Generative Grammar

Generative Grammar

'A Generative grammar is a system of analysis usually identified with linguistics. By its means a language can be viewed as a set of rules, finite in numbers that can produce sentences'

By Mukesh Sharma

Broadly speaking, a language is nothing but a group of sentences. If one is able to produce correct sentences, one is said to have learnt the language.

Since the main purpose of studying the Grammar is to learn to understand, write and speak standardized English, and common English grammar fails to teach this in totality, a need of generative grammar is felt.

The Oxford Advance Lerner’s Dictionary describes the term generative grammar as: “a grammar that describes a language by giving a set of rules which can be used to produce all the possible sentences in that language.”

The term generative grammar was first used by linguist Noam Chomsky in United States of America who developed the theory of generative grammar in 1957 – syntactic structures. Throwing light on the subject, Britannica Encyclopedia reveals:

“A generative grammar is a system of analysis usually identified with linguistics. By its means a language can be viewed as a set of rules, finite in number that can produce sentences.”

There was total disagreement among the linguists in accepting any of propagated theories of generative grammar which could be considered “as the best model for the generation of sentences as well as for the description of natural languages.” Moreover, no generative grammar has ever been written which might help the non-native speakers of English language to learn sentence-making without learning the English grammar in detail or doing any translation from mother tongue to English with the help of set rules of commonly used English grammar.

Why should you read this book?

This book of Generative Grammar for English Language is based on the concept of Root Elements. From 0 to 9, there are 10 digits. These 10 digits have given birth to infinite numbers. Seven suras are the basis of all the musical notes ever developed by man. According to Hindu philosophy, all this material world – animate or inanimate, is made up of five Root Elements – Earth, Fire, Air, Water and space. Such parent element can be termed as Root Elements. There can be innumerable superficial and seemingly distinctive probabilities born out of Root Elements. This is applicable to language too. With the help of Root Sentences, one can learn to generate sentences without the hassle of grammar or without doing any translation. One can enjoy the unique experience of sentence-making using root sentences, which are mostly common to all the languages. One can’t think beyond these Root Sentences. The knowledge of Root sentences helps you to generate hundreds of sentences rather playfully on any object or person. The unique features of this book are as follows:

1.     It seeks to help students who wish to learn English as their second language, and want to learn sentence-making without any translation from mother tongue to English or without learning the common English grammar in detail.

2.      It helps you to think directly in English.

3.      It helps you to develop thoughts.

4.      It seeks to help you to write/speak 500 words on any object/person extempore.

5.      It helps you to know traditional grammar without learning it.

Author, sincerely believes that a determined and diligent English language aspirant would find this book worth-reading. Author is confident that the esteemed readers would realize that the book has potential to change the concept of English learning.

The book, a bestseller, is available on Amazon.in. Very soon, it will available as e- book too.

Of Report-Writing

Of Report-writing

Besides competitive exams, it is one of the important parts of work in administrative services

By Mukesh Sharma

In the morning and I will

Report-writing is an exercise in giving words to an observation made about some happenings and penning it down in a right order without missing any important/key fact. In other words, it is a brief about an event or incident based on investigation/research work carried out by the official concerned for the submission to authority concerned.

Of Report-Writing

In administrative services, report-writing is an important part of the work. As an appointed officer, IO (investigation officer), the Commission or an instituted Committee, one is directed to hold inquiry into any contentious matter and file report on findings.

