Online TESOL Program Module 5
Basic Principle of Teaching Writing Writing English is a very difficult activity. Sentence structure and tenses add confusion when writing. When teaching writing, following these steps may be useful: 1. For the very beginner student, writing constitutes the alphabet. After this is learned, the students will move on to writing simple words. At this point, vocabulary games and dictionary activities are helpful. 2. Simple sentences are then introduced. These sentences should follow the S-V-O format. 3. Begin adding to these sentences with adjectives and adverbs. 4. Add clauses. 5. Now the students will begin writing paragraphs.
Types of Paragraphs There are four main types of paragraphs: Descriptive, Narrative, Explanatory, and Persuasive paragraphs. Descriptive paragraphs describe a person, place, or a situation. These paragraphs generally use a lot of adjectives. There is little to no action in there paragraphs. Narrative paragraphs tell a story. Explanatory paragraphs instruct the reader. These are also knows as how to paragraphs. Persuasive paragraphs argue a point. The writer is trying to convince the reader.
Examples of Paragraphs types (1) Read the following paragraphs. You will see the difference between the paragraph types. Paragraph type: Explanatory First, you must open the bottle. Inside the lid, you will find a small cap that covers the hole. Unscrew the lid and remove it. Peel off the small cap. You may now re-attach the lid. Once you have finished this, you may turn the bottle upside down and squeeze it gently. When an adequate amount of liquid soap has been poured on your hand, close the lid of the bottle.
Examples of Paragraphs types (2) Paragraph type: Descriptive The room was dark. There was not enough light to see much of anything. I could make out the basic shapes of the furniture. There was a sofa of a substantial size. It had large cushions that seemed inviting. There was also an armoire in the far corner near the window. It was tall and sturdy. It shone in the shadows. Near the door, there was a mannequin. It was very creepy indeed. At first I had thought it was her ghost. The mannequin was taller than I am and was, of course, female.
Examples of Paragraphs types (3) Examples of a writing activity that practices persuasive paragraph writing. Best Advice Write advice for each of the following situations My next door neighbor is a lonely old woman who visits me every evening. I want her to stop visiting so often, but I don t want to hurt her feelings. What should I do? Someone in my apartment building keeps taking my mail. I think I know who it is, but I m not sure. There is no way to put a lock on my mailbox. Any advice?
Introduction to Essay Writing (1) When writing an essay, organization is very important. The Formats are: 1. Introduction This is the first paragraph where you introduce your topic. What will you be writing about? Do not go into detail about the essay, just touch on some of the main points that will come up. The final sentence of this paragraph is the thesis statement. In this sentence, you will summarize your argument for the essay (You must always have an opinion of an argument in every essay!).
Introduction to Essay Writing (2) 2. Main Body This is the heart of the essay. In it, you must include all your arguments and points that will prove your argument. Generally, the body of the essay is a minimum of three paragraphs long. 3. Conclusion This paragraph will be the summary that you have written. Do not introduce any new points in this paragraph. It should only tell the reader what he or she has already read. Use different words though. You don t want to repeat yourself.
Essay Types (1) 1. Classification Essay In a classification essay, you separate things or ideas into specific categories and discuss each of them. You organize the essay by defining each classification and by giving examples of each type. Example Write an essay discussing the three types of question governments in Canada. Give background information about each type of Introduction Supporting Paragraph government in Canada. 1. Define and describe the federal government. 2. Define and describe the provincial government. 3. Define and describe the municipal government. Summary Paragraph Summarize the government systems in Canada
Essay Types (2) 2. Description Essay In a description essay, you write about what a person, place, or thing is like. You organize the essay by describing different parts of aspects of the main subject. Example question Write an essay describing the polar bear. Introduction Introduce what a polar bear is. Supporting Paragraph 1. Describe where the polar bear lives. 2. Describe the body of the polar bear. 3. Describe what the polar bear eats. Summary Paragraph Summarize What a polar bear is.
Essay Types (3) 3. Compare and Contrast Essay You write about the similarities and differences between two or more people, place, or things in this type of essay. You organize the essay by writing about one subject first and then comparing it with the second subject. Example Write an essay comparing the weather in question Vancouver and Halifax. Introduction Supporting Paragraph Introduce the weather of these two cities. 1. Compare weather in spring and summer for both cities. State how they are similar or different. 2. Compare weather in fall and winter for both cities. State how they are similar or different. Summary Paragraph Summarize the similarities and differences.
Essay Types (4) 4. Choice Essay In a choice essay, you need to choose which object, idea, or action that you prefer. You organize the essay by describing each option and then giving your opinion. Example Write an essay choosing between hockey in question the 1890s and hockey today. Introduction Introduce the game of hockey. Supporting Paragraph 1. Describe hockey in 1890s. 2. Describe hockey today. 3. State which form of hockey you prefer and why. Summary Paragraph Summarize the game of hockey.
Essay Types (5) 5. Evaluation Essay In an evaluation essay, you make judgments about people, ideas, and possible actions. You make your evaluation based on criteria that you develop. Example Write an essay evaluating the importance of question going to university. Give your opinion on whether going to university Introduction Supporting Paragraph is important. 1. Explain the first criteria: University educates you to get a job. 2. Explain the second criteria: University teaches you about work ethic. 3. Explain the third criteria: University gives a sense of accomplishment. Summary Conclude with an overall judgment about going to Paragraph university.
Basic Structure of Essay (1) 1. Introduction Paragraph What is an introduction paragraph? The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay. What does it do? It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your readers and tells why your topic is important. How do I write one? 1. Write the thesis statement. 2. Provide some background information about your topic.
Basic Structure of Essay (2) 2. Supporting Paragraph What are supporting paragraphs? Supporting paragraphs make up the main body of your essay. What does it do? They develop the main idea of your essay. How do I write one? 1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay. 2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph. 3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples.
Basic Structure of Essay (3) To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs. Examples of transition words that can help you to link your paragraphs together: For listing different points First Second Third To show For counter For additional examples ideas However Even though Nevertheless On the other Another In addition to Related to Furthermore hand Also cause and effect Therefore Thus As a result of Consequently
Basic Structure of Essay (4) 3. Summary Paragraph What is a summary paragraph? The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished developing your ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a conclusion. What does it do? It summarizes or restarts the main idea of the essay. It gives the reader a sense that your essay is complete. How do I write one? 1.Restart the strongest points supporting your main idea. 2.Conclude your essay by restarting the main idea in different words. 3. Give your personal opinion or suggest a plan of action.
Prewriting Essays The prewriting stage is when you prepare your ideas for your essay before you begin writing. You will find it easier to write your essay if you build an outline first, especially when you are writing a longer assignment. Six Prewriting steps: 1. Think carefully about what you are going to write. 2. Open your notebook. 3. Collect facts related to your paragraph or essay topic. 4. Write down your own ideas. 5. Define the main idea of your paragraph or essay. 6. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea.
Editing Essays (1) What is the editing stage? The editing stage is when you check your essay for mistakes and correct them. Editing steps 1. Grammar and Spelling 1) Check your spelling. 2) Check your grammar. 3) Make sure every singular count noun has an article/this/that/a and possessive pronoun. 4) Make sure each sentence has a subject. 5) Make sure your subjects agree with your verbs. 6) Check the verb tenses. 7) Make sure that each sentence makes sense.
Editing Essays (2) 2. Style and Organization 1) Make sure your essay has an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a summary paragraph. 2) Check that you have a thesis statement that identifies the main idea of the essay. 3) Check that all of your paragraphs follow the proper paragraph format. 4) See if your essay is interesting.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed Module 5.