Use of connectives: In/at/on

Last week we ended our discussion talking about the use of connectives. We have some additional points on the connectives. Note that connectives do not always appear in the middle of sentences. Connectives can do different jobs.

They can indicate place, time or offer a reason for something.

They can help to organise information by adding sequencing, comparing, contrasting or qualifying. Here is a list of some connectives. Remember connectives can go at the start or in the middle of sentences: after, although, as, before, even though, if, otherwise, who, or, since, therefore, though, then, unless, until, whereas, where, when, while and yet.

Your writing will have more structures if you think about how ideas are grouped together into paragraphs. Here are some topic areas that might form the focus of a paragraph, or the reason to begin one: introduction or conclusion, place, time, new person, direct speech, new event and change of topic.

Letters and reports. The form and structure of some types of written communication, such as text messages, emails and informal letters can be quite straightforward. Formal letters and reports, however, are often more complicated.

Reminder of some key features of both letters and reports. Letters include your address and the date on the right-hand side. Reports use a title which states the subject briefly. Who is it for?

Do you know the recipient of your formal letter? “Dear Moyo” ends with “Yours sincerely” and signature. No name? “Dear Sir/Madam” ends with “Yours faithfully” and signature. On reports the first paragraph should outline the topic.

Later paragraphs should explore points fully. Again on letters, state the subject clearly in the first paragraph then continue. On reports the final paragraph should give recommendations.

Your writing will have more structure if you think about how ideas are grouped together into paragraphs. Here are some topic areas that might form the focus of a paragraph or the reason to begin one: introduction or conclusion, place time, new person, direct speech, new event and change of topic.

Always practise planning and writing texts. Before you tackle any writing activity, you need to ask yourself a number of questions. Ask yourself questions such as: what type of writing is needed? Who is the intended audience? What special features are needed? How will you conclude your writing? How will you introduce the topic and how will you arrange ideas into paragraphs?

Before beginning a piece of writing you need to consider several things: the purpose –why are you writing? Are you writing to entertain, persuade ,report, explain, and review or something else? Who is your audience? Who are you writing for; a friend, a boss, a child, a teacher or someone else? How about the layout? Should you write your text in paragraphs?

Does it need subheadings or does it need a letter layout? On top of that you should consider the tone to use in your writing: lively, light-hearted, serious, thoughtful or something different? What perspective should you use; first person (I), second person (you) or third person (he, she, it)?.

While you are writing, ensure that you are using: a variety of sentence lengths and style, a range of punctuation, interesting and varied vocabulary. When you have finished writing, check your spelling and punctuation. Talking about features on reports you have to address questions like: what (main topic/issue), where (more details) when? Who? Why?

Quotations, alternative view points) emotive language, reference to related events and long-term implications.

We cannot write without basics. Let us divert and go back to the basics. Prepositions in/at/on. We say that someone is at an event. For example; at a party/ at a concert/ at a conference/ at a football match. Were there many people at the party/ at the meeting? I saw Mike at the football match. I saw Linda at the concert.

We say at home, at work, at school, at university, at a station, at an airport, at sea (on a voyage), in bed, in hospital, in prison, on a farm. I will be at home in the evening. He spent two years in prison. John’s mother is in hospital. He worked on a farm for his entire life. You can often use in or at with buildings. You can stay at a hotel or in a hotel; you can eat in a restaurant or at a restaurant.

We usually say “at” when we say where an event takes place for example: a concert, a film, a meeting, a sports event. The meeting took place at the company’s headquarters. Where were you last night? “At the cinema” “At the theatre”. We say at someone’s home: I was at my friend’s home last night. (or I was at Frank’s last night. We use “in” when we are talking about the building itself.

The rooms in Mpofu’s house are very small. We usually say in which towns and village. Luke’s parents live in Bulawayo.

We say arrive in a country or town. When did he arrive in Zimbabwe? For views link with [email protected]/ sms to 0072113207.