PUSAT PENGAJIAN

PENDIDIKAN JARAK JAUH

Academic Planner

JUE 200/2
ENGLISH I
2013/2014 Academic Session

JUE 200/2 ENGLISH I

LECTURER: DR. PUVANESWARY MURUGAIAH
E-mail address: ampuva@usm.my
Tel. No: 04-6535936
INTRODUCTION
JUE 200 is an intermediate level English proficiency course offered by the School of
Distance Education (PPPJJ). It is meant for students who have passed JUE 100 English
course and those who have secured a band 4 score in MUET.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
This course is a continuation of JUE 100. It is designed to improve your
the four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) as
grammar and vocabulary at the intermediate level. It is hoped that this
encourage you to use the language more frequently and effectively
activities.

proficiency in
well as your
course would
in your daily

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, you must be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

use grammar structures accurately and demonstrate a good range of vocabulary

speak and express yourself clearly in English in a group
read and comprehend a variety of texts
listen for information in various types of oral texts effectively
write short essays in the English language
express your views clearly in the written form

COURSE MATERIALS
The book used for this course is English Result (Intermediate Students Book) by
Mark Hancock & Annie McDonald. By attempting the tasks provided in each of the 12
units in this book, you can learn and practice English on your own. Moreover, the JUE
200 test questions will be similar to those found in the book. Therefore, it is important
for you do the exercises given in the book.
Supplementary notes and exercises on grammar, reading and writing will be posted on
the e-learning portal of PPPJJ portal (http://el.usm.my). You are also encouraged to
read other English texts and practise using the language as much as you can.

COURSE ASSESSMENT
A.

Coursework (60%)
i.
Assignment : Short essay
ii.
Oral test :
iii. Continuous Assessment (Test) :

20%
20%
20%

Final Examination :

40%

Assignment (20%) Short Essay

Write a short essay of 250-300 words on ONE of the following topics.
Suggest ways to improve the Intensive Course conducted by the School
of Distance Education (PPPJJ), USM.
OR
Write a descriptive essay describing the School of Distance Education
(PPPJJ), USM.
General rules and guidelines
1. This is an individual assignment and not group work.
2. If you choose to write an expository essay, make sure it consists of three main
elements: introduction, content and conclusion. The introductory paragraph should
introduce the topic. There must be two or three content paragraphs. Each content
paragraph can highlight a problem and recommend ways to overcome it. In the
concluding paragraph, you may summarize your points, give an overall view of the
topic etc. . Please refer to notes in this planner.
3. If you choose to write a descriptive essay, make sure it contains the relevant
features that are important in describing a place. Please refer to notes in this
planner.
4. All essays must be typed in 12 point Times New Roman font and must be doublespaced.
5. Use the cover page that will be posted on the e-learning portal for your assignment.
6. Warning: NO marks will be awarded for copying; that is, for identical essays.
7. Late submission WILL NOT be entertained. Some of your seniors obtained no
marks for their assignments due to late submission. So please submit before the
final date.
Date of submission: 30 November 2013
8. All assignments MUST be submitted online. The procedure on online submission will
be notified through the e-portal.

Oral test (20%)

For the oral test, you will be tested in a group. More details of the test will be posted on
the e-portal.
Continuous Assessment (20%)
The test will be held during the intensive course. You will be tested on listening and
grammar.
Final examination (60%)
In the final examination, you will be tested on reading comprehension.
INTENSIVE COURSE
The intensive course will be held from 21th January to 14th February 2014.
COUNSELING
You can contact me for clarifications, advice and academic counseling.
Postal address: Dr. Puvaneswary Murugaiah
JUE 200 Course Co-ordinator
Pusat Pengajian Pendidkan Jarak Jauh
Universiti sains Malaysia
Please check the portal for updates on the course.
I wish you all the best in your studies. Good luck!
Puvaneswary Murugaiah
EXPOSITORY WRITING
Expository essays are formal essays. When you write expository essays, you express
your opinion on a certain topic by providing facts. In other words, you analyze a topic
factually.
Three main components make up an expository essay: introduction, body/content and
conclusion.
Introduction: This paragraph introduces the topic. The main feature in the introduction
is the thesis statement. The thesis statement states what the whole essay is about. It is
the controlling idea that is developed in the content paragraph. For example:

There are several causes of air pollution.