A report can be classified into three categories:

1.       Report by an official concerned to authority.

2.       Report (news) by a reporter for a newspaper.

3.       Report for school/college magazine by a student (report writing in exams)

Report to Authority

As far as a report is concerned, it can be just a two line or a voluminous one running into hundreds of pages like the bound volumes of a book. Usually in government services, a high ranking official is appointed as IO to inquiry into the lapses/ allegations of subordination, misconduct or abuse of power by an accused employee of a department, and file the report to authority concerned. Courts also order an inquiry into a petitioned complaint where IO (a police officer) is directed to inquiry into a case and file the report before the Court. CAG (Comptroller Auditor General) constitutional body authorized to examine and audit the accounts of government departments/organizations and file the annual report. While filing report, the official concerned follows an standardized format as under:

Title

Title of the matter under investigation

By line

 Name of IO

Date and Place

Date and place

Introduction

Report in nutshell

Investigation and outcome

Details of investigation and outcome

Conclusion and recommendation

Conclusion drawn and recommendation

Report for newspaper

The duty of a reporter/ journalist working with a newspaper is to collect the news worthy information about some happening/event/incident in the largest interest of public, and disseminate it through the newspaper what is called a news story. News paper reports also follow a standardized format. Look at the diagram as under:

All news stories follow an inverted pyramid format which is standardized format. In fact, a news story is a collection of facts. And the facts are arranged in descending order of importance. The most important fact goes to top and the least important goes to bottom. In other words, the most important fact makes the headline and the least important fact makes the tail. The standardized contents of a news story/report are as follows:

Headline

The most important fact makes the headline; it is always catchy capable of attracting the attention of the reader; it also tells the complete story in nutshell; it is, mostly, in present, and is also anti-grammar and anti-syntax.

By line

It is the name of the reporter/journalist who has filed the report/news.

Date and Place

Just beneath the byline, date and place is also mentioned from where the news has been reported/ filed.

Intro

The very first Para of a news story in journalism is called INTRO that conforms to 5w and 1H (who, where, what, when, why and How). It means even the very first Para gives the complete information about the news in nutshell.

Paras

In a news story, paras are not interconnected. Each Para presents a new fact. And these facts are arranged in descending order of importance. Thus, the more important precedes  the less important one. And the least important makes the tail of the story.

Report in exams

Attempting a question on report-writing in exams also follows a standardized format as acknowledge and approved by the CBSE at school level. Look at the diagram below:

Specimen 

Question:

 You are Sanjay / Sarita, Head of English Literature club of your college, Ramjas college, University of Delhi. Your college organized a debate on " Rote-learning is killing the creativity". Write a report in 125 words. Use invented details.

Answer:

Rote-learning Kills Creativity 

“The rote-learning which is a product of wrong education system, is killing the creativity of young learners” said Mr. Raman Chauhan, one of the participants in the debate, organized by the English literature club on 15 December, 2019, in the auditorium, Ramjas College, North campus, Delhi University.

The fierce debate was organized under the aegis of ZEE TV hosted by Mr. Sandeep Chaudhary and the panelist were Sh. Deepak Karlekar, Vice Chancellor, DU, Chetan Bhagat, writer Mrs. Rosy Joan, HOD, English Department, St. Stephen College, DU.

The rote-learning,” said Rajni Kapoor. “It is the very basis of learning. A child begins to learn by imitation and repetition. All of us must have mugged up tables at our primary school level only by rote-learning.”

“Rote-learning inhibits thinking process” said Ritu Raj, yet another participant. “Our exam system promotes rote-learning. It measures the capacity of the students to store the material. It doesn’t assay their creativity.”

Raman Chauhan begged the best speaker award and the awards were conferred on by the Vice Chancellor. The other participants were given conciliation prizes.

The total 7 participants took part in the debate. Raman Chauhan, Rajni Kapoor, Shiva Garg, Sachin Tomar, Ramesh Singh, Ramlal and Preeti Garg.

Reading an English Newspaper

Reading an English Newspaper

A student-reader must learn how to separate wheat from chaff, how to distinguish between facts and fiction, and read between the lines

By Mukesh Sharma

Gone are days when newspapers used to be the surrogate of public opinion, and the main business was to collect and disseminate the information in the largest interest of the people. Now, the most of the newspapers are partisan; news are tweaked and twisted with vested interest; the ‘salad’ is made out of raw ‘vegetables’ and served to the synthetic mass of readers. Though the most of the readers succumb to ‘spices’ and ‘dressing’, only a few matured readers are able to distinguish between apple and orange, cucumber and carrot, tomato and turnip. But to student-readers who look at the world through the eyes of the newspapers, and read it to augment their vocabulary, brush up their English, increase their general awareness and keep themselves up- to-date from the point of view of various competition exams for government services, it (newspaper) remains rather as confusing as the grammar of English language. Student- readers read an English newspaper like the contents of a text book, and lots of precious time is wasted in the reading exercise. In fact, with the sheer knowledge of the standardized format and content which are followed by all the newspapers, one can understand and read it quickly and comfortably within 30-45 minutes maximum.

Reading an English Newspaper

The common contents of most of the newspaper are: News Story, Editorial, Column, Letter-to-Editor, News Article, Feature Article, Weekly Magazine Section, and Advertisements.

Each write-up in a newspaper is ‘crowned’ by an attractive and catchy  HEADLINE; it reflects the purpose and proclivity of a newspaper; it can be ‘offensive’ and ‘submissive’ depending on target audience; it can be informative or commentative.  What a human face is to emotions, headline is to a newspaper. In other words, true 'character' of a newspaper can better be ‘understood’ and ‘recognized’ by its headlines.

A headline of a story is always in present tense; it is anti-grammar and anti-syntax; it has timeliness, for, a news is news so long as it is new; over and above, it is complete story in nutshell. Just by reading a headline of a story, one can learn about the content of news. If one flips through the pages and just cast cursory glance on the headline of each story/news, one can have fair idea of all the important news of the day. Furthermore, if any headline catches the interest, and a reader wants to know more details, one can go further and read highlight which is usually written beneath the headlines. A highlight further elaborates the headline. Look at a news story published in a newspaper:

The very first PARA of a news story is usually described as INTRO in journalistic parlance that conforms to 5W and 1 H – who, what, when, why, where and how. In other words, an INTRO of news story also gives complete information about the news in question in nutshell. If one reads a story up to INTRO only, one can have good referable knowledge about an event/incident/happening unfolded in the news.

A news story is a collection of different but relevant facts. Each fact is couched in a separate PARA. And the facts are arranged in descending order of importance and follow a pattern of inverted pyramid; it means the most important fact goes to top and the least important one to bottom or tail. What is noteworthy, the PARAS that represent different facts are not inter-connected or linked. There is no flow of thoughts from one PARA to another; there is flow of different facts which are independent. If a reader misses any PARA , particularly, the tail-ender, one loses nothing except a few inconsequential facts. So, if a students-readers just concentrate on headline, highlights and intro of each story, it will suffice his/her knowledge of event/incident/happenings delineated in the story.

Editorial of a newspaper is always commentative; it reflects the stand or viewpoint of the newspaper on a particular development; it is usually carried at extreme left on the middle pages of the newspaper. A student reader must read the editorial thoroughly, for, it helps to develop the critical bent of mind in the matter of national or international importance. Editorials are also headed by headline and supported by one or two liner highlighter. Through an editorial, a newspaper seeks to delve deep into a subject matter, and dissects and discusses it ‘subjectively’ and concludes it ‘objectively’.

Though a newspaper derives its power of ‘persuasion’ from its circulation among supposedly faithful readers – exposure makes target vulnerable, letter-to-editor is the only small space provided to so called ‘valued’ readers on the editorial page itself where they register their duly ‘selected’ responses.

News Articles, usually carried on Editorial page, are written by an experienced ‘staffer’ or by the renowned ‘guest’ with immense social and political clout. A News article is an interesting amalgamation of news and comments with an objective. It acquaints a student-reader with diverse views on the subject-matter. News articles are published on an opportune time.

Feature articles are purely revelatory in nature, predominantly, written on a topic of social or geographical importance. Such articles have no timeliness e.g. an article on Himalayan venture can go to press on any day.

