introduction to writing
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Unit 1 introduction to writing1. The Writing ProcessThe writing process is a series of activities undertaken to develop a final written product. Professional writers often use this process, just as scientists often follow a scientific method. During the writing process, students may do the following:use a prewriting technique and organizational planwrite a first draft (composing)make revisions based on self, peer, or teacher evaluationproofread and edit for final draftshare the finished productThe writing process typically is cyclical or recursive, rather than linear. A writer may be influenced by the purpose for writing, the intended audience, and the selected format (e.g., letter, report, journal entry). A writer may consider these influences in determining how the writing process will be used and how much time is devoted to each part of the process. Although a writer’s goal is often to develop a finished written product in publishable form, the writing process itself is a valuable tool for writing improvement.2. Types/Genres of WritingDetermining the type of writing, will help you determine your topic (subject), purpose (why you are writing), style (how you should write) and tone (your attitude toward your subject - supportive, condemning, objective, etc.) The basic genres of writing include:Definition essay: Writing that tells what something means.Good Definition:Tells readers what term or concept is being definedPresents a clear and precise basic definitionUses examples to show what the writer meansUses words and examples that readers will understandDescription essay: Descriptive writing vividly portrays a person, place, or thing in such a way that the reader can visualize the topic and enter into the writer’s experience.The general characteristics of descriptive writing include:elaborate use of sensory languagerich, vivid, and lively detailfigurative language such as simile, hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism and personification showing, rather than telling through the use of active verbs and precise modifiersUses: Descriptive writing appears almost everywhere and is often included in other genre, such as in a descriptive introduction of a character in a narrative.Good Description:Creates a main impression-an overall effect, feeling, or image -about the topicUses concrete, specific details to support the main impressionUses details that appeal to the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touchNarration essay: A narration essay is a writing that tells a story of an experience, event, or sequence of events while holding the reader’s interest.The general characteristics of narrative writing include:plot structureintroductionrising actionclimaxfalling actionresolutionconflictcharacterizationsettingthemepoint of viewsequencing transitionsUses: Narrative writing appears in and is not limited to novels, short stories, biographies, autobiographies, historical accounts, essays, poems, and playsGood Narration:Includes specific details to make the incident come alive for your readerFocuses on re-creating an incident that happened to you over a short period of time (usually an emotional experience)Conveys a particular mood (feeling) - do you want to surprise your readers, make them laugh, have them share in your sorrow or fear?Persuasive / argumentative essay: Persuasive writing intends to give an opinion in an attempt to convince the reader that this point of view is valid or tries to persuade the reader to take a specific action by presenting solid, supported arguments.The general characteristics of persuasive writing include:stated position or belieffactual supportspersuasive techniqueslogical argumentcall to actionUses: Persuasive writing appears in and is not limited to speeches, letters to the editor, editorials, advertisements, award nominations, pamphlets, petitions, scholarly writing, and opinion pieces. Good Persuasion:Takes a strong and definite position on an issue or advises a particular action.Gives logical reasons and supporting evidence to defend the position or recommend action.Considers opposing views.Has enthusiasm and energy from start to finish.Skills like cause/effect, comparison/contrast are often used in writing argumentative essays.Process analysis (or expository) essay:In a process analysis essay, you write to inform, explain, clarify, define or instruct how to do something or how something works.The general characteristics of expository writing include:focus on main topiclogical supporting factsdetails, explanations, and examplesstrong organizationclarityunity and coherencelogical ordersmooth transitionsUses:Expository writing appears in and is not limited to letters, newsletters, definitions, instructions, guidebooks, catalogues, newspaper articles, magazine articles, manuals, pamphlets, reports and research papers.Good Process Analysis:Either helps readers perform the steps themselves or helps them understand how something worksPresents the essential steps in a processExplains steps in detailPresents steps in logical order (usually time order - chronological)Technical writing: The goal of technical writing is to clearly communicate a select piece of information to a targeted reader or group of readers for a particular purpose in such a way that the subject can readily be understood. It is expository writing that requires a response from the reader. The general characteristics of technical writing may include:objective point of viewclear, concise languagefactual informationuncomplicated structurelogical orderidentified audienceUses: Technical writing appears in reports such as lab, accidents or progress reports, directions to a destination, manuals, evaluation forms and questionnaires, business letters, résumés, presentations, descriptions of the design and features for new products, and instructions that help the reader visualize what they are doing and what they are working with.Personal essay: P ersonal Essay is a type of writing that will more than likely be used by an applicant or to explain who the writer is personally to those who do not know them. It is best to start with an angle that is different to pull readers into the essay. The writer should explain skills, personal characteristics, interests, etc. that will enable the reader or reviewing committee of the personal essay to better know the writer’s personal qualities in order to evaluate whether one is an acceptable candidate.E-mailJournalsListsMessagesLettersNotes and cardsPersonal Writing StructureFunctional writing to help record ideas, thoughts, or feelingsWriting to communicate with othersSome forms are personal; some are reflectivePunctuation and sentence patterns may not be standardBusiness writing: Business writing, then, is briefer and more concise than many other types of writing. Business is busy--- your letter, memo, or report may only have a thirty second reading (if that) with no time for mulling or pondering. You had better get to the point quickly, support your reasoning, and finish fast.Business writing is often like an inverted pyramid, also. You begin broadly and finish with a narrow focus --- a focus directing your reader’s attention to where you want it--- convincing or persuading your reader of your facts, reasoning, decision, etc.There are some niceties involved with business writing, however. When delivering bad news, for example, you don’t leap right in but work up to your message using diplomacy and tact. Furthermore, you don’t waste the reader’s time by being obscure nor do you patronize.Finally, business writing has some accepted formats, such as how to organize memos, reports, and letters. In addition, business writing has some generally accepted practices: writing concisely, using bullets and headings, employing short sentences, creating brief paragraphs, and getting to the point quickly.In brief, business writing must be reader friendly. If it’s not, your efforts to communicate may fail. I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey--- perhaps the following links can offer some help.Since we have touched on the basic writing skills for general English, this book will mainly discuss skills for personal and business writing.3. The Importance of “Style” in Personal and Business WritingSome of the most basic tips to remember when writing include:Avoid the use of slang wordsTry not to use abbreviations (unless appropriately defined)Steer away from the use of symbols (such as ampersands [&])Clichés should be avoided, or at the very least, used with cautionBrackets are used to play down words or phrasesDashes are generally used for emphasisGreat care should ALWAYS be taken to spell the names of people and companies correctly Numbers should be expressed as words when the number is less than 10 or is used to start a sentence (example: Ten years ago, my brother and I…). The number 10, or anything greater than 10, should be expressed as a figure (example: My brother has 13 Matchbox cars.) Quotation marks should be placed around any directly quoted speech or text and around titles of publications.Keep sentences shortWhile the above tips cover the most common mistakes made when writing letters, memos and reports, they in no way cover everything you need to know to ensure your written communications are accurate and understood..。
