Writing: The Bridge: Bagrut, Project and Literature By Ann Shlapobersky

"Writing is mind traveling, destination unknown." (unknown – at least I couldn ’ t find it)

You can talk, but can you write? When do we write? Why do we write? What do we write? Do we write in sentences? Why don ’ t we write sentences?

Teaching writing Letters Words Phrases Noun/verb combo Noun expansion (subject) Verb expansion (predicate) Paragraph a … b … c ….d … bag, chance, exploratory under the bed, behind the curtain We walk … Sue conceives … The big gray evasive eagle flew cumbersomely above the jagged cliff Topic sentence, supporting details, conclusion

Technicality of writing - PGS do i need to go to school today to learn new things the teacher teached yesterday but no one remembers because we don ’ t listening. Punctuation Grammar Structur3 (of sentences/paragraphs)

But, we taught it! So, why won ’ t they write? why won ’ t they express their thoughts on paper? why won ’ t they put pen to paper / fingers to keyboard?

Writing Requirements Concrete sentences / paragraph structure Clarity of thought Fluid ideas Display an understanding of content

Bridging to Writing Provide:  specific steps  detailed examples  rules  step-by-step expansion  sentence  to paragraph  to paper Explain the process

What ’ s required to Bridge Task to Literature? Length Requirements: –4 pointers – 500 – 750 words (2 – 3 typed written pages 250 words per page) –5 pointers – 750 – 1000 words (3 – 4 typed written pages 250 words per page) Cover page Rationale for the choice of topic Introduction about the topic Summary of information about the topic Conclusion Bibliography

Bridging Task: What must be decided? Name of literary text and topic / student ’ s name/ class Why I chose this topic? Umbrella topic: Expansion of historical, social or cultural context Introduction to bridging task What am I writing about? Cover page Rationale for the choice of topic Introduction about the topic

more to decide Summary of information about the topic Conclusion Bibliography How do I integrate the information I found and read? How do I write a summary of it all? How do I explain how the topic I chose is reflected in the text or how it may have influenced the writing of the text? What ’ s my conclusion? How do I explain how the information I learned about enhances or changes my understanding of the literary text. Two sources – four points Three sources – five points

While we ’ re reading – what can we do? Cover page Rationale for the choice of topic Introduction about the topic Play / Short Story / Article / Poem Pre- Reading Activity: Discussion of themes related to topic (historical, social and author) Basic Understanding of the Text: Choose three to five aspects of the topic that you want to learn more about. Write questions if that helps. Name of literary text and topic / student’s name/ class Why I chose this topic?: Umbrella topic: Expansion of historical, social or cultural context Introduction to bridging task What am I writing about?

More: While we read – what can we do? Summary of information about the topic Conclusion Bibliography Analysis and Interpretation: Locate the answers to the questions and write one paragraph explaining each answer. Bridging Text and Context: Explain how the topic you choose is reflected in the text or how it may have influenced the writing of the text. Summary / Conclusion What I can conclude from what I learned of the topic. Reflection How does what I learned enhance my understanding of the literary text? Write about the topic integrating the information you found and read. General conclusion of the task Explain how the information you learned about the topic enhances or changes your understanding of the literary text. Two sources – four points Three sources – five points

The Task outline I.Cover page a.Name of topic b.Name of literary text c.Name of student/class II.Rationale for the choice of topic (1 paragraph: three – five sentences) a.Why I chose this topic? b.Why does this topic interest me? III.Introduction about the topic (1 paragraph: three – five sentences) a.Opening sentence(s) stating what is the purpose of the paper b.Three to five sentences stating what you will discuss in this paper (these sentences should mirror the questions you asked yourself about the topic)

IV.Summary of information about the topic (body of paper: 3 – 5 paragraphs) a.Write about the topic integrating the information you found and read. 1.First piece of information I found relating to the topic (or my first question and its answer - 1 paragraph: three – five sentences) 2.Second piece of information I found relating to the topic (or my second question and its answer - 1 paragraph: three – five sentences) 3.Third piece of information I found relating to the topic (or my third question and its answer - 1 paragraph: three – five sentences) 4.Fourth piece of information I found relating to the topic (or my forth question and its answer - 1 paragraph: three – five sentences) 5.Fifth piece of information I found relating to the topic (or my fifth question and its answer - 1 paragraph: three – five sentences) b.Explain how the topic you choose is reflected in the text or how the topic may have influenced the writing of the text. (paragraph 1)

V.Conclusion (2 paragraphs: three – five sentences) a.General conclusion/ summary of the task (1 paragraph) b.Explain how the information you learned about the topic enhances or changes your understanding of the literary text. (1 paragraph) VI.Bibliography a.Two sources – four points b.Three sources – five points

Paragraph Topic Sentence Writing is difficult for me and most students. Supporting sentences First of all, we don ’ t like to display our thoughts on paper. Second, we worry about whether we ’ ll use the correct grammar and appropriate vocabulary. Third, we may have to write a second or third draft and we ’ d prefer not to doing that. Concluding sentence We will write this paper if we absolutely have to, so make it interesting.

Bibliography ECB Online - Alternative to the Project: Literature Bridging Task – Ministry of Education (Aug 09) Writing Effective Paragraphs - How to Write a Paragraph - Writing Tips: Paragraph – WritingDen English-Zone.com – Paragraph Writing - How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay - How to Write a Paragraph (WikiHowto) - Ann Shlapobersky -