Notes: The Writing Skill | English Language & Pedagogy for CTET & TET Exams - CTET & State TET PDF Download

Introduction

• Writing is a process of discovery and needs adequate time for reflection. It promotes a flexible, sophisticated command of the language and includes linguistic features such as spelling, punctuation, indentation and connectives. While writing, one has to be cautious with regard to the language, grammar and spellings, so that the reader can decipher the intended meaning of the content. Thus, teaching writing involves both usage of correct language and correct organisation. Correct grammar, punctuation and spelling are key in written communication. Types of writing include controlled writing, which is a good technique to reinforce grammar, vocabulary and syntax. Learners can proceed at their own pace, as individual skills can be practiced. However, the downside of controlled writing is that creative responses and expression of ideas are discouraged. Guided writing is an extension of controlled writing, but the entire context is not given. The advantages are that learners can express themselves and the writing is more challenging and not mechanical.
• A formal writing style is not necessarily better than an informal style, as each style serves a different purpose. Formal writing is not a personal writing style, as the writer is disconnected from the topic. Formal writing is, thus, impersonal and requires a wide range of vocabulary and structures, wherein the message is direct and precise, having a limited range of emotions, avoiding emotive punctuation such as exclamation points, ellipsis, and so on, unless they are being cited from another source. No contractions are used to simplify words, instead full words are used. Complex, longer sentences are more prevalent. Each main point needs to be introduced, elaborated and concluded. Examples of formal writing includes essays, research articles, conference papers and so on. Informal writing, on the other hand, is easy, as digressions are permitted and is similar to a spoken conversation, as it has a personal tone. Simple, short sentences are acceptable and, some- times, essential to make a point in informal writing. Informal writing may include slang, figures of speech, broken, incomplete syntax, asides, ellipsis, contractions, abbreviations and so on. One can use the first or third person point of view. Examples of informal writing includes diary entries, blogs, personal writing, letters or emails to friends.

Methods to Teach Writing Skill

• Match Maker 
  Objective: To focus on correct syntax formation.
  Method: In pairs, learners are given strips of incomplete sentences. They have to join each incomplete sentence with its correct half. 
• Your Luck Today 
  Objective: To learn to compose write ups.
  Method: Distribute a sample horoscope. In pairs learners write a horoscope for each other, incorporating his knowledge of his partner. They exchange horo- scopes. Later, they check to see how true their write up is. 
• Who Stole The Ad. 
  Objective: To exploit the learners’ reasoning power through advertisement writing.
  Method: Distribute ads from which key words, captions or pictures are missing. Learners complete the ad. Give them the original ad and let them compare. 
• Create Your Own Pizza
  Objective: To focus on punctuation.
  Method: Give learners pizza outlet pamphlets. Learners go through the material and choose their own toppings. They write out their order.