WRITING FORM ONE

WRITING FORM ONE

WRITING FORM ONE:SPELLING

SPELLING RULES

The following rules will help you spell words correctly.

Rule 1: “I before E except after C”;

• achieve, believe, bier, brief, hygiene, grief, thief, friend, grieve, chief, fiend, patience, pierce, priest  
• ceiling, conceive, deceive, perceive, receipt, receive, deceit, conceit

Exceptions

neighbor, freight, beige, sleigh, weight, vein, and weigh and there are many exceptions to the rule: either, neither, feint, foreign, forfeit, height, leisure, weird, seize, and seizure.

Rule 2: “Dropping Final E”

When adding an ending to a word that ends with a silent e, drop the final e if the ending begins with a vowel:

• advancing
• surprising

However, if the ending begins with a consonant, keep the final e:

• advancement
• likeness

(However, if the silent e is preceded by another vowel, drop the e when adding any ending: argument, argued, truly.)

Exceptions: to avoid confusion and mispronunciation, the final e is kept in words such as mileage and words where the final e is preceded by a soft g or c: changeable, courageous, manageable, management, noticeable. (The word management, for example, without that e after the g, would be pronounced with a hard g sound.)

WRITING FORM ONE

Rule 3: “Dropping Final Y”

When adding an ending to a word that ends with y, change the y to i when it is preceded by a consonant.

• supply becomes supplies
• worry becomes worried
• merry becomes merrier

This does not apply to the ending -ing, however.

• crying
• studying

Nor does it apply when the final y is preceded by a vowel.

• obeyed
• saying
• Rule 4: “Doubling Final Consonants”

When adding an ending to a word that ends in a consonant, we double that consonant in many situations. First, we have to determine the number of syllables in the word.

Double the final consonant before adding an ending that begins with a vowel when the last syllable of the word is accented and that syllable ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant.

• submit is accented on the last syllable and the final consonant is preceded by a vowel, so we double the t before adding, for instance, an -ing or -ed: submitting, submitted.
• flap contains only one syllable which means that it is always accented. Again, the last consonant is preceded by a vowel, so we double it before adding, for instance, an -ing or -ed: flapping, flapped. This rule does not apply to verbs that end with “x,” “w,” “v,” and “y,” consonants that cannot be doubled (such as “box” [boxing] and “snow” [snowing]).
• open contains two syllables and the last syllable is preceded by a single vowel, but the accent falls on the first syllable, not the last syllable, so we don’t double the n before adding an ending: opening, opened.
• refer contains two syllables and the accent falls on the last syllable and a single vowel precedes the final consonant, so we will double the r before adding an ending, as in referring, referral. The same would apply to begin, as in beginner, beginning.
• relent contains two syllables, but the final consonant is preceded by another consonant, not a vowel, so we do not double the t before adding an ending: relented, relenting.
• deal looks like flap (above), but the syllable ends in a consonant preceded not by a single vowel, but by two vowels, so we do not double the final l as in dealer and dealing. The same would apply, then, to despair: despairing, despaired.

WRITING FORM ONE

PUNCTUATION

CAPITALIZATION

Capitalization Rules

Capitalization is the writing of a word with its first letter in uppercase and the remaining letters in lowercase.

Capitalize the first word of a document and the first word after a final punctuation mark (full stop, question mark, exclamation mark).

Capitalize proper nouns—and adjectives derived from proper nouns.

Examples:
he is Brian’s father

In Juja

Capitalization Checklist

• Brand names
• Companies
• Days of the week and months of the year
• Holidays
• Institutions
  the University of Nairobi
• Natural and artificial landmarks
  the Fourteen Fall, the Mount Kenya
• Religions and names of deities
  Note: Capitalize the Bible (but biblical). Do not capitalize heaven, hell, the devil, satanic.
• Special occasions
  the Olympic Games, the Cannes Film Festival
• Streets and roads

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Capitalize specific geographical regions. Do not capitalize points of the compass.

FINAL PUNCTUATION MARKS

The Period, Full Stop or Point

• The period (known as a full stop) is probably the simplest of the punctuation marks to use. You use it like a knife to cut the sentences to the required length.
• Generally, you can break up the sentences using the full stop at the end of a logical and complete thought that looks and sounds right to you.

Mark the end of a sentence which is not a question or an exclamation

Examples

• Kisumu is the third largest city in kenya.
• I am writing you soon.

Indicate an abbreviation

Examples

• I will arrive between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.
• We are coming on Fri., Jan. 4.

