Teaching Writing

Presented By Kashif Ali

 Introduction to Teaching Writing

• Effective writing skills are crucial for academic

success, professional development, and
effective communication.
• Proficient writing empowers individuals to
express ideas clearly, persuasively, and
coherently.
 Importance of Teaching Writing

• Teaching writing goes beyond imparting

grammatical rules
• It involves nurturing creativity, critical
thinking, and effective communication skills.
• Teaching writing is a multifaceted endeavor
that involves understanding various
approaches.
Traditional approaches to teaching writing

• 1. Controlled composition approach

• 2. Rhetorical function approach
• 3. Process approach
• 4. Genre approach
 Controlled composition approach
• This approach involves exercises where students
write within a controlled context to practice
specific language structures or vocabulary.
• It typically focuses on accuracy and controlled
language use rather than free expression.
• Example: Students are given a specific topic,
vocabulary, and sentence structures to use in
their writing. The focus is on controlled practice
of language elements.
 Rhetorical function approach
• This approach concentrates on teaching
students the rhetorical functions of different
language structures.
• Emphasizes how language is used to achieve
specific communicative goals and purposes.
• Example: Students learn to recognize and use
different rhetorical functions, such as writing to
persuade, inform, describe, or compare. They
practice these functions in various contexts.
 Process Approach
• This approach sees writing as a recursive and
dynamic process, involving stages like prewriting,
drafting, revising, and editing.
• Encourages students to focus on generating and
organizing ideas before worrying about
correctness.
• Example: Students go through stages like
prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing in a non-
linear way. Emphasis is on the writing process
rather than just the final product.
 Genre Approach
• The genre approach to teaching writing focuses on
the conventions and structures of different genres
(e.g., essays, letters, reports).
• It emphasizes teaching students how to recognize
and produce specific types of texts.
• Example: Students study specific genres (e.g.,
essays, letters, reports) and learn the typical
structures, language features, and purposes
associated with each genre. They then apply this
knowledge in their own writing.
Socio cognitive approach to writing
• Non-linear and recursive: Recognizes that
writing is not a linear process; writers may
revisit stages.
• Incorporates socio-cultural factors: Considers
the impact of social context, reader
expectations, and writer identity.
• Focus on thinking processes: Emphasizes the
cognitive aspects involved in planning,
organizing, and revising.
 Con...
• Macro-rhetorical goal: Highlights the
importance of defining a clear purpose for the
entire essay.
• Acknowledges the complexity of writing:
Views writing as a dynamic and multifaceted
activity.
• Encourages self-awareness: Writers are
conscious of their goals, audience, and the
impact on readers.
Australian ‘Teaching and Learning Cycle’
by Cope and Kalantzis (1993)
Three stages:
1. Modeling
2. Joint construction of text
3. Independent construction of text
 Modeling stage
• Introduce the text type, purpose, audience,
and context.
• Teach vocabulary, grammar, and
organizational structure.
• Use examples, like a short authentic letter for
a complaint genre.
 Joint Construction of Text:
• Engage in negotiation of ideas between
teachers and students.
• Conduct activities such as class discussions
and role plays.
• Co-construct an essay in the same genre
learned during the modeling stage.
Independent Construction of Text:
• Explicitly state the purpose of writing the
particular essay.
• Guide students in brainstorming ideas for the
essay topic.
• Students independently compose their own
essays.
• After the first draft, conduct in-class trained
peer review sessions and teacher-student
conferencing.
 Understanding Features of Coherent Text

Teachers can guide students in creating

coherence by showing:
• Macro-structure
• Information structure
• Proposition development
• Cohesive devices
• Metadiscourse markers.
 Adopting Good Editing Strategies
• Teachers should emphasize the significance of
careful editing and provide practical
strategies.
• Careful editing transforms raw ideas into a
polished masterpiece, ensuring clarity, impact,
and correctness.
 Editing strategies include:
1. Start Early
2. Read Aloud
3. Use Editing Tools
4. Track Errors
 Real-world Application

Importance: Emphasize the real-world relevance

of writing tasks.
Example:Utilize a local newspaper complaint
letter for analysis.
Benefits:Enhance motivation and practical
writing skills.
Activity:Independent essay composition after
modeling and joint construction stages.
 Student-Centered Writing Workshops

• Organize peer review sessions where students

share their work, provide constructive
feedback, and collectively analyze strengths
and areas for improvement. This fosters a
sense of community and shared responsibility
for learning.
 Continuous Improvement and Assessment

• 1. Iterative Process: Emphasize that writing is

an ongoing, iterative process.
• 2. Feedback Loops: Implement continuous
assessment through feedback loops.
• 3. Refinement: Encourage students to refine
their writing based on constructive feedback.
• 4. Skill Development: Stress that improvement
is a continuous journey, fostering ongoing skill
development.
Thank you for your attention!

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