3.3 Treat writing as a process

English first additional language

Grade 7

Module 13

Treat writing as a process

Activity 1

1. Imagine that you have the opportunity to ask Prof. Barry some questions. Write three questions that you would ask. Your questions must start as indicated below.
2. What would have happened if:
3. How did you succeed in:
4. Can you explain how:
5. What are micro-gravity conditions?

Effects of micro-gravity on the body

1. What are mammalian embryos?
2. Did you know that a whale is a mammal? Name two or more “unusual” mammals (e.g. some of the strange animals found in Australia or on Madagascar).

1. Make a little project on these animals to put up in the classroom.
2. What does one do if one analyses something?

When one analyses something, one ____________________

1. What is the antonym of analysis ? What does that word mean?

The antonym of analysis is:

It means:

8. Note: To analyse is the verb.

An analysis is the noun.

9. Do you think all these experiments are of any real use? Write a few sentences to air your views.

NOTE : The text by Prof. Barry is a FACTUAL REPORT as it states facts and does not reflect a point of view or any emotion (we say it is OBJECTIVE) while your sentences in no. 7 would be SUBJECTIVE , because they reflect your point of view and may be written in emotive language.

Activity 2

1. Read the passage below loudly, paying special attention to stress and intonation.

“MARK MANIA” HITS CAPE TOWN

On 2 September 2002 Mark Shuttleworth started his nation-wide campaign, Hip2b² at his alma mater, Bishops, in Cape Town. Later in the afternoon he spoke at the Cosat College in Khayelitsha. Hundreds of enthusiastic children gave him a tumultuous welcome. He related some of his experiences in space, and described what it was like to be cooped up in the tiny Soyuz capsule while experiencing space sickness. He also told them about his favourite drink, Russian space fruit juice.

A special time capsule, made from glass fibre and with a stainless steel cap, was buried at the door to the science laboratory of the school. It contains letters from, amongst others, Pres. Thabo Mbeki, Dr Desmond Tutu, Mr Nupen (the Bishops headmaster) and the head boy, Thabang Kekana. It also contains photographs, the 1991 roll of honour when Shuttleworth was headboy, cufflinks and a flight badge.

Shuttleworth seemed to enjoy handing out autographs to all and sundry. The campaign aims at promoting interest in maths, science and technology amongst learners. His message was: “Whatever your dream, you can make it happen.”

POSTSCRIPT : On 18 September 2002 it was announced in the news that Carike Bosman, a Grade 11 schoolgirl from the Eldoraigne High School had won an international English essay competition on the theme of space and realising one’s dreams. She stated that Mark Shuttleworth had inspired her. She won the equivalent of R12 000 and would receive her prize at a space research institute in the Netherlands. For an Afrikaans-speaking girl from South Africa that is quite an achievement, don’t you agree?

1. Write the italicised words/expressions in your personal dictionary and make sure that you know how to pronounce them, what they mean, and how to use them in context. Your teacher will assist you. Note: Some of them, like promoting , may be written in a simpler form, e.g. ( to ) promote .
2. The expression alma mater is a Latin term meaning the school or institution where one studied.