Organizing Writing

Writing Organization

Outlining and structuring your ideas

How many sessions do we have left?

5

What you have done so far...

​In the first few sessions, you wrote:

1. An essay on travel

2. An essay on your favourite movie

3. A letter to a friend

1. Format -- the structure
2. Use of language -- formal/informal, vocabulary, reasoning/examples
4. Style -- making it unique

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Now, it is time to look at what needs improving

1. Needs a hook, something to "grab" the reader.

2. Needs a purpose

3. Needs details

4. Needs a proper closing

5. Prompt-specific content

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Structure: Every piece of writing...

Writing Process: 1. PLAN, 2. Write, 3. Revise

Before writing, ask yourself:
1. What is the genre of writing?
2. What information do I have to include?
3. Should I be formal or informal?

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​1. PLAN

Analyzing Prompts

​Take a look at this prompt:

What is your favourite book? Make sure you include a short plot and character summary and include what type of person you would recommend it to.

How would you organize your writing??

Outlining

You have 30 minutes in the exam to write. So, take 5 minutes at the beginning of your exam to write an outline.

A. Introduction

B. Body

C. Conclusion

Prompt 2

You don't need the teacher to always write out the structure. Make it yourself!

Is there anything you would like to change about Prague so that life here would be easier and better for everyone?

Sample Outline

1. Introduction
A. Hook: Prague is a paradise, but with a closer look, one sees a lot of ways to improve the city.
B. Purpose: Suggest solutions to make the city easier to live in and better for everyone.
2. Body 1
Topic sentence: Make the city easier to live in
a. Eliminate or better regulate Airbnb
Reason and example
b. Improve public transportation
Reason and example
Conclusion sentence:

3. Body 2

Topic sentence: Make the city better to live in
a. Put more money into cleanliness.
Reason and example
b. Better homeless programmes.
Reason and example
Conclusion sentence:
4. Conclusion
A. Restate purpose in different words
B. Take home message: If we all stand together and put in the effort, Prague will be even better!

Open Ended

Your turn. Look at the first prompt: What is your favourite book? Make sure you include a short plot and character summary and include what type of person you would recommend it to.

On your phone or computer, make a sample outline that follows this format:

1. 1. Introduction

2. 2. Body 1

3. 3. Body 2

4. 4. Conclusion

NOTE: Use note format.

Open Ended

Now, practice writing a paragraph inspired by your outline. Include the following: a topic sentence, detail 1, example 1, detail 2, example 2, conclusion sentence. By focusing your ideas into short, but clear paragraphs, you will be a more disciplined writer.

TASK: Read a partner's letter. Only look at the organization and make notes for:
1. Paragraphs: Are there paragraphs? Use what you learned in this lesson to provide suggestions on how to organize their writing.
2. Suggest "bigger" and more advanced vocabulary.
3. My task: I am going to note incorrect grammar patterns and write them on the board. Your job, however, is to provide content feedback and suggestions.

TIME FOR THIS TASK: 10 minutes

Writing Faux Pas

Remember to avoid the following:

1. Wanna, gonna, shoulda, woulda (too informal)

2. Emojis (fun, but sadly too informal)

3. Things, stuff (empty words)

4. Writing one big paragraph of content for the whole essay

For more information, click this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PJfi0NEFcBl6im2SlI-cz03bb6UEytmOVtdsSZBf2-k/edit

Final Task: Next Essay

Using what you learned, organize and write an answer to ONE of the following prompts:

1. Do you prefer to watch movies or read books? Explain, then pick one (book or movie) and write about it.

2. You are a passionate gamer. You have an idea for a unique game and would like to propose your idea to one of the leading game companies. Write a formal letter proposing your game idea. Be sure to include a description of the game, and two to three features that are unique to that game.

3. Write about your opinion of social media. Be sure to include what platforms are popular these days and whether or not you think social media can be harmful. Also be sure to include suggestions for how to improve social media?

Writing Resources

Save these resources!

https://www.eslbuzz.com/100-useful-words-and-phrases-to-write-a-great-essay/ -- language for writing an essay
https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/writing/articles/introduction-letter-writing -- letter writing
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/5-paragraph-essay-writing-tips -- how to write an opinion essay
https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/paragraphs-and-topic-sentences.html -- writing paragraphs and using topic sentences

Review

In this class, we...

1. Learned about organizing paragraphs and information

2. Revised our letters from the last class

3. Applied an outline to the next essay (which is homework if not completed this hour)