Real Conditions

Situation #1

If I have enough time, I watch TV every evening.

If-clause’s grammar point

Simple present

Result-clause’s grammar point

Simple present

Notes

This is real in the present tense.

Situation #2

If I have enough time, I will watch TV later on tonight.

If-clause’s grammar point

Simple present

Result-clause’s grammar point

Simple future

Notes

This is real in the future tense.

Additional Notes for Real Conditional Sentences:

• Simple future is not used in the if-clause.

1- When the result-clause is simple present, we can express a habitual activity or situation.

2- When the result clause is simple present or simple future, we can express a predictable fact or general truth.

3- When the result clause is in simple future, we are expressing something in the future.

4- What are phrasal modals and modals?

Should, might, can, be going to

• Are they used in the “if” or “result” clause? Result clause

• Are these real or unreal? Real

5. When the result clause is imperative (an order)

• Can should be used in the “If” clause? Yes, the meaning of the sentence changes and becomes a little more uncertain.
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Inference, Previewing and Making Predictions

What is inference?


The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

For example, a student's clothes were wet when he came to Daniel Hall this morning.

What can we infer from this example?

A- This student took a swim in the pond in front on the library.
B- This student took a a shower with his clothes on.
C- This student took the bus to school and was splashed with a water puddle as a passing truck drove by his bus stop.

By using reasoning and since we know that this student takes the bus to school, we can infer that "C" is the correct answer. Furthermore, choices "A" and "B" are very strange.

Previewing and Making Predictions

What is previewing?
Looking for information before your read. This can be the title, subtitle, pictures or other bits of information.

What is making predictions?
Making guesses about a reading. We do this to keep engaged in the reading.


http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com (C) 2009-10

Outline for the People Essay

I. Brainstorm the following questions

1. Who is outrageously rich or famous in your home country?
2. What person has made an important contribution to your happiness?
3. Who in your country is a household name?

II. Make a list of the ideas in the order that you will write about regarding the questions listed above.

III. Begin your rough draft with a sentence that names the person you admire.

For example:

Jon Bon Jovi is a world-famous singer, songwriter and leader of the American music group, Bon Jovi.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Then use your notes to write a rough draft of a composition about the person you admire. Use specific examples of admirable behavior or accomplishments.

For example:

1. Jon Bon Jovi has donated his personal money to build houses in urban areas in the U.S. for people that are less fortunate.

2. Last year, Bon Jovi gave a free concert to 20,000 fans at New York’s Central Park.

3. Bon Jovi has sold over 100 million albums worldwide since their debut in 1983.

4. Despite being a “rock star” and spending most of his life touring the world, Jon Bon Jovi has remained faithful to his high school sweetheart and children.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IV. End your essay with a sentence that tells why this person is admirable.

Example:

Jon Bon Jovi is a great role model for those that are still trying to find their way because of the optimistic message that relates to the common man throughout his songs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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How to Make and Use an Essay Outline: Process

An essay outline is probably the most important friend you will have while writing your essay. It is the scaffolding of your paper and the skeleton of your ideas. It is the framework by which you will write a solid essay. It is difficult to write one without an outline.

Characteristics of a process essay:

• Arranged chronologically.

• This essay will have three paragraphs. (Introduction, long body paragraph and conclusion)

• Thesis statement: Eating food with chopsticks in Far East places like Japan is easy if you follow these steps.

• Long Body Paragraph (All the steps in the correct chronological order.)

• Conclusion

When you begin writing an essay outline, use the following model as a guide:

I. INTRODUCTION:

Thesis:_____________________________________________________.

II. Long Body Paragraph:

Opening Sentence:___________________________________________.

Process 1:__________________________________________________.

Process 2:__________________________________________________.

Process 3:__________________________________________________.

Process 4:__________________________________________________.

Process 5:__________________________________________________.

Process 6:__________________________________________________.

III. CONCLUSION:

Reconfirmed Thesis:_________________________________________.

What do you know how to do well? Brainstorm and think of things that you do well.

Examples of Process Essay Topics

1. How to get in shape

2. How to make pizza at home

3. How to make Libyan pasta

4. How to maintain good health

5. How to prepare rice

6. How to make California Roll Sushi

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Study Strategies for Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs may be one of the most difficult grammar points of the English language for language learners to master. It is assumed that native English speakers have mastered this grammar point but surprisingly this is not the case. Studying incorrectly such as memorizing long lists for example may lead to frustration and will not improve a language learner's skills. Therefore, it is important to have a good study strategy.

Irregular Verb Chant

Please say aloud as the following:

arise, arose, arisen

Repeat 3-5 times then move onto the next set of verbs. Maybe clap your hands to get into a rhythm. Don't try to do too much one setting. Move at your own pace but follow this study plan on a regular basis.


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Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

When a non-durative verb is used and the action has completed thus, the cycle is closed, we are using present perfect tense. For example:

Elvis has left the building.

When a verb of duration, action continues and the cycle remains open, we are using present perfect continuous tense. For example:

He has been talking about losing weight for a long time.


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Planning for a Timed Writing

There are several formats for planning for a timed writing. The main ones are:

1.  free writing,
2.  outlining,
3.  word map

Use any format that you are comfortable with. Do not spend more 10 minutes for a 30 minute writing.

http://daniel-j-stone.blogspot.com/ (C) 2009-10