How do good writers write?

Planning in the exam: In the exam you have 45 minutes for each composition. How will you divide that time between planning, writing, and improving? One possibility is: planning - 10 minutes writing - 30 minutes improving - 5 minutes.

Whatever you do, the planning phase is going to be much shorter than usual. It is therefore a good idea to get used to planning compositions quickly. It is also a good idea if you use your planning time to write down some of the words and expressions that you are going to use in your composition. You might divide your time like this: thinkingof ideas - 4 minutes; organizing ideas into paragraphs - 3 minutes; noting useful words and expressions - 3 minutes.

1. Having an idea you want to write about.

Using a variety of language will show your range of vocabulary and structure and make your writing more interesting.

2. Identifying target reader.

3. getting your ideas together

4. making notes on the topic

5. making rough outline, ‘flow diagram’ or plan

A ‘flow diagram’ is a useful way of planning a narrative composition or any other piece of writing which describes a sequence of events. Remember this paragraph order when you want to plan a narrative composition or any story. You can even do this with very short stories,

e.g. I was walking along the street on my wayto work (background) when a dog ran in front of me (first event). I was watching the dog (laterevents) and stepped into a huge puddle (final events and outcome).

Linking words that should connect the Paragraphs:

when, as, then, suddenly, eventually, afterwards, at first, after, but, then, quite soon afterwards, finally, few minutes later, while.

Paragraph 1

Introduction and background An opening paragraph should: - show there are twosides tothe question - make a general comment on the subject - talk about what the question means    

  Linking words for attitude Personally, to be honest, naturally, to my surprise, fortunately, to make matters worse, clearly, fortunately, obviously, unfortunately, apparently, naturally, personally, to be honest.  

Paragraph 2

The beginning of the story  

expressing opinions

In my opinion … I feel that… In my view… My feeling is that… I think that… It seems to me that…  

giving reasons

… as… so because since therefore

Paragraph 3

Different elements of the story  

I

love like 'm fond of 'm not very fond of don't like can't stand

people books films characters teachers

which. that.., who..

Paragraph 4

The hero

The words below can all be used to describe people. A. Friendly, Stubborn, Independent, honest, shy, generous, smart, attractive, handsome, scruffy; B. Slim, plump, tall, short, thin; C. dark, curly, wavy, blond, fair.

He	looks	- like as if	a film star attractive he's had a bad day she's friendly honest a boxer
She

Paragraph 5

How the story develops  

Expressing attitude

Verb	Adjective
amuse impress be interested exite thrill bore convince delight fascinate offend depress annoy irritate	amusing impressive interesting exciting thrilling boring convincing delightful fascinating offensive depressing annoying irritating

Talking about advantages and disadvantages

Agreeing	Disagreeing
Absolutely. Exactly. I (quite) agree. That’s exactly what I think. I couldn’t agree with you more.	Yes, but… Don’t you think …? I’m not sure I quite agree there. I’m afraid I don’t quite agree there.

Generous Similar Related

to

Familiar Pleased Angry Decorated covered

with

Capable Fond Aware

of

Famous Responsible Suitable

for

Remember that some adjectives can take different prepositions in other contexts.

You will make your writing considerably more interesting if you do not always use the simple words such as walk, say and see. There are plenty more descriptive words in English that you can use.

walk	say	look
Run Wander Stroll Dash Hurry Chase Tiptoe Rush	Advise Promise Admit Accuse Insist Shout Suggest Argue	Notice Glance Eye Stare Peer Gaze Watch Glimpse

Paragraph 6

The opinion ofthe reviewer A closing paragraph should: - summarise the arguments very briefly in one or two sentences - state your own opinion - give examples to support your opinion - state any conclusions you reach  

Giving advice Why don't you? If I were you, I’d You'd better It might be a good idea to You really should Why not? You ought to opinions: I find (detective stories) really exciting. (Detective stories) really annoy me. One of the things that irritates me about (detective stories) is that they are so unrealistic. What fascinates me about (detective stories) is working out how the murderer did it.  

6. checking the reader will be interested

7. writing a first draft

8. revising & redrafting the story

9. writing out a neat copy ready for publishing

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14