1. Techniques for generating ideas
Self-reflection:
Work in groups of four. Tell each other methods you have used to generate ideas on an assigned topic for writing. Make sure you explain the process instead of giving a single phrase or sentence to describe those methods. Don’t forget to tell which method works well. In the end, the group should decide a list of methods they would like to recommend to the whole class.

2. Techniques for generating ideas
Recommendation:
1)   Talk-then-Write
2)   Freewriting
3)   Brainstorming
4)   Meditation
5)   Keeping a journal
6)   Reading
7)   Research
Now please do the task in Work Sheet 4.

3. Differences from on-campus system Possible difficulties
An example
Four learning modes
Regulations
Syllabus and Courses
Assessment
Learner support
BeiwaiOnline learning system …
Differences from on-campus system
Possible difficulties
Educational goals
Course resources
Study skills
E-platform

4. Organization that determines
Read the following remarks about writing and decide what point(s) they are making. To what extend do you agree with them?
.. having something significant to say is not enough. The word composition comes from the Latin verb componere, meaning ‘to put together.’ .. Much of the meaningfulness of a piece of writing comes from the way information is organised. Information is not really information until it has been focused and put in formation. (Coe:13)
Writing without abstraction can seem irrelevant to the academic reader, but writing that stays too long at the highest levels of information can be hard to read, even unconvincing. (Giltrow: 203)
Giltrow J (1995) Academic Writing Ontario: Broadview Press

5. Rule 1: Narrow and focus
Choosing a broad topic to write about can be dangerous – for both a 4,000-word dissertation and a 300-word composition – because you are quite likely to end up with covering everything yet covering nothing. “Good writing is always, in one sense or another, focused writing.” (Coe:103) After you have decided your topic, the next thing you need to do is to narrow and focus.

6. An example Rough outline for “BeiwaiOnline learning system”
A system survey
Focus 1
The topic sentence: BeiwaiOnline learning system is supported by three sub-systems.
Course system
Modular system
Four learning modes
Course recourses
Learning support system
Support from the HQ
Support from the TC
3. Assessment system
Assignments
Progress report
Final exams
Tutorial attendance

7. An example (continued)
Rough outline for “BeiwaiOnline learning system”
Differences from on-campus system
Focus 2
The topic sentence: The learning system of BeiwaiOnline is different from that of on-campus education.
From students to learners
From teachers to tutors
From textbooks to learning resources
From campus to learning support system
From exams to learning process monitoring

8. An example (continued)
Rough outline for “BeiwaiOnline learning system”
How BeiwaiOnline helps English learning
Focus 3
The topic sentence: BeiwaiOnline learning system helps learners defeat their enemies in English learning.
“Enemies” to English learning:
Knowledge-centered
Teacher-dependent
Exam-driven
Weapons to deal with the “enemies”
Learning by doing
Autonomous learning style
Learning process monitoring

9. Rule 2: Generalization & particulars
One of the most important characteristics of a unified piece of writing is the proper relationship between generalities and particulars – or, to put it more precisely, the proper relationships among various levels of generality. Generalizations should be inferred from particulars. Opinions should be supported by facts.