1. TSA Writing Skills (Primary 6)

2. Pre-writing

3. Read the question Underline the keywords
Text type
John is writing a diary entry about a new classmate in his class.
You are John.
Complete the diary entry in about 80 words.
The following questions may help you.
What to write
Situation
Number of words
Underline the keywords

4. Brainstorm ideas (1) Pictures?
reading
surfing ? ?
dancing

5. From the pictures, find out:
Who is the new classmate?
What does he look like?
What does he like doing?
How do you feel about him?
Can you think of any other ideas?

6. Brainstorm ideas (2) Mind map
Think of as many ideas about this new classmate as possible
Sometimes there may be a mind map to tell you what you can write about

7. (2) Mind map 12 years Main ideas old Name: reading Henry surfing
short hair
A new classmate
hobbies
feeling for
him
dancing ?
good
student
Other ideas
Supporting details

8. Brainstorm ideas (3) Question words
Use ‘wh-’ words and ‘how’ question words to brainstorm ideas of different areas, e.g.
What: the thing or action
When: the time
Where: the place
Who: the people
Why: the reason …
How: the way something happens
How many: the number of something
How much: the price …

9. (3) Question words Who (is the new classmate)? How (old is he)?
What (does he look like)?
What (does he like doing?)
How (do you feel about him)?
Henry 12
short hair, big eyes
reading, surfing and dancing
good

10. Writing

11. A topic sentence is usually put at the beginning of a paragraph.
(1) Topic sentences
I have a new classmate in my class. His name is Henry and he is 12 years old. He has short hair and big eyes. He is happy in this new school. We often have lunch together and we become close friends. I like reading and so is he. He is a good student.
A topic sentence is usually put at the beginning of a paragraph.
Use topic sentence to tell the main idea of a paragraph

12. Details about this new classmate
(2) Supporting details
I have a new classmate in my class. His name is Henry and he is 12 years old. He has short hair and big eyes. He is happy in this new school. We often have lunch together and we become close friends. I like reading and so is he. He is a good student.
Details about this new classmate
Write more details about the main idea

13. Here are some vocabulary about activities.
(2) Supporting details
After class, he always does what he likes to do. He likes surfing in the sea. He also likes dancing. He dances very well! Later I will join him to learn how to play chess and have fun together.
Here are some vocabulary about activities.
Use relevant vocabulary items

14. (2) Supporting details Use more adjectives
I have a new classmate in my class. His name is Henry and he is 12 years old. He has short hair and big eyes. He is happy in this new school. We often have lunch together and we become close friends. I like reading and so is he. He is a good student.
Use adjectives to describe how Henry looks and the writer’s feeling towards him.
Use more adjectives

15. (3) Linking ideas
After class, he always does what he likes to do. He likes surfing in the sea. He also likes dancing. He dances very well! Later I will join him to learn how to play chess and have fun together.
Use connectives to link up ideas

16. More connectives
Cause: because, since, as
Addition: and, too, also, besides
Contrast: but, however, yet, on the other hand
Purpose: in order to, so as to
Result: therefore, as a result
Sequence: first, then, after that, finally, later
Connectives can link up two sentences and make the paragraph looks more natural

17. Formats

18. (1) Story Beginning introduce the setting and the characters
Development
Introduce the plot / problem
Climax
the most important or exciting part
Ending
the problem is usually solved

19. (2) Diary Entry
Date
Weather
What happened
How you feel

20. (3) Informal letter Date Recipient Opening Main body Ending Closing
Sender

21. (4)
Recipient
Opening
Main body
Ending
Closing
Sender

22. (5) Article Introduction introduce the topic Main body
main idea 1 + supporting details
main idea 2 + supporting details
main idea 3 + supporting details
Conclusion
sum up the ideas
give your view

23. Post-writing

24. Read again Take 5-10 minutes to read your writing again
Check the language (grammar)
- tenses
- spelling
Check the format (especially letters)
Check the number of words (about 80 words)

25. - The End -