ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD
(Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics)
WARNING
1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING
THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD
OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT(S) BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM
OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN
“AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.
Course: Syntax (9066) Semester: Autumn, 2023
Level: BS
Please read the following instructions for writing your assignments. (AD, BS, BEd,
MA/MSc, MEd, MPhil and PhD)
1. All questions are compulsory and carry equal marks but within a question the
marks are distributed according to its requirements.
2. Read the question carefully and then answer it according to the requirements of the
questions.
3. Hand-written scanned assignments are not acceptable.
4. Upload your typed (in Word or PDF format) assignments on or before the due date.
5. Late submission of assignments will not be accepted.
6. Your own analysis and synthesis will be appreciated.
7. Avoid irrelevant discussion/information and reproducing from books, study guide
or allied material.
Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50
Assignment No. 1
Q1 Define the following terms in your own words and with appropriate examples from
the coursebook you studied: (5 X 4 = 20)
a. Transformation
b. Deep structure
e. Complement clause
d. Mental grammar
e. Lexical category
Q2 Define 'universal grammar (UG)’ and discuss principles and parameters with
appropriate examples. (20)
Q3 Write a comprehensive note on Phrase Structure Rules and explain the limitations
of Phrase Structure Rules with examples from English or Pakistani regional
languages. (20)
1
Q.4 Explain forms and functions of linguistic units with a special focus on word classes and
their "grammatical functions (by giving examples from English language). (20)
Q5 Highlight the features of 'clause' as a grammatical category and differentiate main
and subordinate clauses with examples from the languages of your choice. (20)
Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50
Assignment No. 2
The second assignment is a project. You are required to study the relevant area, conduct
your research and prepare a report on your findings as per given instructions. You will
have to submit one copy of the report to your tutor within the scheduled time period and
then present the report in the tutorials. This compulsory assignment carries 100 marks, 40
marks for the written report (assignment) and 60 for the presentation. You are required to
pass both these parts separately.
A few guidelines for the presentation and the written report:
i. The written report should have an introduction, body, and conclusion. It should be
written in clear, concise, and correct English.
ii. It should have 2000 to 3000 words.
iii. The presentation will be assessed and evaluated mainly in
a. Contents of the assignment/report
b. Communication skills
c. Language fluency d. Presentation style
iv. You may use transparencies, charts or any other material to make your presentation
impressive.
You will prepare your project on ONE of the following topics. Your tutor will assign
different.
topics to different students during your classes.
1. Talk to one of your friends from your language community for approximately 20-
25 minutes and record your talk (with the permission of your friend). Transcribe
the text in either Urdu or English. Now carefully analyze the data (spoken text) and
answer the following questions:
a. Are there lexical and functional categories in your mother tongue?
b. Enlist certain examples for phrases and clauses used in your conversation.
c. Parse and draw tree diagrams for your given examples.
NB: Attach a copy of the story with your assignment for the review of your teacher.
2. Read the English text of "The Necklace' (short story) written by French writer Guy
de Maupassant (first written in 1884). Study in detail the text and follow the
following steps.
a. Enlist the types of Adjective Phrases (Adj Ps) used by the writer.
b. Provide certain examples for each kind of the Adjective Phrases (Adj Ps)
used by Maupassant.
