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Sample
Assignments/Exercises
(Cognitivists)
Below are the assignments/exercises we placed under the
cognitivist camp:
We already noted that teaching
grammar is not a high priority for cognitivists.
However, teaching students to write clearly and efficiently
is one of their goals, and we should use exercises and
drills to teach these aspects. The following three exercises
would work to help achieve this goal in both English 110 and
111.
Active/Passive Voice
Directions: Below are ten sentences--five contain
active voice, and five contain passive. Circle the five that
are passive. Then below each sentence that is passive,
rewrite the whole sentence to make it active.
1. Another proponent of affirmative action makes a
strong argument in favor of the precept.
2. In the succeeding pages, both sides will be
examined.
3. Marriage is defined by the Webster's Dictionary as
the social institution under which a man and a woman live as
husband and wife by legal or religious commitments.
4. Angela also expresses the importance of talking about
your feelings.
5. Many people are challenging that definition these
days.
6. If a student does not have enough sense to know when
to quit, he/she shall suffer the consequences.
7. Women are often not treated as equals.
8. It is believed that the world will come to an
end.
9. She cites examples of discrimination still taking
place.
10. Three mistakes were made.
Sentence Combining
Directions: Combine each of the following sets of
short sentences into one sentence. Be sure to combine all
sentences in each set. Work in groups of three.
1. The cat eyed its prey.
2. The cat was scruffy.
3. The cat was yellow.
4. The prey was imaginary.
5. The cat eyed it craftily.
6. It eyed it tauntingly.
7. It even eyed it murderously
Combined Sentence:
1. Oil massages you.
2. The oil is bath oil
3. It is Beauty's oil.
4. The massaging is gentle.
5. The massaging is soothing.
6. The massaging is almost loving.
Combined Sentence:
1. We tend to use technologies.
2. The technologies are new.
3. Our use of them is profuse.
4. Our use is unwise.
5. Our use is even harmful.
Combined Sentence:
1. H. L. Mencken criticized foibles.
2. The foibles belonged to society.
3. The society was American
4. The criticism was witty.
5. It was sarcastic.
6. It was often unmerciful.
Combined Sentence:
1. The lecturer droned.
2. The lecturer was nondescript.
3. The lecturer was balding.
4. The droning went on and on.
5. The droning was mechanical.
6. It was monotonous.
7. It was interminable.
Combined Sentence:
Go to Top
Focus, Organization, Development, and
Clarity
Directions:
1. Number the topic sentences in a logical order--if
they were the topic sentences (the main idea of a paragraph)
in an actual essay, in what logical order would they
be?
2. Each member of your group will take two topic
sentences (in sequential order) and develop them into two
full paragraphs. In other words, group member 1 will write
paragraphs 1 and 2, and group member 2 will write paragraphs
3 and 4, etc. You will have to write as many details as
possible, but remember you must stay focused on your topic
sentence. Do not consult with your group members when
writing your paragraphs. You must develop the paragraphs on
your own. Use your imagination.
3. Put your paragraphs together (you do not have to
recopy them) and turn them in.
Listed below are the topic sentences you need to put in
a logical order. Discuss them as a group and decide where
they would logically fit.
A: The weather had become progressively worse
throughout the day; I could barely see behind me, and I
certainly could not see across the street as I backed out of
the driveway.
B: My immediate reaction was to step on the accelerator
and get out of there--and I did.
C: The accident was an important learning experience
for me because of the major impact it had on my life.
D: The accident happened so fast, I hardly knew it
happened.
E: I was nervous because I had just gotten my license,
so I wasn't driving as well as I might have.
F: After this experience, I decided to live my life
differently.
G: I just about fainted when the cops showed up at my
door.
H: I was racked with guilt for days while I waited to
find out if anyone had seen me.
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