Download How would employers rank these?

Sentence Structure and Grammar
The University of Melbourne
>
The University of Melbourne
>
What do employers look for in graduates?
Mark Eggins
Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
[email protected]
3/08/2012
Tim Beaumont
2
How would employers rank these?
The University of Melbourne
>
The University of Melbourne
Key Selection Criteria
%
Interpersonal and Communication Skills (written and oral)
57.5%
Academic Qualifications
35.4%
Work Experience
27.6%
Leadership Skills
18.1%
Passion/Knowledge of Industry/Drive/Commitment/Attitude
Passion/Knowledge of Industry/Drive/Commitment/Attitude
15.7%
Teamwork Skills
Teamwork Skills
15.7%
Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills/Problem Solving/Technical Skills
Critical Reasoning and Analytical Skills/Problem Solving/Technical Skills
15.0%
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence
8.7%
Activities – includes both intra and extra curricular
Activities – includes both intra and extra curricular
7.9%
Cultural Alignment/Values Fit
Cultural Alignment/Values Fit
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7.9%
%
Key Selection Criteria
Interpersonal and Communication Skills (written and oral)
Academic Qualifications
Work Experience
Leadership Skills
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A recent exchange
The University of Melbourne
>
hi tim
r u free on friday@ 2pm?:)let e know if u r free ..i want to
structure the essay outline about chinee exconomu. Tks for
helping
#####
A recent exchange
The University of Melbourne
>
Dear #####,
Can you write back a proper email that you’ve put some thought
and care into? This sounds rude, but I won’t respond to emails
such as the one you’ve just sent.
!
Regards,
student number ####
Tim Beaumont
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Tim Beaumont
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A recent exchange
The University of Melbourne
Dear Tim
sori. was rushed before.Are you free in tomoro
afternoon?Can i an apointment with u tomoro afternoon around
2pm?i wanna discuss about my essay structure. Tks for helping
Tim Beaumont
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A recent assignment
>
The University of Melbourne
>
Internationalization is very important in building up SMEs’
competitiveness and grow in age of globalization today. SMEs
internationalization is different from LSEs internationalization.
Nonetheless little research is found that examine role of brand in
SMEs internationalization. Most of past research, when
addressing the role of brand in internationalization, focus
#####
exclusively on branding from large or multinational brand.
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Sentence structure is important
The University of Melbourne
Outline
>
The University of Melbourne
Poor sentence structure and grammar can:
1. Sentence Structure Review
•
•
•
•
•
2. Clear Writing
affect comprehension
prevent you from being taken seriously
suggest carelessness
affect your marks
reduce your employment opportunities
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>
3. Grammatical Accuracy
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Clauses
The University of Melbourne
A clause is a group of words that:
Clauses
>
The University of Melbourne
>
• An independent clause must have a
complete idea…
“Although your injury
doesn’t appear serious,…”
• contains a subject & a verb.
• it can be independent
(they express a complete thought)
Martin has two PhDs.
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Ref: ttu.edu
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Ref: dreamstime.com
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Clauses
The University of Melbourne
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because Martin has two PhDs
although Martin has two PhDs
when Martin has two PhDs
if Martin had three PhDs
Ref: theinjurylawyers.co.uk
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The University of Melbourne
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Dependent clauses do not express a complete thought
and cannot stand alone
•
•
•
•
Write these words on a piece of paper
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Because ….
Although …
If …
Since …
When …
After …
Until …
As soon as…
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Now write some dependent clauses
(make sure you finish with a ‘,’)
The University of Melbourne
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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Activity
One example of a dependent clause
>
Because …. ,
Although … ,
If … ,
Since … ,
When … ,
After … ,
Until … ,
As soon as… ,
>
The University of Melbourne
>
1. Because I like you,
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Activity
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Activity
4
Now read out your dependent clauses
and get your classmates to finish them for you
The University of Melbourne
>
1. Because I like you, I want to give you a
present.
