Understanding the Writing Process 1

What do good readers do? Read for meaning. Check for understanding as they are reading – what is happening? Why is this happening? Connect to prior knowledge. Able to visualize while reading. Use prediction skills. Reflect. 2

What do poor readers do? Sound out each word. Read without fluency. Read without purpose or a goal. Neglect to ask questions while reading or reflect on what has been read. 3

Should Ask... What do I already know? Why am I reading this? What is the author’s purpose? What new words did I learn? What can I remember? What is the story/piece about? 4

Understanding the Writing Process Today we are going to look at... Review of reading process. How writing differs from reading. Why do we write? What do we need to know? What do some learners say about writing Where do we start? Language Experience Approach – again 5

Define Writing In pairs discuss and suggest a definition of writing. How does writing differ from reading & oral communication? How do the symbols used in writing differ from pictorial symbols such as 6

Definition of Writing A way of communicating meaning through the use of abstract symbols which can be drawn or entered via keyboard. Has evolved over years to enable communication with people who may be at a distance and to allow permanent records to be kept. Wikipedia 7

Understanding the Writing Process List all the writing you have done in the past day or so... 8

Why do we write? What kind of writing do you do the most? Has writing changed over time? How does our role in society influence what & how we write? What judgments do we make about people and their writing? Are there certain kinds of writing we avoid? 9

Writing Task Write a paragraph on what you did on your summer holidays. You have five minutes to write and may be called on to read your work to the group. 10

Writing Task How did this task make you feel? What would have made this task easier? 11

What learners say about writing... My opinion isn’t important. I’m a lousy speller. My hand gets tired. I don’t know about capital letters & full stops. I don’t know how to get started. My handwriting looks messy. I can’t concentrate for long. 12

What do we need to know in order to write? Purpose & content – what we want to say & why Style & Tone – who is the audience? Planning & Drafting – Organising & Sequencing Handwriting Spelling 13

What do we need to know in order to write? Grammar & Structure – Build phrases, sentences and paragraphs Punctuation Layout Proofing & Editing Keyboard skills Patience 14

Where do we start? Start from the learner’s needs & interests Have a chat with learner about things they are familiar with Talk about any worries or barriers 15

Writing Activities Letter to the school Postcards Application forms Keeping a journal Christmas or birthday cards Text messages Envelopes 16

Language Experience Approach Try a variety of writing tools such as biro, hard/soft lead pencils. Practise writing sentences from the piece Observe letter formation, spacing, layout, punctuation. Introduce additional vocabulary such as adjectives, names etc. Opportunity to discover aspects of writing that need attention. 17

Other ways to kick start writing... Use photographs of the learner’s family. Read articles in magazines/Kerryman. (A variety of reading levels in newspapers) Keep a diary/journal. Write about hobbies, interests. Look at writings by other learners. Draw a spidergram to brainstorm ideas. 18