Getting going with your writing Sara Steinke STAY AHEAD 10 th November 2012.

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
AS Sociology Exam Technique.
Advertisements

Breaking through English Writing Barriers
Getting going with your course work Sara Steinke STAY AHEAD AUTUMN PROGRAMME 2011.
Time Management By Zahira Gonzalez.
Persuasive Writing.
Understanding complex information Sara Steinke STAY AHEAD AUTUMN PROGRAMME 2011.
Revisiting Information Literacy at AGGS
The Bedford Reader. Writers need to accept that… 1.They may begin tentatively – often lacking confidence. 2.They will have to double back – rethink and.
7 th Grade Language Arts. Choose your topic  In some circumstances, especially when you are given a particular essay writing assignment, your topic may.
Writing first drafts Dr Desmond Thomas, University of Essex.
HEY YOU IN GRADE 10! How about a few pointers for that LITERACY TEST?
10 top tips to manage your essay Start early Find out marking criteria Understand the question Organise your thoughts, ideas and information Create outline.
GET AHEAD UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2014
GET AHEAD POSTGRADUATE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2014
Sara Steinke Introduction to reading and note-taking STUDENT ORIENTATION 2012.
Writing Essays Student Learning Development Student Counselling Service
Sara Steinke Reading and note-making tips STAY AHEAD AUTUMN PROGRAMME 2011.
Dr. B’s Writing Workshop © Dr. Carolyn O. Burleson - Instructor 4 Step #1 -Prewriting 4 Step #2 - Drafting 4 Step # 3 - Revising 4 Step # 4 -
Dr. MaLinda Hill Advanced English C1-A Designing Essays, Research Papers, Business Reports and Reflective Statements.
Essay Writing Strategies
Module Code CT1H01NI: Study Skills For Communication Technology Lecture for Week Autumn.
Unit 7 Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension
End of Unit 2 Assessment, Part 1a: Writing Body Paragraphs
SAT Essay.
Strategies for Interpreting a Prompt and Succeeding at the In-Class Timed Writing Essay.
GET AHEAD UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER PROGRAMME 2012 Becoming the perfect student! Sara Steinke.
English Language Arts Level 7 #44 Ms. Walker
Study Skills Workshops 2014 Essays/ Assignments Structuring.
O VERVIEW OF THE W RITING P ROCESS Language Network – Chapter 12.
The Writing Process I.3 Invention Techniques. The Purpose of Invention Techniques is to help you generate content quickly and painlessly. NOTE: Inventing.
Academic Essays & Report Writing
Peer Editing Guidelines The Art of Giving and Receiving Constructive Criticism Courtesy of Mrs. Sally Shelton.
The AP Environmental Science Exam Part minutes multiple choice questions % of test score Break --about 15 minutes Part minutes.
 1. It not only fulfills the assignment but does so in a fresh and mature way. The paper is exciting to read; it accommodates itself well to its intended.
Useful tips © Gerlinde Darlington MEd.Mag.phil..  Introduction  Main part – consisting of a few paragraphs  Conclusion  Remember: poorly structured.
Keys to success on the Gateway: A checklist  Demonstrate that you understand the writing task  Address and develop all parts of the writing task  Organize.
I.The Writing Process overview. The Process of writing is a process of thinking It is not simply a sequence of steps a sequence of steps.
Study Skills Preparing summaries. Why summaries? Preparation of summaries helps you: 1. Organise 1. Organise material in a clear and logical manner 2.
How Do We Write? We Follow a Writing Process There are 5 steps.
Writing and Speaking COL 103 Chapter 7 Professor Jackie Kroening (PSY office)
Tips for writing Aim: This study guide gives you some general ideas on improving your own writing skills.
The Writing Process Planning and Drafting. What will you write about?  Often, instructors assign a specific topic or provide some structure for your.
Academic Presentation Skills 8 November 2011 Sources: Comfort, Jeremy Effective Presentations. Oxford University Press, Sweeney, Simon English.
Lesson 3 Getting Ahead of Writers Block Causes of Writers Block Wanting the first draft to be perfect Sticking to wrong phrases Waiting for Inspiration.
Leisure Studies Aim Higher EXAM TIME !. Dealing with exam anxiety is something we all have to face, anyone going into an exam not feeling the least.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR FORMAL ESSAY. WHY SHOULD YOU PLAN AN ESSAY? It helps you to remember details. You can organise your thoughts and work out what is.
Gasp! An Essay! What do I do now?. Attitude is Everything! Don't worry! If you feel overwhelmed by the assignment, think of it as a series of small, manageable.
The Writing Process Language Arts.
Good to Great Essay writing. Three minute pause… What makes a good writer? What makes a good essay or paragraph? What makes you good?
Generating Ideas. Through experience and practice, successful writers have made two discoveries that can help you succeed with your writing:  Writing.
1 CM107 UNIT 9 SEMINAR Instructor: Jen Leary. REVIEW OF UNITS 1-8 You are close to finishing the course. You will complete the FINAL PROJECT this unit.
Essential Skills for Writing
Exploring Problems, Making Claims
Organizing and Outlining Ideas Terry C. Norris Spring 2015.
PLAN YOUR FUTURE NOW. Name ONE reason it is important to attend college? POSSIBLE ANSWERS:  Get a better job  Live a better life  Have more opportunities.
ENG 113: INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION THE ART OF COMPOSITION.
1301 Spring 2016 Day 8 Lessons. What to expect today: Questions over the reading Check Attendance The Writing Process Generating Ideas Thesis Statements.
WRITING AS A PROCESS. Writing as a process … As an academic theory, Writing Process has evolved considerably over the years, but two beliefs have remained.
How to Format and Write the Basic Five Paragraph Essay Writing to Win.
Writing tasks for mixed ability classes By Kerry Malster In conjunction with Alison Prince and Karen Ryan, British Council Dubai.
Academic Writing Fatima AlShaikh. A duty that you are assigned to perform or a task that is assigned or undertaken. For example: Research papers (most.
Teacher Reference (Please use electronic version with class)
ESSAY WRITING SKILLS How to improve them.
Get Ahead in undergraduate reading and note-taking
Overcoming Writer’s Block
Understanding the GCSE Marking Criteria
Teacher Reference (Please use electronic version with class)
FCE (FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH) General information.
The Writing Process: Drafting/Revising/Editing
Reading and effective note-making
Presentation transcript:

