1ST QUARTER ENGLISH NOTES

LESSON 1: Process of Communication

COMMUNICATION [derived from the Latin word “communis” – to make common]
Communication is the art of transmitting information, ideas, and attitudes from one person to
another. Language communication is considered the greatest of all man’s inventions. It’s a
behavior that changes with the individual, with the group, with the times. It’s an integral part of
humans living together with others.

Implementation of Communication:
a) by symbols such as words
b) pictures
c) figures and graphs

Four Skills of Communication

SPEAKING
As you prepare to speak in front of an audience, keep in mind the following tips:
1. Your entire delivery will depend on how well you understand your material.
2. During your performance, much of your eye contact should be focused at the audience.
3. Once you start speaking onstage, be careful about your facial expressions. Use your
eyebrows, eyes, cheeks, lips and teeth to relate the story effectively.
4. If your arms and hands are free, use bodily gestures too.
5. Be confident. Speaking in front of an audience that you can do it.

LISTENING
It’s necessary to develop skills of accurate, critical, and selective listening in order to improve
language facility.
1. You have the responsibility to encourage effective communication by giving the speaker the
courtesy of your full attention.
2. You must be careful to note the context in which the word or statement is used.
3. If you fail to listen or understand the sender of the message, there is no interaction and the
communication process is neither complete nor meaningful.

READING
Reasons why reading is so important:
1. It’s an endless avenue of learning.
2. Good reading comprehension skills are necessary for understanding textbooks, lectures,
and other class materials.
3. Ability to read and understand texts are also important for the success in the workplace.
4. Allow people to understand around them.

WRITING
1. FORMAL WRITING
Essay Writing – its primary aim is to communicate a message to the reader and convince
them to take a particular action or view point.
 ➢ PURPOSES OF FORMAL WRITING:
a) To complain or express dissatisfaction
b) To inquire about something
c) To ask for permission
d) To appeal about something
e) To apply for a job

➢ EXAMPLES OF FORMAL WRITING

a) Application Letter
b) Resignation Letter

2. INFORMAL WRITING
Casual writing or conversation. Informal letters are the letters you write to the people you
are close to.

➢ PURPOSES OF INFORMAL WRITING

a) asking for advice
b) asking for information
c) asking for opinions/suggestions
d) invitation for an occasion
e) congratulating someday
f) accepting/declining an invitation
g) expressing condolences
h) apologizing for something

Other course and means of communication;

1. Facial expressions
2. Gestures
3. Shrugs
4. Nods
5. Signs
6. Marks on papers
7. Electric dots and dashes
8. Smoke signs

Every communication act is a process of passing on stimuli—either verbal or non-verbal from

source to recipient.
 LESSON 2: Subject and Predicate
SENTENCE
A group of words that express a complete thought. A sentence has two parts—namely: the
subject (noun) and the predicate (tells what the subject is or does).

SIMPLE SUBJECT & SIMPLE PREDICATE

A simple subject is the main word in the complete subject. While the simple predicate is the
verb or the verb phrase in the complete predicate.
EXAMPLE: Some of the people were afraid to vaccinate.
SIMPLE SUBJECT: Some COMPLETE SUBJECT: Some of the people
SIMPLE PREDICATE: Were COMPLETE PREDICATE: were afraid to vaccinate.

A complete subject includes all the words used to identify the person, thing or idea that the
sentence is about.

EXAMPLE: James and Carmen attended the party last night.

Compound Subject Complete Predicate

COMPOUND SUBJECT & COMPOUND PREDICATE

A compound subject is two or more subjects that have the same verb and are joined by a
conjunction. A simple sentence may have a compound subject or a compound predicate, or
both.
 LESSON 3: Literature
Literature is an art of writing—a literary form or expression. A total of preserved writings
belonging to a given language or people.
A narrative has three basic elements:
• CHARACTERS
- The people, animals, or imaginary creatures.
• SETTING
- The place and time of the action.
• PLOT
- The series of events in a story.

PRESENTATION/INTRODUCTION
The characters are identified and the
situation is clarified.

RISING ACTION
Shows the development arising from
the situation.

CLIMAX
The highest point of interest.

FALLING ACTION
Refers to an event which the conflict is
resolved.

CONCLUSION/DENOUEMENT
The effect of the story, it also sums up
the story.

The Judgement of the Wind

AN ETHIOPAN TALE BY HARRY COURLANDER
PRESENTATION/INTRODUCTION:
A farmer helped a snake hide from the hunters.

RISING ACTION:
The snake wanted to eat the farmer

CLIMAX:
They agreed that the case will be solved by the tree, the grass, and the river—who sided with the
snake.

FALLING ACTION:
They turned to the wind who gave each of them a drum to play.

