English Writing Workshop for P5 and P6 Parents. Friday, 23 March 2018

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1 English Writing Workshop for P5 and P6 Parents Friday, 23 March 2018

2 Workshop Overview Part 1 (Continuous Writing) Part 2 (Situational Writing)

3 Continuous Writing

4 Workshop Outline Introduction to the Current Format Writing Strategies Planning a Story Improving the Language

5 Introduction to the Current Format

6 (Standard) English Write a composition of at least 150 words about a secret. The pictures are provided to help you think about this topic. Your composition should be based on one or more of these pictures. Consider the following points when you plan your composition: What was the secret? Why was it kept a secret? You may use the points in any order and include any other points as well.

7 General Pointers MUST write on given theme and use at least one of the pictures The picture used must have a significant value in the story No additional credit for use of more than 1 picture

8 General Pointers The bulleted points are provided to help the candidates focus on the topic but it is not necessary to use them Story must have a good balance in introduction, development and conclusion, focusing more on development

9 Writing Strategies

10 Overview of Writing Strategies Planning Content Language Story Arc Story Beginnings Use of Dialogues Conflicts Show not Tell Twists Five Senses Story Endings Transition-Action-Details

Write a composition of at least 150 words about an incident in an MRT train. The pictures, not arranged in sequence, are provided to help you think about this topic.

11 Write a composition of at least 150 words about an incident in an MRT train. The pictures, not arranged in sequence, are provided to help you think about this topic. Your composition should be based on one or more of these pictures. Consider the following points when you plan your composition: What was the incident? How did it affect you and others in the train?

12 Story Planning Pick out the theme Decide on the picture to be used Plan using a story arc

13 Story Planning - Story Arc Climax Rising Actions Beginning Resolution Ending

14 Beginning Hey, Lynn! Wait up! I called out to my best friend as she was about to enter the MRT station. Lynn stopped walking and turned around. Her face lit up when she saw me. I quickened my pace and soon we were both walking towards the escalator.

15 Rising Actions The train was packed like sardines and we had to hold onto the cold metallic poles near a door. Our nostrils caught the smells of sweat as bodies wet with perspiration stood beside us. Lynn and I hardly had any space to stand but somehow we managed to find a corner of the train where we continued with our conversation.

16 A group of five secondary school boys in similar uniforms of white and blue had boarded the train too. They were joking and laughing loudly. There was another group of four youths who had boarded the train too. One of them tried to grab the overhead metal pole as the train started to move but he accidentally tripped and fell sideways, knocking one of the school boys.

17 Climax Hey! Watch it! The school boy was startled. He had nearly lost his footing. What? What s your problem? the youth shouted at him menacingly. The school boy felt a surge of anger rush through him. He levelled a fearless and unflinching gaze at the youth.

18 He thought that the youth was rather rude. The youth, on the other hand, thought that the school boy was spoiling for a fight and started to hurl expletives at him. By now, both groups were eyeing each other, their faces contorted with anger.

19 Resolution Then, one of the passengers, an old Indian man, who had been witnessing the scene, stood up from his seat and patted the angry youth on his shoulder.

20 One of his friends placed an arm across his shoulder and led him out of the train. The rest followed quickly. The group of school boys wanted to go out of the train too but they saw some security and police officers on the platform. The boys stopped dead in their tracks and remained in the train.

21 Ending Lynn and I were glad that the incident did not escalate into a bloody fight. We shuddered at the thought of witnessing a real violent fight. We bade each other goodbye and went home.

22 Conventional vs Beginning with a Bang

23 Beginning - Conventional Hey, Lynn! Wait up! I called out to my best friend as she was about to enter the MRT station. Lynn stopped walking and turned around. Her face lit up when she saw me. I quickened my pace and soon we were both walking towards the escalator.

24 Beginning - Conventional It was a quiet Wednesday morning. The train station, as usual, had calmed down after the morning rush hour. Only a handful of people were standing around.

25 Beginning with a Bang Hey! Watch it! the school boy was startled. He had nearly lost his footing. What? What s your problem? the youth shouted at him menacingly. The school boy felt a surge of anger rush through him. He levelled a fearless and unflinching gaze at the youth.

26 Beginning with a Bang Hey! Stop shouting at this young boy! What he s wearing is his choice. It is none of your business! a loud voice boomed out of nowhere. One of the commuters stepped forward and shouted at the Caucasian, who had earlier on, verbally abused the teen.

27 Improving the Language

28 Use of Dialogue

29 What is Dialogue? The conversation that takes place between the characters of a story

30 Functions of Dialogues Dialogues: 1. reveal character 2. give necessary information 3. move the plot along 4. show what one character thinks of another character 5. reveal conflict and build tension 6. show how someone feels

31 reveals character gives necessary information moves the plot along shows what one character thinks of another character reveals conflict and build tension shows how someone feels Failed? Again? How on earth are you going to a good secondary school like this? Father s thunderous barrage of scolding rang through the house.