Getting going with your writing Sara Steinke STAY AHEAD 10 th November 2012

Aims of the session Understand what is meant by a 'good essay‘ Recognise why we write essays Identify ways of generating ideas to get you started -brainstorming -free-writing -mind maps How to structure your ideas -pyramid concept -essay plan

Why do you think writing gives students the most anxiety? A.They have not written an essay in a long time. B.They do not know what an academic essay looks like. C.They miss deadlines as a result of poor time management. D.They have no idea why they are writing an essay. Answer: A, B, C and D

What is a ‘good’ essay? logical structure effective paragraphing considers the reader evidence of research around the topic addresses the question adheres to style/presentation requirements uses quotes and referencing indication of critical thinking/reading/writing

Why write essays? deepens your learning of the subject you learn to use ideas to argue a case enables you to extend and refine your critical and writing skills enables you to demonstrate your progress different situations - coursework and exam essays because you have to!

Self evaluation: S.W.O.T. What are the strengths of your writing? Are you able to express complex ideas clearly? Do you know how to structure your essay well? What are the weaknesses of your writing? Do you struggle with spelling and grammar? Are you simply not used to writing in a formal/academic way? What opportunities do you have to improve on your writing? Have you attended one of the essay writing workshops? What threats do you face in your writing? Do you understand the essay question? Are you struggling to find enough time for proof reading? Do you lack confidence in your ability to write?

Generating ideas: brainstorming use a large piece of paper - A3 or flipchart identify and write down as many different possible answers (rather than ‘one solution’) to the question that you can think of asking ‘what if’ or ‘supposing’ questions will help you allow yourself to think of crazy or wild suggestions - don't think of an idea as ‘stupid' it’s fine to make mistakes - they may turn out to be productive Tips do something that you find relaxing, for example listen to your favourite music think about the material as you go about another activity, for example on a walk try visualising your ideas, such as drawing, photographing or painting your ideas see if changing your routine helps, such as listening to some unfamiliar music or studying in a different location

Generating ideas: free writing use A4 lined paper write nonstop for a set period of time (about 3-5 minutes) do not make any corrections do not write in sentences use the writing tool you are most comfortable with (pen/computer) write/type as fast as you can do not cross anything out do not punctuate Tips writing freely, unreservedly about your topic will help you find a specific focus makes you feel more used to writing can be a valve to release tensions or problems helps you discover ideas can indirectly improve your formal writing

Generating ideas: map mapping turn the paper sideways, A3 landscape is best write the topic in the centre of the page write related ideas around this centre add secondary ideas to the main ideas link up these ideas to show relationships use colours, different line thickness, symbols, pictures add details to points as you go along Produced on Inspiration 8.0, on all library computers

Activity (3 minutes) Question What are your reasons for applying to university? Task Choose one method and generating ideas for the question Reflection In your own time, use another method of generating ideas. Which method of generating ideas did you find most useful? Why?

Structuring ideas methods of generating ideas will produce many ideas on the question next stage in developing your ideas/arguments is to structure them in a logical order that builds your argument use a concept pyramid - places ideas into a hierarchy, with the most general information at the top of the pyramid or triangle, and more specific details placed below

Activity (3 minutes) Question What are your reasons for applying to university? Task Use your ideas from the first activity and create a concept pyramid

Examples Subordinate category Intermediate category Superordinate category Studying Reasons for applying to university job prospects to increase chances of promotion to facilitate a change of career personal interest in a subject to develop your knowledge of subject to develop your amateur skills in an area personal satisfaction you left full time education early to gain self confidence Choice of subject based on your present and knowledge and skills want to try a new subject arts, humanities, science

- next step is to produce an essay plan - use linear or mind mapping method - avoid temptation to start writing draft before writing a plan - this does not mean that you can not make changes

Overcoming writer’s block 1.Scribble - what ever comes to mind 2.‘Its only a draft’ - something you are working on 3.Write in pencil - reminds you that the draft is rough 4.Write on loose paper - can throw it away 5.Ignore mistakes in early drafts - can sort out later 6.‘For you eyes only’ - handwriting/mistakes do not matter 7.Start anywhere - in order to suit you 8.Write by talking - if you find it hard to express yourself in writing 9.Take one step at a time - break task into manageable steps 10.Rest and relax - avoid stress

Recap of the session Be clear on the aspects of a ‘good’ essay Be aware of why you writing the essay Be honest about your strengths and areas for improvement for academic writing Use a variety of methods to generate ideas Make use of concept pyramids to organise your ideas, and an essay plan to structure your essay