2. Although … ,
3. If … ,
4. Since … ,
5. When … ,
6. After … ,
7. Until … ,
8. As soon as… ,
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Sentences
The University of Melbourne
• A sentence is a group of words which
contains at least one independent clause:
1) a subject
2) a verb
3) a complete idea
4) appropriate punctuation
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Activity
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Sentences: four main kinds
The University of Melbourne
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Simple Sentences
>
The University of Melbourne
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A simple sentence contains one
independent clause.
1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Complex
4. Compound/Complex
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>
• Martin has two PhDs.
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Compound Sentences
Compound Sentences
The University of Melbourne
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The University of Melbourne
A compound sentence combines two or more simple
sentences
1. Coordinating conjunctions
(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
These two sentences are clearly related and of equal
importance
•
>
Martin enjoyed his first PhD, but he
became tired of his second.
They can be connected by…
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Compound Sentences
The University of Melbourne
Complex Sentences
>
The University of Melbourne
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The main idea is contained in the independent clause,
creating an order of importance
• Martin enjoyed his first PhD; however, he became
tired of his second.
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A complex sentence contains one independent
clause and one or more dependent clauses
2. Other linking words
(eg. in addition, however, alternatively, therefore,
nevertheless, on the one hand, for example, in other
words, indeed, specifically)
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The dependent clause could serve:
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Complex / Compound
Sentences
The University of Melbourne
Complex / Compound
Sentences
>
The University of Melbourne
Complex / compound sentences contain at least
two independent clauses and one dependent
clause
Complex / compound sentences contain at least
two independent clauses and one dependent
clause
• Although most theorists believe the decrease will
come soon, customer confidence remains strong,
and most businesses have not initiated significant
restructures.
• Although most theorists believe the decrease will
come soon, customer confidence remains strong,
and most businesses have not initiated significant
restructures.
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Review
The University of Melbourne
Simple Sentence
IC + IC
Compound Sentence
IC + DC
Complex Sentence
IC + IC + DC
Complex / Compound
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The future of the world economy
>
The University of Melbourne
>
Write a statement/opinion on this topic and the
following signal words:
– Statement/opinion
– For example …
– Moreover…
– However…
– As a result…
– In conclusion
IC (independent clause)
DC (dependent clause)
IC
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The future of the world economy
The University of Melbourne
–
–
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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>
Now circulate your paper to the person on your right
See how long it takes your table to finish everybody's
essay
Statement/opinion
For example …
Moreover…
However…
As a result…
In conclusion
Tim Beaumont
Are these sentences okay?
The University of Melbourne
• Moreover, the company, troubled as it had
been for some time, especially in the East
Asian market for the last two year period.
• The firm tried advertising and to sell directly.
• The research study, conducted last year,
finds the respondents didn’t like the program.
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Sentence Trouble Shooting
The University of Melbourne
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A golden rule
>
The University of Melbourne
>
Keep it simple, clear, specific and relevant
• Moreover, the company, troubled as it had been for
some time, especially in the East Asian market for
the last two year period.
(NO VERB)
• The firm tried advertising and to sell directly. (NOT
PARALLEL)
• The research study, conducted last year, finds the
respondents didn’t like the program.
• (VERB TENSE PROBLEM)
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>
If unsure about a sentence:
•
•
•
•
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start with a subject (generally avoid ‘it’ or ‘there’)
follow with a specific active verb
keep it short
explain your point out loud: “What I want to say is…”
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1. Vocabulary use
The University of Melbourne
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The University of Melbourne
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1. A considerable multitude of invited
participants enquired about the location in
which they could purchase beverages.
Clear writing: 7 tips
2. Terminating employees is something done
by him with great reluctance.
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1. Vocabulary use
The University of Melbourne
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1. Use clear specific vocabulary
>
The University of Melbourne
>
A considerable multitude of invited participants enquired
about the location in which they could purchase beverages.

A considerable multitude of invited participants enquired
about the location in which they could purchase beverages.
Many guests asked where they could buy drinks.

Many guests asked where they could buy drinks.
