Teaching Writing Asma Al-Sayegh

Why teach writing? The main reason for teaching writing is to help students express their thoughts in words . Asma Al-Sayegh

The main reason for teaching writing is to help students express their thoughts in words .

EFL Writing Instruction Copying Doing exercises Guided writing Free writing Asma Al-Sayegh

Begin with discussing with them the objectives of writing. Let them know that their writing can speak for them when they are not there. To get students into writing Asma Al-Sayegh

Begin with discussing with them the objectives of writing.

Let them know that their writing can speak for them when they are not there.

Show them samples of different forms of writing. Tell them that writing is an organized process. To get students into writing Asma Al-Sayegh

Show them samples of different forms of writing.

Tell them that writing is an organized process.

Remember to tell them.... "Good writing does not just happen. The best writers spend a great deal of time thinking , planning , rewriting , and editing ." Asma Al-Sayegh

"Good writing does not just happen. The best writers spend a great deal of time thinking , planning , rewriting , and editing ."

The Writing Process Brainstorming Graphic Organizers First Draft Revising Editing Final Copy Asma Al-Sayegh

Brainstorming

Graphic Organizers

First Draft

Revising

Editing

Final Copy

To help students learn and assess writing introduce the 6 – traits writing model . The Writing Process Asma Al-Sayegh

To help students learn and assess writing introduce the 6 – traits writing model .

The 6-trait writing model is a way to assess and teach writing. This model focuses on 6 qualities seen in outstanding written works . Asma Al-Sayegh

The 6-trait writing model is a way to assess and teach writing. This model focuses on 6 qualities seen in outstanding written works .

A trait is a feature or characteristic. Think about a trait of ...... a good kabsa a good house a good book Asma Al-Sayegh

A trait is a feature or characteristic.

Think about a trait of ......

a good kabsa

a good house

a good book

Ideas Organization Voice Word choice Sentence fluency Conventions Asma Al-Sayegh

Ideas

Organization

Voice

Word choice

Sentence fluency

Conventions

The six traits include: Ideas : The content, or main theme. Can be looked at as the heart of the message. Don’t choose too broad topic. Look for details. Asma Al-Sayegh

Ideas : The content, or main theme. Can be looked at as the heart of the message.

Don’t choose too broad topic.

Look for details.

Organization : The internal structure of the writing. Good organization helps the reader understands the writer’s message. The six traits include: Asma Al-Sayegh

Organization : The internal structure of the writing.

Good organization helps the reader understands the writer’s message.

3. Voice : The personal voice of author comes through. This gives a sense of a real person speaking. Oral reading helps students hear voice. The six traits include: Asma Al-Sayegh

3. Voice : The personal voice of author comes through. This gives a sense of a real person speaking.

Oral reading helps students hear voice.

Word Choice : The use of precise, colourful and rich words to communicate. word choice paints pictures in the reader’s mind. The six traits include: Asma Al-Sayegh

Word Choice : The use of precise, colourful and rich words to communicate.

word choice paints pictures in the reader’s mind.

Sentence Fluency : The writing flows together often with a rhythm or tone. Good writing plays to the ear, not just the eye. The six traits include: Asma Al-Sayegh

Sentence Fluency : The writing flows together often with a rhythm or tone.

Good writing plays to the ear,

not just the eye.

Conventions: Mechanical correctness. Spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage. The six traits include: Asma Al-Sayegh

Conventions: Mechanical correctness.

Spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage.

1. Begin with..."What's a trait?“ 2. Immerse students in the language of writers. How to teach the Six Traits Asma Al-Sayegh

1. Begin with..."What's a trait?“

2. Immerse students in the language of writers.

3. Ask students to keep a writing folder or journal. 4. Train them to see and hear with critical eyes and ears. How to teach the Six Traits Asma Al-Sayegh

3. Ask students to keep a writing folder or journal.

4. Train them to see and hear with critical eyes and ears.

5. Ask students to assess others ’ work. 6. Ask students to revise others ' work . How to teach the Six Traits Asma Al-Sayegh

5. Ask students to assess others ’ work.

6. Ask students to revise others ' work .

7. Ask students to assess their own work. 8. Ask students to revise their own work. How to teach the Six Traits Asma Al-Sayegh

7. Ask students to assess their own work.

8. Ask students to revise their own work.

Guidelines for teaching writing Give students a sample written work to base their expectations on. Agree with them on an assessment criteria that they will be graded on. Select interesting prompts for students to write about. Asma Al-Sayegh

Give students a sample written work to base their expectations on.

Agree with them on an assessment criteria that they will be graded on.

Select interesting prompts for students to write about.

Asma Al-Sayegh 1 2 3 4 Heading Heading is missing two or more items. Heading is missing one item. Heading has all required items, but is formatted incorrectly. Heading has all required items and is formatted correctly. Neatness Paper is untidy and printing is difficult to read often. Paper is untidy or printing is difficult to read often. Printing is difficult to read at times. Printing is clear. Capitalization Capitalizations are used incorrectly three or more times. Capitalizations are used incorrectly two times. Capitalizations are used incorrectly one time. Capitalizations are used correctly. Punctuation Punctuation is used incorrectly three or more times. Punctuation is used incorrectly two times. Punctuation is used incorrectly one time. Punctuation is used correctly. Sentence Completion Sentences are incomplete and do not describe an idea or give information. Sentences are incomplete or do not describe an idea or give information. Sentences are complete. Sentences are complete and show a high level of understanding. Total:

I do my best writing when: My paragraph starts with a topic sentence. I indent my first sentence. I stay on topic. I use details to support my topic. My paragraph has 5-8 complete sentences. My paragraph has a summary or closing sentence. I use words that make my meaning clear. I do not use the same words over and over. I try to spell words correctly. I begin each sentence with a capital letter. I begin each proper name with a capital letter. I use sentences that end with a period, an exclamation point, or a question mark. My print or cursive handwriting is clear enough to read . Asma Al-Sayegh

I do my best writing when:

My paragraph starts with a topic sentence.

I indent my first sentence.

I stay on topic.

I use details to support my topic.

My paragraph has 5-8 complete sentences.

My paragraph has a summary or closing sentence.

I use words that make my meaning clear. I do not use the same words over and over.

I try to spell words correctly.

I begin each sentence with a capital letter.

I begin each proper name with a capital letter.

I use sentences that end with a period, an exclamation point, or a question mark.

My print or cursive handwriting is clear enough to read .

Asma Al-Sayegh If I could change one thing in the world ____.

The one thing that really upsets me is.. Asma Al-Sayegh

Asma Al-Sayegh The qualities of a good friend are …

When I grow up … Asma Al-Sayegh

A selection of interesting prompts What I really hate! What I really like! My favourite fruit ... The best thing that happened to me .... The worst thing that happened to me .... Something funny happened to me this week .... Asma Al-Sayegh

What I really hate!

What I really like!

My favourite fruit ...

The best thing that happened to me ....

The worst thing that happened to me ....

Something funny happened to me this week ....