CONCLUSION/DENOUEMENT:
The snake let go of the farmer who fled to safety.
 Why Tortoise’s Shell Is Not Smooth
A TALE FROM NIGERIA BY CHINUA ACHEBE
PRESENTATION/INTRODUCTION:
The birds are preparing for the feast in the sky and the Tortoise heard of it.

RISING ACTION:
He convinced the birds to take him with them to the feast in the sky.

CLIMAX:
Tortoise ate most of the food so the birds took back the feathers they lent him.

FALLING ACTION:
Tortoise sent Parrot to tell his wife to bring out soft things in the house.

CONCLUSION/DENOUEMENT:
Tortoise fell on hard things because Parrot had told the opposite to the wife.

The Search for Gold

AN ASHANTI TALE BY HARRY COURLANDER
PRESENTATION/INTRODUCTION:
The Gurensi chief left his daughter to the care of his friend—Gold.

RISING ACTION:
Gold thought the chief would not return, so he gave the girl away in marriage.

CLIMAX:
The chief returned and learned what Gold had done.

FALLING ACTION:
The people looked for Gold but to no avail.

CONCLUSION/DENOUEMENT:
Until now, people are still looking for Gold.
 LESSON 3: Sentence, Sentence Fragment and Run-on Sentence
To be complete, a sentence must contain at least one independent clause. This clause should
have at least one subject and one predicate, complete verb or predicate.
A fragment is a phrase or a dependent clause standing alone as if it was a sentence. Fragments
distract the reader’s attention from what is being said and they make the work seem
incoherent. Among the most common fragments used are:
1. A VERBAL PHRASE WRITTEN AS A SENTENCE
- In the taking the cake out of the oven. Emma burned her hand.
- I read several stories. Written by Kerima Polotan.
- To produce the necessities of his family. He must work hard for his living.

2. A DEPENDENT CLAUSE WRITTEN AS A SENTENCE

- Before we started our trip. We had car repaired.
- Benjamin shouted. When he saw the bus approaching.
- We will stay here overnight. If the rain will not stop.

The examples of fragments have been carelessly separated from the sentences that precede or
follow them. They should be put back where they belong.
➢ In taking the cake out of the oven, Emma burned her hand.
➢ I read several stories written by Kerima Polotan.
➢ To produce the necessities of his family, he must work hard for his living.
➢ Before we started our trip, we had our car repaired.
➢ Benjamin shouted when he saw the bus approaching.
➢ We will stay here overnight if the rain will not stop.

3. AS EXPRESSION WHICH LACKS EITHER THE SUJECT OR A COMPLETE VERB

WRITTEN AS A SENTENCE
The lack enthusiasm of students.
A tons of gold of Marcos. LACKS PREDICATES OR COMPLETE
VERBS
The number of voters outside.
Is a major attraction found in the Philippines.
LACKS SUBJECTS
Wore masks over their faces.
Run-on Sentence
Two or more sentences that are written as one sentence and are separated by a comma.
Before they arrived vegetables are Before they arrived, vegetables are
prepared like pechay kamote tops → prepared like pechay, kamote tops,
eggplants and radish. eggplants, and radish.
Correcting run-on sentences can be done in the following ways:
1. PLACING A PERIOD AFTER THE MAIN CLAUSE AND WRITING THE SECOND
SENTENCE AS A SENTENCE.
EXAMPLE: Kimberly left hurriedly. It was late.
2. USE A SEMICOLON TO SEPARATE THE MAIN CLAUSES
EXAMPLE: Kimberly left hurriedly; It was late.
3. USE APPROPRIATE COORDINATING CONJUNCTION
EXAMPLE: Kimberly left hurriedly for it was late.
 LESSON 4: Poetry
Poetry is a major form of literature that uses words to make beautiful sounds and to express
beautiful ideas. Poetry can be divided into lyric poetry, narrative poetry, and dramatic poetry:
➢ LYRIC POETRY
- Expresses the personal thoughts and feelings of the poet. The words of a song are
usually a lyric poem.
➢ NARRATIVE POETRY
- Tells a story.
➢ DRAMATIC POETRY
- Written as a play in which the characters speak in poetry.

Elements of Poetry
MOOD
A dominant feeling or atmosphere that a literary work conveys to the reader. A poem may have
one mood throughout—sometimes, however, the mood may change in the course of the poem.

TONE
It is similar to mood. Tone is the characteristic emotion or attitude of a writer toward the
subject, character, or audience. Like mood, a work may have one tone throughout—such as
serious, humorous, playful, and etc. and sometimes, the tone may change in the course of the
work.