The most of the newspapers also bring out weekly magazine section on Sunday. It is full of gossip and scoops about the cine stars. It caters to the saucy needs of young readers, not the serious one.

Advertisements are the main source of revenue for a newspaper. But it is an open secret that the newspapers have other ‘sources’ also. How come a newspaper that costs Rs.80-90 per copy, is sold out just for Rs 5 per copy. Though as per PRB Act 1860, the ratio between news and ads should be 60:40 but it is just vice-versa.

Journalism is described as a literature in hurry. And of course, it can be read also hurriedly. A student reader must read at least two newspapers daily. A comparative study shall reveal how the newspapers play up or play down the news stories. The people allege that newspapers are no longer the watch dogs of democracy; they wag and turn tail purposefully; they bark and bite selectively.

A student-reader must learn how to separate wheat from chaff, how to distinguish between fact and fiction, and read between the lines.

Learning Practical Letter-writing

Learning Practical Letter-writing

Through standardized format and chunks, anyone can learn letter-writing needed in day-to-day life

By Mukesh Sharma

After Alexander Graham Bell, the world has come of age. The prototype of wired-telephone, the internet has brought about a revolution in the field of communication, and has shrunk the world into a tiny cell-phone. No longer the much-awaited postman of yesteryears knocks at the door and shouts ‘postman’ today.

But it doesn’t mean that age-old practice of letter-writing has become ‘extinct’ and has lost its importance. To lovers of English literature and writers, still it is a classified genre of English literature; and the students love to read the collected letters of Thackrey, George Eliot, Swinburne Henry, James, Kathenn Mansfield, D.H. Lawrence, etc. To advocates, it is an instrument to serve legal notice. To authorities, it is the way to communicate specifically. To school-goers, it is the most important question in English paper. To government services aspirants (SSC, UPSC, etc.), it is an unavoidable part of descriptive English.

What is noteworthy, during long writing/teaching profession, this blogger has observed that not only students but also common people who use English as a second language, face problem in the Practical Letter-writing, needed in day-to-day life. This blogger wrote a book entitled Whom and How to write Complaint Letter by Mukesh Sharma in 2001; it turned out to be the best seller and was approved for purchase by 17 American Universities/Institutions including US library of Congress (New Delhi), Delhi Text Bureau, Delhi University etc for school/college libraries.

English is based on standardized phrases and chunks. To a second language learner who doesn’t have good knowledge of these indispensable phrases/chunks, the letter writing becomes rather a taxing exercise.

To a student or any person who use English as a second language, the easiest way to learn letter-writing is through standardized FORMAT based on standardized CHUNKS; with basic knowledge of English, anyone can write any type of letter. In fact, the most professionals use standardized formats and chunks related to particular matter. All budding advocates rely on precedents (standardized method of writing affidavit, petitions, etc.) for quick disposal of work.

Defining a letter

What is a letter? A letter can be defined as a purposeful and persuasive and to the point written communication through which the writer 'speaks' to the addressee with due respect in order to seek his/her personal indulgence/intervention in some specific matter, for its needful solution.

Courtsey:gibraltarolivepress.com

Learning Practical Letter-writing

Categorization

According to practical needs of letters in day-to-day life, letters can be categorized as follows:

1.       Personal letters: Though all the letters are personal letters, it reflects the feelings and knowledge of the writer, specifically speaking, any letter addressed to kith and kins or friends may be termed as personal letters. It may further be related to: well being, congratulations, condolence, advice and invitation.

2.     Official letters: usually addressed to official holding public office/authorities. It may be complaint letter, grievance letter or a whistle blower.

3.       Letter to Editor: Since newspapers are looked upon as surrogate of public opinions, it is an age old practice to write letters to Editor related to some social/political issue or comments on any write-up/article/news published in the newspaper.

4.       Letter to Ambassador: It is not an ordinary letter related to any ordinary issue/matter. An Ambassador represents his/her country in the host country where he/she is posted, and tackles the matter of bilateral interests diplomatically. Even the government of host country can’t give ‘direction’ to the Ambassador; it can simply request or send the ‘demarche’. However, being a member of public, any citizen of the host country may write to Ambassador on merit.

5.       Business letter: It is a common correspondence between two persons or companies doing some business in mutual interest. It is usual letters may be related to introduction, payment or any other matter pertaining to business.

6.       Job letter: As the nomenclature suggests, it is related to ‘job’  –  a letter written to any business organization that has advertised the vacancies in its company or business establishment.

Contents and Format

A letter consists of certain contents which are essential ingredients of letter-writing:

1. Senders address  2. Date  3. Address of the addressee 4. Subject  5. Addressing  6. Introductory para 7. Middle  8. Request  9. Concluding line/remarks  10. Salutation  11. Closing

The format of the letter as shown below would give the idea of the placement of the contents in the letter:

Ground Rules and Chunks

The students-writers must keep certain ground rules/useful tips in their mind for acquiring letter-writing skill:

1.       Every letter should be,preferably, on printed letter-head. If no printed letter-head is available, better type out name, address, and mobile number at extreme right at the top of the page:

From:

Ramlal Sanwal,

B-14, Mukherjee Nagar,

Delhi-110009

Mob.: 9874561000

2.       A letter must follow left hand alignment, the popular format. Each content must start from fixed left hand, starting from 1.5’ left margin as shown in format.

3.       Date must be written on the left in the style:

 November 30, 2018

4.       No ‘To’ on the letter-head above the address of addressee. It is always on the envelop.

5.       Address of addressee must follows the style:

 The police Commissioner,

Police Head Quarter (HQ),

ITO,

NEW DELHI-110002

6       The name of the addressee may be mentioned after the address (except in personal letter).

Kind Attn.: Sh. Ramlal Tiwari

                   ….(designation)

7.       Don’t forget to mention ‘subject’. It must reflect the content of the letter in nutshell like the headline of a news story:

Sub.: Complaint against Mr. X, S/o Mr.Z, R/o………….(Mob…….), with respect to …………. (contents of subject may vary as per the subject matter of letter)

8.       Addressing the addressee:

i.                    My adorable Mom/Dad/ My dear friend/ My respect-worthy uncle etc. (for personal letters)

ii.                  Dear Sir,/Hon’ble Sir (if addressed to Minister/PM etc.) (for official letter)

iii.                Sir, (letter to Editor)

iv.                  Your Esteemed Execellency (letter to Ambassador)

v.                   Dear Sir/Dear Mr. Sachin Singh, (Business letter)

vi.                 Dear Sir/Respected Madam (Job Letter)

9.       The main body of the letter must consist of I)Introductory para, ii) Middle, iii) Request, iv) Concluding para/lines, v) Salutation, vi) Closing followed by sender name in capital.

i)                    Introductory Para

a.       Personal letter (well being chunks)

Hope this letter of mine finds you all in pink of health, and with the grace of God, and blessings of elders, I am also doing well here

b.      Personal letter (congratulatory chunks)

My joy knew no bounds when I learnt from newspaper that you had cracked UPSC and had secured 10^th rank.

c.       Personal letter (condolence chunks)

It is a matter of great sorrow that your beloved grandfather is no more.

d.      Personal letter (advisory chunks)

I have learnt that you have not fared well in your class test.

e.      Personal letter (invitation chunks)

Thanks for your invitation letter regarding the marriage of your …………. Indeed, it is a matter of celebration.

            Official letter (chunks)

a.       As a victim, I would like to lodge complaint against the captioned person in the light of certain hard facts as under

b.      With due respect, I wish to bring to your kind notice the problem of …………..

c.       As an over harassed/disgruntled citizen, I would like to draw your kind attention to ….

