Page 224 - Grammar for Great Writing B

ACTIVITY 11 Steps to Composing

Read the comparison paragraph about foreign language learning. Then follow the
directions in the 10 steps to edit the information and composition of this paragraph.
Write your revised paragraph on a separate sheet of paper. Be careful with capitalization
and punctuation. Check your answers with the class.

COMPARISON PARAGRAPH

How Learning a Foreign Language Has Changed

1 Learning a foreign language today is different from learning one 25 years ago.

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2 One difference is in the methods. Today, students practice all four skills: listening,
speaking, reading, and writing. They work with partners to share and compare
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5
answers, and they have small group discussions. In the past, students spent much of
their class time studying grammar. They worked alone and waited for their instructor
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to give them the answers. Their speaking practice focused on repeating grammar drills
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or memorized conversations. Another difference in learning a foreign language is
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in the materials. Classroom materials include books with reading, writing, speaking,
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and listening activities. Technology allows students to watch and listen to videos
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and then discuss them. Twenty-five years ago, classroom materials were grammar
books filled with drills and no reading or writing activities. Learning a foreign
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language today is much more interactive and engaging for the student.

1. In sentence 1, replace is different with the active verb differs.

2. In sentence 2, add the adjective noticeable to emphasize the difference.

3. In sentence 4, begin the sentence with the transition In addition and a comma.
4. In sentence 4, add the adverb collaboratively after the verb work.

5. In sentence 5, add the transition however and a comma before the subject to
emphasize the contrast between methods.

6. Begin sentence 9 with For example and a comma.

7. Begin sentence 10 with Today and a comma.

214 Unit 15 Using Connectors for Better Writing

Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
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