THEME
The central idea or message of a poem or any literary work. It expresses the writer’s idea about
life or human nature in one sentence.
 LESSON 5: Sentence Tenses
THE PRESENT TENSE
The Present Tense of the verb expresses:
1. Habitual actions in the present
We study literature in our English class.
2. General truths or scientific facts
The Sahara desert lies in North Africa.
3. Present events or actions
We study African literature in class.
4. Future events or actions
The plane leaves at eight-thirty tonight.
5. Vivid narration of past events
He leads his troops, invades the enemy’s territory, and kills the chief.
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS OR PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
The Present Continuous or Present Progressive tense expresses ongoing action.
He is taking the test now.
Judith is stressing a point.

THE PAST TENSE

The Past Tense represents:
1. An action or event completed in the past.
I read an amazing folktale yesterday.
2. A habitual or repeated action or event in the past.
It rained almost everyday
Regular verbs form their past tense by adding -d or -ed to the present form (talk – talked).
Irregular verbs form their past tense in various other ways such as changing the vowel, or by
changing the consonant, or by making no change at all.
come - came lose - lost make - made have - had cut - cut
run - ran ride - rode flee - fled keep - kept set - set
take - took tell - told leave - left fly - flew bet - bet
THE PAST CONTINUOUS OR PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE
The Past Progressive tense is formed by the helping verb was or were + v-ing. It is used to
express:
1. A past action simultaneous with another event in the past.
Sonny was sleeping when his mother left.
2. An action in progress at a specific point of time in the past.
She was coughing at 2:30 this morning.

THE FUTURE TENSE

The Future Tense expresses:
1. An action that will take place at some definite future time.
I will see you tomorrow.
2. An action that will be in progress at a specific time in the near future.
I will be appearing on television at 8:00 tonight.
 LESSON 6: Figures of Speech
Figures of speech are expressions that make imaginative, rather than literal, comparisons or
associations. These expressions convey vivid images. The most common figures of speech are:
• METAPHOR
A comparison that directly states one thing is another.
You are an angel.
• SIMILE
A comparison between two unlike objects that have a common characteristic, using like or
as.
The baby looks like an angel.
• PERSONIFICATION
The giving of human qualities to an animal, object, or idea.
The wind whispers to me.
• HYPERBOLE
An exaggeration in order to create humor or emphasis.
I’ll love you till the moon deserts the sky.
• APOSTROPHE
The device of calling out to an imaginary, dead, or absent person.
Rizal, wake up and guide the youth of today.
 LESSON 7: Kinds of Sentences According to Function or Purpose
Sentences may be classified according to their function or purpose:
• DECLARATIVE SENTENCE
A declarative sentence makes a statement or expresses an opinion, and ends with a period.
Her eyes sparkle like the sun.
• IMPERATIVE SENTENCE
An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request, and ends with either a period
or an exclamation point.
Be nice to everyone.
Behave or else!
• INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE
An interrogative sentence asks a question, and ends with a question mark.
Who is the River Goddess?
Does she cure sick people?
• EXCLAMATORY SENTENCE
An exclamatory sentence expresses strong emotion, and ends with an exclamation point.
Oh, how sweet is the touch of a child’s hand!
 LESSON 8: Agreement of Subject and Verb
The verb agrees with its subject in person and number.

Rules on Agreement of Subject and Verb

1. A third person singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject and the singular
pronouns I and You take plural verbs.
He works They work
I work You work