              Letter to Editor (chunks)

Through the columns of your prestigious newspaper, I wish to wake up the authorities concerned with respect to problem of …………….in the largest interest of public.

               Letter to Ambassador (chunks)

At the very outset, I apologize for intruding upon the precious time of Your Gracious self by writing this letter, but I am constrained to do so for seeking the personal intervention with respect to ……………………

              Business letter (chunks)

a.       Introductory

We have great pleasure to introduce ourselves as a fast upcoming company dealing in …………with five years business standing in the market.

b.      Payment

This has reference to captioned outstanding bill raised against the supply of …….two month ago and it is still unpaid despite many follows up which is against the paytment terms.

             Job letter (chunks)

This has reference to your ad published in HT dated ……….regarding the vacancy for the post of Sale Executive in your prestigious organization, and I wish to submit my candidature for the same.

ii)  Middle:
The middle of all the letters consists of all the important points related to purpose of writing-letter mentioned in separate paragraphs in brief. A writer may describe it in simple English/simple sentences.

iii) Request: 
It is inevitable part of all the letters. It may be put in simple standardized sentences which are common to all the letters e.g.:

I, therefore, request you to kindly look into the matter and take needful action in the largest interest of justice and the common people.

iv) Concluding lines: 
In almost all types of letters, a common chunks can be used as a part of concluding remarks/line:

Hope my prayer would be answered favourably.

v) Salutation
The salutatory phrases usually used at the end of the letter which is common to all the letters, us:

With most respectful regard.

vi) Closing: 
Common to all the letters, and may be written:

Yours truly,

      Sd.

(RAM SINGH)

Mind you, writing is a matter of practice. More you write, more you learn to write. This blogger sincerely believes, the valued readers who use English as second language, would find the tips useful.

Copyright © 2018 by Mukesh Sharma

Learning the Art of Essay Writing

Learning the Art of Essay -writing

It is an exercise to discover what you know

By Mukesh Sharma

To the majority of Indian students, particularly, with Hindi medium dreaming of government services through various competitive exams conducted by SSC (Staff Selection Commission), UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), etc. on all India basis, Essay-writing in English is rather a challenging task. Says Kavya Chaudhary a UPSC aspirant, "When it comes to attempt the compulsory essay question based on unprepared topic the mind goes blank; even if attempt is made to write something, mind starts translating the Hindi thoughts into English." "The biggest problem is that  the thoughts comes in Hindi (mother tongue) only; mind is not able to think in English," adds Kavya despairingly.

Learning the art of Essay-writing

Essay- construction

With years of experience as a journalist, this blogger maintains that the Essay-writing is like the construction of a building  -  a student got to be an Architect, Mason and a Decorator,  all rolled into one. As an architect knows how to draw the layout plan for the proposed construction , a student must know how to come up with the outlines or synopsis to express his/her viewpoints / thoughts on the topic of the Essay asked, comfortably and quickly. As a mason lays the bricks after bricks  and erects the wall, a student must have an idea to churn out sentences after sentences to construct an Essay. As decorator decks up the outer and interior of the building to make it look attractive, a student must know how to endorse the thoughts with the quotes of others who are authorities in their respective fields, to make the write-up interesting, capable of sustaining the interest of the reader/ examiner.

Good Architect

Now the pertinent question is how to become a good Architect, Mason, and a Decorator. Mind you, all the skills are learned in three stages:

1) Acquirement of knowledge related to particular field.  2)  Practice   3)  Use

A budding cricketer first acquires the essential knowledge pertaining to cricket game; he must put that knowledge to good practice on the pitch; and after that, he must go to field to play the match.

