Writing

All written text types have two things in common. Firstly, they are written to communicate a particular message, and secondly, they are written to communicate to somebody. Our message and who we are writing to influence what we write and how we write. For example, if you write a note to yourself to remind yourself to do something, you may write in terrible hand writing, and use note form or single words that other people would not understand. If you write a note for your friend to remind him/her of something, your note will probably be clearer and a bit more polite. Writing involves several sub-skills. Some of these are related to accuracy, i.e. using the correct forms of language. Writing accurately involves spelling correctly, forming letters correctly, writing legibly, punctuating correctly, using correct layouts, choosing the right vocabulary, using grammar correctly, joining sentences correctly and using paragraphs correctly. But writing isnt just about accuracy. It is also about having a message and communicating it successfully to other people. To do this, we need to have enough ideas, organize them and express them in an appropriate style. Writing also involves going through a number of stages. When we write outside the classroom we often go through these stages: Brainstorming Making notes Planning (organizing our ideas) Writing a draft (a piece of writing that is not yet finished, and may be changed) Editing (correcting and improving the text) Producing another draft. Proof-reading (checking for mistakes in accuracy) or editing again.

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES Here are some suggestions for writing activities. Do they focus on : A) Accuracy B) Communicating ideas

1. Writing letters, e.g. a letter to a pen friend telling them about yourself. 2. Labeling pictures or objects. 3. Completing a story, e.g. the teacher gives the student the beginning, the middle or the end of a story.

4. Copying words from a reading book into an exercise book. 5. Writing emails to other students in the school.

For questions 1-6, match the coursebook instructions with the writing subskills listed A-G. There is one extra option which you do not need to use. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. PUNCTUATING CORRECTLY PLANNING FORMING LETTERS LINKING USING THE APPROPRIATE LAYOUT PARAGRAPHING PROOF-READING

1. Put your hand in the air and write d-o-g with your finger. 2. Tick the correct place in this letter for the address of the receiver and put a cross in the correct place for the date. 3. This letter has no commas or full stops. Put them in the correct places. 4. Join these pairs of sentences by using the best conjunction from the following: because, after and while. 5. Look at this list of ideas for a composition. Number them in the order you would write about them in your composition. 6. Check your work for language mistakes after you have finished writing.

Spratt, M. & Pulverness, A. & Williams, M. (2007). The TKT course. Italy: Cambridge University Press. Pages: 26-29.