YOU’VE GOT “THE WRITE STUFF” TEACHING WRITING, NOT DOING WRITING

WHAT CONSTITUTES A WRITING LESSON? Describe to your partner what you would normally do to teach writing? Did any of you say any of the following? I set writing for homework. I get students to write questions for each other in class. I give students model answers. We focus on words they can use in the writing. We focus on grammar they can use in the writing. I give them plenty of long timed writing practice. I don’t normally teach writing. I teach students to plan and edit. I use writing to practice grammar. Why do you do them?

Yes, writing lesson I give students model answers. We focus on words they can use in the writing. We focus on grammar they can use in the writing. I teach students to plan and edit. No, something else I set writing for homework. I get students to write questions for each other in class. I give them plenty of long timed writing practice I use writing to practice grammar.

MODELS Can we assume that students will know what particular types of writing should look like? How does the student benefit from a model of the type of writing you are using? What happens when students aren’t given a model?

CAN WE ASSUME THAT STUDENTS WILL KNOW WHAT PARTICULAR TYPES OF WRITING SHOULD LOOK LIKE? There are a lot of rules to obey when writing in English, think about the three structures illustrated below and how they differ. Dear Sir / Madam, I am writing to inform you about why I feel writing lessons should be included in class. Firstly, it allows us to be monitored while we write. It also allows us to check structure with our teacher. Despite these positives, I do not believe we should only do complete writings in class time. Yours sincerely A Student Report into use of writing models in class. Benefits Given models we are more likely to give teachers what they want. Avoids confusion and frustration for both teachers and students. Negatives Teachers will have to plan ahead. Conclusion Use models The problems of teaching writing in class have been well documented. However, there are many benefits that can result from introducing writing lessons into your classroom. As well as making the students more aware of vocabulary and grammar, writing lessons can help improve a students speaking. Additionally, for exam students writing is essential. In spite of these advantages, writing is frequently dismisses due to a lack of time… What types of writing are they? What is the difference in layout? Why do students need to know these?

Style – formality What happens when students use the incorrect style in a piece of writing ? Register – the vocabulary that is particular for a topic What happens if a student doesn’t know the correct style? REGISTER AND STYLE

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE WRITING BELOW? Dear Sarah, My teacher has requested that I “do some writing” and so I am sending you this epistle. I hope my missive finds you in good spirits and that the employment you had recently undertaken when last we conversed has turned out well. This weekend, I will undertake a voyage of the most frequented locations in London accompanied by a friend. I also intend to voyage to the edge of the known universe and visit Scotland in the coming months. Please send my salutations to your family. I look forward to being delivered your reply. lots of love Simon Smith What would you teach the student to improve their writing? Task: Write a letter to your friend. Tell them your plans.

PLANNING AND EDITING Why is planning beneficial? What sort of mistakes may be avoided by the use of planning? Greater range of vocab Benefits of planning Wider range of grammar Fewer errors Correct layout More cohesive Good ideas.

UnplannedPlanned JUST TELL STUDENTS THIS!

Register transfer: students rewrite a piece of text, changing the style. Mini saga / summary. This forces them to think about every word. Give students a writing task with errors to practice editing. Use a model answer and look at the use of grammar that they can use in their own answers. SOME LESSON IDEAS

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME