Categories: Education & Reference

Essential Writing Skill Components in the Class

 

Writing Skill

Writing is the main tool of expressing thoughts, feeling and emotions on a paper in written words. It is called a creative art. But it can be learnt with the help a good teacher but teaching writing skill is a difficult job for any teacher. Writing skill rests on two things; grammar and vocabulary.

Grammar is the system of rules by which words are formed and put together to make sentences long and short and the any idea is expressed by the help of vocabulary. These two tools convey the writer’s message to the readers.

There are six main steps of writing;

  1. Brainstorming
  2. Traits of Good Writing
  3. Paragraph Writing
  4. Essay Writing
  5. Précis Writing
  6. Paraphrasing
  1. Brainstorming

It means; to generate creative ideas spontaneously, usually for problem-solving, and especially in an intensive group discussion that does not allow time for reflection. There are three major steps of this group-discussion.

First Stage

First, the students in group create a lot of ideas about any topic and it enhances the students’ knowledge about the topic and ensures their success in the shape of solution.

Second Stage

At this stage the group analyzes the created ideas expressed by different students according to their mental approach. One group has negative thinking and the other group has a positive thinking and thus there are a few chances to reach any conclusion. Keeping in mind all these discussion they have to revise the whole process of activity. At last they reach at any definite solution of the problem.

Third Stage

The group leader activates both groups to review their views to reach the best solution and along with it he keeps both the groups cool and to encourage them to

ponder over it more and more keeping aside all types of negative thinking.

Final Stage

The group should consist of 6 to 12 experts and non-experts people. Everyone should take part in this activity to trace out the given-problem solution in the best way. This process must be under a trained moderator and the process should be in a peaceful environment. The process should complete in a disciplined way.

Aims and Objects

The group-members must keep in their minds the aims and objects of the brainstorming. Its main purpose is to generate the ideas, self-censorship and counterproductive.

Its success rests on new ideas and on it different solid opinions with different angles. For this seniority will not be preferable to the juniors, all will be equal while discussion and respect will be given to the person who had solid ideas about the solution.

After this the group leader will arrange the whole discussed ideas and will evaluate each idea in the light of observation and experience. Then the checked listed paper will be given back to the participants to know what they have done in this activity. This system will open new horizon of creating ideas and their solutions for the coming generation.

 

Traits of Good Writing

Trait means; individual characteristic: a particular characteristic or quality that distinguishes somebody from somebody. Or in other words it is an individual style of expressing ideas in written language.

There are six characteristics of good writing: ideas, organization, voice, word-choice, sentence-fluency, convention, and presentation.

Ideas

It means; a thought about or mental picture of something such as a future or possible event or a concept that exists in the mind only or a mental image that reflects reality or an impression or knowledge of something.

Ideas: the write uses to express his observations and experiences to convey his message to the readers or for the coming generation. Ideas are written in words keeping mind a meaningful purpose that is shown with help of precise outlines and headings. To support his ideas the writer uses other sources as examples, images, anecdotes and proverbs for the convenience of the readers and to clarify his ideas.

Organization

It means; group: a group of people identified by shared interests or purpose, or

Coordination of elements: the coordinating of separate elements into a unit or structure, or relationship of elements: the relationships that exist between separate elements arranged into a coherent, or efficiency in the way separate elements are arranged into a coherent whole.

The writer arranges his ideas in such a way as the readers could follow them easily the given message through ideas-organization. He will arrange his ideas according to the thought idea whether he is writing story, novel, drama… He will plan his ideas and will at the end conclude its result according to his observations and experiences for the reader reformation.

Voice

It means a medium of communication or expression for somebody or something in written words. It creates a strong connection between the reader and the writer. It what writing is nothing but words, where life forces are existed taking future energy in his lap for the coming generation. When the readers read the words; the words change themselves into voice.

Word-Choice

Word-choice is a difficult task for the writer because it is the words that convey the writer’s message for the readers; that is why the write chooses the words according to situation keeping in mind the reader’s mental approach. It is called diction in literary term. For this meaningful words are chosen, not the bilingual words that have double meanings such words create confusion for the readers. The writer’s chooses simple words and simple grammatical structure.