Mind and Sentences

As far as Essay- writing is concerned, if a student is not able to think correctly in English, he/she won’t be able to write accurately. What is noteworthy, the mind always thinks in terms of sentences, not words. When a student writes or speaks, his/her mind doesn’t make sentences; it always supplies the pre-conceived sentences which are already collected by it (mind) during years of academic pursuit right from 1st standard to PG level. As a result, a sort of corpus of mugged up sentences is created in the mind -  no sentence for fresh thoughts. Of Course, in the absence of needed or right sentences, mind starts translating the Hindi sentences into English that leads to non-standardized sentences or poor English as all the languages defy translation into other languages for example:

 Millions of people bathe in Ganga on the occasion of Kumbh Mela 

(non-standardized sentence translated from Hindi thought)

Millions of faithful take holy dip in Ganga on the eve of Kumbh Mela 

(standardized sentence in English)

Root Sentences

Now question arises how to feed mind with standardized sentences. As per the research work of this blogger, there are total 123 standardized sentences that cover English language in totality; no thought or sentence exists beyond that; it may be termed as Root Sentences. As all the numbers are born out of 0-9 digits only, all types of English sentences come out of these 123 sentences only (it has been discussed at length in the book Secrets of Good English by Mukesh Sharma, a best seller and 5 star rated available on Amazon.in).  Since each sentence has its own Syntactical Formula (grammatical arrangements of the words in a sentence), a student learns all the necessary grammatical rules automatically without the need of cramming. Conventional Grammar doesn’t teach sentence-making. But this method not only teaches sentence-making but also helps to understand the confusing grammatical rules with all clarity.

Mapping on

If Hindi sentences are mapped on these 123 standardized English sentences, a student learns to think in English through Hindi sentences. With good practice, mind starts thinking directly in English. If a Hindi knowing child is told ‘mango’ means aam, it will retain and use ‘mango’ because the mind knows it represents aam. Look at a few examples:

Mom has been waiting for you since morning (standardized sentence)

Ma tumhara subah se intezar kar rahi hai (Hindi)

S +has/have/ had/ will have + been + Ving + O + Since/ for (Syntactical Formula)

I have been looking for you for an hour  (mapped on sentence)

If Rahul Gandhi were/had to marry, he would have married.

Yadi Rahul Gandhi ko shadi karni hoti to kar nahi leta. (Hindi sentence)

S + were/ had to + V1+ O, S + would have + V3 + O (Syntactical Formula)

If he were to resign, he would have resigned. (mapped on sentence)

Obviously, if such mapping on method is adopted and adapted, thousands of sentences in English can be fed in mind and churned out. What is a language? Of Course, it is group of sentences. If one knows sentence-making, it means that one has learnt the language.

Root Words

But the problem is the words, related to different situations of life, are inevitable to create the thoughts - if no words, no sentence; no sentences, no thoughts. Now the question is how to learn thousands of words. And the solution lies in the knowledge of Root words or Key words. Here the phrase ‘root word’ should not be mistaken for its Greek or Latin origin. It has nothing to do with that. In English, there are 1000-1500 important Root Words (Key words). These root words specifically collocate or pair with other words and make standardized phrases. In fact, English is a language of phrases. A phrase is nothing but group of words. In a group of words, a single word has no meaning. It is the collective meaning that counts. For example:

Jump red light (to cross the red light)

Jump queue (to break the line)

Jump bail (to abscond after the release on bail)

Jump the gun (to act in haste or before right time)

Jump on the bandwagon (to join activities that has become popular or follow crowd)

Elite English

See, ‘jump’ which is a root word, has produced different standardized phrases. These phrases constitute standardized sentences which are part of elite English; it is used by English Newspapers, Native Speakers, Member of Elite Class, and is also the basis of English papers in all the competitive exams. Each root word produces average 10-15 phrases. Just 1000 root words can shoot up a vocabulary of 10K. To speak good English, one needs 500-1000 words/ phrases; 1000-4000 to be a writer; Shakespeare used 8000 and average English Newspaper uses not more than 2000, rest is repetition. What is to be noted here, sheer knowledge of Hindi meaning of phrases doesn’t help. Each phrase is used in a standardized sentence. A student must learn the meaning of phrases through the standardized sentences it is used in –  10K phrases means 10K sentences in the mind.

