EN 1101: Practical and Professional Writing I
Nature and functions of written language
·
Identifying
the difference between the spoken and written English - conventional features
of written texts (pair work)
·
Types
of texts and functions: formal / informal / personal / business / descriptive /
narrative / expository / argumentative / persuasive
·
Difficulties
in writing: hand writing, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, content, layout
Writing essentials
Provide samples of
writing and discuss the following:
·
Cohesion-unity
of thought / relation between sentences in a paragraph and paragraphs in a
longer text
·
Clarity-
organize writing using a clear structure, neat ad clear writing / layout
·
Use
punctuations correctly-to signal sentence structure and to help the reader
·
Spelling:
using dictionaries, word banks, proof read their writing for errors - style:
adapting style of writing to suit different forms of writing, variety in
sentences
Developing a paragraph
·
Provide
different types of paragraphs. Ask students to find .topic sentence, supporting
details, conclusion
·
Instructions
to write different types of paragraphs, e.g. Put these sentences into the
correct order to make a paragraph
General guidelines for student portfolios
Introduction: A
collection of students’ work that demonstrates to students and others their
efforts, progress and achievements. Students should have their own portfolios
which can be a file folder.
Purpose:
·
To
collect students’ writing during the semester.
·
To
provide a tangible record of writing for assessment
·
To
provide a tangible record of students’ writing progress
Instructions:
·
Have
students date their samples as they write or revise them.
·
Identify
writing as “first draft” “revision” or “final copy”
·
Check
each folder regularly so that specific needs can be addressed as they arise
·
Encourage
students to share their writing with peers
Writing skills:
Letter writing
·
Understand
the format of a personal letter and a formal letter
Formal
letter - address, date, designation and address of the person, salutation, underlined subject of the letter, body of
the letter (introduction, reason, request for action) conclusion, complimentary
close, signature, name and address.
·
Language
differences-provide examples, e.g. I am writing to you regarding…, I wish to
inform you…
·
Practice
writing introductions for letters of request / inquiry / expressing inability
to accept an invitation
·
Personal
letters - express happiness / sorrow / exchanging news e.g. I was very happy to
/ delighted to / glad to / hear that…
·
Practice
writing introductions
Practical writing
Make the students write:
·
Announcements
for school / community event,
·
Invitations-sports
meet, concert, for a guest speech.
·
Thank
you notes to visitors / speakers
·
Letters
to a sick student / student who has moved away, etc.
Help students
with the writing process; planning, drafting, revising, proof reading and
presenting
Professional writing
·
Memos-used
for internal office correspondence. Provide a model to read and study the
content (group work).
·
Write
memos e.g. you are the secretary of the sports club of your office. Write a
memo to members informing about the annual picnic.
·
Agendas
of meetings-Provide a sample-usually follow the same pattern.
Imaginative writing
·
Write
imaginary dialogues and act them out. e.g. Explaining about a broken window, a
conversation between a mosquito and a dog
·
Provide
a new ending to a familiar story
·
Use
3 or 4 familiar objects and get students to write an incident / situation
involving them.
