Teaching Writing for the Russian State Exam

Tatyana Kuznetsova

• In pairs or small groups make a list of all the things you have wtitten in the last week

• Discuss the following questions:• Who were you writing the items to or for?• Where there differences in the way you

wroteeach of them?• How were they different from speaking?

What have you written?

Here are some subskills required for effective writing. Can you add more?

• Spelling• Punctuation• Layout• More?

Good writing skills

• The students are more motivated• Task-based activity• The ability to reading and analysing the rubric

and task input or underlining key words• Target reader• How will it be assessed?• How to get the highest point?

What is special about writing for the exam?

Planning a writing lesson

• Generating ideas• Focusing ideas• Focus on a model text• Organising ideas• Writing • Peer evaluation• Reviewing

The six big horrible “no-no”s

• 1. not reading the question properly• 2. not reading the instructions• 3. not planning your answer• 4. not writing in paragraphs• 5. not writing properly (spelling, grammar)• 6. not answering the question

Opinion essay

Opinion essay is a formal piece of essay which presents the author’s point of view on a particular subject supported by reasons and examples. The opposing viewpoint is also suggested, it goes with arguments that show that it is unconvincing.

Fact or opinion?

• Write two facts about a pop group

• Write two opinions about a pop group

• Write two facts about school

• Write two facts about school

A 5 sentence paragraph

• The explanation1.Topic sentence gives the idea you are going to

read about2.3 detailed sentences about the first3.The ending sentence with the same idea of

the first but in different words• The application• The production

Using different words

Said whispered, cried, complained,

shouted, yelled, muttered, repeated, screamed, asked, commented, demanded, replied, sobbed, declared

Using interesting words

• Don’t use boring words like big or nice all the time.

e.g. Bruce was hungry.- Bruce was starving.- Bruce’s stomach was grumbling.- Bruce could have eaten half an elephant.- Bruce was eating like there was no tomorrow.

Paragraphs

A paragraph is a group of sentences that discuss one main idea.

• Start a new paragraph when something new happens.

• When you talk about a new person.• Each time a person speaks.• When you write about a different place.• When the story or letter moves to a different

time.

Improving handwriting

Handwriting is important!If it’s too messy to read:

• Your teacher might miss out on some of your brilliant points

• No one will be able to tell if you are spelling things correctly

Good vs bad idea activity

This essay is going to look at whether should school uniform be worn at school

• I think that school uniform……Good idea:

Bad idea….

A successful opinion essay

• An introduction where the topic and the author’s opinion are stated clearly

• Viewpoints are supported by reasons• Opposing viewpoints• In conclusion the main points of view are

summarized and the author’s opinion is related to other words.

Useful tips

• Decide your opinion as for the topic discussed and paraphrasing the statement

• Make a list of viewpoints and reasons supporting your point of view

• Write well developed paragraphs• Use linking words• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence

How to express your opinion

• In my opinion• It seems to me• The way I see it• To my mind• I strongly agree/disagree• My opinion is that• As far as I am concerned• I strongly believe

To list points

• First of all• Firstly, secondly, lastly• To start with• To begin with• On the one hand

To add more points

• Also • Moreover• Furthermore• In addition• Besides• Apart from this• Another major reason

Contrasting viewpoints

• On the other hand• However• It is argued that• Opponents of this way say• Although• In contrast

To introduce examples

• For example• For instance• Such as• In particular• Especially

To conclude

• To sum up• In conclusion• All in all• All things considered• Taking everything into account

Conclusion should echo the main idea, without dully repeating it. By the end of the essay, readers should already understand your main idea. It must summarize the essay’s key points, pose a question for future study, offer advice, or propose a course of action.

Avoid introducing wholly new ideas at the end of an essay.

Dos and don’ts

• Write in a formal style• Introduce the topic clearly• State clear topic sentences• Use generalizations• Use quotations

• Don’t use colloquial expressions

• Don’t use short forms• Don’t use emotive

vocabulary• Don’t use

overgeneralizations• Don’t use statistics without

proper referencing• Don’t give personal

examples

Writer’s checklist

• Grammar• Vocabulary• Organization• Overall effect

Useful sites

• www.teachingenglish.org.uk

• http://writingfix.com/

• http://www.colorincolorado.org/educators/teaching/writing_ells/

Good luck!