HOW TO WRITE IN ENGLISHTHE SECRET BEHIND ANY EXCELLENT WRITING

ComfyLearningIntroduction to Advanced English Writing

Writing? Not again!!...What crosses your mind when you have to write an important email, or report, or memo, or an essay, a complaint letter, a thank-you note, or just an invitation?

…can happen to all of us, not only writers!

The writer’s block

We will show you today how to

Relax

Plan

Write

Objectives and Results Objectives

Understand what writing is made of Define what is our main idea, i.e. what is it that we want to talk

about? Define what are our supporting ideas are, i.e. why do I think so?

Results Easier planning and writing process

Skills developed Thinking ahead Planning Taking a stand

(with regards to a topic) Back up my point of

view

The Hourglass System The analogy of the hourglass will

help us understand how to write a clear, concise and interesting sentence, paragraph or a whole text.

On top: main idea, like an umbrella under each all secondary ideas find place. This is the place to introduce our idea to the reader.

In the middle: narrowing the topic down. We do this by giving examples, explanations, desciptions.

At the bottom: concluding idea- an idea of the same level as the main idea. It is here that we wrap up what we’ve written about in our paragraph or text.

Let’s see an example

Watching television is a waste of our time. Instead of playing, kids watch cartoons, which is not very good for them because they should move a lot during the day. Adults waste time watching TV instead of going for a walk or playing with their kids. Teenagers watch lots of TV too, instead of playing a sport, learning how to play the guitar or simply spending time with their friends. Watching TV is an activity that prevents us from doing the things we love in our free time.

Topic:Main idea:Supporting ideas:Concluding idea:

Another example

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my concern about the state of my washer, which is broken and needs to be repaired asap.

Yesterday I wanted to do my laundry and when I pressed the Start button, my washer made some noise and stopped completely. I wasn’t able to make it work today either.

I would like you to send me a technician to check my washer and repair it asap.

Thank you, and l am looking forward to hearing from you.

Your sincerely,Joanna Thomson

And another example!

Dear John,

You and your lovely family are invited to our wedding ceremony.

Place: Le Ritz HotelDate: October 26th, 2013Time: 6pmMiscellaneous: there will be a playing area for the kids.

We hope you can make it and we look forward to seeing you all very much!

Love,Tim&Tina LET’S PRACTICE NOW!

Conclusion

Any piece of writing must contain: a topic explained by a main idea and 2-3, rarely 4 supporting ideas.

Main ideas are usually statements the writer makes with regards to a problem/topic/phenomenon/news/anything, really! It is your position, so you state it loud and clear.

Supporting ideas support the main ideas, back up what you believe to be true in your main ideas.

A conclusion at the end of the text will let the reader know the paragraph/essay/invitation/memo/letter is over; therefore, the conclusion is usually a paraphrase of the introduction.

Questions?

elena.baraboi@gmail.com