Understanding and Producing Written English Lecture Ones What is Good Writing?

Reminder Elect class reps today Elect class reps today Remind me at the end of the hour Remind me at the end of the hour

First of all…

What it takes A computer A computer Some experiences Some experiences An open mind An open mind Curiosity Curiosity Commitment Commitment Confidence Confidence Responsibility Responsibility

Responsibility? Response Ability To me To yourself To the person sitting next to you

Web based materials odney/Writing/index.htm odney/Writing/index.htm odney/Writing/index.htm odney/Writing/index.htm Assignments and course requirements Assignments and course requirements Schedule Schedule Ways to contact us and your classmates Ways to contact us and your classmates Other places to get help Other places to get help Language Clinic Language Clinic

Qualities of Good Writing Riding a bicycle is preferable to driving a car. First of all, a bicycle is relatively inexpensive to buy and to maintain. While a car may cost thousands of dollars to buy and hundreds of dollars annually, a good bicycle Will cost only a hundred dollars or so, and its annual maintenance cost is very small. Biking is also healthier; not only does the biker get more physical exercise than the driver, but bicycles are nonpolluting. The consequence is a person with strong legs and a strong heart whose bicycle helps keep the environment clean. Finally, bicycling is, unlike driving, personally satisfying. lnsteadof being a robot inside a machine, the biker pedals along, enjoying the scenery, becoming a part of nature. In all but the most inclement weather, the bicycle is a pleasurable means of transportation. Riding a bicycle is preferable to driving a car. First of all, a bicycle is relatively inexpensive to buy and to maintain. While a car may cost thousands of dollars to buy and hundreds of dollars annually, a good bicycle Will cost only a hundred dollars or so, and its annual maintenance cost is very small. Biking is also healthier; not only does the biker get more physical exercise than the driver, but bicycles are nonpolluting. The consequence is a person with strong legs and a strong heart whose bicycle helps keep the environment clean. Finally, bicycling is, unlike driving, personally satisfying. lnsteadof being a robot inside a machine, the biker pedals along, enjoying the scenery, becoming a part of nature. In all but the most inclement weather, the bicycle is a pleasurable means of transportation.

Qualities of Good Writing It should be clear It should be clear It should be convincing It should be convincing It should be concrete It should be concrete It should be specific It should be specific It should be correct It should be correct It should be concise It should be concise

It should be… Interesting Interesting Don’t be boring Don’t be boring Please don’t be boring! Please don’t be boring! To avoid boring me To avoid boring me Avoid boring yourself Avoid boring yourself

But how? But how? ‘Just Do It!’ ‘Just Do It!’ Practice and Imitation Practice and Imitation Vision and Re-vision Vision and Re-vision Inspiration and Perspiration Inspiration and Perspiration

And most of all… Know Know thyself thyself

What’s stopping you? What’s stopping you from being a great writer… What’s stopping you from being a great writer… Right now? Right now?

Techniques Free writing Free writing Clustering (mind maps) Clustering (mind maps) Drawing Drawing Experimenting with your mind Experimenting with your mind Reflection Reflection Lucky charms Lucky charms A little help from your friends A little help from your friends

Get connected! Contact your tutors Contact your tutors Contact your classmates Contact your classmates Post to the yahoo group Post to the yahoo group Build a network of support for your writing and reading Build a network of support for your writing and reading

Paying attention to PROCESS Three Easy Steps Think Write Edit

Assignment One Describe a person, place or thing Think?

Good Luck