In my view, studying locally is better than studying overseas due to several reasons.
Drug addiction is the main problem faced by Malaysian youths today.

Body/Content: The content paragraphs support the thesis statement. Usually, each
content paragraph has a main idea followed by supporting sentences. A main idea states
what the whole paragraph is about. It is the controlling idea of that paragraph. Usually
the main idea is contained in one sentence that is called the topic sentence. The
remaining sentences in a content paragraph are called supporting sentences because
they contain details that support the main idea or topic sentence. These details are
developed using examples, explanation, facts, comparison, description etc.
Besides the main idea/topic sentence and supporting sentences, unity, coherence and
adequate development are essential elements of a good paragraph. Unity means
oneness. More specifically, each idea in the paragraph should clearly support the one
main idea as expressed in the topic sentence. Normally there should not be any
information that is irrelevant, that does not support the main idea of the paragraph.
Coherence means that the sentences within a paragraph are linked smoothly. This can
be achieved by using transition words such as furthermore, however, in contrast,
whereas, also and others. In addition to unity and coherence, the paragraph should
also be adequately developed; that is, through explanation, illustrations etc.
Conclusion: This paragraph concludes the essay. You can conclude by summarizing the
points, stating you position, providing suggestions etc. Make sure your conclusion is
appropriate and effective.
Here is an outline of an expository essay.
Introduction

Body/content

Conclusion

Introduces the topic

Brief introduction
Can be a definition or an explanation of the topic
Make it interesting
Thesis statement (main idea that will be developed in the essay).
Topic sentence (main idea of each paragraph)
Supporting sentences (provide details by explaining, comparing,
giving examples etc.)
Link ideas using transition words
Summary of main points
Emphasize the thesis statement
Give suggestions or make prediction

The Writing Process

Before you start writing an essay, it is important for you to (a) prepare the points and
(b) draw an outline of the essay. These steps would make it easy for you to write the
essay. Moreover, your essay will be organized. Let us look at an example.
Title: The Internet has brought about many changes that are beneficial to
society. Do you agree?
1. Preparing points: There are many ways of getting the points for an essay. You can
brainstorm or draw a mind map of the points, as shown in the diagram below.

Easy research
No waste of times
while searching

More examples

Instant communication
chat, e-mail

Advantages of
World Wide Web

Sending/provides
photographs, files at
almost no cost

Wide range of sources

Can see the governmental

organizations pages

Accessibility of documents
Banking no queues

2. Drawing an outline: It is important for you to draw an outline of the essay to ensure
that there is a thesis statement in the introduction, topic sentences in each content
paragraph, supporting ideas that support the topic sentences and an appropriate
conclusion. Besides that, following an outline prevents you from including irrelevant
information or details. Here is an example of an outline for the above topic.

Outline of the Essay

Introduction
The Internet crucial useful invention
gree with writer lot of advantages
Body
Point 1 - Important role in the world of communication
Easy and inexpensive ways to communicate emails, messenger, chatting,
teleconferencing, blogging
Saves time deliver messages in seconds
No need post office
Point 2 - Access to a wealth of information
Various fields business, education, science and entertainment
Easy to get and free
Powerful tool for students assignments and projects promotes learning
No need to spend hours browsing for information
Point 3 - Major role in the field of entertainment
Download songs, music
Watch sports events
Play online games
Download movies no need to give to the cinema
Conclusion
Undeniable many advantages
Marvelous creation paved way for progress
Make full use of the Internet benefit mankind

Introduction
Topic sentence/Point 1
Supporting ideas:
Elaboration/examples
Further elaboration

