Insam Level 2, English
Insam Level 2, English
Insam Level 2, English
COURSE OUTLINE
YEAR: 2021/2022 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE CODE: ENG 102
COURSE TITLE: USE OF ENGLISH II
STATUS: COMPULSORY
LEVEL: YEAR TWO STUDENTS FOR HND
SEMESTER: FIRST SEMESTER
COURSE MASTER: Bangsi Mbanfu Wilfred
1. General introduction
AIM(S)
The main aim of this course is to develop students’ ability in the use of the English Language
(speaking, reading, listening and writing) in their specific disciplines. This is to better equip
them with the main tool to succeed in the business world, that is, the ability to communicate
with one another without fear of error.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, students will be expected to:
- Improve on their English language skills of speaking, reading, listening, and
writing, and understanding as well.
- Interact freely and confidently in all social situations where English is used, e.g.
speeches, debates, workshops, seminars, panel discussions etc.
- Learn and understand other courses of which English is the medium of instruction.
- Acquaint themselves with the basic structure of English and grammatical
functions.
- Know how to write various letters, take down minutes in meetings, and even do
public speaking.
- Know how words are formed in English, and how they co-occur.
- Know how to do negotiations, summarize documents, and draw up CVs.
2. Types of discourse
- Expository
- Descriptive
- Narrative
- Argumentative
3. Note-taking (in lectures, meetings, etc)
4. Turn-taking in Conversational English
5. -Basic techniques of Reading
-Basic techniques of Writing
6. Formal and Informal Letters
- Features
- Structure
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Neba, A. F. &Tabah, N. E. (2012). An English Grammar and Writing Course.
UGELER: Buea.
EVALUATION
Paragraph development
An essay is a meaningful combination of paragraphs. So for every essay
to be complete, the paragraphs must be linked to one another and to the
main topic. Thus a good paragraph must be well developed in order to
achieve this goal. An essay has three main parts; introduction, body and
conclusion.
The ability to organise ideas into paragraphs is one of the first skills
required for effective writing. The technique for showing paragraph
autonomy is known as indenting. Each paragraph in a discourse must be
indented to show that it pivots on a main idea and supporting details.
Definition
A paragraph can be defined as a group of sentences that revolves around
one main idea and supporting details.
1. Topic sentence
It is a statement that expresses the main idea in a paragraph. It is the
idea around which a paragraph is built. It is a sentence that if removed
from the paragraph, it will have little or no meaning.
A topic sentence presents a general idea in a paragraph, limits the
scope, establishes a contract between the reader and the writer and
then catches the attention of the reader.
Unity
Unity is the relationship establish between the topic sentence and
supporting details in a paragraph. It can be destroyed one or two sentences that
do not relate to the topic sentence are included in the paragraph. When this
happens we only have a series of disconnected sentences, not a paragraph.
Coherence
Coherence is obtained when the sentences in a paragraph are arranged in
a logical order such that they follow together smoothly.
Characteristics of a Paragraph
The main characteristics of a paragraph are brevity and originality. By
brevity is meant the fact or a paragraph to be short, concise and straight to the
point. This counts a lot when writing a paragraph. It is not necessary for a
paragraph to be over loaded with issues that are uncalled for.
Transitions in Paragraph
A transition is a smooth movement from one point to the next usually
marked in discourse with transitional words or phrases such as ‘furthermore, on
the other hand’. Transitions help writers in showing how ideas relate to each
other or one another in a paragraph or a composition below are examples
Answers
1. This is the main sentence (central idea) that controls the whole essay.
2. This is the main sentence (central idea) that controls the whole
paragraph.
3. Topic sentence, unity and coherence
4. On the contrary, on the other hand, whereas, while etc.
A proper note-taking is a vital skill for study especially in higher learning (study).
Most words to note are information words which are usually nouns, verbs
and adjectives.
Generally, with more important information, the speakers will speak slower, louder
and they will direct their attention to the audience.
Some abbreviations are so common that they have now become acronym –
an abbreviation pronounced as a word.
e.g. ENAM, IRIC,
Exercise
1. State three importance of note –taking.
2. How can notes be taken down;
a. During lectures?
b. After lectures?
3. What possible symbols can be used when taking down notes?
Answers
See notes above.
Exercise
1. What is the difference between taking a turn and interrupting?
2. List the various turn-taking cues in conversation
Answers
1. Turn-taking is the polite way of talking after another person has stopped
talking while interruption deals with cutting in on someone to speak
when that person is still talking.
2. See notes above.
Handwriting
Good handwriting is one of the ingredients that make a good piece of work
attractive to the eyes. Writing is communication.
Good writing is one that is legible, readable, and respects the norms of the art (such
as correct use of upper case letters, etc).
Exercise
1. What do you understand by;
a. Scanning a text?
b. Skimming?
2. What is “peak hour”?
3. List 5 punctuation marks.
4. State four instances where a full stop is used.
5. When do we use capital letters? List three instances
Answers
1. See notes on scanning and skimming above.
2. Peak hour is the best time someone can study and understand best.
3. The full stop, comma, semi colon, colon and hyphen.
4. (see section on punctuation marks)
5. (see notes on capitalization)
The date
It is generally places one space below the sender’s address.
The Salutation
Begin with ‘Dear’, followed by the recipient’s name.If you don’t know the
recipient’s name, use ‘Dear Sir or Madam’. Use ‘Dear Sir/Madam’, if the
recipient’s sex is not known.
The Body
It comprises the content of the letter – the greeting, purpose and conclusion.
- Capitalise the first word in the closing and end it with a comma.
- The closing is determined by the salutation. If you salute by title only, then
close with ‘yours faithfully’ but if you use the recipient’s name in the
salutation, close with ‘yours sincerely’.
The signature
It is always placed below the complimentary close. It comes before the writer’s
name, not after.
Copy (CC)
If you copy any person(s), include the list of persons copied.
Formats
One of the distinguishing characteristics of formal letters is that they are written in
clearly defined formats. Format refers to layout or presentation on a page. Whether
we are writing an application for a job, a complaint, or a request for financial
assistance, the format for presentation does not change. Format generally involves
the position of the key elements we have identified above.
There arethree main formats that are used in most formal correspondence: the full
block, the semi-block, and the indented formats. Each of these is presented below.
Exercise
1. List five parts of a formal letter.
2. State the three formats of a formal letter.
3. What is the difference between enclosure and carbon copy?
Answers
1. Address, addressee, salutation, topic, body
2. The indented, semi-block and block formats
3. While enclosure deals with the list of documents that accompany a letter,
while carbon copy deals with the list of offices or persons that a copy of a
letter has been forwarded to.
Introduction
The main aim here is to improve the quality of written communication is English to meet
international norms and the evolution of administrative writing and oral communication
in English.
The issue at stake us for one too know the key principles, tools and techniques of
administrative letters will be known for students to master and use widely within
governmental and other public sector Organizations in Cameroon.
a) Be clear about the message you are seeking to communicate: think before you
write. Make sure you know the purpose and what you want the recipient to do.
Study the dossier, get to grips with the subject and make sure you know the main
facts. Never write anything you yourself do not understand.
b) Identify the target audience as precisely as you can . Put yourself in the shoes of
the person or organisation you are communicating with. Think about how much
they already know about the subject, how much interest they have in it and what
concerns they are likely to have. Adjust the language to suit the audience.
c) Keep it short and simple (KISS): put the message across as clearly, simply and
succinctly as you can. The longer and more complex the message, the less likely it
is to be remembered.
The administrative practice has been inherited from the French system (since, 1972).
Many administrative documents used in Cameroon are not used in the UK and have no
English equivalents. So, the titles, layout and content of many types of administrative
documents cannot easily be translated into English.
Exercise
1. State the three key principles to note when writing administrative letters.
- Know the message you are seeking to communicate.
REPLYING TO AN INVITATION
When you receive an invitation, it is necessary to send back a reply. Whether
positive or negative, feedback helps the sender to understand that the letter was
received, read and understood.
In replying to an invitation, you must restate all the five main points that must be in
the invitation; who, whom, why, where and when. If you are to play a peculiar role
at the occasion (in case of an occasion), you need to restate it in the reply. Then tell
them if you will be there or not (in case of an occasion).
If on the other hand you will not be able to make it, it is polite to inform them and
give the reason that prevents you from being present to that occasion. This makes
the sender to know well ahead of time and do some further adjustments.
Exercise
1. What is an invitation?
(see introductory notes above)
2. List the five main points that must be found in an invitation.
(see answer above)
Format
- CV has no standard format
- Format might change with respect to context
- Résumé should be easy to follow and attractive both structurally and content wise.
- Headings and subheadings should be underlined
- Leave wide margins and sufficient white space between the major sections of your
résumé.
- No needless detail
- A CV should contain four main things:
i) your life history
ii) your job history
iii) your achievements
iv) your skills
Content
Personal Details
- full names
- current address
- phone number
Exercise
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEVEL II
36
Draw up your curriculum vitae and submit to the lecturer.
CHAPTER TEN
MINUTES
Definitions
Agenda: List of points to be discussed at a meeting, in the order in which they shall be
handled.
AOB: (Any other business) or other matters points that are discussed which were not
stated on the agenda. AOB comes after the points on the agenda have been exhausted.
Adoption: Accepting minutes as binding on the association. When minutes have been
corrected, they are adopted which makes them official records of an association.
Matters arising: points read from the minutes but require further discussions
A motion: a formal proposal for some course of action to be taken. It means moving a
motion.
A resolution: is the course for action agreed on (decision taken) after deliberations of a
motion. Several motions could be moved on an issue, but only one resolution is generally
reached.
