Pragmatics
Pragmatics refers to the social rules of language. Pragmatics involves the learning and understanding of the proper use of registers. context, context, context.
pragmatics focuses on the social context of these words, phrases, sentences, and larger chunks of discourse.
Semantics
Semantics refers to the meaning of words and the relationship between words. Semantics is what attaches meaning to the sentence and ensures it makes sense.
Semantics focuses on the actual (literal) meaning of words, phrases, sentences, and samples of discourse,
Most instruction in this area focuses on figurative language in which words are not taken literally, but have a deeper meaning.
Semantics studies how utterances are inferred and implied.
Using the sentence below, observe that both sentences have correct syntax (both used a noun); however, only one makes sense, which is semantics.
Syntax
Syntax refers to the rules that create the structure of sentences.
Grammar vs. Usage
Grammar: Rules of words relating to the structure of sentences
Usage: What word to use, specifically referring to meaning
3 types of nouns
- Concrete Nouns- A person, place, or thing you can see or touch
- Abstract Nouns- Refers to things you cannot experience with your senses.
- Proper Nouns- A specific person, place, or thing
Pronouns
words that can replace a noun or refer back to nouns earlier in the sentence.
Personal: I, we, you, it, he, she, they
Reflexive: myself, himself, herself
Demonstrative: this, that, these, those
Relative: who, that, whom, which, whoever, whichever, whose
Interrogative: who, whom, whose, what, which
Indefinite: everyone, everybody, no one, both, all, any, more, most, some
Verbs-2 types
Helping verbs- Helping verb + main verb = complete verb
be, being, is, are, was, or were
Modal verbs- A type of helping verb
should, shall, could, can, would, will, must, might, may, ought to
Adverb definition
Adverb: describe a verb or another adjective typically ending in -ly
Direct objects
Direct Objects
The receiver of the action within a sentence and it answers the question “who?” or “what” is receiving the action.
To find the direct object, find the sentence’s verb. Then ask whom or what?
Indirect objects
Indirect Objects
the recipient of the direct object
In order to have an indirect object in a sentence, there must be a direct object.
To find the indirect object, find the direct object. Then ask whom or for whom?
The verb is ordered - What was ordered? The sandwich (direct object). Who was the sandwich for? Stacy (indirect object).
Prepositions
Prepositions-convey time, place, direction, or location.
Words that tie a noun or pronoun to other information in a sentence.
“The car sat in front of the garage.”
“I am texting in response to your text.”
“I’d like the pie instead of the cake.”
“Wyatt was absent due to illness.”
Clauses
Clause vs. phrase
Dependent vs. Independent
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. A phrase is a group of words, but it doesn’t contain a subject and a verb.
An independent clause can stand alone and a dependent clause cannot. Dependent clauses usually have a conjunction or preposition at the beginning.
Colon
A colon is used to:
introduce information
separate a sentence into two independent clauses when they are directly related and the second clause is meant to be emphasized
Fragment
Anything that is not a complete sentence that has end punctuation
Simple sentence
A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb.
Compound sentence
A compound sentence has two independent clauses. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that can stand alone because it contains a subject and a verb and expresses a
complete thought.
- A compound contains two simple sentences.
- These independent clauses are joined by a conjunction.
Complex sentence
A complex sentence is an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator (as, because, since, after, although, when) or relative pronouns (who, that, which).
Compound complex sentence
A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
3 main types of phrases
Noun Phrase: My lovely Aunt Irma
Verb Phrase: May have been traveling
Prepositional phrase: To Las Vegas
two main ways to teach grammar
There are two main ways to teach grammar, deductive and inductive. The deductive approach is the traditional way of teaching grammar through rules and practice. The inductive approach is where students have to put together sentences by paying attention to samples provided by the teacher.
Effective composition adapts to specific requirements:
Composers must consider their audience’s expectations, knowledge, and interests to ensure their message resonates.
The purpose of the composition guides the content and style. Whether it’s to persuade, inform, entertain, or document, the purpose shapes the composition.
The nature of the task, whether it’s an academic essay, a business proposal, a creative story, or a scientific report, influences the composition’s structure and tone.
5 must haves for feedback
- Specific
- Timely
- Constructive
- Balanced
- Student Involvement
Expository Writing
definition of expository is “intended to explain or describe something.
Does the work explain something in detail?
Does the work inform?
Does the work answer questions such as “what, how, and why?”
Examples: non-fiction books, how-to books ,self-help books instructional guides, manuals, scientific research, textbooks and educational resources, business articles and books, medical research, journals, and articles
Descriptive Writing
The goal of descriptive writing is to help the reader envision, in detail, a character, event, place, or all of these things at the same time, thus bringing the reader into the written piece as if they were experiencing it firsthand.
Examples: poetry & prose, travel diaries, personal journals, lyrics in music and songwriting
