College English Writing Lesson One College English Writing

Why People Write? as a process of discovery Writing is a basic human right. Writing arms us with special advantage. Writing is fundamental to education, esp. in written tests. as a process of discovery As a way to communicate with others As a skill

The most eye-catching word/sentence in the passage? The experience I had writing my first college essay helped to explain how to write. I received a C– for the essay. Scrawled beside the grade was the comment “Not badly written, but ill-conceived.” I remember going to the instructor after class, asking about his comment as well as the word Log that he had added in the margin at various spots. “What are all these logs you put in my paper?” I asked, trying to make a joke of it. He looked at me a little wonderingly. “Logic, Mr. Langan,” he answered, “logic.” He went on to explain that I had not thought out my paper clearly. There were actually two ideas rather than one in my thesis, one supporting paragraph had nothing to do with either idea, another paragraph lacked a topic sentence, and so on. I’ve never forgotten his last words: “If you don’t think clearly,” he said, “you won’t write clearly.” I was speechless, and I felt confused and angry. I didn’t like being told that I didn’t know how to think. I went back to my room and read over my paper several times. Eventually, I decided that my instructor was right. “No more logs,” I said to myself. “I’m going to get these logs out of my papers.” My instructor's advice was invaluable. I learned that clear, disciplined thinking is the key to effective writing. The most eye-catching word/sentence in the passage? From the person’s experience, the keys of writing are…….? ill-conceived, logic, a clear, disciplined thinking, supporting paragraph a. discover a clearly stated point, or thesis b. Provide logical, detailed support for your idea c. Organize and connect your supporting material d. Revise and edit so that your sentences are effective and error free

4 steps of writing process How Do We Write? Planning （构思） Drafting （草拟或草稿） Editing (审读和修改） Finalizing （终稿） 4 steps of writing process

However, it is not a one-way process. planning drafting editing finalizing X

The Real Story Might Be Like This: planning drafting finalizing editing finalizing

Writing and Speaking Writing and speaking are two basic ways for people to produce language. In most cases, writing and speaking are at polar opposites in their form and process. However, in some cases, the boundary between writing and speaking is not so visible as we think.

Writing and Speaking Writing and speaking differ with each other mainly in the following aspects: Time and space Participants Process Structure and language Signs and symbols

Time and Space Writing Speaking Time Lasts for long years Instant and temporary Space Beyond space. Scarcely is the chance a writer may interact with his/her reader instantly, because the final product is always delayed by delivery, publication, etc.. Mostly face to face, speaking across distance is available with modern telecommunication technology Question: Is there any form of writing that is similar to speaking in terms of instant interaction?

Participants Writing Speaking It’s hard to know who may be the reader, just a body of target readers. Participants are visible in most cases, generally someone we know. Usually a general mass Always certain individuals The content can’t be adjusted when the final product is released. The content can be adjusted through the process of speaking according to the participants Question: When do we write for a particular reader?

Process Writing Speaking Sufficient time before the output is read No delay before the output is received Theoretically no limit to draft, always free to modification Can’t be recovered, no modification is allowed Usually involves 4 steps. Thinking and planning in a short time

Structure and Language Writing Speaking demand for correct grammar high low well-formedness usually complete sentences many incomplete sentences lexical density

Signs and Symbols Writing Speaking Punctuations Body language and sound features Question: How do we use our sound features to make our communication efficient? What other signs or symbols do we use in writing except punctuations?

Distinguish writing and speaking Who—who is the producer and who is the receiver? What—what is the topic? How—how is the content delivered?