Language
Tense, voice, pronouns, should be noted.
Tense: Past tense (simple past, past perfect and past progressive) e.g. had received, was
preparing etc.
NB:
We use the active voice when the actor is clearly identified. If not use the passive,
e.g. the president observed that the financial secretary has misappropriated association
funds (active).
Pronouns: 3rd person pronoun forms as best for they are more impersonal.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEVEL II
38
- Reported speech should be used rather than direct speech.
Contents
- Follow the agenda
- Take important points
- Pause the meeting and ask for clarity when confuse on what resolution to put
down.
- For each point, sum the discussion relating to it and state the resolution if any.
Draw the attention of the chair if confused.
Layout
- Separate each point, i.e. present each point in a separate paragraph, or underline
each point.
Adhoc/extraordinary meetings
- Unplanned meetings
- Held to address a specific issue(s).
- Minutes differ from normal ones, for there is not reading of previous minutes.
NB: Opening, agenda, AOB, closing (depending on the issue)
The title: it contains the full name of the association, the date, venue and
time the meeting started.
Exercise
State and define five terms used in minutes of meetings.
(see notes above on definition of terms)
Types of Reports
- Committee reports
- Feasibility study reports
- Financial reports
- Individual performance appraisal reports – written by one’s immediate boss, to
determining if an employee is due promotion
- Project reports (states the progress of a project, the possible date of completion
and problems, etc)
- Research reports
- Visit reports (field trips, etc)
Format of a Report
- Short reports contain – title, summary, intro, body and conclusions.
- It should be consistent
- Wide margins and sufficient white space
- Use bullets and other forms of highlighting the note key point s
- Clear and easy to read
- Bold headings and subheadings
Components of a Report
1) Title page, table of contents, list of illustration (if needed)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEVEL II
42
Guides especially for busy readers of long reports who may not want to read the
whole report.
In a case where the report is under 750 words, the above is not needed. The report
is done in the form of a memorandum with appropriate headings, as
Date: (fill the date of the report)
To: (fill the recipient’s names and title)
From: (fill your name and job title or position)
Subject: (state the general topic of the report)
2) A concise introduction
This introduction should contain:
- A brief statement of the problem
- A recommendation/solution
- A method of implementation
The above constitute your focus.
The introduction is a summary of the most important section of the report. It is
important for the busy recipients, who need to know only the most important things.
3) Overview
This should describe
- The purpose of the report
- The problem to be examined
- The scope of the report, which is an enumeration of the alternative solutions to be
discussed later. The overview expands on materials outlined in the introduction.
6) Recommendations
This is a reiteration of the solution and the statement that reiterates the
implementation is made here.
Exercise
1. What is a report?
It is a true and accurate account of an event that has happened or is
happening.
2. When is a report considered long?
It is considered long when the words exceed 750.
3. What must a good report consider?
The audience, and purpose.
a) Tense
The time in which a project is written is of utmost importance. The researcher
should mostly employ the past tense. Here, the researcher is analyzing the data collected.
So, he writes on what was gathered, e.g. It was realized that …..
But when principles are to be explained, the simple present tense is used.
For instance:
The …. Principle holds that _____ is not _____. The reported speech is also
employed and not the direct speech,
b) Voice
Here, we are dealing with the Passive and Active voice. The passive voice is
preferable here. This is to avoid focusing on who did what. But rather focus is on what
was done. e.g. you don’t say ‘I discovered that …’ Rather, you say ‘It was discovered
that malaria is prevalent in the Littoral Region’.
NB:
The active voice should be used in describing technical situations.
Always try too distant the personality. e.g. Research was done on …..
You don’t say:
I went to the villages where malaria is prevalent.
Rather, you say:
Villages where malaria is prevalent were visited. Go back to those exercises on
passives.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEVEL II
45
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Technical Instructions
These are directives dished out for someone to follow strictly.
It is often written in the simple present tense and takes the forms of commands and
directives.
- Be short and precise
- Instruction speak for themselves
Diction
Your choice of words is conditional by the effect you want.
Here, you use scientific terms. So, you must watch your choice of words.
EXERCISE
SUMMARIZING DOCUMENTS
To summarize means to abridge, to condense, to abstracts, to epitomize and to
encapsulate. This involves making a synopsis, or giving a gist. Summary deals with key
points of a text and must be clear, coherent and compact so that anyone who reads it will
get the substance in the original text. Here, vagueness, verbosity and unnecessary
rambling is avoided.
Why it is important
- It helps retain important information that can be useful in examinations
- Helps to save time for a busy boss who has no time or opportunity to read the
original
- Thus, it helps for academic and professional success.
How to summarize
Differentiate between relevant and irrelevant points
3) Prepare an outline
This requires that the main ideas be selected from the body of the text and written
down, crossing out irrelevant expressions.
Exercise
2. Why do we summarize?