WRITING SKILLSWRITING SKILLS

BASICS OF WRITING BASICS OF WRITING

Decide on your topic. Decide on your topic.

Prepare an outline or diagram of your Prepare an outline or diagram of your

ideas. ideas.

Write your thesis statement. Write your thesis statement.

Write the body. Write the body.

WRITINGWRITINGDefinition-The process of writing can be defined as the arrangement of letters ,symbols or sequences to express defined and expressed meanings•Formalism•Generating ideas•Mapping the argument •Suspend judgement •Composing a draft•Problematize •Contextualize•Revision

WRITING PARAGRAPHWRITING PARAGRAPH

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

WHY USE PARAGRAPHS?WHY USE PARAGRAPHS?

HOW IS A PARAGRAPH HOW IS A PARAGRAPH

STRUCTURED?STRUCTURED?

HOW DO YOU WRITE A PARAGRAPH?HOW DO YOU WRITE A PARAGRAPH?

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR

PARAGRAPHS FLOW?PARAGRAPHS FLOW?

HOW IS A PARAGRAPH HOW IS A PARAGRAPH STRUCTURED?STRUCTURED?

1.1. Topic SentenceTopic Sentence    This is     This is the the firstfirst sentence and it sentence and it expresses expresses the main ideathe main idea..

2.2. Supporting Supporting SentencesSentences details that  details that expand your main idea.expand your main idea.

3.3. Concluding SentenceConcluding Sentence a  a rounding off, possibly by rounding off, possibly by summarizing what has summarizing what has been said or drawing a been said or drawing a logical conclusion from it.logical conclusion from it.

EXAMPLE OF A EXAMPLE OF A PARAGRAPHPARAGRAPH

              My hometown is famous for several My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features.  First, it is noted amazing natural features.  First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. The third amazing because it is very steep. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old. probably about six hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a amazing and make my hometown a famous place.famous place.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A HOW DO YOU MAKE A PARAGRAPH?PARAGRAPH?

1. 1. Using linking wordsUsing linking words and phrases such as: also, as well and phrases such as: also, as well as, firstly, next, then, finally, so thus, as a result, because, as, firstly, next, then, finally, so thus, as a result, because, therefore, for example, for instance, in contrast, on the therefore, for example, for instance, in contrast, on the other hand.other hand.

2. 2. Using pronounsUsing pronouns: Once mentioned, Jack Smith can : Once mentioned, Jack Smith can become he, Dr. Susan Brown can be she, and the community become he, Dr. Susan Brown can be she, and the community can be called it, - as long as the meaning is clear.can be called it, - as long as the meaning is clear.

3. 3. Starting sentences in different ways.Starting sentences in different ways. For For example: Draft sentence:example: Draft sentence:"In Australia, there are three levels of government""In Australia, there are three levels of government"

 Instead, you could write...  Instead, you could write... "Government in Australia is on three different levels" "Government in Australia is on three different levels"

 or... or..."There are three different levels of government in Australia.""There are three different levels of government in Australia."

MAIN COMPONENTS OF MAIN COMPONENTS OF ESSAY WRITINGESSAY WRITING

Write the Write the introduction. introduction.

Write the Write the conclusion. conclusion.

Add the finishing Add the finishing touches. touches.

WRITING AN WRITING AN INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

What should an introduction do?What should an introduction do? The content of the introductionThe content of the introduction The structure of the introductionThe structure of the introduction Making it interestingMaking it interesting How long is an introduction?How long is an introduction?

A TYPICAL A TYPICAL INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Question:Question: Workplace diversity is now recognised as an important Workplace diversity is now recognised as an important feature in organisations, especially in multicultural nations like feature in organisations, especially in multicultural nations like Australia. What communication problems might arise in a culturally Australia. What communication problems might arise in a culturally diverse workplace, and how can managers best deal with them?diverse workplace, and how can managers best deal with them?

Over the past twenty five years, since Australia embraced Over the past twenty five years, since Australia embraced multiculturalism as a policy, issues of intercultural communication multiculturalism as a policy, issues of intercultural communication have become more and more prominent in the workplace. Most of the have become more and more prominent in the workplace. Most of the workplaces are staffed by people of diverse cultures. Particular workplaces are staffed by people of diverse cultures. Particular problem areas include the difficulties that some non-English speakers problem areas include the difficulties that some non-English speakers have in understanding safety instructions (figures produced by the have in understanding safety instructions (figures produced by the ABS in 1997 show that migrant workers have a higher incidence of ABS in 1997 show that migrant workers have a higher incidence of accidents at the workplace); an ignorance of the different forms of accidents at the workplace); an ignorance of the different forms of non-verbal communication used by other cultures which can lead to non-verbal communication used by other cultures which can lead to misunderstandings and unpleasantness; and the lack of knowledge misunderstandings and unpleasantness; and the lack of knowledge about differing expectations. Based on interviews with managers and about differing expectations. Based on interviews with managers and staff in six organisations (public and commercial), this report examines staff in six organisations (public and commercial), this report examines these three problem areas, and shows that many of the difficulties these three problem areas, and shows that many of the difficulties faced by both natives and migrants in the workforce are caused by a faced by both natives and migrants in the workforce are caused by a lack of awareness of, and training in, intercultural communication. lack of awareness of, and training in, intercultural communication.