Needless to say, armed with 10K sentences, thinking would become rather easy, and a student would be able to play with the language. All Journos/ Writers resort to this method, and become prolific writer or good speaker. Such knowledge helps in Essay-writing considerably.

Sentence- Framing

The next step a student must move on is Sentence Framing. It is rather different from sentence-making. Though there are 123 types of sentences, it can be summarized in three types of sentences: 1) Simple Sentence – One subject and one predicate 2) Compound Sentence - two main sentence joined with conjunction 3) Complex Sentence - One main clause/ sentence and one or more than one subordinate clauses/ sentences. Certain thoughts are comfortable in simple sentences; some in compound sentences; and others in complex sentences. The Newspapers, mostly, use complex sentences. The students can have a fair idea of such sentences from any good grammar book like High school English Grammar and Composition by P.C Wren and H. Martin.

Having had the knowledge of right sentences based on Standardized phrases, good understanding of Sentence-framing, Chunks (standardized sentences, used to start a paragraph, student can have a fair idea of such chunks from internet too) and Connectives/ Conjunctions (help to maintain the flow of thoughts from one sentence to another and from one para to another), now Essay-writing can be discussed precisely and purposefully.

Defining an Essay

What is an Essay? The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary tersely defines it: “a short piece of writing by a student as a part of a course of study.” Broadly speaking, it is an exercise that aims to communicate personal views on a particular subject; a venture into communication; an exercise to discover what you know.

Types of Essay

An Essay can be classified into 5 categories: 1) Narrative Essay - seeks to narrate some event or series of events e.g. Story of Gandhi, biographies etc. 2) Expository Essay- exposes and explains the subject e.g politics, religion etc. 3) Reflective Essay - consists of reflections and thoughts on some subject e.g. Habit, qualities, etc  4) Imaginative Essay - reveals feelings and experience e.g. If I were PM of India etc 5) Descriptive Essay - describes some place or thing e.g. Delhi etc.

Style of Essay

Language of the Essay should not be verbose or bombastic. Try to express, not to impress. Besides that a good Essay must have: 1) Unity- development of one theme with a definite purpose. 2) Order - must follow an order to reach to conclusion. 3) Brevity - must not exceed the prescribed limit. 4) Style – conversational and easy. 5) Personal touch - must reflect personal feelings and opinion.

Starting

Whatever is the topic, think on FOUR COMMON outlines: 1) About the topic (Introduction) 2)Minuses - negative side of the subject. 3) Pluses - positive points related to subject. 4) Conclusion - drawn on the points discussed, and must reflect personal opinion. Under ‘about the topic’,  explain the subject matter of the topic in the light of acquired knowledge, and that will constitute the introductory paragraph and further set the tempo for Essay-writing . As a coin has two sides, each topic has minuses and pluses. Each thought that reflects the negative side of the topic must be given a separate paragraph. Each para must begin with a Leading Sentence(outline), and be developed accordingly. Here use of standardized chunks can be helpful in constituting the leading sentences. The thoughts expressed in paragraphs can also be authenticated with the quotes of the renowned people/ writers, who are authority on the subject. It lends credence to the thoughts of the student- writer. Likewise, all the thoughts reflecting the pluses must follow the same method of expression.

Last para of the Essay constitutes the conclusion drawn on the basis of all the thoughts expressed in the preceding paras. It must point out the personal views and opinion of the student-writer.

In nutshell, this blogger concludes that with good practice, an Essay can be penned down on any topic or subject.  A student-writer must keep in mind that he/she has to find answer to 5 Ws (What, Where, When, Why and Who) and 1 H (How) all through essay-writing process - a common formula used by all the writers. With his didactic words, renowned Rudyard Kipling inThe Elephant’s Child, says:

“I keep six honest serving men

They taught me all I Know;

Their names are What and Why and When,

 And How and Where and Who.”