Techniques for generating ideas Self-reflection: Work in groups of four. Tell each other methods you have used to generate ideas on an assigned topic for writing. Make sure you explain the process instead of giving a single phrase or sentence to describe those methods. Don’t forget to tell which method works well. In the end, the group should decide a list of methods they would like to recommend to the whole class.

Techniques for generating ideas Recommendation: 1)   Talk-then-Write 2)   Freewriting 3)   Brainstorming 4)   Meditation 5)   Keeping a journal 6)   Reading 7)   Research Now please do the task in Work Sheet 4.

Differences from on-campus system Possible difficulties An example Four learning modes Regulations Syllabus and Courses Assessment Learner support BeiwaiOnline learning system … Differences from on-campus system Possible difficulties Educational goals Course resources Study skills E-platform

Organization that determines Read the following remarks about writing and decide what point(s) they are making. To what extend do you agree with them? .. having something significant to say is not enough. The word composition comes from the Latin verb componere, meaning ‘to put together.’ .. Much of the meaningfulness of a piece of writing comes from the way information is organised. Information is not really information until it has been focused and put in formation. (Coe:13) Writing without abstraction can seem irrelevant to the academic reader, but writing that stays too long at the highest levels of information can be hard to read, even unconvincing. (Giltrow: 203) Giltrow J (1995) Academic Writing Ontario: Broadview Press

Rule 1: Narrow and focus Choosing a broad topic to write about can be dangerous – for both a 4,000-word dissertation and a 300-word composition – because you are quite likely to end up with covering everything yet covering nothing. “Good writing is always, in one sense or another, focused writing.” (Coe:103) After you have decided your topic, the next thing you need to do is to narrow and focus.

An example Rough outline for “BeiwaiOnline learning system” A system survey Focus 1 The topic sentence: BeiwaiOnline learning system is supported by three sub-systems. Course system Modular system Four learning modes Course recourses Learning support system Support from the HQ Support from the TC 3. Assessment system Assignments Progress report Final exams Tutorial attendance

An example (continued) Rough outline for “BeiwaiOnline learning system” Differences from on-campus system Focus 2 The topic sentence: The learning system of BeiwaiOnline is different from that of on-campus education. From students to learners From teachers to tutors From textbooks to learning resources From campus to learning support system From exams to learning process monitoring

An example (continued) Rough outline for “BeiwaiOnline learning system” How BeiwaiOnline helps English learning Focus 3 The topic sentence: BeiwaiOnline learning system helps learners defeat their enemies in English learning. “Enemies” to English learning: Knowledge-centered Teacher-dependent Exam-driven Weapons to deal with the “enemies” Learning by doing Autonomous learning style Learning process monitoring

Rule 2: Generalization & particulars One of the most important characteristics of a unified piece of writing is the proper relationship between generalities and particulars – or, to put it more precisely, the proper relationships among various levels of generality. Generalizations should be inferred from particulars. Opinions should be supported by facts.