2.

(Intrapersonal /Interpersonal) communication takes place within one’s own

self?
3. (Intrapersonal/Interpersonal) communication encompasses communicating
with the divine and with spirits in form of prayers and rituals.
4. List down 5 barriers of effective Communication:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5. List down different types of effective Communication flow:
1.
2.
3.
4.

State whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F)
6. Good interpersonal skills are inherited and cannot be inculcated .
7. When verbal and non-verbal messages clash, receivers tend to believe the non – verbal
messages .
8. Communication helps management only to make accurate decisions to influence
organizational performance positively .
9. Business communication is both highly formal and unstructured .
10. (i) Proper planning rightly enclosed message, understanding other cultures and
conductive communication may help in overcoming interpersonal barriers .
(ii) Sometimes the messages received is not the same as the message sent, is this called
breakdown in communication? .

ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES OF PARAGRAPH

STRUCTURE OF PARAGRAPH
In a broader way, a paragraph can be divided into three major parts:
 Topic sentence/introducer
 Supporting details/developers
 The concluding sentence/terminators

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I. TOPIC SENTENCE
The sentence that introduces the main idea in a paragraph is called the topic sentence. At times,
however, the topic sentence can also be seen hidden somewhere in middle of the passage, since
topic sentence is used to emphasis the main idea of the passage it should not be hidden. Topic
sentence performs two major functions:

Structural: It describes the shape of the argument.

Structural topic sentence takes the following openings:
1. There are three main reasons for the high inflation rate in Indian economy at present.
2. Positive thinking has several benefits.
3. Meditation, which is an intensely personal and spiritual experience, leads to three major
important results.
4. There are various causes for underemployment in urban areas.

Interpretive: It offers a conclusion or reaction or felling.

Interpretive topic sentence takes the following conclusion:
High, low, widespread, limited, half, suitable, beneficial, serious, shocking or disturbing.
II. SUPPORTING DETAILS
Just it is as important to understand the structure of paragraph, it is very important for us to
learn ways to construct a good, emphatic, and effective paragraph. Let us learn the supporting
strategies and transitions to make a paragraph stronger.

Supporting Strategies

Comparisons And Contrasts

Sustained Analogy

Cause And Effect

Quotations And Paraphrasing

Definitions

Facts, Figures, Examples

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Supporting Transitions
In constructing a paragraph there are many words and phrases are meant for different purposes.
Look at the table below;

Transitional and Connective Devices Purpose

Therefore, consequently, as a result Establish cause and effect

While, meanwhile, in the meantime, Suggest simultaneous actions

simultaneously, even as

For instances, for example, especially, such Cite examples and illustrations
as, again, to illustrate

However, in contrast, on the other hand, yet, Contrasting the preceding idea
in spite of, but, though, nevertheless

To sum up, to summarize, in brief, in short, Summarizing the foregoing discussion

in nut shell

Accordingly, for this reason, so that, in order Highlight the purpose for which the
to, purposefully argument is made

To clarify, conversely, namely, in order to, in Used to clarify the preceding statement
other words, to rephrase it

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 Since, because, as, for, on account of, due to Used to highlighting the cause and reason
the fact, for that reason

III. THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE

In a conclusion paragraph, you summarize what you’ve written about in your paper. When
you’re writing a good conclusion paragraph, you need to think about the main point that
you want to get across and be sure it’s included. If you’ve already written a fabulous
introductory paragraph, you can write something similar with different wording. Here are
some points to remember:

 Use your introductory paragraph as a guide. You may have started by saying,
“There are three classes at school that I absolutely can’t wait to go to every day.”
You can start your conclusion by saying, “Gym, Math, and Art are the three classes
I try to never miss.”

 If it’s a longer paper, a good place to start is by looking at what each

paragraph was about. For example, if you write a paper about zoo animals, each
paragraph would probably be about one particular animal. In your conclusion, you
should briefly mention each animal again. “Zoo animals like polar bears, lions, and
giraffes are amazing creatures.”

 Leave your readers with something to think about. Suggest that they learn more
with a sentence like, “We have a lot to learn about global warming.” You can also
give them something to do after reading your paper. For example, “It’s easy to
make your own popsicles. Grab some orange juice and give it a try!”

 So, if we use shapes to demonstrate the content’s, it would look like this:

Introduction

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 Thesis statement
Body of Paragraph

Rephrased thesis statement

Conclusion

Play the “So What” Game.

When you read a statement from the conclusion, ask yourself, “So what?” or “Why
should anybody care?” Ponder that question and answer it.

Directions 1 to 10: Solve the following questions.

1. Good (listening skills/writing skills) allows you to communicate your
message with clarity and ease.

2. (listening/writing) takes place to a far larger audience than through face-

to-face or telephone conversation.