Comment/opinion
Topic sentence/Point 2
Supporting ideas:
Elaboration
Further elaboration

opinion
Topic sentence/Point 3

Supporting ideas:
Elaboration/examples
Conclusion
suggestion
and ending

In this era of science and technology, the Internet plays

a crucial part in our lives. It is one of the most useful
inventions of all time. It has brought us a lot of advantages
in various aspects.
Firstly, the Internet plays an important role in the world
of communication. This is because the Internet offers easy
and inexpensive ways to communicate such as e-mails,
messenger, chatting, teleconferencing and blogging.
Besides that, the Internet also saves time as messages can
be delivered in a matter of seconds. Today, we do not need
to go to the post office to post a letter in order to contact
family or friends. Snail mail has become history.
Other than that, the Internet also enables us to gain
access to a wealth of information with just a click of the
mouse. Information from various fields such as business,
education, science and entertainment from all over the
world is not only easily obtainable but most of it is also free
of charge. In education, the Internet is a very powerful tool
for students for the completion of their assignments or
projects. In other words, the Internet helps to promote
students' learning. Students of today need not spend hours
browsing through volumes of books from cover to cover to
obtain information.
Apart from that, the Internet also plays a major role in
the field of entertainment. We can download songs, music,
watch sports and even play games via the Internet. We can
entertain ourselves by just sitting in front of the computer.
On top of that, we clan also download films and watch them
on our computer screens instead of going through the
hassle of going to the cinema.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that the Internet brings us
many advantages. It is a marvelous creation that has paved
the way for progress. Let us not point our fingers at the
Internet for the very few negative aspects that come with
the package. Instead, we should make full use of the
Internet to benefit mankind.

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
When you describe something or someone, you give a picture in words to your
readers. To make the word picture as vivid and as real as possible, you must observe
and record specific details that appeal to your readers' senses. A descriptive
paragraph needs sharp and lively details.
Features of a good descriptive essay:

1.

Appeals to all the senses: - sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste so as to make
a description come alive.

2.

The procedures are stated in a logical order/sequence.

3.

The essay should stress the description of the subject, and not a narration of
a chronology of events.

I.

Description of a place:

(i)

General details location, plan, atmosphere

(e.g. calm, tense, serene etc.)

(ii)

Specific details people, buildings, infrastructure, plants, animals etc.

(iii) Coherence
This can be achieved by developing order in your organisation.

Physical order utilise transition words like:

To the left
To the right

(iv)

next to
across from

above
below

on the opposite side

nearby

Spatial relationships and size distance, length, width, breadth etc.

Any special order that can arrange your word pictures appropriately.

Sense details words used to describe things one sees, hears,

smells, tastes, and touches.
Eg:

See

Hear

Smell

Taste

Touch

Colourful
Gloomy

noisy
ringing

foul
aroma

bitter
salty

rough
sticky

(v)

It answers these questions

Where is it?
What does the place look like? What are other sounds, smells, touch
tastes that can be associated with it?
What are its surrounding thins/areas made of/constitute of?
Feelings and opinions about the place: how do you feel about the
place?
Why do you feel that way?

Analyse these two examples:

(i)

A mat covers the living room.

(ii)

A thin mat, made from mengkuang leaves is laid on the wooden floor,
wall to wall across the airy living room. It is rich in colour, woven
intricately in a traditional pattern of blue, green and cream. If you
walk on it, your feet can feel the pleasant sensation of its roughness.

The scenery during dusk at Feringgi is breathtaking.

II.

During dusk, the crimson sunset at Feringgi is very breathtaking. The

wind blows gently, and the Casuarina trees sway in a dance. You can
almost taste the slightly salty air on your lips as the waves hit the
beach in a melodious rhythm.

Description of a person
Here are a few points to remember when writing a descriptive essay about a
person.
(i)

General details: character, first impression, and relationship with you

(ii)

Specific details:
Development should elaborate on:

(iii)

physical features (e.g. tall, slim, wavy hair, round face etc.)
character e.g. cheerful, aggressive, good-natured, helpful, caring etc.)
habits/likes and dislikes: (e.g. smoking, likes to drive fast etc.)
interests/hobbies: (e.g. watching television, reading etc.)
others (e.g. career/work, achievements, family etc.)

Coherence
Development of your essay must follow a certain order like the above.

(iv)

It answers these questions

who is she/he
what does she/he look like? What are other sounds, smells, touch,
tastes that can be associated with her/him?
what is her/his character and personality like?
what does she/he do/like to do/hate to do etc?
feelings and opinions about the person:
how do you feel about him/her?
why do you feel that way?

JUE200-[AP+A]2013/14
12.8.2013-PM/sari

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