2. Writing: digital aids for improving writing skills

  

Dear Students,

Welcome to our next workshop. Our goal today is to have a closer look at how we can teach writing online. After you complete all the tasks prepared for you, you will be able to: 
   - see writing as a multi-component process;
  - name 7 writing subskills related to accuracy and 2 writing subskills related to expressing  emotions;
   - explain what stages writing consists of;
  - discuss the difference between the guided approach and the process approach in teaching writing.

LET'S ANALYZE DIGITAL AIDS FOR WRITING, SHALL WE? 

TASK 1. Click the image above to watch a short 17-min video about the peculiarities of a writing-centered lesson.

TASK 2. Have a look at and click through the following online resources that offer writing activities:

1. ESLBUZZ. Writing an Informal Letter.

2. ESLBUZZ.Writing a Formal Letter.

3. ESLBUZZ.Essay Writing.

4. LIVEWORKSHEETS.Writing an Opinion Essay

5. Resume.io  CV tamplates

6. resume.io Cover Letter Tamplates

7. TrustPilot. Writing Reviews.

8. SERanking.Writing Reviews.

9. SKILLSYOUNEED.Writing Reviews.

10. YOURDICTIONARY.HOW TO Write an Essay.

11. British Council. Writing skills.

12. Smashingmagazine.50 Free Resources.

13. Ischoolconnect.Writing Messages.

14. Criterion. Providing feedback

15. Grammarly

16. Reference materials.

TASK 3. Analyze the above-mentioned applications and complete the table paying attention :

- if the application provides correction of grammatical and spelling errors; - if the application gives an explanation of why the writing is wrong;

- what types of text (abstract, letter, resume, review, message) it provides; - what aspect of writing it teaches (content and style, coherence and logical development of thoughts, spelling and punctuation, grammatical accuracy, and vocabulary);

- if it provides interactive exercises.

Table 1. Analysis of Writing Applications

Rubrics	Application and its link	provides correction of errors	gives an explanation	type of text	aspect of writing it teaches	provides interactive exercises
1 Example	ESLBUZZ. Essay Writing.	––	––	essay	coherence and logical development of thoughts	+
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

TASK 4. Find five more applications for developing writing skills online:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

TASK 5. Highlight your favourite application for developing writing skills in the list above with the blue colour and be ready to present it during the workshop.

TASK 6. Explain in a couple of sentences which above-mentioned speaking applications suit the chosen students best.

1. A group of teenagers (Elementary level) who want to write a cartoon story about their favourite celebrity.
2. A fashionista (Upper-Intermediate level) who wants to learn more about clothes while writing.
3. A 9-year-old boy (Beginner level) who wants to practice writing a birthday invitation card.
4. A marketing specialist (Pre-Intermediate level) who has to write lots of online ads.
5. A shop assistant (Elementary level) who wants to learn how to fill in an application form.

TASK 7. Theoretical quiz.

Go to Task 1 and watch a video lecture again. Then, click on the image below to go to the test (5 questions).

PRACTICAL TASKS

TASK 1. Creating a course paper.

Set the margins to 3x2x2x1,5. Create the first 2 pages (title and content) of your course paper. Add a text to your document, and format the text according to tasks 1-6 and according to the rules of writing a course paper. Insert numbers of pages and a list of resources, Upload your document to your Google Drive, name it with your surname, share your document, create a link and paste it into the table with links.

Example: Course paper

TASK 2. Creating a blog (CV).

Create a blog on Blogger.com. See instructions on YouTube. Make a copy of your Blog's link and paste it into the table with links. Upload your own pictures and video to the blog. Create an article about you (CV).

Example: Blog

Instructions for creating an answer file and posting it online:

1. Create a MSW Document on your computer like this:

2. Name the document by your surname, number of your group, and a type of activity (for instance, "Zubenko, reading activity") like this:

3. Copy table 1 and paste it into your MSW Document.

4. Fill in table 1.

5. Compile a list in Task 4 and write your explanation in Task 6. Copy this information to your MSW Document.

6. Upload your MSW Document to your Google Drive like this:

7. Share your document.

8. Create a link, make a copy of the link, and paste it into the table with links like this:

Resources

1. https://www.eslbuzz.com/how-to-write-a-letter-informal-and-formal-english/

2. https://www.eslbuzz.com/useful-words-and-phrases-for-writing-formal-letters-in-english/

3. https://www.eslbuzz.com/how-to-write-a-great-essay-quickly/

4. https://www.liveworksheets.com/ny2406078sp

5. https://resume.io/cover-letter-templates

6. https://support.trustpilot.com/hc/en-us/articles/223402108--8-tips-for-writing-great-customer-reviews

7. https://seranking.com/blog/great-customer-reviews/

8. https://www.skillsyouneed.com/writing-skills.html

9. https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/writing/how-to-write-an-essay.html

11. https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing

12. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/06/50-free-resources-that-will-improve-your-writing-skills/

13. https://ischoolconnect.com/blog/message-writing-format-examples-and-samples-bonus-tips/

14. https://www.ets.org/criterion.html

15. https://owl.purdue.edu/