and except. In the sample sentence
below, notice that the second “sentence” where an afterthought is present does not
express a complete idea.
Freckles can do a lot of tricks. Such as flushing the toilet, throwing the trash in a
garbage bin, and walking on two legs.
This type of fragment may be corrected by combining the two sentences into one. This
can be done by removing the period and replacing it with a comma, then by changing the
capitalized letter into a small one.
Freckles can do a lot of tricks, such as flushing the toilet, throwing the trash in a
garbage bin, and walking on two legs.
Another possible way to correct this is by interchanging the afterthought statement with
independent clause. In this case, the transition should be removed. Moreover, the
independent clause will have to be rearranged to construct the sentence clearly. Study
the corrected version below.
Flushing the toilet, throwing the trash in a garbage bin, and walking on two legs are
the tricks that freckles can do.
5. Appositives
“An appositive or appositive phrase” [Hogue, 2003]. We use appositives to add more
details about the noun or the subject of the sentence. Appositive phrases tend to be
extended especially when the writer wants to provide a detailed description of the subject.
This is most probably the reason why strings of words that include appositives are
mistaken to be a sentence. In the sample text below, you will notice that the second
“sentence”, which gives more information about the first one, does not actually have a
complete thought. As a reader, you will be left hanging in understanding the text.
Jeremy boasted about his newest cellphone last night. A very thin silver-colored
camera phone with 20 GB capacity and a 4-megapixel lens.
One way to correct this is by combining the two sentences, following the tips discussed
above.
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Jeremy boasted about his newest cellphone last night, a very thin silver-colored
camera phone with 20 GB capacity and a 4-megapixel lens.
It can also be corrected by adding a subject and a verb (e.g. “it” and “is”) in the second
“sentence”.
Jeremy boasted about his newest cellphone last night. It is a very thin silver-colored
camera phone with 20 GB capacity, a 4-megapixel camera.
Jim’s father passed the board exam for merchant marine officers he will be the captain
of the ship next month.
Jim’s father passed: he board exam for merchant marine officers; he will be the captain
of the ship next month.
Jim’s father passed the board exam for merchant marine officers, and he will be the
captain of the ship next month.
Jim’s father passed the board exam for merchant marine officers. He will be the captain
of the ship next month.
• A comma splice is committed when a writer uses a comma without the proper
connective. This, according to Tiempo and Tiempo, “destroys the unity of the
sentence”. (Tiempo & Tiempo, 1980) The sample sentence below looks almost
the same with the sample run-on sentence. The only difference is the fact that the
sentence uses a comma to divide the two independent clauses.
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The crowd cheered loudly when the band emerged from the backstage, Eric stood quietly.
1. Place a proper coordinating conjunction after the comma to connect the two
sentences.
The crowd cheered loudly when the band emerged from the backstage, but Erick
stood quietly.
2. Use a semi-colon in between the two clauses in place of the comma and the
coordinating conjunction. However, this depends on the degree of separation
necessary in the sentence.
The crowd cheered loudly when the band emerged from the backstage; Eric stood
quietly.
Wrong: The crowd cheered loudly when Isti emerged from the backstage,
however, Eric stood quietly.
Correct: The crowd cheered loudly when Isti emerged from the backstage;
however. Eric stood quietly.
5. Separate them into two sentences, especially when the two sentences are not too
closely related.
The crowd cheered loudly when the band emerged from the backstage. Eric stood
quietly.
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The phrase At five years old is misplaced beside the subject Marcus since this phrase
refers to the son. In effect, the sentence presents a wrong message to its reader, even
posing a ridiculous meaning.
D. Faculty Parallelism
Wrong: The cadet’s dream is to become a ship captain, to buy his own car, and
establishing a business of his own.
Correct: The cadet’s dream is to become a ship captain, to buy his own car, and to
establish of his own.
The above example is a usual example of faulty parallelism. The first two phrases (“to
become” and “to buy”) are infinitive phrases while the last phrase (“establishing a
business”) is a gerundial phrase. The following discussions will further provide you with
situations where parallelism is often forgotten.
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E. Faulty Coordination
• Faulty coordination occurs when two or more Ideas are not equal value, and when
these ideas are connected by a coordinating conjunction.
Ambiguous: The captain kept on sailing and the weather was fine.
Better: The captain kept on sailing because the weather was fine.
A. Capitalization
Capital letters are used to emphasize a certain word in a sentence. When reading,
we often see words that are capitalized as more important than the rest of the
words. It is therefore important to know which word should be capitalized to make
your sentences clearer.
The following rules will help you assess and decide whether the word should be
capitalized or not.
NOTE: The pronouns “He, Thy, Thou, Thine, His” and other pronouns referring to
God are also capitalized.
Jesus loves us the He died on the cross to pay for our sins.
a. Every sentence
Every person has the power to decide for his own life.
b. A quoted sentence
The teacher said, “Pick up the pieces of paper.”
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NOTE: Do not capitalize the continuation of a quotation.
“Pick up the pieces of paper,” the teacher said, “ and arrange your chairs.”
c. An outline
7.1 Orientation
7.1.1 Course Orientation
7.1.2 Diagnostic Reading and Writing
3. Capitalize titles that precede names. However, they should not be capitalized if
they are not accompanied by names.
NOTE: In some literary pieces, titles are capitalized when they are used as the
character’s pseudonym.
The Teacher called Bishop Aringarosa this morning and ordered for the plan to be
carried out immediately.
NOTE: Capitalized the little when only one person holds the title.
The Dalai Lama and the Pope met at the United Nations forum for peace.
NOTE: Do not capitalize the names of academic degrees except if it is affixed after
a person’s name, e.g., Master of Arts degree
4. Capitalize the first letter of the title of a composition and all the important
words in it except for prepositions, conjunctions and articles. However, if
these conjunctions and prepositions consist of more than four letters (e.g. among,
between, because, etc.), they should be capitalized as well.
Grapes of Wrath
Living Among the Wolves
Filipinos French
Quetzalcoatl Chicano
6. Capitalized name of God, religions and their followers, holy books, and holy
days.
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God, Allah, Buddha
Easter, Ramadan
Bible, Koran, Rig Veda
Muslim, Christian, Buddhist
9. Capitalized specific times, like days of the week, months of the year and
holidays.
Friday May
Independence Day Mother’s Day
NOTE: Do not capitalize the names of the seasons. (winter, spring, summer,
fall)
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NOTE: Do not capitalize the names of subjects or fields except languages
and names of nationalities, religions and ethnic groups.
calculus Mandarin
trigonometry Asian cuisine
Pepsi Nokia
Toyota Sony
16. Most proper adjectives-those that are formed from proper nouns-are capitalized.
NOTE: Adjectives and nouns which were once proper names but are
presently regarded as common nouns and adjectives are not to be
capitalized.
NOTE: Some proper adjectives are capitalized, while some are not. Consult
a dictionary (printed or online) to verify whether it should be capitalized or
not.
17. Some abbreviations are capitalized while others are not. In general, abbreviations
are capitalized when they stand for the first letter of a word.
UN—United Nations
NOTE: However, there are exceptions to this rule, like most Latin
abbreviations. In order to be sure, it is best to consult a dictionary(printed or
online) to verify whether it should be capitalized or not.
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B. Punctuation
4. If the sentence ends with a quotation, enclose the period inside the
quotation marks.
1. Use the question mark after direct questions, tag questions, and polite
requests.
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NOTE: Do not use the question mark after indirect questions. An
indirect question is reported by another person.
2. Use a question mark in a series of questions even if they are not complete
sentences.
Ouch! Fire!
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Commas seem to be “just” a slight mark that we use as a pause
marker especially in long sentences. However, this punctuation mark
plays a very important role in making clear ideas when writing. It
avoids confusion on the part of the reader and it avoids ideas from
“overflowing” in sentences. Compare the difference in the meaning
of the two sentences below:
The following provides you with the guidelines in using commas that
one should take into consideration when writing.
This sentence has only one independent clause and a comma is not
necessary to separate the adjectives “sleek” and “new”.
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Dependent clause: Since Michael left to work abroad, her girlfriend
has become melancholic.
In this sentence, the clause “who can write on both hands” is not
needed to discuss what ambidextrous is, since it does not tell
anything about it. If you remove this clause, the sentence still makes
sense. Moreover, extra-information may be found in the sentence
initially, medially, and finally. Hence, in this type of modifier, a
comma should be used.
Initial: Moreover, the labor leaders asked for an increase in the daily
wage of laborers.
Medial: In Middle Eastern countries, for instance, women are
required to serve the groom’s family.
Final: Captains and engineers experienced hardships on their way to
success, of course.
5. Use a comma to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence.
The team captain said, “Focus on your tasks and we will win this
match.”
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NOTE: As a rule, commas are always placed to the left of a
quotation mark. Observe the example below and the one above.
“Focus on your task and we will win this match,” the team captain
said.
Wrong: The team captain said, that we should focus on our tasks to
win the match.
Correct: The team captain said that we should focus on our tasks to
win the match.
6. Use the comma to separate items in a series. These items may be words,
phrases, or clauses.
NOTE: Do not use a comma if there are only two items. Moreover,
to create a clearer presentation of items in a series, it would be best
to include a comma before the conjunction and.
a. Names
dela Cruz, Juan
b. Titles
Venancio L. Mendiola, Ph. D.
Fernando Poe, Jr.
Danny P. Rosal, MM
NOTE: Commas are deleted if the day is not included (July 1956)
and if the date is written using the British English style (24 December 2009).
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e. Numbers
Today’s jackpot price in the lottery costs $1,238,098.
h. Tag questions
You love me, don’t you?
I passed the test, didn’t I?
➢ Semicolon
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sand beaches,; or to Sagada where there are clean mountains for
hiking?
➢ Colon
You are required to rad the following novels: War and Peace, The
Red and the Black, Tale of Genji, and Ulysses.
2. A colon may also be used before an appositive-a noun or noun phrase that
describes another noun or phrase-and before a direct quoptation.
Wrong: After this trip, we are going to: Brazil, China, and London.
Correct: After this trip, we are going to Brazil, China, and London.
Wrong: The criteria for judging are: originality, relevance to the topic,
and artistry.
Correct: The criteria for judging are the following: originality,
relevance to the topic, and artistry.
The criteria for judging are originality, relevance to the topic, and
artistry.
3. Colons could be used before a subtitle, to give time and after business letter
salutations.
2001: A Space Odyssey is one fiction film that one should watch.
Meet me at the parking lot at 2:45 PM today.
Dear Mr. Perez:
➢ Apostrophe
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three main uses: to make noun and indefinite pronoun possessives,
to make contractions, and to make a few special plurals.
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In the movie “The Last Samurai”, Tom Cruise presented a very colorful
and patriotic Japanese culture.
2.7 Parentheses
The decision was based on the (1) eligibility of the candidate, (2)
achievements in the academic field, and (3) ability to lead the
university.
Each member of the group has the privilege to choose from a (a) car
loan or (b) housing loan.
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Brackets appear as a modification of the parentheses. There are
various forms of brackets that are available, namely: the box or square
brackets [ ]; the curly brackets { }; and the angle brackets < >. Although
all of them are brackets, they function differently.
The square bracket is used to enclose an explanation cr additional
information inserted by a person or editor quoting a text. These
explanations are done to clarify the message that the original text—
from which the writer discusses—presents.
“I appreciate it [the award] but I refuse to accept it”, this was what the
son of the murdered writer wrote in an open letter to the local
government.
Here, the Latin abbreviation sic (which literally means “stand as it is”)
shows that the writer did not change anything—including the error—
from the ambassador’s statement.
Fidel: My God! What have I done?! I must get out of here [Runs out of
stage.]
[Enter policeman.]
The dash and the hyphen—though both of them are short lines—are
often interchanged.
Moreover, most people are not even acquainted with their difference.
In this regard, it should be remembered that a hyphen (which is longer
than the word dash) is shorter in measure. Some would call it the “n-
dash” or “en-dash” because it has the same width with the letter “n”.
On the other hand, the dash is the longer one, which is also called the
“m-dash” “em-dash” because of its measure as well.
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• Detroit Pistons beat l.A. Lakers 100-101
• Sino-Japanese war
• Father-son camping
• The Liberal party won the senatorial slate 13-0
For emphasis
• Unity and coherence are two of the most basic criteria that writers should
observe.
• Unity deals with the “oneness” of ideas, i.e. the overall presentation of
the written output should show relevant ideas.
• Coherence, which comes from the Latin word “cohere” of “to stick
together” deals with the way ideas are interconnected.
• Thus, written outputs should not just have a single unifying idea; these
ideas should be presented in relation to each other, i.e., transfer of
discussion from one idea/sentence/paragraph to another should be
smooth.
• One of the ways to maintain unity and coherence is through the use of
transitional or cohesive devices; these are words that function as
“bridges” among ideas, examples, and/or illustrations.
