Winter Intensive 2013 Class 1 Soka University World Language Center Sou Koike

Table of Contents I.Introduction to Independent Writing – Basic information – Scoring criteria – Requirements & recommendations II.Writing an effective introduction – Three steps to Go – How to deal with the questions – Drill III.Peer feedback and Whole-class review

INTRODUCTION TO INDEPENDENT WRITING Winter Intensive 2013 Class 1

Basic Information 1 topic 30 minutes 300 words

Scoring Criteria Organization Content Structure & Written Expressions Number of words

Requirements Paragraphed essay Appropriate response to the topic Coherence and consistency Length of the work Time management: – Planning – Presenting – Revising Recommendations

WRITING AN EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTION Winter Intensive 2013 Class 1

Three Steps to Go Pick a side State your position State the reason for your opinion

Pick a side Agreement/ Disagreement Advantage(s) over others Choice/ Preference Personal experience

State your position Do you agree with the following statement? Parents should select their children’s friends carefully to make sure those friends reflect proper values. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. I do not believe that parents should select their children’s friends. I believeIn my opinionI feel that In my view I do not feel that I think that My position is I do not believe It is my belief that

State the reason for your opinion= Thesis Statement Do you agree with the following statement? Parents should select their children’s friends carefully to make sure those friends reflect proper values. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. I do not believe that parents should select their children’s friends. It would be harmful to children if they were not allowed to choose their friends. Parents should be interested in their children’s friends, but they should let their children pick their own friends. I believe this because I feel this way becauseThe reason I think this is This is because Since

How to deal with the questions Number of sentences in the questions Number of issues to be mentioned in the passage

Drill 1.It is the teacher’s responsibility to make a student learn the material. 2.Material on the Internet should be censored or controlled to protect the public. 3.Colleges and universities should offer more distance learning courses to accommodate the needs of students. 4.When choosing a career, financial gain should be the most important consideration. 5.Schools should have mandatory testing each year to prove they are meeting minimum educational standards. Answers: One paragraph requiredTime: 30 minutes

Drill #2 1.A knowledge of history is absolutely essential. 2.Some students prefer to study alone, while other students prefer to study with others. Discuss the advantages of each type of studying. Then indicate which you prefer and why. 3.Patience is the most important characteristic of a boss. 4.Some people work better during the day, while some other people work better at night., Which kind of person are you, and why? Use reasons and examples to support your response. 5.Time should never be wasted. Answers: One paragraph requiredTime: 30 minutes

Peer Feedback

Whole-Class Review