'because' versus 'because of'

because

• It is a conjunction/connector which is used to introduce a cause or reason
• Therefore, it is used at the beginning of a clause, before a subject + verb (VERB PHRASE)
• It connects subordinating clauses to the main clause of a sentence (refer to previous post on clauses)  

Examples:  

                  Zhi Ming went to bed because he was tired.

                  We were late because it was raining.

                  Fandi was absent in school for two days because he caught a flu.

                 *Note that the subordinate 'because' clause can go after or before the main clause

Other acceptable examples:

                  Because he was tired, Zhi Ming went to bed 

                  Because it was raining, we were late.

                  Because he caught a flu, Fandi was absent in school for two days.

because of

• It means on account of; by reason of
• It is a two-word preposition, and NOT a conjunction
• Therefore, it is used before a NOUN or PRONOUN (NOUN PHRASE)

Examples:  

                  Zhi Ming went to bed because of his tiredness.

                  We were late because of the rain.

                  Fandi was absent in school for two days because of a flu he caught.

Situational Writing for Primary School

Content (6 marks)

- achieve the content marks for the 5+1 listed points

- does not have to be in chronological order so long ideas flow in a coherent/smooth and logical manner

Language (9 marks)

Language 

- Are your sentences grammatical? (tense, subject-verb agreement, sentence structure)

- Is your writing punctuated well? 

- Are your words spelt correctly?

Organisation 

- Are you able to sequence and link your ideas well?

Context 

- Are you able to demonstrate, through writing, that you are understand and are aware of the purpose, audience and context?

Understanding CONTEXT

• There is always a PURPOSE behind every piece of writing. For example, when a writer composes a letter to the residents of her block about her missing rabbit, the purpose or goal is to persuade others to help her look out for her pet. Similarly, in a report, the writer may need to persuade a someone in authority to take action to improve something.

• Therefore it is important to consider the P-A-C of your writing task as follows:
• Purpose (WHY the text is being written, the goals of your writing)
• Audience (WHO will read your writing, what is the RELATIONSHIP with the reading audience)
• Context (WHAT is the background of or situation/circumstances of task)

To put it in a table format

P-A-C	Key Question	Specific Details
Purpose	Why am I writing this?	·      To announce? ·      To inform? ·      To report? ·      To complain? ·      To inquire?
Audience	Who am I addressing?	·      Is my audience someone important? ·      Relationship – Is my audience someone of higher authority or is she/he my peer? ·      Have I greeted my audience appropriately?
Context	What is the situation/circumstances? What genre should it be in?	·      Am I using the right tone? ·      What style? Informal or formal? ·      Have I written an appropriate closing? ·      Does the format of my writing suit the requirement of the type of writing required?

TIPS for ensuring your 15 marks 

STEP 1:          Read the question, paying close attention to ‘Your Task’.

STEP 2:          Identify the text form, purpose and audience.

Determine if it is to be a formal piece of writing or an informal one. (This will play a large role in the language that you choose to use as you will be able to portray the correct TONE through language choice).

STEP 3:          Look at the pointers.

Using your highlighter, highlight the relevant information from the stimulus that will enable you to ‘answer’ those questions.

STEP 4:          Begin to write.

STEP 5:          Check your work. Ensure that the greeting and sign-off are accurate.

As you read, number each point that answers a question. In total, you should have numbered 1 – 6. If you are short, it means that you have missed out a point. In addition, this strategy will enable the marker to identify your points quickly.

Clauses

Clauses are building blocks of sentences. It always include a VERB.

There are two types of clauses: main and subordinate clauses.

Main Clause

A main clause is a group of words which is, or could be, a sentence on its own.

Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause is a clause which could not form a complete sentence on its own.

Conjunctions/connectors (because, although, after, if, ...) and relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which and that) do not introduce main clauses. So you can be pretty sure that it is a subordinate clause.

She was eating a bowl of 'laksa'.

[main clause]

 

He danced in the street	because he was feeling happy.
[main clause]	[subordinate clause]

 

There is a good explanation from Oxford Dictionaries which you may refer to for more examples here.