Sentence Fluency

It is a skill to choose sentences for meaningful writings therefore the sentences must be long and short with different style with easy grammatical structure. Fluency in writing creates music in writing and the readers enjoy its fluency while reading loudly. Actually it is a rhythm that is created by the word-voice that rises and falls while speaking.

Connection

It means; mechanics of writing as layout, handwriting, neatness, spelling and presentation. Further it covers punctuation and pronunciation and the art of joining words into meaningful words. It leads easy to difficult words for joining purpose keeping in mind punctuation and capitalization while writing.

After this try to improve the students: writing; for this three things are must; the book, the student and the teacher.

The teacher will teach you grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation and the students will practice it at home.

Paraphrasing

It means to restate something using other words, especially in order to make it simpler or shorter.

When a paraphrase is rewritten in other simple and short words is called paraphrase. Its sentence structure becomes different from the original paraphrase structure. In it the words are used become simple but carrying the same meaning and ideas as written in the original paraphrase.

The secret of good paraphrasing is ideas may be borrowed but the writing must be original. In it the whole structure is changed except the ideas. For example: “No Parking” may be paraphrased; the vehicles may not stay here. Or “No Smoking” may be paraphrased; as you may not smoke here.

While writing the paraphrase, ideas may be borrowed but the words must be personal creation and along with it the meaning may not be changed at any cost. In paraphrasing you cannot copy the original words except the direct source. Write in organized ideas reading carefully the whole paragraph.

What is a Paraphrase?

  1. It is a new summary in your own words carrying the main paragraph-information.
  2. It is a legal source to borrow ideas from the main source.
  3. It is a restatement in which the main idea is focused.
  4. In it all extra information is left except the main idea is kept in the paraphrase.

Steps to Improve Paraphrasing

  1. Read the original paraphrase carefully until you understand it.
  2. Separate original information and write it on a paper.
  3. Mark the words where information is hidden to explain later.
  4. Write the subject on the top to remind on the paper.
  5. Compare your own paraphrase with the original paraphrase.
  6. Put into inverted commas the unique paraphrase and terms.

Paragraph Writing

It means; section of writing: a piece of writing that consists of one or more sentences, begins on a new and often indented line, and contains a distinct idea or the words of one speaker. There are three major parts of paragraph writing; the topic sentence, the sentence detail and the concluding sentence.

Topic Sentence

Definition; sentence presenting a main idea: a sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph or larger section of writing, usually placed at or near the beginning, it is called topic sentence.

It gives the readers the general idea of the paragraph whether it is to red or not to read therefore it is written carefully. The topic sentence maintains the readers’ interest in the paragraph. It saves the readers’ time to understand the whole paragraphs whether it is readable or not. On the other hand it controls the entire paragraph and determines the readers’ interest and attention range while reading. It also gives better chances to increase the paragraph length with the help of topic sentence detail.

It also makes prominent the topic sentence with the help of examples and quotations. According to literary rule, at least three supporting details must be given in the paragraph that could support the main idea. Write a paragraph first, definition, secondly, topic sentence, thirdly, examples, fourthly, elaboration of the topic sentence.

At the end, the topic is concluded for the students what the writer has said you may call it the short summary of the topic. All details reflect the topic message in the best way that maintains the students’ interest while reading. But do not forget to check its coherence and cohesion, the structure of the words, its grammar, spelling, punctuation and handwriting.

Essay Writing

Definition: a short nonfiction prose piece: a short analytical, descriptive, or interpretive piece of literary or journalistic prose dealing with a particular topic, especially from a personal and unsystematic viewpoint, it is called essay.

In the broader sense, an essay is the writer’s mouth piece on a typical topic with strong arguments and observations. As we read Bacon’s essays, written on different topics; of Truth, on Revenge…When an essay is written its topic is compared with the other topic to defend or to reject its aims and objects.

