Writing Techniques

Writing Techniques

Quarter 3 Week 4

After going through this module, you are expected to:

• determine the writer’s purpose/ intentions; 

• determine the writer’s purpose/ intentions; and

• use different writing techniques and elements in your own composition

Multiple Choice

What is the order of the writing process?

• Drafting, prewriting, editing, revising, publishing.

• Drafting, prewriting, revising, editing, publishing

• Prewriting, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing

• Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing

Multiple Choice

The goal of persuasive writing is to...?

• Entertain

• Convince

• Explain

• Instruct

Multiple Choice

How many drafts does it take to write a short story?

• As many as it takes.

• At least 5.

• No more than 10.

• You need only 2 complete drafts.

Multiple Choice

What is the hook's job in the introduction of your paper?

• to tell the reader the main points of the paper

• to grab the reader's attention

• to explain everything that your paper will prove

Multiple Choice

Persuasive writing is best used in all BUT which of the following?

• to support a cause

• to urge people to action

• to stir up sympathy

• to describe and inform about a subject

Multiple Choice

Which paragraph in a persuasive essay includes a restatement of your thesis, a "so what," and a sentence leaving your reader with something to think about?

• Introduction

• Body Paragraph

• Conclusion

Multiple Choice

Facts or quotations, personal stories, and real-world examples are all types of what in your body paragraphs?

• topic sentences

• explanation

• evidence

Multiple Choice

Which paragraph in an essay includes a topic sentence, evidence, and an explanation?

• Introduction

• Body Paragraph

• Conclusion

Multiple Choice

The topic, claim, and main ideas for your paper are all given at the end of your introduction paragraph in which sentence?

• thesis statement

• bridge

• hook

Writing Techniques

Lessons 1-3

INFORMATIVE (OR EXPOSITORY) ESSAY

• An informative text aims to provide information to the readers while an expository text aims to explain a subject matter. The content of informative writing should be verifiable, factual, and explanatory in nature.

• Examples: recipes, instruction booklets, academic books

In writing informative texts, a writer must consider the following: 

• Get to know your topic or the concept very well.

• Consider your readers.

• Write the main idea. 

• Search for and verify the supporting information.

• Organize the supporting information in logical order.

• Be concise. 

Generally, your informative essay might:

• Inform readers about some problem they are not aware.

• Explain its importance

• Present the latest research on a topic

• Compare viewpoints on a controversial subjects

• Analyze a cause-effect relationship

PERSUASIVE ESSAY

• This type of writing is intended to persuade or convince the readers to believe in or do something. Persuasive writing encourages the writer to be creative and challenges him or her to integrate the different kinds of appeal in his or her paper. One can do this by employing several kinds of persuasive techniques (e.g. appeals) and devices in his or her paper.

• Examples: campaign speeches, advertisements

In writing Persuasive Texts 

• Be clear about your view.

• Consider your readers.

• Use different kinds of appeals and devices. 

• Provide convincing evidence.

• Write a strong concluding paragraph that will convince your readers or make them change their view about the topic. 

Persuasive Devices

• Facts/ Data can be results of studies or general facts that can persuade the readers.

• Anecdote is a narrative or account or story of a person or any character which is usually written in a humorous way

• Rebuttal is a contradiction, a way to oppose or disproves a certain statement.

• Rhetorical Questions are asked to make a point and not to be answered by the readers. They usually challenge the readers to act or reflect on personal views.

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

• An argumentative essay is a type of writing in which points of view about a particular topic are presented, and the writer aims to establish his position and persuade the reader to side with him. 

• Writing an argumentative essay requires logical and verifiable support. The content of an argumentative essay always focuses on a claim that is stated in a thesis statement.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a statement of a writer's point on a particular issue and is usually debatable. The primary feature of an argumentative essay is to convince and prove that the writer's statement warrants a logical and verifiable claim.

Examples: 

• Poverty, or lack of financial stability, is one factor that hinders a child from finishing school.

• Only those who finished a college degree will have a better life in the future.

Parts of Argumentative Essay:

Introduction and Thesis Statement 

The introduction part always states the context of your paper. In this part, you must completely establish the primary objective of your paper, provide the background information and clearly state your claim. 

Body and Supporting Statements

The body of your essay always contains the most important details. In this part, it is necessary that you provide strong supporting details of your claim. Remember, your primary objective is to 'convince' your readers to change their perception about a particular issue. So, it is a must that you carefully choose the information that you will include. 

Conclusion

The conclusion part serves as a generalization statement that contains the main claim or arguments and their supporting details. This may also contain a message that addresses the thesis in a different light and leaves an impression in the readers' mind.

Activity

Identify what type of writing the given topics are.

• 1. Methods to handle insomnia and sleep disorders

• 2. The current musicians that will stand the test of time.

• 3. Should students be paid for having good grades?

• 4. Is modern culture ruining childhood?

• 5. Violence on campuses and schools and way to deal with it.

• 6. Government should censor internet content deemed inappropriate.

• 7. Corporal punishment is the best way to discipline students.

• 8. Discuss the way your educational institution was founded.

• 9. Should scientists be allowed to test products intended for human use on animal?

• 10. Death penalty should be used to punish violent criminals.