Use of nominalization Use of nominalization in History in History

Use of nominalization Use of nominalization in History in History

Miss Lee Chun FaMiss Lee Chun FaSKH Tang Shiu Kin Secondary SchoolSKH Tang Shiu Kin Secondary School

• Level: F.2• Topic: The French Revolution• Prior knowledge:

- background of absolutism- underlying causes of the French Revolution

Objectives• Students master the skills of

nominalization and learn how to use written language to express their opinions in History.

• To enhance students’ critical thinking ability via group discussion: they form groups and discuss which underlying cause is the most important in causing the French Revolution.

Work schedule• Three workshops were held

in May:• First workshop: identify the

differences between spoken and written language and practise ‘nominalization’

• Second workshop: use of linking devices

First workshop: Identify differences between spoken and written language

Compare Text A to D

• Text A• Faced with this economic

situation where prices were rising and unemployment was growing, the government responded with a number of economic measures all of which proved ineffectual. They raised interest rates, which only served to make consumers demand more, leading to prices going up even further.

• Text B• S 1: So what do you think

we can do about that?

• S 2: Well all I'm hearing from the Treasury

lot is to increase interest rates.

• S l: Can't be done! They'll slaughter us at the polls.

• S 2: They'11 slaughter us if we don't.

Compare Text A to D• Text D• The finance minister reporting

to cabinet• 'Well, we've now had advice

from all quarters. I've spoken at length to Treasury who are of the view that we must raise interest rates or the economy will continue to struggle. Others, and this includes Tony and me, are of the view that increasing the interest rates will be politically damaging in the short term. But, having said that, we feel that we have no choice but to make some adjustment in the going rate, suffer the short term fallout and benefit in the long term. What do people think?

• Text C• Faced with rising prices

and growing unemployment, the government undertook a number of economic measures all of which proved ineffectual. An early response to the situation was to raise interest rates which only served to drive up consumer demand, leading to further increases in prices.

AnswerMost spoken Most

WrittenText B D A C

NominalizationNominalization is a process whereby a number of words (usually verbs and adjectives but they can also be conjunctions and prepositions) or a process of events are turned into nouns

Spoken language written language

• Many people are unemployed because recently many small companies have closed.

• The reason for high unemployment can be traced to the recent closure of many small companies.

Spoken language written language

• The Greeks were not happy because the Turks ruled them badly.

• The bad Turkish rule led to the unhappiness among the Greeks.

Nominalization• Original form Nominalized form

• Because reason / leads to / causes / results in

• Unemployed unemployment• Have closed closure• Not happy unhappiness• Ruled rule

Activities: Nominalizing1. Because of the Industrial Revolution, the

German society changed dramatically. 2. Because the Earth’s crust moves, we have

earthquakes. 3. As human technology grows, humans have

led a more comfortable life. 4. When the pressure of the air changes, the

point at which water boils changes as well. 5. Many people opposed Martin Luther’s ideas,

but there were more who were growing to accept and support equal rights for all Americans.

The use of sequencing words and linking

devices • First of all• Secondly• Thirdly• Last but not least• Finally• In short• To summarize

The use of sequencing words and linking

devices• Furthermore• Meanwhile• Also• In addition• Moreover• Besides

• Teacher first demonstrates the skills of nominalization

• Students are asked to write the ‘economic cause of the French Revolution’ in written language

• Sharing of students’ work

Discontent with the king

• In 1774, Louis XVI became the French king. Because he ruled very badly and his government was inefficient, many French people were discontented.

• In 1774, Louis XVI became the French king. His bad rule and inefficiency of his government led to the discontent among the French people.

Economic problemThe French government had a serious financial problem because:

1) Louis XVI’s court lived too luxuriously 2) Louis XIV and Louis XV fought too many wars3) His tax system was not fair. Only the common

ers paid heavy taxes, but the rich people paid very few taxes.

Result: the state treasury became empty The commoners were more and mor

e discontented with the king.

Economic problem• There were several reasons that caus

ed serious financial problems in France.

• The first reason was the luxurious life of Louis XVI’s court

• …

Group discussion• ‘What is the most important factor i

n causing the French Revolution in 1789?’

Group discussion• Please put a “” next to your option.

Explain your answer.

Discontent with the king

Economic problem

Social inequality

Effects of the Enlightenment

Effects of the American War of Independence

Assignment

Reminder • Remember to use written

language and linking devices in your own work

Students’ feedback• Have a better understanding

about the differences between spoken and written language

• Helps to enhance their language proficiency

• Not only useful for essay writing in history, but also good for writing composition in English Language

Teacher’s evaluation1. Most of our students nowadays are influen

ced by the ‘language’ used in msn, icq or sms write with ‘casual language’

2. Essay writing / long questions3. Not time consuming but effective4. Start in junior form (F.2-F.3)

easier to shape when they are young scaffold our students into better writing beneficial to their fur

ther studies

Thank you