V5+ - feedback comparative essay writing; article writing & task

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo lwoo, vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Today's class

Feedback comparative essay writing

Work/tests Period 2:

Article writing (test p.2)

Reading/discussing the novel Wuthering Heights

Presentations (test p. 2 - Mrs. Wierdsma)

Feedback conventions

What went well:

Lay-out ok

Key points identified

Formal writing (most students)

Using nouns + modifiers (i.e. gerunds, adjectives, adverbs) ->  noun phrases

What needs attention:

Pinpointing theme (of both texts)

Introduction ONLY about theme

Paragraph 2 about text 1 + opinion adverb

Paragraph 3 about text 2 + opinion adverb

Final paragraph = OPINION ONLY + CONCLUDING STATEMENT

Give some thought to your opinion; give a well-balanced opinion commenting on both ideas

No I/you in first 3 paragraphs/use people/society/it is believed constructions

Feedback writing

What is wrong with:

Lifes

Themselfs

People their opinions/point of views

People want to express their opinions. The idea to be able to express your own opinion is good.

• That-sentences (use gerunds, better words -> It can be bad for people when they feel that they cannot express their opinions -> ........  )
• Repeating the same sentence structure
• Repeating the same words/exact same sentences
• Repeating literally what is written in the texts
• Repeating in every paragraph (intro/body/conclusion) what the text is about
• Using superfluous words (-> write as concisely as possible using adverbs to convey opinion, gerunds/participle phrases/better word choices for academic writing)

Article Writing

Go to article writing British Council

What are the conventions for article writing?

Conventions  comparative essay writing

Formal or informal? 

Introduction: 

Paragraph 2:

Paragraph 3:

Final paragraph: 

Conventions article writing

Formal or informal?

What to think of first before writing?

What should articles do?

Introduction:

Paragraph 2:

Paragraph 3:

Final paragraph: 

Conventions  comparative essay writing

Formal style - no I/you in intro + body

Introduction: common theme of both texts

Paragraph 2 = 2 key points text 1 (+ brief opinion in formal style/adverb showing opinion)

Paragraph 3 = 2 key points text 2 (+ brief opinion in formal style/adverb showing opinion)

Final paragraph: Well-balanced and elaborated opinion + concluding statement 

Conventions article writing

Less formal style (no slang though) + use of I/you 

Intended for wider audience (newspaper, magazine etc.)+ specific target group (e.g. people who like to travel, students); 

Engages reader; facts + opinions

Title - captivates attention

Introduction - attracts readers' attention 

Paragraph 2 - (subheading) less formal, facts, opinions, thoughts

Paragraph 3 -(subheading) less formal, facts, opinions, thoughts

Final paragraph: Either a summary of the theme or a final opinion, recommendation or comment.

Article writing task

Three options:

1)  You have been asked to write an article for Job Prospects magazine, a publication for 18-30 year olds, on the following topic:

How taking a gap year*can enhance your career prospects.

*A gap year is a break usually taken between leaving school/college and starting university, and is seen as a valuable way to gain work experience and life skills.

(use the floe joe website/article for inspiration)

2) An international travel magazine is running a series of articles on alternatives to travelling by plane. The magazine has invited readers to send in articles briefly describing a memorable long-distance train or bus journey they have made. The article should explain the advantages of travelling a long distance by train or bus and consider whether in general travelling to your destination more slowly may result in a more satisfying travel experience.

(Use the exameng.com website for inspiration)

Article writing task

3)  The Philosophy section in the online BBC news website has asked its readers to write an article on the pursuit of happiness. Does chasing happiness only make people miserable or should happiness be the ultimate goal in life? Read the BBC news article on the pursuit of happiness for inspiration.

A) Swap articles and check conventions

1) Does the article have a sharp introduction (a hook) that gets to the point immediately (1 pt)

2) Is the article slightly formal, but tends to be more reader-friendly (not using excessively long sentences) (1 pt)

3) Does the article tell a story? (1 pt)

4) Does the article include personal experiences (l) and address the reader directly (you) (1 pt)

5) Does the article make generalizations about society but connects them to personal experience? (1 pt)

6) Is the purpose of the article clear? (To advise, suggest, inform, compare, contrast describe, etc.?)

7) Are the information and the tone of the article in line with the target group?

Score out of /7 = 

B) Swap articles and check grammar, phrases and lay-out

1) What advanced grammar or phrases is used?  (4 pts)

-> check out the next slides (after the slide engexam.com) for advanced grammar:

inversion/noun phrases/participle phrases/gerunds/conditional sentences/passive voice

Does the write use: inversion, III conditional, passive voice, the gerund, noun phrases and participle phrases?

Does the writer use advanced idiom/phrases?

2) Are the ideas carefully organized in paragraphs? Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence? (4 pts)

Score out of /8 = 

Total score (A+ B)  /15 =

C) Check the Writing checklist & give written feedback (use the next slide - engexam.com)

Content

Communicative achievement

Organisation

Language

engxam.com

www.perfect-english-grammar.com

www.grammar-monster.com

www.grammar-monster.com

www.grammar-monster.com

www.grammar-monster.com

www.grammar-monster.com