Terminating employees is something done by him with
great reluctance.

Terminating employees is something done by him with
great reluctance.
He fires employees very reluctantly

He fires employees very reluctantly
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2. Be careful with sentence length
1. Use clear specific vocabulary
The University of Melbourne
>
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2. Be careful with sentence length
The University of Melbourne
>
Once an organisation understands its
customers’ needs, it must establish goals to
help ensure good service delivery which are
typically set in terms of employee or machine
performance such as in a case in which a
bank may require all its employees to
conform to a dress code and that all incoming
telephone calls be answered by the third ring.
(Pride, Elliot, Rundle-Thiele, Waller,
Palandino, Ferrell, p. 258)
Imagine you are writing for:
• an intelligent but non-specialist audience, or
• a lecturer who is tired, has just read 20
assignments, and doesn’t want to think too
much
• Avoid too many ‘be’, ‘do’ and ‘have’ verbs
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The University of Melbourne
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2. Avoid very long sentences
>
The University of Melbourne
>
Once an organisation understands its customers’ needs, it must
establish goals to help ensure good service delivery which are
typically set in terms of employee or machine performance such
as in a case in which a bank may require all its employees to
conform to a dress code and that all incoming telephone calls be
answered by the third ring.
 Once an organisation understands its customers’ needs, it must
Once an organisation understands its customers’ needs, it must
establish goals to help ensure good service delivery. These
goals are typically set in terms of employee or machine
performance. For example, a bank may require all its employees
to conform to a dress code. Likewise, the bank may require that
all incoming telephone calls be answered by the third ring.
(Pride, Elliot, Rundle-Thiele, Waller, Palandino, Ferrell, p. 258)
 Once an organisation understands its customers’ needs, it must
establish goals to help ensure good service delivery. These goals
are typically set in terms of employee or machine performance.
For example, a bank may require all its employees to conform to a
dress code. Likewise, the bank may require that all incoming
telephone calls be answered by the third ring. (Pride, Elliot,
Rundle-Thiele, Waller, Palandino, Ferrell, p. 258)
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establish goals to help ensure good service delivery which are
typically set in terms of employee or machine performance such as
in a case in which a bank may require all its employees to conform
to a dress code and that all incoming telephone calls be answered
by the third ring.
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3. Subject placement
The University of Melbourne
3. Subject placement
>
The University of Melbourne
1.
In his lecture on Engineering Ethics, which he gave on
Tuesday the 7th of June in the Chisholm Theatre, Dr
Dabke addressed why and how humans become
professional.
1.
In his lecture on Engineering Ethics, which he gave on
Tuesday the 7th of June in the Chisholm Theatre, Dr
Dabke addressed why and how humans become
professional.
2.
Dr Dabke addressed how and why humans became
professionals in the lecture on Engineering Ethics which
he gave on Tuesday the 7th of June in the Chisholm
Theatre.
2.
Dr Dabke addressed how and why humans became
professionals in the lecture on Engineering Ethics which
he gave on Tuesday the 7th of June in the Chisholm
Theatre.
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3. Put your subject in early
The University of Melbourne
 In his lecture on Engineering Ethics, which he gave on
Tuesday the 7th of June in the Chisholm Theatre, Dr
Dabke addressed why and how humans become
professional.
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4. Active/passive voice &
nominalisation
>
The University of Melbourne
>
1. It is believed by many lecturers and
tutors that inadequate care is put into
writing by too many students.
2. It is a belief of many lecturers and
tutors that inadequate care in writing is
a feature of too many students written
work.
 Dr Dabke addressed how and why humans became
professionals in the lecture on Engineering Ethics which
he gave on Tuesday the 7th of June in the Chisholm
Theatre.
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>
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4. Active/passive voice &
nominalisation
The University of Melbourne
>
Tim Beaumont
The University of Melbourne
 Many lecturers believe that too many students
put inadequate care into their writing.
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5. Noun phrases
The University of Melbourne
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5. Be careful with noun phrases
>
The University of Melbourne
1.
A measure of the distance in multidimensional
space is known as Mahalanobis distance which
is the distance of each observation from the mean
centre of the observations.
 A measure of the distance in multidimensional
space is known as Mahalanobis distance which is
the distance of each observation from the mean
centre of the observations.
2.
Mahalanobis distance is a measure of
observations taken and where they are taken from.
To be specific, it is the distance in multidimensional
space of observations. This measurement is
normally taken from the mean centre of
observations.
 Mahalanobis distance is a measure of observations
taken and where they are taken from. To be specific,
it is the distance in multidimensional space of
observations. This measurement is normally taken
from the mean centre of observations.
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>
 It is believed by many lecturers and tutors that
inadequate care is put into writing by too many
students.
 It is a belief of many lecturers and tutors that
inadequate care in writing is a feature of too
many students written work.
1. It is believed by many lecturers and tutors
that inadequate care is put into writing by
too many students.
2. It is a belief of many lecturers and tutors that
inadequate care in writing is a feature of too
many students written work.
3. Many lecturers believe that too many
students put inadequate care into their
writing.
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4. Active/passive voice &
nominalisation
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>
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6. Pronoun use
The University of Melbourne
6. Use clear pronouns
>
The University of Melbourne
1.
His determination to succeed in a challenging
competitive environment is what made Richard
Branson so successful.
 His determination to succeed in a challenging
competitive environment is what made Richard
Branson so successful.
2.
Richard Branson’s determination to succeed in a
challenging competitive environment is what made
him so successful.
 Richard Branson’s determination to succeed in a
challenging competitive environment is what made
him so successful.
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7. Be careful with abbreviations
The University of Melbourne
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7. Be careful with abbreviations
>
The University of Melbourne
In Feb, 2008, MMSP of UEB, Ian Appleton, spoke about HRM
use of the MBTI.
 In Feb, 2008, MMSP of UEB, Ian Appleton, spoke about HRM
use of the MBTI.
In February, 2008, Associated Management and Marketing
Senior Professor of the University of East Borneo, Ian Appleton,
spoke about Human Resource Management use of the MyersBriggs Test Indicator.
 In February, 2008, Associated Management and Marketing
Senior Professor of the University of East Borneo, Ian Appleton,
spoke about Human Resource Management use of the MyersBriggs Test Indicator.
Minimise use of:
Acronyms (NASA, UNICEF)
Initialisation (MBTI, UNSW, HRM)
Shortened forms (etc., eg., ie, Assoc., Feb., Intl, Grad. Dip.)
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>
>
Minimise use of:
Acronyms (NASA, UNICEF)
Initialisation (MBTI, UNSW, HRM)
Shortened forms (etc., eg., ie, Assoc., Feb., Intl, Grad. Dip.)
51
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Avoid clichés, jargon & redundancy
The University of Melbourne
Grammar
>
The University of Melbourne
• Clichés
“last but not least”, “at the end of the day”, “as everyone knows”
Try to identify your grammatical problems so you can
address them
• Jargon
“outcome-based benchmarking of best practice”
7 grammatical areas students often find difficult are:
>
• Redundancies
“red in colour”, “predicting the future”
• Colourful language
“Really brilliant”
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Grammar
The University of Melbourne
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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1. Count nouns: two basic choices
>
The University of Melbourne
>
‘I have pen’
Countable or Uncountable nouns
Singular or plural
Subject-Verb Agreement
Verb Tenses
Prepositions
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‘I have a pen’
55
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‘I have pens’
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1. Count nouns: two basic choices
The University of Melbourne
1. Count nouns: two basic choices
>
The University of Melbourne
‘I have pen’
‘I have a pen’
>
‘I have pen’
‘I have pens’
1) Article
(determiner)
2) Plural
‘I have pens’
‘I have a pen’
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1. Countable or Uncountable
The University of Melbourne
>
The University of Melbourne
>
Don’t add ‘s’ to uncountable nouns ( informations,
knowledges, equipments, etc)
Be careful with quantity words and articles:
 Many freedom
 An information
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 Much freedom
 Information
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1. Countable or Uncountable (the)
The University of Melbourne
>
>
The University of Melbourne is in Parkville.
