BBI2421 General Writing Skills

1
BBI2421 General Writing Skills

• Week 3
• Compound Sentences
• Coordinating Conjunctions
• Run-ons and Comma Splices
• Three Comma Rules

2
Compound Sentences

• A compound sentence is composed of at least two
  simple sentences joined by a comma and a
  coordinating conjunction.
• Formula
• Simple Sentence 1 Comma Coordinating
  Conjunction Simple Sentence 2
• E.g.
• Ammar loves mathematics, but Alya loves English.
• The gold disappeared with the goose, so the
  greedy man got nothing.

3
Coordinating Conjunctions

• There are 7 coordinating conjunctions in English
  and, but, so, for, nor, yet, or.
• Just remember
• FAN BOYS
• (For-And-Nor-But-Or-Yet-So)

4
Coordinating Conjunctions

• When do you use
• for
• introduce a reason or cause
• has the same meaning as because
• e.g.
• It is not easy to get there, for you have to hike
  down a long, hot trail.
• Some Christians do not work on Sunday, for Sunday
  is their day to worship.

5
Coordinating Conjunctions

• When do you use
• and
• join sentences that are alike
• e.g.
• Amni likes nasi lemak, and she likes roti canai
  too.
• It was Rinas birthday yesterday, and I got her a
  bracelet.

6
Coordinating Conjunctions

• When do you use
• nor
• join two negative sentences
• e.g.
• She didnt talk, nor did she move.
• The book isnt very long, nor it is difficult to
  read.

7
Coordinating Conjunctions

• When do you use
• but
• join sentences that are opposite or show contrast
• e.g.
• Alif is a quiet boy, but his brother is a
  talkative one.
• They are poor, but they are happy.

8
Coordinating Conjunctions

• When do you use
• or
• join sentences that gives choices or
  alternatives.
• e.g.
• She could choose a big room, or she could choose
  a small one.
• I either get a lot done during the day, or I do
  nothing at all.

9
Coordinating Conjunctions

• When do you use
• yet
• has the same meaning as but
• join sentences that are opposite or show contrast
  
• the second part of the sentence says something
  unexpected or surprising
• e.g.
• He treats her badly, yet she still loves him.
• I was scared, yet I was also curious about the
  old lady.

10
Coordinating ConjunctionS

• When do you use
• so
• join sentences when the second sentence expresses
  the result of something.
• e.g.
• The student got an F for his BBI2421, so he has
  to retake the course next semester.
• She heard a noise, so she decided to go back to
  her room.

11
Run-ons Comma Splices(sentence errors)

• They occur when
• sentences are joined incorrectly!

12
Run-ons Comma Splices

• Run-ons
• two simple sentences are joined without
• a comma (,)
• a connecting word (fan boys)
• Eg. Men like to shop quickly women like to
• browse.
• Correction Men like to shop quickly, but women
• like to browse.
• (Join the two sentences with a comma and a
  coordinating conjunction.)
• Correction Men like to shop quickly. Women
• like to browse.
• (Make two sentences. Separate the two sentences
  with a full stop.)

13
Run-ons Comma Splices

• Comma splices
• two simple sentences are joined without
• a comma (,)
• Eg. Men like to shop quickly but women
• like to browse.
• Correction Men like to shop quickly, but
• women like to browse.
• (Join the two sentences with a comma before the
  coordinating conjunction.)

14
Three Comma Rules

• Rule No. 1
• Put a comma after a time order signal that comes
  before the subject at the beginning of a
  sentence.
• Exceptions Then/Soon/Now
• E.g.
• Tomorrow, I will be going to Genting Highlands
  with my family.
• At 3.00 a.m., he finally managed to complete his
  assignment.
• Soon we will be celebrating Malaysia Day.

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Three Comma Rules

• Rule No. 2
• Put a comma after the first sentence in a
  compound sentence.
• Put the comma before the coordinating
  conjunction.
• Dont use comma between two parts of a simple
  sentence.
• E.g.
• I love inventing new recipes, so I always watch
  the Asian Food Channel for ideas.
• Siddiq completed his studies in late August, and
  he got a job in early September.
• M.Nasir sings and writes songs.

16
Three Comma Rules

• Rule No. 3
• Put a comma between the items in a series of
  three or more items.
• Dont use a comma between only two items.
• E.g.
• Aidils favourite local fruits are durian,
  mangosteen, and rambutan.
• I got up, took a shower, drank a cup of coffee,
  grabbed my books, and ran out of the door.
• We paid for the food and left the restaurant.