Nominalisation: using words within a sentence or clause to describe

Learning Intention: That students understand the concept of how changing the function of a word or a phrase can make the meaning clearer within a sentence or paragraph.

Purpose of Nominalisation Nominalisation helps achieve a higher degree of abstraction and technicality. Nominalisation is significant in constructing a distant and abstract world that can be reflected on. Nominalisation allows a greater level of precision in written texts.

Creating nominalisations Nominalisations are nouns often formed from verbs (e.g. discover > discovery, achieve > achievement, present > presentation, permit > permission). adjectives (e.g. brave > bravery, wide > width, tense > tension), conjunctions (e.g. because > cause, whereas > difference, if > possibility) preposition (e.g. during > duration).

Creating nominalisations From Verbs Many verbs can be changed into nominalisations by changing the end of the verb eg. divide > division, pay > payment, sing > my singing Some do not need change eg. his diet, the struggle

Some common nominalisations in Maths WordVerb/adjectiveNominalisation deepadjective verbaddition adjectivedistance multiply estimation

Some common nominalisations in Maths WordVerb/adjectiveNominalisation deepadjectivedepth addverbaddition distantadjectivedistance multiplyverbmultiplication estimateverbestimation

Some common nominalisations in the Arts WordVerb/adjectiveNominalisation performverb movement adjectiveoriginality exhibition surrealism

Some common nominalisations in the Arts WordVerb/adjectiveNominalisation performverbperformance moveverbmovement originaladjectiveoriginality exhibitverbexhibition surrealadjectivesurrealism

Understanding Nominalisation Original VersionNominalised Versions They were impressed by how brave she was. She made an impression because she was brave. It may not be appropriate to nominalise every possibility They were impressed by her bravery. She made an impression by her bravery.

Understanding Nominalisation Original VersionNominalised Versions Jill placed the flowers perfectly on the table. The coach was amazed by Nina’s brilliant effort.

Understanding Nominalisation Original VersionNominalised Versions Jill placed the flowers perfectly on the table. Her placement of the flowers on the table was perfect. The table looked perfect due to Jill’s placement of the flowers. The coach was amazed by Nina’s brilliant effort. Nina’s brilliance amazed the coach. The coach’s amazement was caused by Nina’s brilliance.

Rewriting an example Step 1 Identify the verbs Students who complete what the school requires can graduate. When they receive their certificate, they can apply for work.

Rewriting an example Step 1 Identify the verbs Students who complete what the school requires can graduate. When they receive their certificate, they can apply for work.

Rewriting an example Step 2 Nominalise these verbs Complete > Require > Graduate > Receive > Apply >

Rewriting an example Step 2 Nominalise these verbs Complete > Completion Require > Requirement Graduate > Graduation Receive > Receipt Apply > Application

Rewriting an example Step 3 Try to rewrite the text using all nominalisations

Rewritten example Completion of the school’s requirements can lead to graduation. Upon receipt of their certificate, students can make an application for work. What other steps were required to rewrite the text?

Other changes Change of verb > can lead to Change of foregrounding > Completion of the school’s requirements Longer noun groups > receipt of their certificate

Some considerations The syntax of the sentence need to change to accommodate the nominalisations (eg. new verb) and as a result the meaning of the sentence may change Not all verbs/adjectives need to be nominalised Apply the appropriate level of nominalisation for the job

Building vocabulary prior to nominalisation She did well in the play. She performed well in the play. Her performance in the play was excellent. Her excellence was shown in her performance. Her excellence was evident in her performance. Evidence of her excellence was seen in her performance. (At what point does nominalisation become cumbersome and inappropriate?)

Building vocabulary prior to nominalisation He took away the rubbish, because it had to be done. He took away the rubbish, because it needed to be done. He removed the rubbish, because it was necessary. The removal of the rubbish was a necessity.

Understanding Nominalisation Text A (Spoken comments at a committee meeting) Hazel: I reckon we can replant the trees along the side of the oval nearest to the main road. It is very noisy on that side and the trees will make it better. I’ll ask the council to see if we can borrow some of their gear to use on the day. Vy: My husband said we can use his truck if we want to. I can see if my uncle can also lend us some tools. Text B (Written minutes of the meeting including some of the possible nominalisations) A proposal was made by Hazel that the revegetation occur along the side of the school’s oval nearest to the main road so that there is a reduction in noise. Hazel will make a request to borrow equipment from the council. Vy made the offer to use her husband’s truck and will investigate the possibility of borrowing equipment from her uncle.

Nominalisation changes “packaging’ of information Texts with lots of nominalisation appear dense and difficult to read because: Abstractions are named Noun groups are complex Relating verbs are used (e.g. contains, are, involves) “Actors” are removed

Unpacking nominalisations It is important to be able to “unpack” noun groups containing nominalisations How could you explain the information below without using nominalisation? How many sentences does it take? The dramatic increase of illegal logging in rainforests is of international significance. The reduction of suitable habitat is causing the extinction of some species and a general reduction of biodiversity.

Nominalisation and genres Nominalisation is an important resource for successful development of effective and efficient description in narrative and factual genres

Using nominalisation in descriptive writing Example: The water looked very deep (adj). Becomes: The depth of the water was such that Lenore felt her chest tighten and her breathing quicken. (it may be longer, but it gives greater detail. Also, drop very, many, lots as they are “empty intensifiers)

Using nominalisation in descriptive writing Example: She reacted badly (verb). Becomes: Her reaction was clearly written across her face; her mouth was a hard-lined grimace and her eyes spat fire.