sec 4 e writing tips

Writing TipsSecondary 4-MELS Preparation

Structure and Organization

Introductions: The best way to make your introduction captivating is by adding description and detail. You also want to make sure that it leads in to your opinion statement and isn’t too abrupt.

Good Example:

“How would a class of shy students react to a rule bending, page ripping, passion filled new teacher? In the Dead Poet’s Society, they would find inspiration. When Mr. John Keating arrives at Welton Academy, he teaches more than just English, he teaches his students to enjoy poetry and pursue their dreams, thus making him an excellent teacher.


Introductions: The best way to make your introduction captivating is by adding description and detail. You also want to make sure that it leads in to your opinion statement and isn’t too abrupt.

Bad Example:

“In the movie Dead Poet’s Society, Mr. John Keating arrives as the new English teacher at Welton Academy. However, before the end of the school year, the principal fires him. Mr. Keating is a good teacher considering his approach to his students’ shyness, anxiety and disinterestedness.”


Opinion statement:

Your opinion statement is the foundation of your opinion piece. It must be explicit and concise to adequately prepare the reader for what is to come.

Bad Example:

“Mr. John Keating stands out for his unique way of teaching by bringing his students out of their comfort zone and helping two students find confidence.”


Transition words:

Using appropriate transition words increases the readability of your opinion piece, thus seamlessly conveying the position you are defending.

Transition words to avoid:

first, second, third, on the other hand, in the first place, firstly, secondly etc.


Transition words:

Using appropriate transition words increases the readability of your opinion piece, thus seamlessly conveying the position you are defending.

Better transition words to use:

moreover, furthermore, in

addition, finally, at last, besides, also, meanwhile, later

etc.

*refer to list provided

Stylistic conventions

Broad generalizations:

General sentences that have little meaning take away the value from your writing and bore the reader.

Avoid at all costs:

“It is a teacher’s goal to help their students learn and have fun at the same time.”


Slang:

Informal words that are more common in speech than in writing can also devalue what you are trying to say.

Frequent examples of slang:

got

kid


Specific vocabulary:

Using more precise words clarifies your arguments and makes them easier to understand.


Quotation marks

They “devalue” everything you are saying and are “confusing” for the reader.

Avoid at all costs:

“Todd began to ‘see himself’ in a ‘different light’”

-Direct quote from your essays!


Slashes

Choose one word or the other or use a conjunction to include both words in your sentence.

Avoid at all costs:

“Mr. Keating used unorthodox/bizarre teaching methods.”

Mr. Keating used unorthodox and bizarre teaching methods.


Pronoun use:

Pay attention to pronoun use. Sometimes the noun you are trying to replace is misconstrued.

“This being proven when he stood up

for his teacher as he was leaving”


Pronoun use:

Use the term “the latter” (ce dernier in French) to avoid any confusion.

“This being proven when he stood up

for his teacher as the latter

was leaving”

Spelling and Grammar

Transitive verbs:

They are verbs that must be followed by an object. Ditransitive verbs take two objects.

http://www.eslwriting.org/wp-content/esl-transitive-verbs.pdf

Examples:

Transitive: to buy

to buy something

Ditransitive: to give

To give something to someone






Possessive form:

Indicates possession and it is not considered a contraction.

Examples:

Mr. Keating’s lessons the

lessons belong to Mr. Keating


Possessive form:

Indicates possession and it is not considered a contraction.

Not possessive form!

“Neil’s parent’s.”

“Todd stand’s up for himself.”


Definitely


Which

sec 4 e writing tips

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