breaking through english writing barriers. english writing barriers have you even found yourself...
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Breaking through English Writing Barriers
突破英文寫作困境
東海大學外文系
吳凱琳
English Writing Barriers
Have you even found yourself Staring at the computer screen/paper for more than
10 minutes Writing for 5 minutes and then stopping for more
than 5 minutes Having a lot of ideas but not knowing where to start Getting stuck in Chinese-English translation Getting lost in writing: no clear focus and
organization
English Writing Barriers in
getting started:
--the hardest part is the beginning
--no idea expressing ideas in English
--lack of vocabulary
--direct translation from Chinese into English
organizing ideas logically
Causes of Writing Barriers
Improper writing attitudes Writing is a “natural talent.”
Writing is a skill that can be learned.
Writing is a product.
Writing is a process
Lack of writing strategies Lack of input
Writing Strategy 1: Prewriting
“Don’t think. Type. The thinking comes later.”“The first time, you don’t think, you just write.” ~ Finding Forrester
Prewriting: Write before writing
Listing Freewriting Clustering WH-Questions
Prewriting technique: listing
List as many words, phrases about the topic
Don’t worry about spelling or grammar
Write down whatever comes to mind
Don’t stop to make correction
Exercises: Work with a partner and make a list of writing difficulties you encounter
no voc.
no idea
Translating from Chinese into English
Get stuck
Messy sentence structure
Disorganized essay structure
Boring writing topics
Writing academic papers
Prewriting technique: freewriting
Free your mind Start writing whatever
comes to mind Don’t stop to correct
spelling or grammar Keep writing for at least
20 minutes
Topic: benefit of aerobic exercise
What are the benefit of taking aerobic class? My classmate take the class because she would like to lose weight. Another takes for health, physical health and fitness.
加強心肺功能 How can it strengthen the function of heart and lungs? I don’t know, but a lot of studies show this kind of effects.
Prewriting technique: clustering
Start with the topic in the center of the page
Link ideas about the topic with circles and lines
Provide a mental picture of the ideas
Benefits of aerobic class
Prewriting technique: WH-Questions
Asking a reporter’s questions Who was there? What happened? Where did it happen? When did it happen? Why did it happen? How did it happen?
Writing Strategy 2: Outlining
Make a plan for writing: unity and coherence Select the most important points Provide details, examples Use a linear structure: Writing an essay in
three parts
Three parts of the essay
Writing Exercises: Put the ideas into a logical order by filling in the outline and adding a third major ideaThesis: Joining an aerobics class has many benefits.
Make new friends Reduce mental stress Social benefits Strengthens heart Improves self-images Mental benefits Tones muscles Meeting interesting instructors
(Langan’s College Writing Skills with Reading, p, 28)
A. _______________________
1.______________________
2.______________________
B. _________________________
1. _____________________
2.______________________
C. _______________________
1. _____________________
2. _____________________
I. Thesis: Joining an aerobics class has many benefits.
II. Physical benefits
1. Tones muscles
2. Strengthens heart
III. Mental benefits
1. Reduce mental stress
2. Improves self-images
IV. Social benefits
1. Meeting interesting instructors
2. Make new friends
IV. Conclusion
Writing Strategy 3: Keeping a journal
Use a pocket-size notebook or loose-leaf paper Write about what you read Write about what you saw, heard, thought, felt Make writing a part of your life: writing regularly Generate and develop ideas Exercises
1. Read an English news article about the earthquake in Sichuan and write what you think
2. Write about what you heard from the speech, “Breaking Through English Writing Barriers”
Writing Strategy 4: Reading to Write
Reading strategies Close reading of professional essays Underline main ideas Look at the title and the introduction. Look for the thesis statement Look for the important points that support the thesis Ask how the writer develops/organizes idea Learn the dictions used by the writer
Writing Strategy 4: Reading to Write
Writing strategies while reading Take notes and ask questions while reading Summarize the article Record reactions Draw picture, maps, diagrams
Other Strategies
Talk about the writing topic with a friend Read about the writing topic Physical exercises help you think clearly Start at a place you have a lot to write about
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Suggestions
Pre-writing: Write before writing Start writing and keep writing (Peter Elbow) Make an outline before writing the first draft Read and write and think and write Keeping a dairy/journal in English Think in Ink