The Write stuff!Approaches to developing the writing skill

Rob Dean

Hi, how was your journey?

Very good thanks. I flew to Belgrade from Poland via Munich, then travelled from Belgrade by car. How was yours?

Agenda

Speaking vs. Writing

What do students need to know before they write?

Two approaches to writing

Why write in class?

Following up writing activities – assessment and marking

“A good speaker does not always make a good writer.”

“The most effective way to expose a learner’s weakness is to get them to

write.”

SpeakingTemporary

Redundancy (Hesitation, etc)

Instant Feedback / Response

Mistakes more normal and acceptable

Expressive features (Intonation, stress, etc)

Often spontaneous and takes little thought

Focus on pronunciation

WritingPermanent

Very little redundancy

Not always an instant response

Mistakes not as acceptable

Expressive features (Punctuation, underlining, capital letters, etc)

Takes more thought and planning

Focus on spelling

The difference between speaking and writing

What have you written recently?

What do your students write in English?

A possible writing task:

Letter of complaint

What do students need to know about what they are going to write?

Who the reader will be (target audience)

•Register / Formality

•Type / genre of writing – essay? Letter? Report?...

•Purpose of writing – to entertain? To ask for information? To introduce ones self?...

•Length – how many words?

What do students need to know about what they are going to write?

Who the reader will be (target audience)

•Register / Formality

•Type / genre of writing – essay? Letter? Report?...

•Purpose of writing – to entertain? To ask for information? To introduce ones self?...

•Length – how many words?

Unknown person at the company

Formal

Letter

To ask for a refund

150 words

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing connection with the Freefriends mobile phone package what I recently purchased from you, and wish to inform you of some problems I have since experienced in using it. Firstly, the advert stated that the package included a Smartphone 3; however I received a Smartphone 2, and the keypad is already falling apart. Furthermore, I have been unable to top up the phone card in any of my local shops; the advert stated that it could be used in thousand of shops across the country. Finally, I was dissapointed to find that despite the offer of free texts to friends on the same service, I have been charged for sending such texts.

I am really fed up with the service I have received, and wish to return the phone for a full refund.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Dear

I’m writing

I was disappointed

I would

I hope this problem

Even though

I look

Yours

can be resolved as soon as possible

faithfully

the advert stated…

Sir / Madam

forward to hearing from you

in connection with…

to find that…

like you to replace my…

Dear

I’m writing

I was disappointed

I would

I hope this problem

Even though

I look

Yours

Sir / Madam

in connection with...

to find that…

like you to replace my…

can be resolved as soon as possible

the advert stated…

forward to hearing from you

faithfully

The joys of English Spelling…

acomodation accommodation acommodation

rhythm rythm rhytem

embarrasment embarasment embarrassment

perseverence perseverance persevarance

The joys of English Spelling…

acomodation accommodation acommodation

rhythm rythm rhytem

embarrasment embarasment embarrassment

perseverence perseverance persevarance

The best accommodation has two double beds

Rhythm helps your two hips move

Embarrassment causes two red cheeks

It takes several tries to succeed

Product Writing:

Focussing on what good writers PRODUCE

Emphasis on FORM and STRUCTURE of the FINISHED PRODUCT

Possible Stages:

1)Analysis of a model text

2)Practice of features of model text

3)Freer practice writing a parallel text

Article for school magazine

Other students (neutral)

200 words

What do you think about the following statement?

“Writing in class is a waste of time and best left for homework.”

Type of text?

Audience?

Length?

What do you think about the following statement?

“Writing in class is a waste of time and best left for homework.”

IntroductionArguments in favourArguments against

Conclusion

Process Writing:

Focussing on what good writers DO

Emphasis on the MEANS as well as the final PRODUCT

Possible Stages:

1) Brainstorming ideas

2) Organising Ideas

3) Drafting

4) Revising

5) Redrafting until a final version is produced

Why write in class?

•The teacher can be on hand to help.

•The students can help each other.

•An opportunity for peer correction

•Can be communicative and interactive

•Can be fun

•Teamwork helps students to develop the SKILL of writing.

Following Up Writing Activities:

Assessing and Marking written work

Possible criteria for marking writing

rammar and vocabulary – accuracyangerganisation and layoutppropriacy (Style and register)ask achievement and effect on target reader andwritingpelling and punctuation

GROAT .HS

Ways of assessing1) Written Work

Possible criteria for marking writing

rammar and vocabulary – accuracyangerganisation and layoutppropriacy (Style and register)ask achievement and effect on target reader andwritingpelling and punctuation

GROAT .HS

Ways of assessing1) Written Work

Ways of assessing1) Written Work

Ways of assessing1) Written Work

Ways of assessing1) Written Work

Article

I very like where I live.

The city has over 1,000 years.

I think, that we can be proud of this.

Many people enjoy listening music.

It’s possible to go on English lessons.

In summary:

Writing Tips

1.Use class time to develop the skill

2. Make writing interactive

3. Increase students’ awareness of:

• what they need to consider before writing

• what they will be assessed on

4. Enjoy…

Thank You