Week 2
HW:
1. start pleasure reading, analytical reading, and journal writing
2. make copies of the grammar review online
1. Talk about good writing, writing difficulties, and the writing process.
Common writing difficulties:
Language: Grammar, Vocabulary
Organization
Content: background information
Grading Criteria: expectations for good writing
A.
content
organization
language
34%
33%
33%
Total score
B.
1.—poor
2.—weak
3. –average
Item
4.—good
5.—excellent
Score
Quality and development of
ideas
Organization, relevance,
movement
______________ X 5 = ______________
subtotal
Item
Score
Style, flavor, individuality
Wording and phrasing
______________ X 3 = ______________
subtotal
Item
score
Grammar, sentence structure
Punctuation
Spelling
Manuscript form, legibility
______________ X 1 = ______________
subtotal
Total grade: _____________________
(The Diederich Scale)
Writing Process
writing
collect information
connect information
reading
Diagram 1: the dynamic composing process
Mental notes
Coding system:
Decoding: Listening and reading: receptive skills
Encoding: Speaking and writing: productive skills
Cognitive load
thinking
Language contact
Language exposure
Recursive Steps of the Writing Process
1. collect information: brainstorm (list of key words/adjectives; free
writing; talk to someone; reading)
2. connecting information: make an outline (writing plan)
3. drafting (focus on content: topic sentence + supporting sentences)
4. revising: focus on content and organization
5. transition words: e.g. first, second, next, finally, last
6. write the concluding sentence
7. editing the use of language
a) sentence structure: subject-verb agreement, verb tense, word
forms, connection of clauses
b) sentence combination
c) wording and phrasing: word forms; word choice, adding
adjectives, adverbs, phrases; clauses; or even sentences
d) spelling check; punctuation; format
The basic structure of a paragraph
1. topic sentence: includes the topic or the main idea of this
paragraph = one of the author’s opinions or observations about
the topic
2. supporting sentences: to provide readers with sufficient
information to exemplify the main idea of the paragraph
a) explanations
factual information
b) description of relevant facts or details
c) examples
d) evidence
3. concluding sentence: to reach a logical closure
a) restate the main idea
b) state the author’s opinions, suggestion, or prediction about
the topic
Kids and Pets
At some point, most parents have to decide whether or not to
allow their children to have pets. Some parents believe that pets teach
their children a sense of responsibility because children have to learn
how to take care of their pets. In addition, many parents feel that pets
can be fun for the family. Pets can also help children become more
compassionate. On the other hand, some parents are afraid that their
children might hurt the animals or that these animals might hurt the
children. Cats are good pets, but I don’t like it when they shed hair
on the furniture. Often these parents do not allow their children to
have any kind of pet. Other families do not have the extra time or
money that pets require. In brief, although many children want a pet,
parents are divided on this issue for a variety of important reasons.
Kids and Pets
Topic Sentence:
At some point, most parents have to decide whether or not to allow
their children to have pets.
Supporting Sentences
For
1. Some parents believe that pets teach their children a sense of
responsibility because children have to learn how to take care of their
pets.
2. In addition, many parents feel that pets can be fun for the family.
3. Pets can also help children become more compassionate.
Against however
1. On the other hand, some parents are afraid that their children
might hurt the animals or that these animals might hurt the children.
2. Cats are good pets, but I don’t like it when they shed hair on the
furniture.
Often these parents do not allow their children to have any kind of
pet.
3. Other families do not have the extra time or money that pets
require.
Concluding Sentence:
In brief, although many children want a pet, parents are divided on
this issue for a variety of important reasons.
Topic sentence: At some point, most parents have to decide whether
or not to allow their children to have pets.
Learning
Language contact
acquisition
Reading and writing assignments:
Reading practice:
A. pleasure reading: to help you think in English; fluency
(extensive reading)
1. 30 minutes each time, twice a week
2. no dictionary
3. no more than five unknown key words of one page,
4. focus on the main ideas
5. choose what interests you
Primary information (plot)—key words: what, who, whom, whose,
why, when, where, how, which,
Trivial, minor, or unimportant details
B. Analytical reading: to expand vocabulary bank, grammatical
issues, and writing experience
Understanding and using English grammar by Betty Azaar
1. read four times, 30 minutes each time, twice a week
writing practice:
A. journal writing: to enhance your composing process in English
and give you chances to practice using your English
Fluency + accuracy
1. twice a week at least
2. spend 30 minutes each time, twice a week
3. focus on content, like writing emails to friends, no worries on
grammatical accuracy or word choice
4. make sure you write complete sentences and do the spelling check
Instant message: focus on content
B. paragraph writing: to upgrade English writing abilities
Follow the 7 Steps of the Writing Process
collect information: brainstorm (list of key words/adjectives; free
writing; talk to someone; reading)
8. connecting information: make an outline (writing plan)
9. drafting (focus on content)
10.revising: focus on content and organization
11.transition words: e.g. first, second, next, finally, last
12.write the concluding sentence or the conclusion
13.editing the use of language
e) sentence structure: subject-verb agreement, verb tense, word
forms, connection of clauses
f) sentence combination
g) wording and phrasing: word forms; word choice, adding
adjectives, adverbs, phrases; clauses; or even sentences
h) spelling check; punctuation; format
1. record of pleasure reading and that of analytical reading
Record of Books or Articles Read (pleasure reading)
title
Author
Date
Record of Books or Articles Read (analytical reading)
title
Author
Date
Number of
pages
Number of
pages