If someone wants to write an essay he must follow this scheme; introduction, supporting arguments, paragraphs and concluding paragraph.

There are many types of essays; descriptive essay, cause and effect essay, narrative essay and persuasive essay, illustrative essay

Descriptive Essay

It means containing or consisting of description of something or somebody in words.  It paints the picture of something or somebody with picture and it appeals to human five senses; sense of hearing, touch, taste, sight and smell. Along with it instigates our emotions while reading and makes a complete picture on our mind screen that helps us in understanding the topic.

It is enhanced with the help of similes, metaphor, examples plus a descriptive writing style. Such types of essay may appear as write an essay on Rose, Lion, Garden, Royal Palace, National Hero…it may be divided into three groups; a description of thing, place and personality.

Cause and Effect Essay

Such types of essays are written on any incident and described its causes and effects on man and nature according to the topic. The writer discusses both types of causes; negative and positive causes of the incident.

For example: if the writer writes an essay on The Sun Eclipse he will describe its effects on man and nature as a whole and will try to trace out causes why it gets eclipse in a year and why it does not happen daily or weekly.

Narrative Essay

It means the part of a literary work that is concerned with telling the story of imagination or a real story. It is written in conventional style and describes persona; experiences and observations. It is written in the first person (I).

It is also called a short story that may be written on different topics imaginative or real topics. In which you can describe personal life events or experiences or other person’s life incidents for others.

Illustrative Essay

It means serving to illustrate or explain something in detail. In such types of essays examples are used for the convenience of the readers so that they could easily understand the essay message easily. It also maintains the readers’ interest while reading and removes the readers’ boredom.

Such types of essays become long so to control the readers’ boredom extra details are must in shape of examples and quotations of the famous authors. In it may be given the story within the story to enhance the essay topic-charm.

Process Analysis Essay

It means a series of actions directed toward a particular aim. It tells the readers how to perform a task systematically. In which is described in detail the beginning step, the middle step and the ending step for the readers or the learners.

In the broader sense, this essay gives step-by step guideline instructions in written shape or in a story shape step-by step guideline is given with instructions and explanations.

Persuasive Essay

It means having the ability to persuade people or the effect of persuading them. In which the writer persuades the readers with his strong arguments, logic and examples that his given idea is right than the other idea. It instigates the readers to act upon his advice and compels the readers to take a particular action against the wrong idea spreading in our society.

In such writings the writer proves his idea with examples, logic and reason and experts’ quoting. Such writers satisfy human reason with his arguments and get success in winning human hearts and revolutionized the society for the betterment of human beings all over the world as French Revolution its basis was brotherhood equality and justice must spread all over the world. People follow it and their reasons support the idea all over the world.

Essay Design

To start any essay first write, introduction, supporting details, concluding paragraph. Or you may write a beginning, middle and an end. These are called outlines. You may write subheadings of the main heading for the readers’ convenience. Support your essay with arguments, examples and logic; all must appeal to human reason.

Précis Writing

It means a shortened version of a speech or written text, containing the main points and omitting minor details.

A précis must be clear, brief and precise and it must follow the original paragraph fact-wise and idea-wise and keep in mind in which tense it is to write. It is written in the past tense and the use of third person is must instead of first person.

The summary must be in the writer own words and avoid suing the writer’s vocabulary instead of it use your own vocabulary to enhance the charm of the written précis.

Précis Tips

  1. Thrice read the paragraph leaving word meaning you or not just try to understand the main points and award it any title according to the paragraph nature.
  1. Mark all important points and give the points outline shape and compare it with the original paragraph.
  1. Leave all unnecessary details just keep the important points for précis.
  1. Write the main idea in direct simple words and leave all types of phrases as yes or no or the writer says…
  1. Use words carefully according to paragraph nature and main points.
  1. The précis must be one third of the original paragraph.



  • jhsayyar

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    • you have done a good job and have worked very hard giving us guidelines for improving our writing skills. I am sure we can improve our skills by following these instructions. But let me say that the process requires great interest and Perseverence.

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