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moreover, next, or, still, then, too
To compare although, and yet, at the same time, but,
conversely, despite, even so, even though,
for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of,
nevertheless, nonetheless,
notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the
other hand, otherwise, regardless, still,
though, yet
To give examples or intensity after all, as an illustration, certainly, even ,
for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, it
is true that, namely, of course, specifically,
that is, to be sure, to illustrate, to tell the
truth, truly
To summarize, repeat, or conclude all in all, all together, as a result, as had
been noted, basically, finally, in brief, in
conclusion, in other words, in particular, in
short, in simpler terms, in summary, on the
whole, that is, therefore, to put it
differently, to summarize
To indicate place above, adjacent to, below, elsewhere,
farther on, here, near, nearby, on the other
side, opposite to, there, to the east, to the
left
To indicate time After a while, afterward, as long as, as
soon as, at length, at that time, before,
currently, earlier, eventually, first (second,
third, etc.), finally, formerly, immediately, in
the meantime, in the past (future), lately,
later, meanwhile, now, presently, shortly,
simultaneously, since, so far, soon, still,
subsequently, then, thereafter, until, until
now, when, while
To indicate cause and effect accordingly, as a result, because,
consequently, for this purpose, hence,
otherwise, since, so, then, therefore,
thereupon, thus, to this end, with this
object
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• There are two types of outline: the sentence outline which consist of complete
sentences that would expound the ideas that will be presented in the written
output; and the topic outline which presents keywords or phrases.
• An outline should include a thesis statement, which is the overview of the entire
essay. This may be regarded as the synopsis of the essay. However, take note
that this is a thesis statement NOT statements.
SAMPLE OUTLINE
Thesis Statement: Abortion, an act of forcibly ejecting a fetus out of the mother’s womb,
should be legalized because this helps solve the problems of population, allows women to
solve unwanted pregnancy, and prevents the birth of children with abnormalities or health
problems—which could bring long-term problems to the child and to the mother.
I. Introduction (This portion is very important because it catches the interest of the
reader)
A. Grab attention (possible options are)
1. Questions
2. Anecdotes
3. Line from movie/song/poem etc
B. State thesis or the reason for writing this or importance of your essay
II. Body
A. Build points (idea 1)
1. Develop ideas
2. Support main claims
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because presently, the Philippine population is 90-million. This situation
sinks us into poverty. Naturally, more people means more responsibility…if
we don’t legalize it now, our country will more likely be over populated and
tremendously poor.”)
• Each genre uses a particular transitional device presented above.
Descriptive Essay
Ice is the same name given to any one of the 14 known solid phrases of water. In
non-scientific contexts, it is a crystalline solid, which can appear transparent or an
opaque bluish-white color depending on the presence of impurities such as air.
Process Essay
• A process essay may either be “How to do” or “How something works”
• In a “How to do” essay the objective of the writer is to tell the reader how a
certain product is produced. Most often, this type of essay uses the first
person point of view because it “demonstrates” how something is does to
the reader. (e.g. How to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship Grant)
• A “How something works” essay shows or explains how a certain process or
method works. (e.g. Process of digestion)
Many people are very curious on how a caterpillar can transform into a very
beautiful butterfly. Each evolution has its own scientific explanation. First, it will start
and will create a cocoon for its protection for the third process and for it to take place.
Third, after the evolution/transformation of the caterpillar inside the cocoon is finally
completed, the caterpillar will break out of the cocoon and spread its wings and is
already considered a butterfly.
Comparison-Contrast
• A comparison-contrast essay presents the relationship between two items;
this may be in the form of similarities and differences.
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• This essay may include descriptions so as to clearly express the degree of
similarity of difference between the two topics.
• This essay may help readers in choosing, i.e., between two schools, brand
of cellphone, place for vacation, etc.
• This essay may be organized by using either the “point-by-point
organization” or the “block organization”
• In the “point-by-point organization” similarities or differences are the primary
concern.
Block Arrangement
The tropical rainforest of West Africa, Brazil, Latin America and Southeast Asia
are some of the important environmental regions of the world because they hold millions
of unique plants, animals and people. However, they are being destroyed rapidly for
agriculture, mining and logging. This essay will examine the causes of this destruction
and outline its effects on our lives.
One of the main causes of this is logging for timber. Millions of hectares of trees
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are cut down every year, often illegally. The most valuable wood is taken and not
replaced, and landless people move in along the new logging roads.
Arguments
PART IV – BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES
Cooper, S. & Patton, R. (2001). Writing Logically, Thinking Critically, New york:
Longman
Forlini, Gary et al. 1990. Prentice Hall Grammar and Composition. Prentice Hall, Inc. :
New Jersey
Hogue, A. (2003). The Essentials of English. New York: Pearson Education Inc.
Langan, John. 1997 English skills with Readings Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited
Master, P. (2004). English grammar and technical writing. Manila: Regional Printing
Center of the U,S. Department of state.
Mills, G. H. & Walter J.A. (1978). Technical writing. 4th ed . New York: Holt, Rinehart,
and Winston
Tiempo, E. & Tiempo E. (1980). College Writing and Reading. Quezon City: Rex
Printing Co.
Wingersky, J. et. Al. (1995). Writing Paragraphs and Essays: Integrating Reading,
Writing, and Grammar Skills. California: Wadsworth.
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