3. (listening/writing) is the process the reader should be introduced with the

subject.

4. (reading/writing) outlines in identifying which steps to take in which

order.

5. (reading/writing) involves use of headings, subheadings, bullet points, and

numbering whenever possible to break up your text.

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 6. (listening/writing) adds up graphs and charts, a smart way to break up text.

7. Questions help keep the reader engaged and curious in (listening/writing).

8. Good paragraph principles are

a) Variety and order
b) How evidence is connected
c) Benefits to organize ideas into paragraphs
d) Begin a paragraph with a topic sentence and end it in conformity with the beginning
e) All the above

9. Good paragraph principles are

a) The example paragraph illustrates a point with an example
b) It doesn’t validate an actual way how evidence is connected
c) Uses precise details creating clear impression of person, place, object, and time
d) Helps show the structure of conception and ideas
e) Having a single sentence that visibly speaks its point

10. Good paragraph principles have

a) A concluding sentence that wraps up the main ideas or acts as a lead – in to the next
paragraph
b) An array of sentences prepared and related to a specific topic
c) A comparison paragraph expresses similarities between two or more items
d) Having a supporting evidence or analysis

ART OF CONDENSATION (Précis and Essay Writing)

Just as it is difficult to be simple, it is difficult to be precise in what we speak and write.
In fact at times you see some of the people around you complaining that it was not possible for
them to deliver a two minutes speech though they could fairly well deliver a ten-minute talk!
However, in professional situations, one must be in a position to express oneself not just
elaborately but also briefly. In this section, we will look at some principles of the art of
condensation (Précis).

Be brief and precise, Be complete, Be choosy, Be original, Be coherent, Be clear.

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I. PRÉCIS

Précis is a summary. Précis writing is an exercise in compression. A précis is the gist of a

passage expressed in as few words as possible. A précis should give all essential points so that
anyone reading it will be able to understand the idea expressed in the original passage.

Note that précis writing is different from paraphrasing. In a paraphrase you should give all the
details: you should not leave out any details. A paraphrase will be at least as long as and
sometimes longer than the original. A précis, on the other hand, must always be shorter than
the original. It should express only the main theme that too as briefly as possible.

How long should a précis be?

There are no rigid rules regarding the length of a précis. But as a general rule, it should not
contain more than a third of the total number of words in the original passage.

Uses of précis writing

Most people read carelessly and fail to fully comprehend the meaning of the passage. Précis
writing forces them to pay attention to what they read because no one can write a summary of
a passage unless they read it carefully. So summarizing teaches one to read with concentration.

Précis writing also improves your overall writing skills. It teaches you how to express your
thoughts clearly, concisely and effectively. You learn to choose your words carefully and
construct your sentences in a logical and concise manner.

Seven step ladder to writing an effective Précis

1. Read and Comprehend – Read the original piece of writing as many times as you
require, ensuring that you have understood what the author has expressed in his/her
words.

2. Prepare a skeleton of the main ideas – Having read and understood the passage,
identify all main and subordinate ideas and jot them down one by one. This gives you
a clear view of all the ideas that are to be incorporated while writing the précis.

3. Assimilate the essentials – Assimilate whole thought embedded in a passage, to

achieve this you need to focus on each of the points noted down by you and rephrase

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 them in your words. This will help you reshape the overall idea of the original passage
in your words without distorting or losing its sense.

4. Think of a title – Once you have understood the passage, focus on the central idea and
think of a suitable title based on it.

5. Prepare the first draft – While preparing the first draft, remember to neither delete
any important idea nor add anything of your own. Focus on the idea observed and
assimilated thus far and try to capture the spirit of the original in as few words as
possible.

6. Review and compare - Having written it once, read your version with a view to
observing whether it matches original. At this stage you can also count the number of
words used in the précis, compare the length of your passage to that of the original.

7. Edit and revise – Having reviewed your first effort critically, you can now revise your
draft and shape it as the final version of your précis. At this final step of précis writing,
incorporate all the alterations, modifications, and changes you thought of while
reviewing your first draft.

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II. ESSAY
An essay is generally a short piece of writing outlining the writer’s perspective or story. It is often
considered synonymous with a story or a paper or an article, let us learn about types of essays,
format, and tips for good essay-writing.

TYPES OF ESSAYS

1. Argumentative Essays
An essay that is written to contend an established view is argumentative in nature and is known as
argumentative essay, for example:
Cancer is generally regarded as a disease of severe physiological disorder. Most of us believe that
the malignant growth of tumor is caused by the chaotic and aggressive disorder in the human
metabolism which leads to an aggressive growth of dead cells in our body. Cancer thus is
essentially seen as a disease rooted in a physical disorder. The recent studies, however suggest
that cancer can be rooted in our attitude and can be linked to the way we think, feel, and perceive
the world around us…

In the argumentative essay therefore, the author is often keen to challenge the established notion.
Because of this, such essays are also known as point-of-view essays. It is always helpful to state
the rationale behind the existing idea before suggesting the alternative view.