Period after a single word

Sometimes a single word can form the sentence. In this case you place a fullstop after the word as you would in any other sentence. This is often the case when the subject is understood as in a greeting or a command.

WRITING FORM ONE

Examples

• “come.”
• “Stop.”

Periods in numbers

Numbers use periods in English to separate the whole number from the decimal. A period used in a number is also called a “decimal point” and it is read “point” unless it refers to money.

Examples

• Sh. 10.50 is its price.
• Her weight is 60.60

The Exclamation Mark

The exclamation mark is used to express astonishment, or surprise, or to emphasise a comment or short, sharp phrase. In professional or everyday writing, exclamation marks are used sparingly if at all.

Examples

• Help! Help!
• That’s unbelievable!
• Get out!
• Look out!

You can also use exclamation marks to mark a phrase as humourous, ironic or sarcastic.

Examples

• What a lovely day! (when it obviously is not a lovely day)
• That was clever! (when someone has done something stupid)

WRITING FORM ONE

The Question Mark

Use the question mark at the end of all direct questions.

Examples

• What is your name?
• Do you speak Italian?
• You’re spanish, aren’t you?

Do not use a question mark for reported questions

Examples

• He asked me what my name was.
• She asked if I was Spanish.
• Ask them where they are going.

WRITING FORM ONE

The Comma

Use comma to separate phrases, words, or clauses in lists

A series of independent clauses (sentences)

Example

I cried to her, she asked me to stop crying, and afterwards she took me out for lunch..

A series of nouns

Examples

• Don’t forget to buy milk, ice cream, and fish.
• Gregory, David, and Christine arrived in time.

A series of adjectives

A list of adjectives usually requires commas. However, if an adjective is modifying another adjective you do not separate them with a comma (sentence 3).

Examples

• She was young, beautiful, kind, and intelligent.
• The house we visited was dark, dreary, and run-down.

A series of verbs

Examples

• Tony ran towards me, fell, yelled, and fainted.
• The boy leapt, spun, twisted, and dove into the water.

A series of phrases

Examples

• The car smashed into the wall, flipped onto its roof, slid along the road, and finally stopped against a tree.
• The dog leapt into the air, snatched the Frisbee in its mouth, landed, and ran off into the forest

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More Uses

1.     Enclosing details

Use a comma to enclose non-defining relative clauses and other non-essential details and comments. The comma is placed on either side of the insertion.

Examples

• China, one of the most powerful nations on Earth, has a huge population.
• Goats, unlike cows, do not like grass.

2.     Participial phrases

Examples

• Hearing the sad news, Fred fainted.
• Walking home from school, I met my old friend.

3.     Tag questions

Examples

• She hates you, doesn’t she?
• We have no business together, have we?

WRITING FORM ONE

STUDY WRITING

 MAKING NOTES

How to Make Notes

The following tips will come in handy when making notes:

1. Read the material carefully and thoroughly.
2. Underline the key sentences as you read. This will help in forming the title.
3. Make a rough note of the main points in a logical sequence.
4. Write the final notes.

You should have in mind that a note:

1. Should be short and to the point.
2. Contain all the important and relevant information.
3. Should have information systematically divided and subdivided.
4. Should have a short title. Avoid long sentences as titles.
5. Must be written in points only.

Notes Template

TITLE …………………….

• ………………………………………….
• …………………………………………
• ………………………………………..
• ………………………………………..

TAKING NOTES

How to Take Notes

• There is no one “right” way to take notes. Very different approaches can be equally effective, depending on the context.
• The key thing is to ensure that you remain actively engaged with the material whilst taking notes.
• If all you do is copy down what you hear or read, then you won’t actually be learning anything at all. You may not even understand your notes when you come back to review them later!
• Do the following:
• Be concise
• be as neat as possible
• use headings and numbered points
• use abbreviations/shorthand
• Leave spaces in between your notes in case of any additions.
• Avoid the following:

• copying out sentences or passages verbatim (i.e. word for word)
• copying a mass of factual information

• After the lesson, rewrite the notes in a more organized way adding details left out.

WRITING FORM ONE

1. CREATIVE WRITING

POEMS

Poem Writing Tips

There are a few things to think about before you start writing your poem. The following tips on writing poems will help you get started.

