EN 1201: Practical and Professional
Writing II
Linking ideas: clauses and phrases
· Activities:
Provide sentences with linking words such as: because, so, but, although,
in spite of, otherwise, except that, apart from. Get them to underline the
linking words. Discuss the function of linking words
· Provide more
activities.
- Join the ideas in the two columns using linking
words.
- Fill in the blanks.
(Ref: Language in Use: Intermediate, Workbook. Page
59)
Develop paragraphs: organizing ideas at inter-paragraph
level
· Generate ideas
using different techniques: brain storming, group/class discussions, reading,
illustrations
· Guidelines on
organization: beginning, developmental Pattern-content (two or three paragraphs),
ending, register, key words
· Writing drafts,
conference with the teacher, revising
Informative writing
· Text types:
information leaflets, prospectuses, plans, description of places/people
· Focus: conveying
information clearly. Consider what the reader wants to know and include
relevant details only.
· Present materials
clearly, appropriate layout, illustrations and organization
Practical writing
· Text types: CV
writing, job applications, personal letters-mails
· Focus on
particulars found in an application form, CV format is different from
application form
- Personal letters: e.g. thanking a teacher who was
helping your class to practice a drama (Collaborative group tasks),
- Language: We are writing this letter to…, Our drama
came first in the…
Professional writing
· Text Types:
business letters, reports of discussions, meetings, summarizing, filling in
forms (e.g. library membership)
· Focus: use formal
and impersonal language
· Writing reports:
e.g. you are the secretary of the senior literary society. Write the annual
report giving an account of the activities of the society during the year
· Present a model
with an activity. e.g. Read the following report and fill in the blanks with
the words given below.
Imaginative writing
§ Text types: plays, stories, poems, autobiographies,
imaginary situations
§ Focus: creative use of language. Provide
questions/pictures to stimulate writing.
- Provide the beginning; An old man sat o a bench in
the park watching
children playing…
- Provide the ending: …I told you it was a joke
- Supply captions or titles as starting points. These
can be taken from news papers. e.g. Boy saved from drowning.
- Imaginary situations: If I were a parent…
Writing poetry
e.g. five-line
poem (cinquain) in which the lines are arranged by word/syllable.
Line 1:
title
2 syllables or 1word
Line 2:
description of the title 4 syllables or 3words
Line 3: action
bout the title 6
syllables or 3 words
Line 4: feeling
about the title 8 syllables or 4
words
Line 5: synonym
for the title 2 syllables or 1 word
Syllable
cinquain
word cinquain
Water
Kittens
Frothy,
bubbling
Soft, cuddly
Tumbling,
twisting, turning
Playing, purring, pouncing
Roaring like a
fierce lioness Giving joy
and happiness
River
Babies
Persuasive and argumentative writing
· Writing skills:
giving reasons: e.g. why do people gamble/become vegetarians/keep pets/enjoy
watching violet films? (Ref: Language in Use: Upper-Intermediate. Classroom
Book.Page40, 50)
· Text types:
letters to the editor of a newspaper, articles, letters conveying opinions:
Brochures, advertisements
- Letters to the editor- Provide opportunities to
read and collect different letters from newspapers. Discuss structure,
reason/argument/request etc. Get students to write their own letters to the editor.
Provide the topic and guidelines; help them in planning, writing and
redrafting.
- Brochures, advertisements- on presenting a case
influencing the reader. e.g. Imagine a local radio station has asked you to
write a one-minute commercial advertising a new product.
Drama and writing
- Text types: write dialogues appropriate to specific
situations on different themes and act them out. e.g. buying, selling,
bargaining, apologizing, complaining, persuading, arguing, and giving
directions. (group tasks)
- Write and act out well-known tales, e.g. folk
stories