2. Analytical essays
An analytical essay often reviews a book, movie, topic, situation, or a given text by bringing
to the fore its subtle nuances, for example:

Set in the turbulence of partition times, the novel brings to the fore the lurking sense of
insecurity and incertitude that ticks the characters in the story. As the plot develops, the initial
calm suggesting harmony and peace gives way to discord and desperation that sets in the
people of both the communities. The novel is remarkable for its ruthless yet objective depiction
of reality as lack of political will and administrative commitment lead to aggravation of the
situation. The minute details with which the novel observes the sense of restlessness and
nervous anxiety that sets in the environment are suggestive of the author’s psychological
penetration into the working of the mind.

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While reading an analytical essay, we need to carefully observe the finer aspects of a work of
art, situation, text book, or topic and highlight all its subtleties.

3. Descriptive essays
A descriptive essay is written to get the reader the specific and concrete details of a situation
or an object. In this essay, the author primarily harps on his/her senses to help the reader
virtualize, feel, or enjoy the object of description and reflects the author personality. Take a
look at a part of one such essay:

The scene at the airport is so very special. You don’t generally see so many people presenting
themselves in such a disciplined way. One thing that keeps airport strikingly different from
other public places is the fact that the number of people going around with a smile on their
face far exceeds than at any other similar terminus such as a railway station or bus stand.

4. Expository essays
Unlike an argumentative essay, an expository essay is meant to explain a topic without giving
author’s opinion. It is essentially designed to convey a piece of information with the reader so
that he/she comes to know about a situation, topic, fact, or a state. The tone of this essay is
often detached, objective, and matter of fact as rather than establishing the author’s point of
view, it is meant to impart to the reader the information and knowledge that the author
possesses. Take a look at a part of one such essay:

Health insurance refers to a system for the advance financing of medical expenses through
contribution. When proposed as a public policy by a government, people have the facility to
pay their contribution or taxes into a common fund to pay for all part of the health services
specified in an insurance policy or law. Benefits under scheme may range from the right to
certain medical services or reimbursement of the insured for specified medical costs. It also
offers with wide range of flexibilities, private policy holders are required to pay for a certain
period of time towards health insurance and are offered reimbursement or cash –free facilities
as per the terms and conditions initially agreed upon….

5. Reflective or Philosophical essays

A Reflective or philosophical essay is meant to discuss a profound and deep issue. In such
essays, the author discusses universal human issues, such as life, death, love, faith, truth, etc.

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Since the subject matter of a philosophical essay is universal, the authors rise above the
immediate and mundane, universalizing the personal. Take a look at a part of one such essay:

Peace is not simply the absence of war. A truly peaceful society is one in which everyone can
maximize their potential and build fulfilling lives from threats to their dignity. A transformation
in the inner life of a single individual can spur and encourage similar changes in others, and
as this extends into society. It generates a powerful vortex for peace that can steadily shape the
directions of events. The collective impact of ‘ordinary citizens,’ awakened and empowered, can
propel humankind toward the twin goals of genuine disarmament and a flourishing culture of
peace.

Components of an Essay
(A) Introduction
(B) Main body – development of an idea
(C) Conclusion

Tips for good Essay

 Analyze the essay prompt
The most important step in writing an essay or research paper is to fully
comprehend the essay question. An essay can be wonderfully articulated and thought
out, but will still result in a poor grade if it doesn’t adequately answer the prompt
provided. Break the prompt down into two parts.

1. What is the prompt directly asking?

o What is the essay topic?
o What research do I need to do to fully understand the topic?
o How long does the essay need to be?
2. What is the prompt indirectly asking?
o Is the prompt asking for my opinion, the opinion of credible scholarly sources,
or facts?
o How can I relate this essay topic to what we have covered in class?
Once these questions have been answered, you can begin constructing your essay.

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  Create a thesis statement

Start your essay with a thesis statement that will guide your entire paper. Based on the
prompt, what do you want to argue in your essay? Your thesis statement should be concise,
but incorporate all the main points you'd like to address in your paper. Continually refer to
your thesis statement when writing your essay and make sure to never stray from your main
points. A good thesis statement can be the difference between an A and a B.

 Make an outline

Use an outline to plan out your essay/research paper before writing it. Working from your
thesis statement, plot out how you want your paper to flow and what information you want to
include. This will make writing the full draft of your paper much easier

 Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence

Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence, which expresses the main idea of the paragraph.
Each paragraph should contain quotes or contextual information to defend your topic
sentence and thesis statement.

