Eng 121 Quiz #4

Rule 14. (1) When "the number" is used as the subject, it always takes a singular verb, no matter what the number of the noun in the prepositional phrase. (2) When "a number" is used as the subject, it always takes a plural verb because it does not denote a cohesive unit.

(1) Ex: The number of infant crib deaths has risen dramatically in the US this year. (2) Ex: A number of students have arrived at the bus stop 10 minutes late.

Narrative characteristics

1. The first characteristic is to introduce us to the story. 2. The second characteristic is to present a conflict and build toward a climax. 3. The third characteristic a narrative essay needs is dialogue. 4. The fourth characteristic of a narrative essay is a sequence of events. 5. And the last characteristic of the narration essay is point of view.

An effect is...

A result of some action; it's the consequences.

Narrative

Any type of writing that is primarily concerned with relating an event or series of events. Can be imaginary, as is a short story or novel, or factual, as is a newspaper account or a work of history. The word can be used interchangeably, which comes from the Latin word meaning "tell".

Reasons are...

Causes.

Why did something happen?

Causes= Reasons.

Causes lead to what?

Effects.

What are the consequences of something happening?

Effects= Results or consequences.

Orientation in a narrative essay.

Establishes the situation. It introduces the background, the setting, and the conflict.

Rule 8. With words that indicate portions-percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, etc.-you must look at the object of preposition to determine whether to use a singular or plural verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.

Ex. Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared. Pie is the object of the preposition of. Fifty percent of the pies has disappeared. Pies is the object of the preposition of. One third of the city is unemployed. One third of the people are unemployed. All of the pie is gone. All of the pies are gone. Some of the pie is missing. Some of the pies are missing.

Rule 7. The pronouns each, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, and somebody are singular. Do not be misled by what follows of.

Ex. Much, no one, nothing, every, it. Each of the girls sings well. Every one of the cakes is gone. Every bottle of soda was broken.

Rule 9. When either and neither are subjects, they take singular verbs.

Ex. Neither of them is available to speak right now.

Rule 11. Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.

Ex. Ten dollars is a high price to pay. Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

Rule 10. The words here and there are never subjects because they are not nouns. In sentences beginning with here or there, the true subject follows the verb.

Ex. There are four hurdles to jump. There is a high hurdle to jump.

Rule 5. As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.

Ex: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

Rule 15. When the pronouns both, few, many, and several are the subject of the sentence, they always take plural verbs.

Ex: Both of the children have blue shirts wrapped around their necks.

Rule 13. Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence.

Ex: Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence. Examples: The staff is in a meeting. Staff is acting as a unit here. The staff are in disagreement about the findings. The staff are acting as separate individuals in this example. The news media are under constant scrutiny from the public.

Rule 1. Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.

Ex: My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

Rule 2. Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a singular verb as in Rule 1.

Ex: Neither John nor Susan is available. Neither she nor I am going to the festival. Note: Am is singular and agrees with the subject closest to it.

Rule 4. When either/or or neither/nor connect a singular and plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb as in rule 3.

Ex: Neither John nor the others are available.

Rule 12. If the pronoun who, that, or which appears as the subject in the middle of the sentence, you must decide whether to follow it with a singular or plural verb. In order to decide, look at the noun directly in front of the who, that, or which. If it is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Ex: She is the secretary who write/writes the letters. The word in front of who is necessary, which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb writes. He is one of the men who does/do the work. The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.

Rule 3. When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.

Ex: The book or the magazines are on the shelf.

Rule 6. Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as, besides, not, etc. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.

Ex: The politician, along with the newsman, is expected shortly. Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Narrative essay's parts.

Orientation, complication, and resolution.

Resolution in a narrative essay.

Resolves the issues in the story before it ends; however, a resolution can also be ambiguous, meaning it leaves the reader to decide for himself how the story ends.

Effects are...

Results or consequences.

Basic rule of subject/verb agreement.

The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb while a plural subject takes a plural verb. The trick is knowing whether the subject is singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing a singular or plural verb.

Complication in a narrative essay.

The building of the conflict until it reaches a climax.

So, what's your purpose?

The cause and effect essay usually has a clear purpose; it's informative and/or persuasive.

Multiple Causes and One Effect Example

There could be multiple reasons why you chose to attend Saint Leo University; however, those reasons produced one effect: you attend Saint Leo.

Why do students at a university have to take composition classes? (Cause Ex. Q)

This question would lead the writer to seek reasons - or causes. -Improving your grammar -Learning to write better -The class is required

Thesis Statements

Use the questions you just answered to write an effective thesis statement. -Example for Causes: Students at universities take composition classes to improve their writing, their grammar, and because it is required. -Examples for Effects: Students who took composition classes at universities discovered their grammar and writing improved not only in their English, but in other classes as well. In addition, an essay can have multiple causes that produce one effect or one cause can produce multiple effects.

Basic rule hint.

Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an s nouns do. In order to determine which verb is singular and which one is plural, think of which verb you would use with he or she and which verb you would use with they.

Example of Effect

What were the consequences of students taking compositions at a university? This question leads a writer to seek results-or effects. -It improved your grammar and writing. -You passed the class and could register for ENG 122. -You got better grades in other classes because of your ability to write better.

Example: Talk, talks.

Which one is the singular form? Which word would you use with he? We say, "He talks." Therefore, talks is singular. We say, "They talk." Therefore, talk is plural.

Example of Cause and Effect

Why do students take composition classes, and what are the consequences of taking these classes? This question leads the writer to explain the reasons and the results.

One Cause and Multiple Effects Example

You plagiarized your paper because it was due tomorrow, however, the effects could be: fail the paper, fail the class, or get expelled. Essays usually explain the causes, the effects, or them both.