English Foundations: Unit 6 - Reading an Act and Language Structures

Vocabulary and key concepts from English Foundations Unit 6, focusing on legislative structure, active and passive voice, and modal verbs.

Active Voice

A sentence structure where the subject performs the action, typically following the pattern: Subject + Verb + Object.

Passive Voice

A sentence structure where the subject receives the action; it follows the pattern: Subject + form of 'to be' + past participle + (by + agent).

Modal Verbs

Words that indicate degrees of certainty and cannot stand alone; they express conditions like possibility, necessity, permission, and ability.

Short Title

The official name of an Act of Parliament, such as the Labour Relations Act No. 66 of 1995.

Date of Assent

The specific date on which an Act was signed by the President.

Date of Commencement

The date on which an Act becomes legally enforceable.

Long Title

A structural component of an Act that describes its broad purpose and the laws it intends to change or govern.

Preamble

An introductory statement in a legislative document, such as the South African Constitution, that recognizes past injustices and sets fundamental goals.

Paraphrasing

Writing a section of text in your own words by repeating only the core essence while maintaining the original meaning.

Golden Thread

The consistent theme or logic woven into a piece of writing from the introduction through to the conclusion to keep an essay tied together.

Magistrates’ Court Claim Threshold

The court that can be approached for claims lower than $R400\,000$.

Modal Verbs for Ability

The specific terms 'can' and 'could' used to show what someone is able to do.

Modal Verbs for Obligation

The terms 'must' and 'have' used to indicate a requirement or necessity.

Modal Verbs for Future Intentions

The terms 'will' and 'shall' used to express determination or future plans, especially in formal contexts.

Section 186 of the LRA

The legislative provision defining the meaning of dismissal and unfair labour practice.

Section 23 of the Constitution

The section establishing that everyone has the right to fair labour practices, including the right to form trade unions and to strike.

Arrangement of Sections

The part of an Act that lists the chapters and contents, such as Purpose, Application, and Interpretation.