Tips for Writing

[GiddyGad]

Practice is necessary, sure. But there's a tip concerning spelling that can be used if understood how it works.

Did you ever think why some letters are extended up- or downwards? If letters had been the same size all over a writing there would have been some tension growing: in your hand - while you are writing, and in your eyes - while you are reading the message.
Our behavior, all our habits are rhythmical in nature, and extended elements establish the rhythm of writing... unless you write in separate letters. Write a whole word as one symbol and then "dot the 'i's and cross the 't's" with a backward movement of your hand. Don't write a word letter by letter - try to remember the whole word; and don't look at the sample word while writing it - check mistakes afterwards, when the word has been written. Use the extended elements as the rhythmical basis of your writing. Switch on some rhythm or music if you feel like it.

[Laxuan]

I'm trying to practise writing skill in order to get IELTS writing marks at least 5.5 but I find it really difficult.
The First part: describe a chart, graph, diagram or sth like that, I am always confused with what words I should use and I often repeat what I have written. Can you give me any tips?
About the second part I think that it is easier to express your ideas about an issue.

[esra]

To express your ideas about an issue can be easy only if you are good at your own language...

To provide this one must read a lot...

Best wishes

[henrywang]

I very glad to see this forum,I am learning English too.But my English is not very good. So I want to make friends with all of you.My icq number is 225-530-343.Please join me!

[TuanAnVu]

Can't agree more, simple is the best!

and the meaningfulness is also necessary.

[Inkbell]

Aloha!

I'm an university student from Poland and will soon have to re-take my writing exam. It requires to write one paragraph and one summary, and now as I practise, I've, so far, two questions:

1.Question: What is/are the difference/s between an analytical and an expository (explanatory) paper?

2.Question: Writing an litearture essay (literary criticism), are the primary sources the books/literary works I write ABOUT, and the secondary sources these books which HELP me to write about the chosen books/literary works?

Thanks in advance, more from me will come soon!

[Inkbell]

Me again!

Now will follow my outlines for three paragraph topics, including topic sentences. I would be most grateful if you could give me some advice whether the outlines and topic sentences are proper, how to deal with the topics and generally, how to write good paragraphs.

Thanks!

Argumentative: Reading as a source of a rich imagination and vocabulary for children is threatened by the contemporary media.

Topic sentence:
Reading has always been an undeplorable source of imagination and vocabulary for children, meanwhile the contemporary media are a threat to this benefitial activity.

Outline:
A.The benefits of reading
1)reading aloud – listening to a story and imagening the scenes and heroes
2)reading to oneself – developing reading and comprehension skills, widening the child’s vocabulary, after gaining fluency also imagening the whole story while reading, widening the child’s interests and knowledge of the surrounding world

B.The threats of the contemporary media for children’s imagination
1)Television amd computer games – depriving children’s imagination of own ideas and pictures, offering seldom new vocabulary

C.Combining traditional reading with multimedia products
1)Television series and cinema movies chosen by the parents that contribute to the development of imagination and language (adaptations of famous children’s stories, etc.)
2)Computer games which demand idependent thinking, stimulate to take responsibility and develop creativity; educational games
3)Internet – blocking dangerous websides, encouraging the search for more information about the child’s favourite authors, subjects, etc. (the Internet offers a wide range of beautiful and inspiring websides of, for instance, J. K. Rowling or Cornelia Funke)

[Inkbell]

Process: The process of writing a literature essay
Topic sentence:

To succeed in writing a good literary criticism paper, a student should abide by certain rules and think over some helpful suggestions.

Outline:

A.Preparation
1)Choosing a topic
2)Researching
3)Selecting the material/primary and secondary sources

B.Writing
1)Writing the first draft including the thesis and arguments
2)Inserting quotations from the sources

C.Proofreading and editing
1)Correcting grammar, punctuation and spelling errors
2)Checking coherence, conciseness and unity (transitions)
3)Checking the number of words, eliminating wordiness

[Inkbell]

Comparison and contrast: two authors - J. K. Rowling and Cornelia Funke

Topic sentence:

Two of the most popular contemporary authors of children’s literature, Joanne Kathleen Rowling and Cornelia Funke, are well worth comparing to each other.

Outline:

A.Origin
1)J. K. Rowling – British culture (all the tradition of excellent British children’s literature)
2)Cornelia Funke – German culture (other traditions, views, though Mrs Funke is thoroughly rooted in the British literary tradition, named also the German J. K. Rowling)

B.Literary works
1)Harry Potter – only one series (7 books)
2)over 40 books for the whole gamut of young readers, including the successful Inkheart-series

C.Style (?)

[Inkbell]

Aloha!

Here comes my summary of the article "The Dangers of Chronic Distress" by Michael Craig Miller, M.D., which you can find on the webside:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9466930/site/newsweek/
Or by googeling the title of the article.

Once again huge thanks!

The Dangers of Chronic Distress – summary

Prof. Johan Denollet has invented a personality test containing 14 questions to show the connection between psychological conditions and heart diseases, known as the DS14. The test helps to identify the so called Type D personality – rather pessimistic people, dominated by worries and anxieties. The DS14 distinguishes between two distress factors: “negative activity” and “social inhibition”, which may have a bad influence on the heart. Such psycho-tests had been developed earlier but did not stay, though they were not useless, as they showed exactly these feelings which are harmful to our health. Denollet’s own tests as well as researches made in the Netherlands proved that there is a connection between Type D personalities and the premature death of cardio patients. However, the DS14 has to be tested itself until it will be reliable. Besides, possessing a Type D personality does not doom one to an early death, as there is a multitude of possibilities to ward off the threats for one’s health, e.g. a good marriage or the help of psychologists. Taking up sport and a dietary change may also improve one’s quality of life. Prof. Denollet’s invention gives the possibility to have an objective view on our personality and maybe to change something in our life to feel better.