EN 1116 Professional Writing I

Nature and functions of written language (05/ 02 hrs)

  • Identifying the difference between the spoken and written English and formal and informal English
  • Identifying different types of texts and functions: descriptive / narrative / expository / argumentative / persuasive

 Writing essentials (05/03hrs)

  • Cohesion-unity of thought/relation between sentences in a paragraph and paragraphs in a longer text
  • Clarity and precision: organising writing using a clear structure, content, layout, handwriting
  • Spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary

 General guidelines for student portfolios (05/03 hrs)

Introduction: A collection of students’ work that demonstrates to students and others their efforts, progress and achievements. Students should have their own portfolios which can be a file folder.

Instructions:

  • Have students date their samples as they write or revise them.
  • Identify writing as “first draft” “revision” or “final copy”
  • Check each folder regularly so that specific needs can be addressed as they arise
  • Encourage students to share their writing with peers

 Developing a paragraph (05/ 02 hrs)

  • Provide different types of paragraphs. Ask students to find .topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion
  • Instructions to write different types of paragraphs

 Letter writing (10/05hrs)

  • Understand the format of a personal letter and a formal letter
  • Personal letters – express happiness / sorrow / exchanging news
  • Formal letter – address, date, designation and address of the person, salutation, underlined subject of the letter, body of the letter (introduction, reason, request for action) conclusion, complimentary close, signature, name and address.
    • Practice writing letters of request, letters of inquiry, letters of invitation, letters of thanks
    • Language differences-provide examples

 Practical writing (10/05hrs)

  • Notices
  • Invitation cards

Help students with the writing process; planning, drafting, revising, proof reading and presenting

Professional writing (10/05 hrs)

  • Memos-used for internal office correspondence. Provide a model to read and study the content (group work).
  • Write a memo to members informing about the annual picnic.
  • Faxes
  • Emails
  • Agendas of meetings-Provide a sample-usually follow the same pattern.

Imaginative writing- dialogues (10/ 05 hrs)

  • Write imaginary dialogues and act them out.
  • Provide a new ending to a familiar story
  • Use 3 or 4 familiar objects and get students to write an incident/situation involving