• Know your purpose. Know why you are writing a poem and what you want it to do.
• Pick a subject. Poems can be written about any topic under the sun.
• Avoid clichés. These are sayings that have been overused, like busy as a bee, or blind as a bat.
• Use imagery. Paint with your words and use concrete words that appeal to the senses. Abstract words cannot give the reader a good picture of what you are trying to say.
• Use similes and metaphors. Similes compare two things, like “you are sweet as honey” and usually use the word “like” or “as.” Metaphors state that one thing is another thing, like “you are a pig.” Things being compared in a metaphor have at least one thing in common but are very different in other ways.
• You can also consider using rhyme, alliteration, consonance, etc

IMAGINATIVE COMPOSITIONS

Elements of Imaginative Compositions

In order to write a good story, use these important elements:

1. a) Characters: Refers to those who act in the story. They should be people, animals or objects that think and talk.
2. b) Setting: Describes time and place of the story for example: classroom, lakeside, town etc.
3. c) Plot: Refers to the series of actions that the characters go through as they try to solve a problem. In the plot, we have the:

1. Introduction: This is usually short. It presents the character, the situation or the problem, and part of the setting.
2. Development: This simply shows how the situation affects the characters and what they do to try and solve the problem.
3. Conclusion: This shows the solution of a problem. It is usually short. It may lead to a happy, sad or surprise ending.

When writing a story, remember to organise the flow of your events so that the reader’s interest is maintained throughout the story. The element of suspense should also be created and maintained so that the reader will want to find out what is most likely to happen in your story.

You can create suspense by:

1. Including mystery
2. Changing the scene
3. Creating unexpected events
4. Including dialogue
5. Giving surprise ending
6. Moving from one character to another

WRITING FORM ONE

2. PERSONAL WRITING

• Diaries
• A diary is a written record of things that happen each day.
• It is also a record of things you plan to do per day and the time you plan to do so.
• A diary is also the book in which you write down things that happen to you on daily basis.

Diaries to Record what is planned to be done

• Here, we record things we plan to do.
• Let us look at the sample below:

MY DIARY   DAY DATE TIME EVENT Saturday 23rd April, 2015 8.00 am 8.15 am 8.30 am 8.40-10.30 10.35am – 12.30pm 1.00 pm 2.00 pm 7.30 pm Waking up Taking shower Breakfast Reading History Going for skating Lunch Reading the Bible Supper   Sunday 24th April, 2015 7.00 am 8.00 am 11.00 am 1.00 pm 2.30 pm 4.00 pm 6.00 pm 8.00 pm Breakfast Attending mass Reading CRE(St Luke’s Gospel) Taking lunch Playing video games Watching movies Writing notes Supper Monday 25th April, 2015 7.30 am 8.00 am 8.30 am 9.30am 11.30 am 12.30 pm 3.00 pm 5.00 pm 8.30 pm Waking Shower Breakfast Washing clothes Playing video games Lunch Reading Chemistry Watching movies Supper

WRITING FORM ONE

Diaries for Recording the Daily Observation

MY DIARY   Calendar April, 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Frid Sat                        1       2      3      4     5 6     7         8       9     10    11   12 13   14      15      16    17   18  19 20   21      22      23    24   25   26 27    28     29       30    31   ENTRY Dear Diary,   Today, I started writing my first poem. I thought of what to write and by lunch time, an idea crossed my mind. I decided to write about corruption. I entitled it “Another Bond – Eurobond”. I had a lot to write about it. As I write now, my dear, I have completed writing it. Hopefully, I will write another one before the week ends. I will inform you about it once that is done. Bye

ADDRESSES

• An address is a superscription of a letter directing who the letter is meant to reach.
• The writer also writes their address in the letter to allow for the reply.
• An address is written on an envelop, letter, or package.

Addresses in Letters

• Address format vary according to the type of letter written.
• Even though they are written differently, there are common features such as:
• The post office box number
• The postcode
• The street, road, or building where the post office is located
• The city or town
• The country
• There are two formats of writing addresses:
• Block format; and
• Indented format

Block Format

• Address written in a block.
• Paragraphs also blocked.
• An example is

KILIMAMBOGO FOOD AND BEVERAGE, P.O. BOX 555-35400, KILIMAMBOGO – KENYA.

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Indented Format

• Written on a slant.
• The paragraphs in the letter are also indented.
• An example is:

KILIMAMBOGO FOOD AND BEVERAGES, P.O. BOX 555-35400, KILIMAMBOGO – KENYA.

