Thursday

Writing in English


How to improve your writing:


Learn from feedback

Consume the written word! Pick up a good book or ten. Read and understand the works of great and influential writers to learn what is possible with the written word.


Read magazines, newspapers, and everything else. Literature isn't the only place to get ideas—the real world is filled with fascinating people, places and events that will inspire your writerly mind.


When writing:

Think: Introduction, main text and conclusion. This is the way almost all written assignments are built (essay, letter to the editor, letter of complaints, formal letter etc.).


An introduction: Should give a hint on what your text will be about. It should make the reader curious and make him/her want to continue reading.

A main text is usually two or three (depending on type of task) paragraphs where you present/discuss one argument/idea in each paragraph.

A conclusion is the last paragraph where you summarize what you have written. You should not present a new idea in this part of the text. You should just draw some kind of conclusion from the examples/ideas you have already mentioned. A conclusion usually begins like this: In conclusion...., All in all....., To summarise......, On the whole...To sum up.....Altogether.....etc.


"Kill your darlings" (To let go of any element of our writing that is not essential). Good writing is simple, clear and direct. You don't get points for saying in 50 words what could be said in 20. Good writing is about using the right words, not filling up the page. It might feel good at first to pack a lot of ideas and details into a single sentence, but chances are that sentence is just going to be hard to read. If a phrase doesn't add anything valuable, just cut it.

Try not to repeat the same word over and over unless you are trying to build a rhythm with it. Look for synonyms.

If you start writing in one tense. Keep this tense throughout your text.

Use paragraphs. It makes your text easy to read.

In most written tasks formal language is required. Learn a few linking words and use them. They will make your text more formal.

Edit, edit, edit. When you are done, give it another read, and maybe another (if you have the time...).

Do not!
Do not plagiarize! Presenting the words or ideas of others as your own is a serious offense in academics, journalism and fiction. Just don't do it. Also, it will not help you to get better at English.



1.

Have a look at the power-point below. This is important to think about when Writing a text in English.

writing PP (Spelling, structure, linking words, paragraphs, formal writing, grammar, read task thoroughly...)

These are linking words (also called "transitions". Tiny words which can make all the difference in a text): practise here


Go through the following words and try to learn a few of them until next week. IF you want to be able to reach a higher level of writing. Do the online task below the words.


Listen and practise more on linking words or transitions Online tasks below the clip).

More info. + tasks from Engvid (below the clips are online tasks)

Useful tips from Engvid on how to improve your English writing

Practise online?
Want to practise on using linking words and a more formal style of writing? Here are some links:Floe-Joe     

OBS!
Before the lesson is over. Write down the most important things to think about when Writing a text in English(based on the power-point).

Also, write five English sentences where you include a linking word. Show me that you can use a few of them correctly in a sentence.

Before you leave today, show me what you have written.

2.

Common mistakes in writing. Try to avoid them! Have a look: Easily confused Words



3.
If you have time! Have a look at these two clips (one at a time) and discuss the questions below the clip together with a friend.

One Direction
The sick note


OBS! Today you will have time to read your novels! Remember to bring them!