Paragraph-based Writing since 2022

  Target: 2 meetings Coherence     In addition to unity, coherence plays a crucial role in making a paragraph read well. Every coherent paragraph contains smoothly-connected ideas. Each sentence moves on naturally. The paragraph is like a well-built highway, vehicles run smoothly on it without encountering too many obstacles. On the contrary, the incoherent paragraph might be like a zig-zag, bumpy mountain road; vehicles cannot move fast or easily on it. Compare the following figures.     To achieve coherence, the writer needs to use the transitions , such as, however, although, finally, and nevertheless . As the word implies, a transition is similar to change from one item of idea to another. A coherent paragraph consists of interrelated sentences which move in such a way that they smooth the way, one for the other. Without transitions, it is difficult for (beginning) writers to produce a coherent paragraph.      Using appropriate transitions, ...

 Target: 2 meetings          Basically, a paragraph is unified by mutually supported sentences. The word 'unity' is synonymous with 'oneness'. All sentences in a paragraph should focus on the one thing expressed in the topic sentence; all of the sentences stick together. Unity can be achieved as long as the paragraph has a good, clear topic sentence. If not, we will find it very difficult to control the flowing-in of information. As a result, we might include irrelevant pieces of information into the paragraph we are writing. Once again, it would be wiser for us to place the topic sentence at the very beginning of the paragraph.     In a unified paragraph, the subject and the attitude in the topic sentence must be explained thoroughly. The 'problem' stated in the sentences has to be settled. All supporting sentences function to clarify the 'problem', that is, the topic. The paragraph should answer or explain what it should. It is the writer's...

 Hello everybody, I'd like to inform the mid-term test :) You have one week to complete your mid-term test Next week is your submission deadline (Friday, Nov 11, 2022 at noon (12 PM), so it is FREE (no class, just submit it online) You post your work here, in the comment box below. if you have any difficulties to post it, you can send PM to the lecturer Please don't be late, it will decrease your points It is individual work The test will be:               1. The second paragraph or the continued paragraph of your last paragraph               2. It must contain:  (a) a topic which is still linked with your previous paragraph; (b) 1 main idea (at the first sentence of you paragraph);  (c) minimally 2 supporting sentences, and (d) minimally 1 concluding sentence               3. The assessment: content (5 points), grammar (1 point), vocabulary (1 poin...

How to make a good conclusion: Simple, short, and clear. Messages can be delivered well. Contains the gist of the writing. Starting from the specific to the general. Using standard vocabulary. It can join the main sentence. It can be a cause-and-effect relationship or a cause-effect relationship. by www.gramedia.com Example: main idea:  The definition of humanistic teaching paragraph:              According to Grundy cited by Hall (2011), some main keys to humanistic teaching are defined. The first is respecting students as human beings. The second is respecting independent student knowledge. The next notion is recognizing students' affective and cognitive traits based on student learning experiences. The following definition can be recognized as the role of individual learning autonomy and the role of self-discovery. The last understanding about humanism is teaching in a way where the teacher is a facilitator, not an instructor tr...

Some people probably consider that learning 'writing' is boring. To reduce it, we try to create some fun things before starting the writing class. Not only the lecturer but also all of the students have ideas to do warm-up activities. Please check them out! it is diverse in every meeting! You can use or adapt these ideas when you teach someday :).  Meeting 1: Snowball Fight Every student prepares a piece of paper They write 1 problem or question related to study writing They write her/his initial name After max. 5 minutes of writing, the paper will be crumpled up (make a snowball). The students will play 'Snowball Fight' - throw and take randomly the snowball in a circle of students in 1 minute. They will take a piece of paper (hopefully NOT his/her own paper: but if it happens, she/he can exchange it with another student who has a similar case) They will open up the piece of paper They will try to answer the question or solve the problem They will find the paper owner ...

👈Last week, we decided on the main idea that we can apply to a paragraph.  👉Today, we will use it to create supporting sentences.  What are Supporting Sentences? The supporting sentences of a paragraph develop the main idea you presented in the topic sentence. When writing supporting sentences you should be giving examples, reasons, or descriptions to support your topic sentence.  Here are some tips: Supporting sentences should focus on the following: - They should provide the main supporting points for the paragraph's main idea (topic sentence) - There are usually 2 - 5 supporting sentences in a paragraph. - They should be arranged in a logical order. - They should NOT begin a new topic or introduce a new idea. 📑adapted from:  Supporting Sentences (siue.edu)   https://www.siue.edu/~tkohler/Supporting%20Sentences.html#:~:text=What%20are%20Supporting%20Sentences%3F,to%20support%20your%20topic%20sentence. 🕮Example: main idea:  The definition of humanistic...