The bad news is …Writing well is NOT easy!

Why did Mark Twain say this?“I didn't have time to write ashort letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”

But,a little work will pay its dividends…

“Don’t believe people who tell you that writing iseasy. Except for the fortunate few, writers are made, not born..

Planning Techniques• Writing is NOT just writing..• Before, during, after• “Clarity of writing usually follows clarity of thought” (Robert Haigh, Legal English)• Vital initial questions:- Why am I writing? (purpose, NOT to clarify my own ideas)- Who am I writing for? (give reader what he needs/wants

Techniques for overcoming“writer’s block”

• Brainstorming• Outlining• Mind mapping (or idea clustering)• Free-writing

• Focus on reader and purpose of writing• Pay no attention to order• List relevant ideas, phrases• General and specific ideas

Outlining• Linear• An overall plan of contents• Categories of information plus supportingdetails• Can follow brain storming or mind mapping

Mind mapping• Visual display showing connections from acentral idea• Shows how ideas are related• Main idea in centre, secondary ideasradiating from thisLeave space for filling in further• connecting ideas

https://www.examtime.com/blog/6-tips-on-how-to-create-an-online-mind-map-with-examtime/

When the ideas just don’t seem to come..

Free Writing• Try “freeing up” your mind• Free writing focuses on any idea to getyou going• Think of one thing, set a time and then just write anything that comes to mindThis “unblocks” other ideas

Sometimes it’s not so easy..

DIFFICULT subjects(“imagination is more important than knowledge”)Don’t start here..Try coming in from somewhere else!

3 important things in the news: 3 ideas from the book I am reading:o Debt crisis in Europe o The changes that occur over timeo Election candidates (USA/Chile) in the place we liveo New permitted alcohol limits o The magnificence of very old

buildings in Europe o Families, kings and

countries have always fought and

sought revenge throughout history

3 important concerns for the 3 important factors in my world in the future: personal life:

o Need to reduce number of cars (pollution, traffic)o Is our climate changing?o How to feed the ever growing population

General Text Structures

It’s very easy:BEGINNING, MIDDLE, ENDWorks for essays, articles, letters etc..

Text StructuresINTRODUCTIONS-Grab reader’s attention (then keep it!) - Let the reader know what you will talk about (purpose and scope)- Thesis statement?CONCLUSIONS- Wrap up the contents of the text- Summarize and answer the main question- Should NOT go off on a tangent!- Should tie in with the introduction

Topic SentencesExamples:• Internet shopping is very easy.(Description of this quality follows.)

• Internet shopping has many benefits.(Description of the benefits follows.)

• Internet shopping has changed our livesfor many reasons.(Description of the reasons follows.)

Writing with style1. Clear, effective writing = KISS2. Formal versus informal writing3. Writing a text that must bespoken

Clear, effective writingWriting should be:*Easy to understand*ConciseSo,Keep it Short & Simple

Elaborate does NOT impress!Sentences:*Do not “stuff” in too much information(one main idea or maybe two – sufficient)*Avoid the passive if possible – less dynamic(but often fine for reports)Passive: This idea has been expressed by many philosophers and it has been suggested that..Better: Many philosophers have expressed this idea, suggesting that...

Short and Simple

Short and SimpleWords:Elaborate does NOT impress!*Simple ones are fine(prefer carry out to effectuate, prefer try to endevour)

*Avoid “empty” words to be concise(for the purpose of / in the event that etc.)

INCONCISE: When all things are considered, young adults of today live moresatisfying lives than those of their parents, in my opinion.

CONCISE: I believe that young adults of today live more satisfying livesthan those of their parents.*Use concrete rather than abstract(avoid nice – prefer something specific: delicious, comfortable, pleasant etc)

Formal and Informal WritingVital to use the correct tone

Formal language• No contractionsEg: I do not need to know the final dates you havebooked until Friday.(not: don’t, you’ve)

• Use of the conditional (would/could)Eg: Could you please send me the details?(not: Can you please send me the details?)

Eg: We would appreciate..(not: We need..)

Formal writing guidelinesDo not use idiomatic or colloquial vocabulary(use children, manager, not kids, boss)

• Be as precise as possible:- avoid vagueness with facts and numbers- care with: lots of, big/little(use a significant number of, small/large)

• Do not use “like” when you mean “such as”

• Avoid “get” phrases is possible(use improve not get better etc)

Writing a Text that must be Spoken

Spoken texts rely on good use of:• The Voice- Rhythm- Stress• Pauses and Intonation• Body Language and Eye ContactBut the text itself must help:• Language slightly more informal• Sentences can’t be too long or complicated• Simple, effective structure- Vital to come in and out with a bang! (introduction/conclusion)- Generally no more than 3 main points

Writing a Text that must be Spoken

Helpful Phrases:a) Introductory phrasesb) Transitions and sequencingc) Concluding

Important considerations for the body

a) Can we write a good summary?b) Do we use effective connector words?c) Are we using good examples?

Connecting Words• They link two ideas, or contrast them, or they move you on to the next ideaEg: furthermore, however, despite• They are VITAL:- to make the text flow to facilitate understanding- • They must be varied

Are we using good examples?• Facts, figures, general statements, opinions ..can be… BORING!• To liven things up, to bring vague conceptsdown to earth, to make people sit up we need…*Relevant examples*Personal experiences

Common mistakes• Run-on sentences• Prepositions• Verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives• Direct and indirect Questions• Other Common Mistake Areas

PrepositionsLittle words... BIG problems!IMPORTANT POINT – OFTEN OVERLOOKED• After a preposition verbs endwith “ing” (gerunds)- My brother is thinking of going onholiday next week.- apologize for arriving late.- We are all used to working hard.- I am looking to hearing from you.

Prepositionsno logic.. many errors..• The possibility OF (not TO)• The opportunity TO• Consist OF.. (not ON)• Keen ON (but enthusiastic ABOUT)• Married/engaged TO (not WITH)• Capable OF (not TO)• Succeed IN• Depend ON ( not OF)• Focus ON (not IN)

The Post Writing Process

HINTS for effective editing “Proofread carefully to see if you any words out” Give yourself the conditions for good concentration Print out the text (with apologies!) Use a ruler to ensure you see every word Read aloud Do NOT rely on spellcheck LEAVE the text and come back to it laterWhy not get one pupil to check what another has written?Make pupils underline every verb before handing in their writing

Final Comments

Final Comments• Good writing requires care and attentionBEFORE, during, AFTER• Planning and structure are VITAL• Come in and go out with a bang!• How can I convey the message clearly and directly?• Use effective connector words and examples• Effective writing requires an effort from the writer – butthe effort pays its dividends!

It’s just like everything else..