ASSIGNMENT

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HBET1203
ENGLISH PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY
MAY 2017 SEMESTER
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INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS

1. This assignment contains only ONE (1) question that is set in the language of the printed module
for the course.

2. Answer in English.

3. Download the language version of the assignment template concerned from the myINSPIRE for
preparation and submission of your assignment. Your assignment should be typed using 12 point
Times New Roman font and 1.5 line spacing.

4. Your assignment should be between 2500 to 3000 words excluding references. Do not copy the
assignment question and instructions to your answer. Only assignment answer developed within
the approximate word limit will be assessed. The number of words should be shown at the end of
your assignment.

5. You must submit your assignment TO YOUR FACE-TO-FACE TUTOR. You are advised to
keep a copy of your submitted assignment for personal reference.

6. Your assignment must be submitted before 14th 16th July 2017 or Tutorial 4. Submission
after 16th July 2017 or Tutorial 4 will NOT be accepted.

7. Your assignment should be prepared individually. You should not copy another persons
assignment. You should also not plagiarise another persons work as your own.

8. Please take note that PENALTY will be imposed on late submission of assignment as specified
in the Registrars Office circular 6/2012 (Refer to Registrars Announcement in myVLE).

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EVALUATION

This assignment accounts for 40% of the total marks for the course and shall be assessed
based on the Rubrics or Answer Scheme attached.

PLAGIARISM: MARKS DEDUCTION

Warning: The submitted assignment will automatically undergo a similarity check. If

plagiarism is detected, marks would be deducted as follows:

No. Similarity Percentage (%) Marks Deduction (%)

1. 0 30 0
2. 30.01 50 5
3. 50.01 70 10
4. 70.01 - 100 100

Assignments found to have similarities under any of the categories above; will not be entitled
to apply for appeal. For learners who fall into the 70.01-100 similarities group, the access for
online appeal for assignment remarking of the subject will be disabled from the appeal
options.

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 ASSIGNMENT QUESTION

Consonant clusters is a difficult area for native speakers of any of the Malaysian languages
to master when they try to master the English language. Is this true or false?

State your opinion of the statement above and substantiate your position by doing the
following:
1. Record the speech of three Malaysian English language learners speaking in English*.
2. Analyse the recorded speeches for the following;
(a) The kind of consonant clusters that they use. Compare these with the consonant
clusters in English (see dictionaries with IPA notations). (Example: dont
[dnt], slide [slad] )
(b) Note any irregular syllable constructions (compare with words in your dictionary).

Note: Begin your paper with an introduction, the body of the essay elaborating the above (the
body of the essay should have two parts as indicated in the instruction above) and a
conclusion. Use the assignment rubrics as a guide to achieve cohesion and coherence.

*Native speakers of any of the Malaysian languages and English language learners. They can
be from any language community. The recorded speech must be of them speaking English,
not reading a piece of text. You can also record those who mix languages as they speak.

[Total: 40 marks]

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 Assignment Rubrics

Category Weight Missing items Low Fair Above average Excellent Marks

0 1 2 3 4
Introduction 1.5 There is no There is no clear The introduction states The introduction The introduction is 6
*Must state introduction. introduction of the the main topic, but does clearly states the inviting, states the main
opinion and main topic or not adequately preview main topic and topic and previews the
briefly structure of the the structure of the previews the structure structure of the paper.
explain. paper. paper nor is it of the paper, but is
particularly inviting to not particularly
the reader. inviting to the reader.

Body of 2.5 Main ideas in all The main ideas in One of the paragraphs Main ideas of both There is one clear, well- 10
essay paragraph is all paragraphs are has a clear main idea. paragraphs are clear. focused topic. Main idea
Syllable inappropriate not clear. There is Only some supporting Most supporting stands out and is
construction and relevant. a strong evidence details are appropriate details are supported by detailed
Writing is of plagiarism. and relevant. Most appropriate and information. All outside
generally outside sources are not relevant. Most sources are properly
plagiarized. cited/ referenced outside sources are cited/ referenced.
properly. properly cited/
referenced.
Body of 2.5 Main ideas in all The main ideas in One of the paragraphs Main ideas of both There is one clear, well- 10
essay paragraph is all paragraphs are has a clear main idea. paragraphs are clear. focused topic. Main idea
Comparing inappropriate not clear. There is Only some supporting Most supporting stands out and is
and and relevant. a strong evidence details are appropriate details are supported by detailed
contrasting Writing is of plagiarism. and relevant. Most appropriate and information. All outside
use of generally outside sources are not relevant. Most sources are properly
syllable plagiarized. cited/ referenced outside sources are cited/ referenced.
construction properly. properly cited/
referenced.

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Conclusion 1.5 There is no There is no clear The conclusion is The conclusion is The conclusion is strong 6
conclusion. conclusion, the recognizable, but does recognizable and and leaves the reader
paper just ends. not effectively close the gives closure to the with a feeling that they
essay. essay. understand what the
writer is "getting at."

Coherence 1 Writing is Writing contains There are attempts to There are clear Details are placed in a 4
confusing and major mistakes in use cohesive devices but attempts to use logical order and the
has a lot of gaps. the use of cohesive writing lacks direction cohesive devices to way they are presented
No or limited devices that affect that affects readers link details but in one effectively keeps the
number of general comprehension. or two places, writing interest of the reader.
cohesive devices understanding. appears incoherent.
used to assist
comprehension
Language/ 1 Writing is Writer makes a lot Writer makes some Writer makes Writer makes no errors 4
Grammar generally of errors in errors in grammar, minimal errors in in grammar or spelling
incomprehensible grammar, structure structure, or spelling grammar, structure that distract the reader
due to mistakes in or spelling that that affects readers and spelling that not from the content.
grammar, affects readers understanding. affect readers
structures and comprehension. understanding.
spelling.
TOTAL 40