Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 2

WRITING TIPS

BEFORE YOU WRITE Read the task carefully and nd the answer to these 3 questions: WHAT WHY WHO WHAT: What are you going to write? An email to your cousin? A covering letter? A letter asking for information about an English course? An essay giving your opinion on a topic? WHY: Why are your writing it? What is the purpose of your writing? Are you talking about a personal experience? Are you complaining about a product? WHO: Who is going to read your writing? In what circumstances will they be reading it? The answers to these questions have 3 important consequences: FORMAT STYLE CONTENT EXAMPLE: If you are writing an e-mail to a friend to tell him/her about a summer course (content) you use colloquial vocabulary (style & register). You also use a simple layout (format). If you are writing an article for a school magazine complaining about the uncomfortable chairs (content), you use more formal vocabulary (style & register) and you follow the conventions required by the magazine (format). Once you know what you have to do, start planning your writing.

PLAN YOUR WRITING: Check the number of words you are asked to write. Brainstorm ideas and organise them before you start writing. Answer the question fully. If you are asked to write a balanced composition, there is no need of giving your opinion; if you are asked to write a formal letter, format is also part of the assignment. Do not include irrelevant information. Make sure your writing is easy for the reader to follow: organise your text into clearly divided paragraphs. Connect your paragraphs so that the link between them and the sequence of events is clear. A sentence is not a paragraph: connect simple sentences but do not make them too long. Use a wide range of vocabulary and structures to show that you have the level you are supposed to have. Check your grammar and vocabulary as you write but also allow you some time at the end to read your composition again. Beware of basic errors! ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED CHECK THE FOLLOWING: Is the writing clear? How easy is it to understand? Does the reader have all the information they need? Is there too much information? Has any information been repeated? Is the information and ideas logically organised? Are there paragraphs, sections to help the reader? Are they clearly linked using discourse markers? Have you used the right verb forms? Is there a clear time reference? Have you used a variety of structures? Are the structures appropriate for the level required? Have you used them correctly? Is your vocabulary varied enough? Is it appropriate for the task set? Is it appropriate for the level required? Does the punctuation make it easy to read your writing exercise? Have you checked dicult words are spelt correctly? Have you used capital letters correctly?

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi