Learn how the analogy of the hourglass can help you write without stress. Learn how to organize ideas so that your writing becomes easy and stress-free. With love, Elena, ESL& FSL Teacher

1. HOW TO WRITE IN ENGLISH
THE SECRET BEHIND ANY EXCELLENT WRITING
ComfyLearning
Introduction to Advanced English Writing

2. 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?

3. The writer’s block
…can happen to all of us, not only writers!

4. We will show you today how to
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Relax

Plan

Write

5. Objectives and Results

Objectives
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


Results
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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?
Easier planning and writing process
Skills developed



Thinking ahead
Planning
Taking a stand
 (with regards to a topic)

Back up my point of

view

6. The Hourglass System
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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.

7. 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:

8. 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

9. And another example!
Dear John,
You and your lovely family are invited to our wedding ceremony.
Place: Le Ritz Hotel
Date: October 26th, 2013
Time: 6pm
Miscellaneous: 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!

10. Conclusion
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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.

11. Questions?

elena.baraboi@gmail.com