 Use credible sources

Quotes and contextual information are important for establishing credibility and supporting
your argument, so make sure that the quotes and information are coming from credible
scholarly sources. Examples of scholarly sources include academic journals, peer-
reviewed articles, textbooks, books by accredited authors, and NPR articles. Examples
of unacceptable scholarly sources are magazine articles, open forum submissions,
encyclopedia entries, and unverified online sources. If you’re looking for credible sources to
use within your essay, check out Google Scholar.

 Conclude your essay

Your conclusion should always begin by restating your thesis statement. This is your chance
to tie all of your main points together and go out with a bang. A good conclusion will
address the main arguments of each body paragraph in a succinct way and thoroughly
prove your thesis statement.

 Proofread, then proofread again

Reviewing is critical to composing a great essay. Some teachers won't even finish reading
essays if they're not grammatically sound or riddled with spelling errors. Here are a few ways
to make your essay/research paper more academically acceptable and better overall.

 Take out all conjunctions (aren’t, don’t, couldn’t, etc.). This will make your paper
longer and is more appropriate for academic writing.

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  Print out your paper, read it, and mark it up. You will notice more errors when
reading it this way than on a computer screen.
 Have friends or parents read it. A second set of eyes can catch any mistakes you
missed.
 Read it out loud. This will help with grammar mistakes. If it sounds wrong, it
probably is.

Directions 1 to 20: Solve the following questions.

1. writing is an exercise in compression (it is the gist of a passage expressed in
as few words as possible).

2. should not contain more than a third of the total number of words in the
original passage.

3. writing forces them to pay attention to what they read because no one can
write a summary of a passage unless they it carefully. So teaches
one to read with concentration.

4. teaches you how to express your thoughts clearly, concisely and effectively.

5. What kind of writing is a precise writing?

A. Formal
B. Informal
C. Both
D. None

6. Which of the following points should be avoided while writing a precise?

A. Full forms

B. Abbreviations

C. Historical facts

D. None of the above

7. The details found in the must match the details found in the paragraph.

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 8. The three grammatical rules you need to follow while writing a précis are:

9. If you are mentioning anything related to history or any historical data then make sure
that it is written in the tense only.

10. Writing a Precise of a given passage

Sample Passage:
There is an enemy beneath our feet - an enemy more deadly for his complete
impartiality. He recognizes no national boundaries, no political parties. Everyone in the
world is threatened by him. The enemy is the earth itself. When an earthquake strikes,
the world trembles. The power of a quake is greater than anything man himself can
produce. But today scientists are directing a great deal of their effort into finding some
way of combating earthquakes, and it is possible that at some time in the near future
mankind will have discovered a means of protecting itself from earthquakes. An
earthquake strikes without warning. When it does, its power is immense. If it strikes a
modern city, the damage it causes is as great as if it has struck a primitive village. Gas
mains burst, explosions are caused and fires are started. Underground railways are
wrecked. Buildings collapse, bridges fall, dams burst, and gaping crevices appear in
busy streets. If the quake strikes at sea, huge tidal waves sweep inland. If it strikes in
mountain regions, avalanches roar down into the valley. Consider the terrifying
statistics from the past 1755: Lisbon, capital of Portugal - the city destroyed entirely
and 450 killed. 1970: Peru: 50,000 killed. In 1968 an earthquake struck Alaska. As this
is a relatively unpopulated part, only a few people were killed. But it is likely that this
was one of the most powerful quakes ever to have hit the world. Geologists estimate
that during the tremors, the whole of the state moved over 80 feet farther west into the
Pacific Ocean. Imagine the power of something that can move an entire subcontinent!
This is the problem that the scientists face. They are dealing with forces so immense
that man cannot hope to resist them. All that can be done is to try to pinpoint just where
the earthquake will strike and work from there. At least some precautionary measures
can then be taken to save lives and some of the property. (330 Words)

11. A essay is when the writer is narrating an incident or story through the essay.

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12. A essay in which the writer will describe a place, an object, an event or maybe
even a memory.

13. A essay when done well will make the reader feel the emotions the writer was
feeling at the moment.

14. In essays a writer presents a balanced study of a topic. To write such an essay,
the writer must have real and extensive knowledge about the subject.

15. In essays the purpose of the essay is to get the reader to your side of the
argument. It is not just a presentation of facts but an attempt to convince the reader of the
writer’s point of view.

16. What is a “thesis statement” of essays?

17. List down the format/general structure of essay.

18. An is defined as "a short piece of writing that expresses information as well
as the writer's opinion".

19. Define term “Brainstorming” in an essay.

20. Write a short essay (any topic).

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