WRITING A WRITING A CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

Purpose of Purpose of conclusion conclusion

Content of Content of conclusion conclusion

Analysis of Analysis of conclusionconclusion

A TYPICAL CONCLUSION A TYPICAL CONCLUSION

Managers must ensure that effective in-house training programs Managers must ensure that effective in-house training programs are provided for migrant workers, so that they become more are provided for migrant workers, so that they become more familiar with the English language, Australian communication familiar with the English language, Australian communication norms and the Australian work culture. In addition, Australian norms and the Australian work culture. In addition, Australian native English speakers need to be made aware of the differing native English speakers need to be made aware of the differing cultural values of their workmates; particularly the different cultural values of their workmates; particularly the different forms of non-verbal communication used by other cultures. forms of non-verbal communication used by other cultures. Furthermore, all employees must be provided with clear and Furthermore, all employees must be provided with clear and detailed guidelines about company expectations. The interviews detailed guidelines about company expectations. The interviews with managers and staff reveal that a majority of managers must with managers and staff reveal that a majority of managers must also have training in cross cultural communication and in also have training in cross cultural communication and in managing a culturally diverse workplace. Above all, in order to managing a culturally diverse workplace. Above all, in order to minimise communication problems and to maintain an minimise communication problems and to maintain an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and cooperation in the atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and cooperation in the multicultural workplace, managers need to have an effective multicultural workplace, managers need to have an effective knowledge about their employees, to understand how their social knowledge about their employees, to understand how their social conditioning affects their beliefs about work and to have the conditioning affects their beliefs about work and to have the communication skills to develop confidence and self-esteem communication skills to develop confidence and self-esteem among diverse work groups. among diverse work groups.

SEVEN STAGES OF WRITING SEVEN STAGES OF WRITING ASSIGNMENTSASSIGNMENTS

Develop your topic Develop your topic Identify your audience Identify your audience Research Research Organize and pre -write Organize and pre -write Draft/write Draft/write Revise Revise Proofread Proofread

STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

A development of the idea A development of the idea An explanation or analogy An explanation or analogy An illustration An illustration Support with evidence Support with evidence Contextual links to reinforce Contextual links to reinforce

the structure the structure

REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD REQUIREMENTS OF A GOOD WRITERWRITER

Establish the AIM Establish the AIM Consider the READER Consider the READER Devise the STRUCTURE Devise the STRUCTURE DRAFT the text DRAFT the text EDIT and REVISE EDIT and REVISE

PRE REQUISITES OF GOOD PRE REQUISITES OF GOOD WRITINGWRITING

Self awarenessSelf awareness

Target audienceTarget audience

ThemeTheme

SubjectSubject

LAY OUTLAY OUT

Informative Informative

titles titles

White space White space

Variety Variety

STYLE OF WRITINGSTYLE OF WRITING Avoid the use of slang words Avoid the use of slang words Try not to use abbreviations (unless appropriately Try not to use abbreviations (unless appropriately

defined)defined)

Steer away from the use of symbols (such as Steer away from the use of symbols (such as ampersands [&])ampersands [&])

ClichesCliches鳠鳠 should be avoided, or at the very least, should be avoided, or at the very least, used with cautionused with caution

Brackets are used to play down words or phrasesBrackets are used to play down words or phrases

Dashes are generally used for emphasisDashes are generally used for emphasis

THREE GRAMMAR POINTSTHREE GRAMMAR POINTS

Subject-verb Subject-verb agreement agreement

Correct word class Correct word class Verb tense Verb tense

consistency consistency

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES Subject -verb AgreementSubject -verb AgreementThe Prime Minister is meeting the President of the United States at the White House. (singular subject: ‘Prime Minister’; singular verb ‘is meeting’) Correct word class :These managers differ1; one difference2 between these different3 managers is that they manage differently4.1 ‘differ’ is the verb in this part of the sentence2. ‘difference’ is being used as a subject, so it is noun form3 ‘different’ describes the managers, so it is in adjective form4 ‘differently’ tells us how the managers manage, so it is in adverb form

Verb tense consistency The shop assistant is telling the customer that the shop has not yet received the goods she needs urgently; he says he is going to send them as soon as they arrive.The shop assistant was telling the customer that the shop had not yet received goods she needed urgently; he said he was going to send them as soon as they arrived.

CRITICAL THINKINGCRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking differ between Critical thinking differ between disciplinesdisciplines

Critical thinking and its application Critical thinking and its application in writingin writing

Critical thinking as a generic skill Critical thinking as a generic skill for lifefor life

IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD VOCABULARY IN WRITINGVOCABULARY IN WRITING

Don't need long wordsDon't need long words Industry-specific wordsIndustry-specific words Improving your vocabularyImproving your vocabulary Summary Summary

WRITING EXERCISESWRITING EXERCISES What is writing?What is writing? MechanicsMechanics ShapeShape SizeSize ConventionConvention Speed of writingSpeed of writing PragmaticsPragmatics Selection of Selection of

appropriate wordsappropriate words Appropriate contextAppropriate context

COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION

Definition-comprehension can be Definition-comprehension can be defined as a process of reading a defined as a process of reading a passage thereby deriving an passage thereby deriving an intended meaning to reproduce it in intended meaning to reproduce it in your own language.your own language.

Knowledge of languageKnowledge of language Vocabulary skillsVocabulary skills Sentence constructionSentence construction

READING READING COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION

Be a voluntary Be a voluntary

readerreader

Be an active Be an active

readerreader

Read analyticallyRead analytically

Reading speedReading speed

LISTENING LISTENING COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION

How to take notes. How to take notes.

Recognising lecture structure

Deducing the meaning of unfamiliar words

Understanding intonation

WRITING SPEEDWRITING SPEED

Knowledge is Knowledge is

powerpower

CalibreCalibre

Drafting the Drafting the

contentcontent

Make use of timeMake use of time