1.

Three stages in the writing process:

a) Planning
· Plan what you want to write. List down all points and arrange them in a logical and
suitable sequence.
b) Writing
· Pre-writing stage: gather all information to ensure there is substance in your writing
· Start writing in simple and plain English, then move to something more abstract an
expressive
· Adopt a plain, straightforward style when writing as this makes your work easy to
understand and reduces the chances of misunderstanding
c) Editing
· Check for grammatical errors and ensure that there is smooth language flow

2. Some possible problem areas that may turn out to be barriers to effective
communication:

a) Status/role: the sender and receiver may be of equal status within a hierarchy
(managers in organization) or they may at different levels (manager–employee).
b) Cultural differences: can be within or outside the organization (inter department
dealings; communication with outside organisations)
c) Choice of communication channels: sending message via inappropriate channels can
send out wrong signals and end up creating confusion
d) Length of communication: is the message too long or too brief?
e) Use of language: poor choice of words, weak sentence structure or inappropriate
punctuation can hamper communication
f) Disabilities: due to impaired sight, dyslexia and poor mental health
g) Known or unknown receiver: a known receiver may be able to understand the message
as both of you have common experiences; an unknown receiver may require more
information and time to decode the message
h) Individual perceptions/attitudes/personalities: consider the receiver’s personality
traits, age and preferred style (the elderly; children; young adults)
i) Atmosphere/noise/distraction: the surrounding can pose as barriers to effective
communication
j) Clarity of message: is the message conveyed in a clear or ambiguous manner?
k) Lack of feedback: feedback is important as it enables confirmation of understanding
by both parties

3.Communication: defined as the act of giving, receiving or exchanging information, ideas

and opinions so that the “message” is completely understood by both parties. Major
elements in the communication process: a sender, message, channel, receiver,
feedback, context.

4. Summary on models of communication

 Claude Shannon model: The importance of the encoding and decoding of information
 Roman Jakobson model: The contact is the medium of communication
 Ulric Neisser model: Perception is exploratory and recursive. Humans explore the
world or specific phenomenon guided by desires, needs, ideas and images
 Michael Polanyi model: The meaning that the reader discovers in the text may not
be as intended by the writer.
5. A sign is a form of language specifically meant to communicate certain information are
usually informative, regulatory, warning or prohibitory. For example, HANDICAP parking.
(Handicapped Accessible Sign)

A symbol is a form of a sign that may have deep meaning. It can be interpreted
differently by different people. For example, the WIFI symbol.

An abbreviation is a shortened or contracted form of word or phrase, used to represent

the whole as Dr. for (Doctor) or ASAP (As soon as possible).

6. Briefly describe the following models of communication:

Claude Shannon's model:
· The encoding and decoding of information is of primary importance.
· Encode is “to compose” a message, whilst decode means “to interpret” the message.
· The process of encoding information for transmission and of decoding
received information is affected by “noise”.
· Noise is interference on the channel or media through which the information is
transmitted. This can be external or inherent in the system.
Roman Jakobson’s model:
· In this model, the contact is your medium of communication. The contact can be
something simple (poster on the wall) or something complex (the Internet).
· The code is the language you write in. It includes the alphabet and the discourse
conventions we normally use in written communication. If the writer and the reader
use the same code, then communication is simpler.

7. Briefly explain the following models:

1. Ulric Neisser's model
· It presents perception as exploratory and recursive. This exploration gives us a new
perception or new information of the world which, in turn, affects our needs, desires and
worldviews. This again changes our perception of the world and so we begin our exploration
again. This cycle continues as long as we are still learning and exploring.
· This model is relevant in written communication. We write guided by our ideas,
beliefs, and motivations and as we write, we explore, discover and learn. The information
we produce triggers us to start thinking of new ideas. These new ideas influence our
beliefs, and so the exploration cycle begins again.
2. Michael Polanyi's model
· A person discovers meaning in an experience or context (i.e he watched a beautiful
sunrise). The person writes a text to express his appreciation and to convey the meaning
he had gained from the experience (through a poem, novel, essay, letter, journal entry).
· Someone else reads the text in another context (i.e by the beach) and derives
meaning from it.
· An important implication of this model is that the reader may not have shared in the
original experience but still derives meaning from the text.
· However, the meaning that the reader discovers in the text may not be that
intended by the writer. In other words, a text cannot convey an experience, only meanings.
8. Explain the four stages involved in essay writing ;

1. Pre-writing
2. Draft
3. Editing
4. Final draft/Essay

9.Describe the three most common essays found in academic writing

a) Explanation essay: starts with a general statement followed by a series of

explanations to support the statement
b) Argumentation essay: begins with a thesis statement, the writer’s opinion is
argued and restated again in the conclusion
c) Discussion essay: similar to argumentation essay but discusses both sides of the
issue and lets the readers decide for themselves

10. An essay consists of three sections: an introduction, the body and a conclusion.
Explain the content for each part of the essay
An introduction - there are three purposes: its capture the reader's interest, the
important of the essay's topic, and it ends with a thesis sentence.
Body Paragraph - begin with a topic sentence. If the thesis contains multiple points or
assertions, each body paragraph should support or justify them, preferably in the order
the assertions originally stated in the thesis.
Conclusion - Summary of the whole essay.

11. Argumentation essay

The introductory paragraph should provide a general explanation of the topic, some
background information and a thesis statement (your stand concerning the topic).
The body of the essay should have solid argument. Present the arguments in greater
detail with evidence to support your stand, and try to convince the audience why your
stand is the right one.
The conclusion is very important. Make your stand clear and not confusing. Remind your
readers about the issue, summarise the main points and re-emphasis your opinion.
The essay layout can be as basic as 1-3-1 comprising of 5 paragraphs:
 An introduction (one paragraph)
 Three arguments that support the thesis (three paragraphs)
 A conclusion (one paragraph).

12. Discussion essay

The term “discussion” refers to discussing both sides of an issue, or discussing the results
of a certain research and its implications.
In this type of essay, both sides of the issue are presented and the readers decide for
themselves which side of the fence they want to be on.
Cover both sides of the issue, provide evidence for your discussion, and weigh the evidence
to make your conclusion.
13. Explanation essay
The three structural style for writing the body of the essay : * Temporal Sequential : The
points of the essay are written in a pretty linear way, as a → b → c → d. Time markers are
usually used to begin each paragraph to show the process involved. * Cyclical : The main
points are presented in a cyclical manner. For example, when we write about the
hydrological cycle (formation of rainfall). * Cause and Effect : An example of this type of
essay would be explaining why traffic jams are common in a big city.

14. Explain the difference between bibliography and reference.

There is no such thing as bibliography in APA style. APA style uses text citations and
reference list to document sources.
Reference list and bibliography looks a lot alike. Both composed of entries arranged in
alphabetically by author. Bibliography contains all the works cited in paper, may include
other works that the author consulted. It contains only the sources that the author feels
are most significant or useful.
APA style, each reference cited in text must appear in reference list and each entry must
cited in text.

15. Ways to develop topic sentence:

a) Describing the topic sentence further
(Topic sentence) I received a beautiful red bicycle for my birthday. It has a small square
rattan basket at the front and a blinking red tail light to make it visible to others at night.
b) Providing reasons
(Topic sentence) This bank is better than that one. It gives out high interest rate on all
your savings regardless of the amount you deposited.
c) Defining and giving examples
(Topic sentence) Technology has made it possible to put GPS on your mobile phone. GPS or
Global Positioning System is a navigation tool that uses satellite technology to pinpoint
your location. For example, you can navigate from point A to point B simply by pressing a
few buttons.
16. Plagiarism means:
 Turning in someone else's work as your own;
 Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit;
 Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;
 Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation;
 Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving
credit; and
 Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your
work, whether you give credit or not
Most cases of plagiarism can be avoided by citing sources. Simply acknowledging that
certain material has been borrowed, and providing the readers with the information
necessary to find that source, is usually enough to prevent plagiarism.
Students should refrain from copying and pasting information from websites and e-
documents without proper citation. Avoid taking paragraphs or passages from other
sources, and inserting them into their own essay or research paper, and claiming all these
to be their own.