METU/SFL
DBE
WHO8
Fall 2022/23
Unit 10 – Information
PRE-INTERMEDIATE GROUP
(Instructor’s Copy)
*Note to the Instructor: Tell your students to visit METU library before you do this writing.
**Please do the writing handout after you cover Wide Angle Unit 10 (10.1, 10.2, and 10.3)
TASK 1. Read the text, and answer the questions that follow.
Today's American libraries do more than just provide books. From
teaching critical literacy skills to promoting entrepreneurship and small
business development to preserving and facilitating our community
stories, an easier question might be what don't libraries of today do!
The most crucial thing about libraries is that they provide access.
Libraries Provide Access
Libraries level the playing field. As great democratic institutions, they serve people of every age, income level,
location, ethnicity, and physical ability, and provide the full range of information resources needed to live,
learn, govern, and work.
Libraries have played a key role in keeping their communities connected during the pandemic by:
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providing Wi-Fi 24-7 outside of library buildings and in library parking lots;
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bringing connectivity to neighborhoods-in-need with Wi–Fi–enabled library vehicles and hotspots;
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loaning hotspots and other devices such as tablets and laptops to students, teachers, parents, job seekers,
veterans, and others for home use.
Libraries Build Communities
Libraries are also community hubs. They connect people to information and connect people to people.
They are safe places for kids, providing after-school homework help, games, and book clubs. They
offer computer classes, allowing older adults to stay engaged in a digital world.
Public libraries also help people cope with the unexpected, particularly in the wake of natural
disasters. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, people who were left homeless by the storm-filled libraries
in New York and New Jersey, used the library’s computers to complete federal forms and
communicate with loved ones. America’s libraries also contribute to economic vitality in virtually
every community across the country. With a history of bridging gaps in access to information
resources and education, libraries are instrumental in helping communities tackle economic divides.
Adapted from: https://ilovelibraries.org/what-libraries-do/
1. Have you ever been to a library? Why did you go there? What kind of services do they offer?
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TASK 2. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A RESPONSE
This semester, you are expected to answer the/a question given in the prompt in your written work. It
is important that your response:
 is within the word limit,
 is organized,
 uses language and linkers accurately (be careful about the language structures you study in the course
book),
 includes a variety of vocabulary items,
 is well-connected through relevant additional ideas that give explanations and examples
What are the disadvantages of using the Internet for research?
In a text of about 170 words, explain TWO disadvantages of using the Internet for research.
Study the sample and complete the table.
There are two main disadvantages of using the Internet for research. The first disadvantage is that information
on the Internet might be questionable. While plenty of useful, accurate, and engaging content is available
online, the web is also filled with inaccurate and misleading information. Where the information came from
might not be very clear, and it might not be even correct or true. As a result, the information that you find
might not be used in research. Secondly, the unlimited amount of information on the Internet can become a
drawback. Search engines are impressive, but the results can be too much, and you might find thousands of
web pages related to your research. Many people do not know how to filter them by content type (such as .pdf)
or website source (such as .gov). Among a huge amount of information, it is not easy to figure what you need
and how to find it. To sum up, the unreliable nature and excessive amount of information make the Internet
disadvantageous for research. (171)
Does the text start with the topic sentence?
Yes.
What is the topic sentence?
There are two main disadvantages of using the Internet
for research.
What are the TWO main supporting ideas
that explain the disadvantages of the
Internet for research?
How does the writer end the paragraph?
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
Questionable information
Too much information
With the summary of the main ideas.
**Notice how the content is connected through explanations and examples in the sample and how
they are connected to the idea of “questionable information” or “too much information.”
Let’s Remember: Topic Sentences
As mentioned in previous writing handouts, a topic sentence tells about the main idea of a paragraph. It
guides and controls the paragraph. It is usually found at the beginning.
When you read the topic sentence, you know what to expect in the paragraph. A good writer makes sure that
the topic sentence has a topic and controlling idea. Now, study the following examples:
1. Topic Sentence:
There are many benefits to driving a car with a manual transmission.
2. Topic Sentence:
Reptiles and dinosaurs are different in two ways.
3. Topic Sentence:
Parents decide to buy a cell-phone for their children for various reasons.
***While writing advantage or disadvantage texts, you can use the following vocabulary:
ADVANTAGES
a benefit (of/to)
a good point
a positive aspect (of)
DISADVANTAGES
a drawback (of)
a limitation
the downside (of)
a negative aspect (of)
TASK 3. WRITING (Portfolio Writing 2)
What are the advantages of using the Internet for research?
In a text of about 170 words, explain TWO advantages of using the Internet for research.
In your paragraph, make sure:
 you have a topic sentence, supporting sentences that give additional details, and a concluding sentence
 all your ideas are relevant to the topic,
 you use linkers and transition words where necessary (and, or, so, but, because, moreover, etc.),
 you pay attention to the content, the organization, the vocabulary, and the accuracy of the language.
You can use this space for planning. You can use the ideas in task 1 in this handout or your own ideas.
Write your text here:
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SELF-EDITING:
* After you write your text, check your paper yourself using the self-checklist below.
Put a tick () in the relevant box.
In order to self-edit your writing, the guidelines will help you. Tick the relevant box.
 The writing answers the question.
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 The writing has a clear topic sentence.
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 All the ideas are relevant to the topic.
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 The language doesn’t contain any errors (run-on sentence,
fragment, subject-verb disagreement, etc.).
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 All the sentences have a subject and a verb.
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 Submit it to your instructor on ODTÜClass.
 Instructor Feedback
You instructor will check your work and give you feedback.