Tips for writing

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

I know how to write a formal letter.

Learning

goals

I know how to write my opinion

Learning

goals

Your opinion

I think

• I feel ...., I believe ...., In my opinion ...., I prefer ...., 
• The best thing about ...., Everyone should ...., 
• The greatest/worst part about ..., 
• ____ is better than ....,
• Example: I believe that all students should wear uniforms.

Your reason

One reason I feel this way is because,

I think this is true because,

The reason I believe this to be true is,

Example: I feel this way because it makes all students equal.

Your examples or evidence

• Explain your idea more in detail.
• Give an example of what your reason might look like
• Give the reader some evidence for why he/she should agree with you
• Tell a story or provide a sample situation.

Example: If everyone's clothes look the same, then nobody will be made fun of. Also, the students will be able to focus more on their work than on the fashion of their classmates.

Restate your opinion

• Restate your opinion
• NEVER change your opinion
• Say the first sentence in other words.
• In conclusion, To sum up, All in all

Example: In my opinion, every student should wear a uniform to school.

Complete paragraph

I believe that all students should wear uniforms. I feel this way because it makes all students equal. If everyone's clothes look the same, then nobody will be made fun of. Also, the students will be able to focus more on their work than on the fashion of their classmates. Therefore, every student should wear a uniform to school.

OREO

O = Opinion

R = Reason

E = Evidence or Example

O - Restate Opinion

Now, check and improve your writing.

Tip 1: KEEP IT SIMPLE!

•     Focus on your message and make it clear
•     Don’t use 50 words when 10 will do the job
•     Get your idea across without using jargon
•     Throw away anything that doesn’t help your message

Tip 2: PREPARE KEY PHRASES

To express effect: Therefore, consequently, for this reason, as a result

To add more points: Beside this, moreover, in addition, furthermore

To conclude: to sum up, in conclusion, finally.

Examples/Opinion/Compare/Contrast

Check

A - It leads to unhealthy eating habits among students.

B - In conclusion, banning junk food in schools can promote healthier eating habits and improve student health and academic outcomes.

C - Junk food should be banned in school cafeterias.

D - For instance, schools that have banned junk food have seen a significant improvement in students’ overall health and academic performance.

Check

C - Junk food should be banned in school cafeterias. (Opinion)

A - It leads to unhealthy eating habits among students. (Reason)

D - For instance, schools that have banned junk food have seen a significant         improvement in students’ overall health and academic performance.                 (Example)

B - In conclusion, banning junk food in schools can promote healthier eating         habits and improve student health and academic outcomes. (Opinion                 restated)

Check

Read the opinion of your neighbour.

Identify the OREO

Work on Homework

Answer the 'Week 2 Background' questions. (Monday)

Read your novel and answer questions week 2 (Wednesday)

Formal letter

Formal letter

A - I thought I’d write

or

B -  I am writing 

Formal letter

A - The boy I am talking about

or

B - The boy in question 

   

Formal letter

A - I believe

or

B - I reckon 

   

Formal letter

How do I start, what is the salutation?

I am writing to Margo's mother, Daisy Roth Spiegelmann.

Formal letter

How do I finish?

I am writing to Margo's mother. 

Success criteria

• What is a good structure / layout?
• What is a good introduction?
• What is a good 2nd paragraph?
• 
  
• Compare the two letters. What would you advice the writer?

Structure

Addresses: 
My address: -street-number-postal code-city-country

Recipient's address: -the name of the recipient-number-street-city-state-postal code-country
Date

American

Salutation

Known: Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Surname - Yours sincerely

Unknown: Dear Editor,  Dear Sir/Madam, - Yours faithfully

Introduction

About five sentences:

Introduce yourself

Reason for writing

Opinion

OREO

O = Opinion

R = Reason

E = Evidence or Example

O - Restate Opinion

Now, check and improve your writing.

Check

You are writing me a formal letter, Astrid Willemsen.

What is your salutation and ending?