Grammar: Verb (introduction to active and passive voice)
Active and passive voice concerns the subject of the sentence. If the subject is active with respect to verbal action it is called active voice otherwise when the subject seems less important than the verb it is passive voice. Now, look at the following examples.
1. He is observing the situation.
2. It was observed that the situation was quite bad. Now you see in the first example (1) the subject (he) is actively participating in verbal action (observation) whereas in the second example (2) it seems that the observation is more important than observer and that is why there is just no hint of the observer in a sentence, hence it is passive voice. All the examples in the tenses section are the examples of active voice where the subject seems important and active.
How to make passive voice
Read the following keys and you will know how to convert any sentence into passive voice
1. (Major changes in a sentence)
While converting any sentence into passive voice following FOUR major changes are essential. 1. Convert subject into object.2. Convert the object into subject.3. Use past participle form (for example: gone, worked, understood etc).4. Use by before object. Now see the following example with complete detail of the changes.
Active voice: He always creates problems.
Passive voice: Problems are always created by him.
Details: Subject (he) is converted into the object (him) in a passive voice. Object (problems) is converted into the subject in passive voice and placed at the start.3rd person singular form (creates) is converted into past participle (created).By is used before the object (him). Now similarly there are more examples you should read so that you may understand the changes better and try them in your practice.
Active voice: She taught us English.
Passive voice: We were taught English by her.
Active voice: They made a bad mistake.
Passive voice: A bad mistake was made by them.
2. (Use of Auxiliary) In order to understand the use of auxiliary you first need to see the tense of the sentence you want to convert into passive voice. If a sentence is indefinite tense use auxiliaries of continuous tense while converting into passive voice, like; Is, am, are with present indefinite tenses, were with past indefinite tenseWill be, shall be with future indefinite tense Examples: ·
He reads an interesting novel. (present indefinite)·
An interesting novel is read by him. (auxiliary of present continuous is) ·
You troubled us. (past indefinite)·
We were troubled by you. (auxiliary of past continuous was) ·
We shall give you a surprise. (future indefinite)·
You will be given a surprise by us. (Auxiliary of future continuous will be.) ·
If a sentence is of continuous tense use auxiliaries of the same tense by adding “being” with it. Examples: ·
He is chasing you. (present continuous)·
You are being chased by him. ·
She was knocking at the door. (past continuous)·
The door was being knocked at by her. ·
Note: Future continuous tense cannot be converted into passive voice because you cannot use will be being or shall be being. IIf sentence is in perfect tense use auxiliaries of the same tense by adding “been” with it. Examples: ·
He has learned French in a month. (present perfect)·
French has been learned by him in a month. ·
They hadn’t attended the church this Sunday. (past perfect)·
The church hadn’t been attended by them this Sunday. ·
Brown will have bought a new car. (future perfect)·
A new car will have been bought by Brown. Tenses that cannot be converted into passive There are FOUR tenses that cannot be converted into passive voice as mentioned below.
Present perfect continuous tense
Past perfect continuous tense
Future perfect continuous tense
Future continuous tense
Reading and Comprehension: Reading to make meaning from a spatial description
Composition: Introduction to a descriptive essay
The purpose of the expository essay is to explain a topic in a logical and straightforward manner. Without bells and whistles, expository essays present a fair and balanced analysis of a subject based on facts—with no references to the writer’s opinions or emotions.
A typical expository writing prompt will use the words “explain” or “define,” such as in, “Write an essay explaining how the computer has changed the lives of students.” Notice there is no instruction to form an opinion or argument on whether or not computers have changed students’ lives. The prompt asks the writer to “explain,” plain and simple. However, that doesn’t mean expository essay writing is easy.
The Five-Step Writing Process for Expository Essays
Expository writing is a life skill. More than any other type of writing, expository writing is a daily requirement of most careers. Understanding and following the proven steps of the writing process helps all writers, including students, master the expository essay.
Expository Essay Structure
usually, the expository essay is composed of five paragraphs. The introductory paragraph contains the thesis or main idea. The next three paragraphs, or body of the essay, provide details in support of the thesis. The concluding paragraph restates the main idea and ties together the major points of the essay.
Here are expository essay tips for each part of the essay structure and writing process:
- Prewriting for the Expository Essay
In the prewriting phase of writing an expository essay, students should take time to brainstorm about the topic and main idea. Next, do research and take notes. Create an outline showing the information to be presented in each paragraph, organized in a logical sequence. - drafting the Expository Essay
when creating the initial draft of an expository essay, consider the following suggestions: - The most important sentence in the introductory paragraph is the topic sentence, which states the thesis or main idea of the essay. The thesis should be clearly stated without giving an opinion or taking a position. A good thesis is well defined, with a manageable scope that can be adequately addressed within a five-paragraph essay.
- Each of the three body paragraphs should cover a separate point that develops the essay’s thesis. The sentences of each paragraph should offer facts and examples in support of the paragraph’s topic.
- The concluding paragraph should reinforce the thesis and the main supporting ideas. Do not introduce new material in the conclusion.
- Since an expository essay discusses an event, situation, or the views of others, and not a personal experience, students should write in the third person (“he,” “she,” or “it”), and avoid “I” or “you” sentences.
- Revising the Expository Essay
in the revision phase, students review, modify, and reorganize their work with the goal of making it the best it can be. Keep these considerations in mind: - Does the essay give an unbiased analysis that unfolds logically, using relevant facts and examples?
- Has the information been clearly and effectively communicated to the reader?
- Watch out for “paragraph sprawl,” which occurs when the writer loses focus and veers from the topic by introducing unnecessary details.
- Is the sentence structure varied? Is the word choice precise?
- Do the transitions between sentences and paragraphs help the reader’s understanding?
- Does the concluding paragraph communicate the value and meaning of the thesis and key supporting ideas?
If the essay is still missing the mark, take another look at the topic sentence. A solid thesis statement leads to a solid essay. Once the thesis works, the rest of the essay falls into place more easily.
- Editing the Expository Essay
next, proofread and corrects errors in grammar and mechanics, and edit to improve style and clarity. While an expository essay should be clear and concise, it can also be lively and engaging. Having a friend read the essay helps writers edit with a fresh perspective. - Publishing the Expository Essay
sharing an expository essay with a teacher, parent, or other readers can be both exciting and intimidating. Remember, there isn’t a writer on earth who isn’t sensitive about his or her own work. The important thing is to learn from the experience and use the feedback to make the next essay better.
ASSESSMENT
- If a sentence is of continuous tense use auxiliaries of the same tense by adding ___________
- While converting any sentence into passive voice what FOUR major changes are essential.
- What is the purpose of an expository essay?
ANSWER
- ‘Being’
- (1) Convert subject into the object (2) Convert the object into subject (3) Use past participle form (4) Use by before object.
- The purpose of the expository essay is to explain a topic in a logical and straightforward manner. Without bells and whistles, expository essays present a fair and balanced analysis of a subject based on facts—with no references to the writer’s opinions or emotions.