General Writing Tips
1. Start with your main idea or point you would like to get across
2. Vary the length and structure of your sentences
3. Vary the words that you use in your sentences
4. Read what you have written out loud
5. Use active verbs and voice
6. Use specific words when possible
http://grammar.about.com/od/developingessays/a/quicktips.htm
For personalized writing help go here:
http://lang-8.com/
http://www.italki.com
2. Vary the length and structure of your sentences
3. Vary the words that you use in your sentences
4. Read what you have written out loud
5. Use active verbs and voice
6. Use specific words when possible
http://grammar.about.com/od/developingessays/a/quicktips.htm
For personalized writing help go here:
http://lang-8.com/
http://www.italki.com
Writing an Opinion Response
Some find it an easy task to give their opinion or comments on a topic or issue. Others find it difficult to give an opinion or just aren't sure where to start. The following are guidelines or suggestions to help you form strong, supported opinions and responses in your writing.
1. Start by summarizing or give a short version of the topic, article or story with a few key details. (only a few sentences)
2. Ask open ended questions about what you didn’t understand and then explore some answers
3. Discuss theories/ideas that you find likely or unlikely
4. Make connections to your self, your friends, your family - these are small scale connections
5. Make connections to your country and the world - these are large scale connections
5. Discuss what people could have done or what should happen now - this includes giving advice or solutions, you can explore cause and effect relationships here (i.e. If.../then...), this can also include who is responsible and needs to take responsibility
6. Explore Connecting Issues (sub-topics) - we will discuss what these are in class
7. Discuss your initial reaction and / or feelings about the issue and why you feel that way
8. Discuss areas or points you agree with or disagree with and explain why
9. Discuss who and what is affected by this issue and to what degree (think of chain reactions and interconnectedness)
10. Make comparisons to other similar events or situations
11. Consider what questions people might have about the issue/ topic and try to provide answers or explanations.
As an example: Consider the tensions / conflict between North and South Korea. If trying to think of what to write think about questions you might ask yourself ...
Some find it an easy task to give their opinion or comments on a topic or issue. Others find it difficult to give an opinion or just aren't sure where to start. The following are guidelines or suggestions to help you form strong, supported opinions and responses in your writing.
1. Start by summarizing or give a short version of the topic, article or story with a few key details. (only a few sentences)
2. Ask open ended questions about what you didn’t understand and then explore some answers
3. Discuss theories/ideas that you find likely or unlikely
4. Make connections to your self, your friends, your family - these are small scale connections
5. Make connections to your country and the world - these are large scale connections
5. Discuss what people could have done or what should happen now - this includes giving advice or solutions, you can explore cause and effect relationships here (i.e. If.../then...), this can also include who is responsible and needs to take responsibility
6. Explore Connecting Issues (sub-topics) - we will discuss what these are in class
7. Discuss your initial reaction and / or feelings about the issue and why you feel that way
8. Discuss areas or points you agree with or disagree with and explain why
9. Discuss who and what is affected by this issue and to what degree (think of chain reactions and interconnectedness)
10. Make comparisons to other similar events or situations
11. Consider what questions people might have about the issue/ topic and try to provide answers or explanations.
As an example: Consider the tensions / conflict between North and South Korea. If trying to think of what to write think about questions you might ask yourself ...
-who is right and who is wrong? does this matter?
-will this turn into World War 3? -what would happen if it did turn into World War 3? -how did this start? -how much money does it take to be involved in war? -how could they come to a solution? -how come for over 50 years they haven’t been able to solve their problems? -do you think China get involved? -what wars has China fought in, in the past? |
-what things would the countries lose if they did fight?
-are Koreans in other countries safe or will they be targeted? -Do you think this border conflict is a good reason to fight? -if you could talk to their leaders what would you say to them? -if North and South Korea do go to war what will happen to schools and jobs? -how is the whole world affected by this conflict? |
Ways to state your opinion in writing
When stating your opinion
It seems to me that … In my opinion, … I am of the opinion that … I take the view that .. My personal view is that … In my experience … As far as I understand / can see, … As I see it … From my point of view … As far as I know … From what I know … I might be wrong but … If I am not mistaken … I believe one can (safely) say … When outlining facts The fact is that The (main) point is that … This proves that … What it comes down to is that … It is obvious that … It is certain that … One can say that … It is clear that … There is no doubt that … |
I must admit that … I cannot deny that … I can imagine that … I think/believe/suppose … Personally, I think … That is why I think … I am sure/certain/convinced that … I am not sure/certain, but … I am not convinced that … I have read that … I am of mixed opinions (about / on) … I have mixed opinions about / on… I have no opinion in this matter... It is claimed that … |