The nation with a large population near Japan is China.
The companies working in Asia include IBM and NBC.
University of Melbourne
Nation with a large population
Companies working in Asia
Tim Beaumont
The University of Melbourne
• If you have a count or an uncountable noun and it is
specific you need ‘the’:
• If you have a count or an uncountable
noun and it is specific you need ‘the’:
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1. Countable or Uncountable (the)
ARTICLE + NOUN + PREPOSITION + NOUN
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2. Singular or Plural
The University of Melbourne
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3. Subject-Verb Agreement
>
The University of Melbourne
It’s easy to forget to make nouns plural. ( Many manager…)
Make sure verbs agree with subjects.
• Often, you will need to decide whether to refer to nouns in your
text as singular (a manager) or plural – this is often used when
you are talking in general terms (managers).
• He is… / They are… / She lives…
>
Be careful when:
• If you are refer to ‘a manager’, don’t start talking about
‘managers’.
• Remember too that you can say:
– the manager
– the managers
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3. Subject-Verb Agreement
The University of Melbourne
3. Subject-Verb Agreement
>
The University of Melbourne
The verb has a long modifying phrase following the subject
• The text about the marketing strategies of 10 leading
Australian companies is/are useful.
The verb has long modifying phrase which follows the subject
• The text about the marketing strategies of 10 leading
Australian companies is useful.
Words that indicate quantity
• Each one of the employees is/are satisfied.
• The number of people in support is/are 15.
• A number of people was/were unhappy.
• One of the managers do not/does not agree with the proposal.
Words that indicate quantity are used
• Each one of the employees is satisfied.
• The number of people in support is 15.
• A number of people were unhappy.
• One of the managers doesn’t agree with the proposal.
Uncountable nouns are subjects
• The audience was/were supportive.
Uncountable nouns are subjects
• The audience was supportive.
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4. Verb Tenses
The University of Melbourne
• Be consistent with tenses in your writing.
• Don’t shift unnecessarily between tenses in a paragraph.
• When changing tenses in a paragraph, use ‘signalling words’ or
time phrases eg. since then, currently, now, in the past etc
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4. Verb Tenses
>
The University of Melbourne
>
• Past: Something that has happened, it is OVER.
• Present Perfect:
• Something that happened but is STILL important
to the present
• something that started in the past and is still
continuing.
• Present: Something happening now or a ‘common
truth’
• Future: predictions
The English tense system is complicated and very different to
tense systems in other languages.
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>
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17
5. Prepositions
The University of Melbourne
>
The University of Melbourne
>
Can be difficult!
 I have locked on an appointment by the Manager in 9.00 at the
morning on the 22nd to discuss about my upcoming presentation
with the clients.
 I have locked in an appointment with the Manager at 9.00 on
the morning of the 22nd to discuss my upcoming presentation to
the clients.
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5. Prepositions: A hint
The University of Melbourne
>
The University of Melbourne
>
• __ 2011, __ Monday August 1 __ 11am
I will meet you __ the café.
• In 2011, on Monday August 1 at 11am I
will meet you at the café.
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Editing and Proofreading
The University of Melbourne
Need More Help?
>
The University of Melbourne
Check:
Consult Academic Writing Books, particularly:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Writing Academic English (Longman)
• The Essentials of English (Longman)
• Some IELTS texts
grammar
text structure
paragraph structure
Spelling
vocabulary
punctuation
font
layout
Use CELT Services, particularly:
• Individual Consultations
• Helpsheets
• GEP
Always edit and proofread your work carefully!
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The University of Melbourne
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The University of Melbourne
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19
Acknowledgement
The University of Melbourne
>
The University of Melbourne
>
Some of the material featured in this presentation has been
adapted from slides prepared by Dr. Martin Davies and Chi Baik.
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