paragraph writing
B1 level
Description
Materials
Main Aims
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sts learn to activate prior knowledge, to focus on a particular problem-solving task, to draft specific sentences to introduce paragraphs, provide evidence and conclude an idea
Subsidiary Aims
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sts learn to draft and redraft specific sentences, to critically evaluate each other's writing, to rewrite in order to improve language and message.
Procedure (47-30 minutes)
sts brainstorm prior knowledge by passing papers from one group of three to another and adding to a mindmap. The mindmap has got 3 branches: global communication forms, communication problems and dangers, communication in the future.
Sts are provided with a problem-solving Task: they discuss pros and contras of global communication
sts scan previously read articles and identify language related to their topic. they funnel down the large bulk of vocabulary to a list of 20 words to be used in the writing Tasks. sts meet the specific terms of topic supporting and concluding senteces and their characteristics: concise and catchy to fulfill their functions within the paragraph. T provides sts with example sentences to model upcoming writing activities.
sts practice writing topic sentences, providing evidence for claims made in topic sentences and summing up gist in concluding sentences. they critically evaluate each other's sentences, At this stage, they focus on content rather than on language in order to become aware of the importance of the message. sts will need a lot of paper for drafting and redrafting, for peer-correction, for shifting and reshifting ideas.
After final redrafting sts will focus on accuracy of language and give peer-feedback on clarity of expression and specific vocabulary. T will assist sts in finding specific and topic related terms in the TB's texts. T advises sts to use pencils for marking structural or lexical inaccuracies.