2. There is/was is followed by a singular noun; there are/were is followed by a plural noun.
There is only one God.
There were mistakes in your work.
3. The indefinite pronouns each, either, neither, one, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone,
anybody, someone, somebody are singular.
Everybody is invited.
Each student has a book.
Is somebody home?
Nobody wants to lose.
4. The words a few, many, both, several take plural verbs.
Many Filipinos go abroad.
Both parents are working.
5. The number of the subject is not changed by a prepositional phrase after the subject.
One of the guests is late.
The windows of the house are small.
6. When the word none refers to a mass noun, the singular inflection is used; when none refers
to a plural noun, either the singular or plural inflection is used.
None of the food was eaten.
None of the children want to go home.
None of the children wants to go home.
7. When all and some are followed by a mass noun, the singular inflection is used; when all and
some are followed by a plural noun, the plural inflection is used.
All of the money was spent.
All of the men work hard.
Some of the property was sold.
8. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning such as news, series, physics, mathematics,
measles, economics take a singular verb.
Measles is contagious.
No news is good news.
Physics is a subject in high school.
9. Agreement with a compound subject:
a) A compound subject connected by and generally takes a plural verb.
Pat and Jake are neighbors.
 b) Compound subjects that are closely related or that refer to the same person or thing take
a singular verb.
My friend and neighbor has a new pet.
Cake and ice cream was served to the guests.
c) A compound subject involving the use of each or every takes a singular verb.
Each boy and girl has a partner.
d) Compound subjects joined by either-or and neither-nor take singular or plural verbs
depending upon the nearer subject.
Either my brother or my sisters are going with me.
Either my sisters or brother is going with me.
10. Intervening words like together with, in addition to, along with, as well as, including, and
similar constructions following the subject do not affect the number of the subject.
Larry, along with his friends, plans to work.
The man, not his children, is being accused.
11. Words or phrases expressing periods of time, weight, measurement, and amounts of money
are usually regarded as singular.
One million pesos is the first prize. (money)
Five years is a long engagement period. (time)
Ten kilometers is not really far. (distance)
12. Fractions may take singular or plural verbs depending on the of-phrase.
Two-thirds of the population speaks English.
Two-thirds of the children are in grade school.
13. Collective nouns take singular verbs when they are used to denote a unit; they take plural
verbs when used to refer to the individual members of the group.
The committee plans to raise funds.
The committee are discussing their plans.
14. When the subject and the predicate noun are of different numbers, the verb agrees with the
subject, not with the predicate noun.
The truck’s cargo is onions.
Onions are the truck’s cargo.
15. The expression the number takes a singular verb; the expression a number takes a plural
verb.
The number of applicants is big.
A number of applicants are very young.
16. The title of a book, or article, and the name of an establishment, even when plural in form,
takes a singular verb.
“The Fugitives” is a long novel.
BSP Enterprises is owned by Mr. Ringor.
17. Arithmetical operations take the singular verb.
Two plus two is four.
 LESSON 9: Do’s in Capitalization
1) Capitalize the first word of a sentence.
Success is a choice.
Did anyone find my eyeglasses?
Come here immediately.
2) Capitalize the pronoun I.
Ted and I will join the choir.
I’m not tired.
Did I tell you that?
3) Capitalize proper nouns (names of specific people, places, and things).
Russell Aliño Pasonanca Park
Tagbilaran City Quezon Memorial Circle
4) Capitalize official titles or positions before a person’s name.
Dr. Fe del Mundo Chief of Justice Jose Abad Santos
Professor Pedro Epistola Captain Mark Sicugan
5) Capitalize official titles, even if the person’s name is not mentioned.
The President of the Philippines will call a cabinet meeting.
We have a good Secretary of Education.
The Chief of Justice will soon retire.
6) Capitalize abbreviations of titles after a person’s name.
Ramon Roman Jr.
Grace Hipolito Ph. D.
Jose Caballes, MD
7) Capitalize the titles of family members when they are used with their names.
Uncle Jake Cousin Lucy
Aunt Hortencia Grandpa Joe
8) Capitalize the titles of family members if you are addressing them, or if you are substituting
their titles for their names.
This is Alewin, my new friend, Mommy.
I told Daddy about my problem.
Thanks for your generosity, Auntie.
9) Capitalize days of the week and months of the year.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. January, February, March, etc.
10) Capitalize the first word in the greeting or salutation of a friendly letter.
Dear Paulo, Dearest Jannelle
My dear Allana, Everdearest Kyle,
11) Capitalize the first word and all the main words in the salutation of a business letter.
Dear Sir: To Whom It May Concern:
Dear Madam: Dear Chairman:
12) Capitalize the first word in the closing of any letter.
Lovingly yours, Sincerely yours,
Very truly yours, With affection,
13) Capitalize the first and main words in the title of a publication, movie, literary, or artistic
work, etc.
book : Communication Skills II
newspaper: The Manila Times
movie/tv or radio program: Good Morning, Philippines
literary work: The Old Man and the Sea
song: The Power of Love
magazine: The Reader’s Digest
14) Capitalize specific geographic locations when they refer to places on the map or sections of
a country.
Allen comes from the South.
The Philippines is a marriage of the East and the West.
The North will experience heavy rain this weekend.
15) Capitalize holidays, festivals, and special events.
Independence Day Holy Week
Ati-Atihan Festival Ramadan
16) Capitalize religions, languages, and ethnic groups.
Roman Catholic Ifugao/s Cebuano
Islam Maranao/s Tagalog
17) Capitalize historical periods and events.
Pre-Spanish Period Stone Age
Independence Day Battle of Mactan
 DROUGHT
AUTHOR: J. G. Mocoancoeng
When the sun is hot, it is burning
The land is not ugly, it is terrifying.
People are sweating but they are not wet.
The Earth is parched,
O drought.

Animals are not grazing, but pulling stalks

They are not lean, they are dying
O! The Earth has no water
The land is dry, so dry.

The young man is exhausted

He holds his waist and says,
“We are dying.”
He is looking at the herd of cattle,
He shakes his head and says, “We see you.”

In the churches prayers are rising

Lord, Rain!
Lord, we are going!
On the land vultures are feeding
The fire has come.

The wind is dry, it petrifies

It’s not wind, but clouds of sand
in the air
The land is so dry.

But far in the east

There is a dark cloud
It is true God has heard us
Look, it moves!

DROUGHT – a period of abnormally dry weather.