Exercise

Write each of the addresses below as they would appear on your envelope:

• Migori Polytechnic-40400- P.O. Box 654- The Principal-Kenya- Migori
• Kenya Labour-The Director-30210- P.O. Box 90100- Kenya- Nairobi

WRITING FORM ONE

PACKING LISTS

• At times you find yourself forgetting something when packing for a trip.
• It is important to get organized. Writing a packing list will be key in ensuring no item intended to be carried during a trip is forgotten.
• A packing list is therefore a checklist for what to bring along with them.
• To make the most out of your trip you have to pack the right items.
• What you pack will highly depend on factors such as:
• The place you are visiting. If for example, you are visiting a place where it is hot, there will be no need of carrying heavy clothes.
• Means of transport. There is a limit to what one should carry depending on the weight.
• Number of days.
• The reason for visiting. For example if going on a camp, you need carry camping gear.

How to Start

• Get a piece of paper and a pen and write “PACKING LIST”. This forms part of the title. The other part is the place to visit.
• Write number of days. It is advisable to do this as it will help you tell how many clothes you will need. It might not sound good to carry only two underpants, for example, if the trip will last a week.
• Draw a table with columns containing item category, item, quantity, and description. The various item categories are:
• Entertainment list, for example, CDs, Radio, etc.
• Clothing List, for example, underpants, skirts, etc.
• Camping Gear, for example, sleeping bag,
• Toiletries, for example, toothpaste, soap, etc.
• In that table fill all the items and all its columns appropriately.

Sample Packing List

TRIP TO MACHAKOS PACKING LIST         DAYS: 3 Days NO. ITEM CATEGORY ITEM QUANTITY DESCRIPTION 1. CLOTHING LIST Trousers   Shirts       Underpants 3   3       4 Purple one 2 white ones The pink one The one printed “Newyork”. The newly bought one. The black, yellow, red and indigo ones.   2. ENTERTAINMENT LIST CDs Laptop Earphone 3 1 1 Nigerian movies The one recently bought. Purple one.   3. TOILETRIES Bathing soap Washing soap Toothpaste 1-250gm ½ bar 50 gm Fa Bathing soap. Jamaa Colgate 4. DRINKS Afya Soda 2-500 ml 2-500 ml Guava flavored. Fanta

Exercise

You are Manchester City Football club Player. During one of the summer holidays, your club go for a 5 day camp to a very hot place in United Arab Emirates. Here, no beddings are provided. Write a packing list of all the items you would carry with you to this trip.

WRITING FORM ONE

3. SOCIAL WRITING

Informal Letters

• Usually written to people known to people you know fairly well. These can be friends and relatives.
• Also referred to as friendly letters.
• They are meant to:
• Give news;
• Request information;
• Congratulate people;
• Ask questions; or
• Give advice.

How to Write Informal Letters

• An informal letter has such elements as:
• Sender’s address. Write your address here. Example,

MAALIK AHMED

P.O. BOX 6454-90800

KITALE

• Date when the letter is written.
• Example,

Dear Timothy,

• Write the body of the text. Include greetings, news, other questions, etc.
• Sign of with your name. example,

See you soon,

Denis

WRITING FORM ONE

• The table that follows is of a format of an informal letter blended with explanations:

The Format	Explanation
Address	At the top right hand corner, write your address. For example, Keicy Kimito P.O. Box 567 RONGO
Date	Below the writer’s address, is the date. For example, 13th December, 2015
Salutation	Written on the left hand side of the letter. Start with: ·         Dear ………. , e.g. Dear Drinkwater, ·         Dearest………, or My Dear……., ( for close friends and relatives) Example, Dearest Drinkwater, Or My Dear Drinkwater,
Opening Paragraph	You may ask about the recipient’s health. For example, ·         How is your family? ·         How are you Njuguna? I hope that you and your family are in the pink. ·         I am fine and I hope you are as fit as a fiddle.
Content Paragraphs	This is where: ·         You mention your main reason for writing (paragraph 2) ·         Give the news ·         Ask questions You can start with: ·         I am writing this letter to…
Closing Paragraph	It is proper to inform your recipient that you are ending the letter. Some phrases you can use are: ·         Do write me soon. ·         Please convey my warm regards to… ·         Allow me to pen off here. ·         Hope to receive a reply from you. ·         Bye/ Goodbye
Closing	Sign off with your name.  you can sign off using: ·         Your loving friend, ·         Yours lovingly, ·         Yours affectionately, ·         Your nephew, ·         Yours sincerely, ·         Keep in touch, Your name should follow. Your first name is preferred.

WRITING FORM ONE

The Language of Informal Letters

• The language used is simple as well as friendly.
• You can use contractions such as I’m, won’t, you’re, etc.

Sample Friendly Letter

Brigit Annabel P.O BOX 454—40400 SUNA- MIGORI   5TH September, 2015   Dear James,   Hi James! Hope you are fine back there in Rongo. My sister and I are very much fine.   I’m just writing to let you know I quit my old job and found something new in Migori town.   I was really fed up with working at Banana Academy as there was little work enough to challenge me anymore. You know me; if there is no enough, I get bored too easily and have to find something new.   I’m now teaching at Sunsun in Migori and the kind of work I do suits me to the ground. I teach two candidate classes. The work here is not only challenging, but it is rewarding as well. I know you will find it hard  to believe… but you just have to.   That is not all for now! I’m getting married in a couple of weeks. He is working in the neighbouring school. So many promises I hope he will fulfill he has not stopped to give. I also find him the best among the many. When the time comes I believe you will come and celebrate with us.   Keep in touch, Brigit

WRITING FORM ONE

Exercise

You have recently joined another school. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

• Explain why you changed school
• Describe your new school
• Tell him/her your other news

4. INSTITUTIONAL WRITING

• PUBLIC NOTICES
• A public notice is a notice given to provide information for the public that is widespread in a wide geographical area via media.
• They are mostly placed in newspapers by businesses, county and national government, and individuals.
• They include:
• Unclaimed property
• Wanted person
• Dangerous person
• Government contracts
• Aunction
• Foreclosures, etc.

Public Notice Format

• The parts of a public notice include among others:
• Name of the organization/institution. Letterhead is preferred.
• Then write/type “PUBLIC NOTICE”.
• The topic/theme/subject. Let the public know what you want to inform them about.
• Date, time, and venue(if need be).
• Picture to reinforce the message.
• Name of the writer of the notice and the job position(and signature, for the more formal ones)

Sample Public Notice

MAJI MACHAFU LANDS DEALERS COMPANY (P.O. Box 123-00200 Nanyuki, Email: majchaf@hotmail.com, Mobile: 0715234343) PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hearby given that son of Amos Kinyanjui resident of Plot(5) located opposite Kadika Plaza, Kilgoris Estate has agreed to sell the plot mentioned in the schedule hereto dated 5th June, 2015. All persons claiming interest in the land or any part thereof by any way are hearby required to bring their complaints at our Mukomi office within 10 days from the date hearof, failing which the sale will be completed.   Yours Sincerely [sign] Fredrick Wainaina SALES MANAGER

WRITING FORM ONE

• In the notice above, a picture of the plot can be included.
• INVENTORIES
• An inventory is a complete list of items such as equipment,property, goods in stock, or even the contents of a particular place.
• A list of things possessed by a person or company.
• It is a good idea to keep the records of items owned by a person or company.
• An inventory will have the following basic elements:
• Name of the institution. Name of the person, if individually possessed.
• Date when the records are taken.
• Item number
• Item category
• Item
• Quantity of items
• Description of the item
• Approximate value of the item
• The name and designation of the person keeping the records.
• Here is a sample inventory.

KILIMANJARO MIXED DAY AND BOARDING HIGH SCHOOL                               INVENTORY OF THE EQUIPMENT AS AT 24TH MARCH, 2016 NO.   1.     2         3                 4   ITEM CATEGORY   LABORATORY EQUIPMENT   ELECTRONICS         FURNITURE                 GAMES EQUIPMENT ITEM   Test tubes Microscopes   Computers   Radios Printers   Teachers’ tables Staffroom Chairs   Classroom chairs   Students’ Lockers Office Cupboards   Beds     Balls Volley ball nets QUANTITY   15 2   3 4 4 2 6 14 22   400 89 500 6 3 300     3 2 DESCRIPTION   Good condition Damaged   New ones Damaged Not working New ones Damaged Good Condition Newly Bought ones Good Condition Broken Good condition New Ones New Ones Good Condition     Punctured Good Condition APPROXIMATE VALUE IN KSH. 1200 9800   72 000 12 000 6 800 68 700 14 600 48 000 110 000   200 000 44 500 250 000 60 000 12 000 600 000     3 000 6 000       RECORDS KEPT BY: Jeniffer Kwamboka sign School Store Keeper

Exercise

You are St. Monica’s Mission Hospital Resource Manager. At this hospital, records of items in it are kept at the end of every August. Write the inventory of all the items here

ALL ENGLISH NOTES FORM 1-4 WITH TOPICAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

PRIMARY NOTES, SCHEMES OF WORK AND EXAMINATIONS