32 reveals character gives necessary information moves the plot along shows what one character thinks of another character reveals conflict and build tension shows how someone feels Stop, please, I beg of you, James croaked in agony.

reveals character gives necessary information moves the plot along shows what one character thinks of another character reveals conflict and build tension shows how

33 reveals character gives necessary information moves the plot along shows what one character thinks of another character reveals conflict and build tension shows how someone feels Come on, come on! Hurry up! I am very late! I tapped my feet in sheer impatience as I grimaced at my brother, who was taking his time to wear his shoes.

34 EXAMPLE: Usage of Dialogues in a Narrative While Mrs Lim had escaped unscathed from the accident, her loved ones were not spared from death s cruel clutches. Mrs Lim wailed, her face bearing the wretchedness that she was experiencing. While I tried my best to comfort Mrs Lim, I was also shocked beyond words.

35 Usage of Dialogues in a Narrative While Mrs Lim had escaped unscathed from the accident, her loved ones were not spared from death s cruel clutches. Why did fate rob me of my dear husband and son? Why? Mrs Lim wailed, her face bearing the wretchedness that she was experiencing. While I tried my best to comfort Mrs Lim, I was also shocked beyond words.

36 Tips for Writing Dialogues Keep it simple Do not have too many dialogues in a writing Remember to include punctuation marks

37 SHOW not TELL

38 Overview To create an interesting story, the writer needs to describe the places, things, and people Showing creates mental pictures in the readers minds

39 5 Senses what yousight see with your eyes details of surroundings people that you can observe with your eyes what yousound hear with your ears sounds in the environment that you are in TOUCH & SMELL you smell with your how you feel, your what TASTE nose, the scents, odours in emotions the environment texture of objects physical contact with what you taste with your tongue and experience people or objects with your lips

40 Telling an Incident in the Train A group of school boys had boarded the train too. They were noisy. There was another group of youths who had boarded the train too. They looked scary. They walked around the train to find a space. One of them tripped as the train started to move and he knocked down a school boy.

41 Showing an Incident in the Train A group of five secondary school boys clad in white and blue uniforms had boarded the train too. They were joking and laughing loudly. Oblivious to the other commuters in the train, the boys were teasing one another rowdily. At the next station, another group of four youths stomped into the train too. They were garbed in black singlets which exposed the dragon tattoos on their arms and necks. With their dyed blond hair and silent sullen looks, they struck fear in the other commuters. As they staggered across the aisle to find a standing space near the door of the train, we caught a whiff of alcohol and cigarettes. One of them tried to grab the overhead metal pole as the train started to move but he accidentally tripped and fell sideways, knocking one of the school boys.

42 TELL VS SHOW TELL SHOW A group of schoolboys had A group of five secondary school boys clad in white and blue uniforms boarded the train too. had boarded the train too. They were noisy. They were joking and laughing loudly. Oblivious to the other commuters in the train, the boys were teasing one another rowdily. They looked scary. They were garbed in black singlets which exposed the dragon tattoos on their arms and necks. With their dyed blond hair and silent sullen looks, they struck fear in the other commuters. They walked around the train As they staggered across the aisle to find a standing space near the door to find a space. of the train, we caught a whiff of alcohol and cigarettes.

SOUND The birds chirping and the rustling of the leaves formed a beautiful morning tune.

43 SENSES SIGHT Describing Weather SHOW The radiant sun hung in the sapphire blue sky. I had to wear a pair of shades to shield my eyes from the glare of the blazing sun. SOUND The birds chirping and the rustling of the leaves formed a beautiful morning tune. TOUCH She trembled in the chilly morning winds and curled into her blanket even further. A gentle breeze caressed my rosy cheeks and tossed my unkempt hair. TASTE SMELL & The crisp morning air rushed into my nostrils, awakening all my senses. The aroma of scrumptious breakfast invaded my bedroom, rousing me from my slumber.

Descriptive Feelings FEELINGS SHOW HAPPY Grandfather broke into an endearing toothless grin. Her eyes sparkled with joy. SAD May launched into Mother s arms and bawled her eyes out.

44 Descriptive Feelings FEELINGS SHOW HAPPY Grandfather broke into an endearing toothless grin. Her eyes sparkled with joy. SAD May launched into Mother s arms and bawled her eyes out. She spoke in a lifeless voice. FEAR Paralysed with fear, she stood rooted to the ground. Tess had butterflies in her stomach as she waited to visit the dentist. GUILT His face was as red as beetroot when he was caught. Father could not stomach the guilt anymore. ANGRY Her blood boiled like a volcano that was about to erupt. The enraged customer clenched his teeth and put his hands on his hips.

45 Situational Writing

46 Overview What is Situational Writing Types of Situational Writing questions Formal VS informal Different text types Features of formal and informal text types Rubrics for Situational Writing

47 What is Situational Writing Writing for a specific purpose, usually to convey a message Awareness of Purpose, Audience and Context is key Purpose: Why are you writing this text? Audience: Who are you writing to? Context: Formal or informal

48 Types of Situational Writing Informal or letter (to classmate, peer, cousin, relative) Postcard Formal (to principal, manager of a company, etc.) Letter (letter of request, complain, apology, commendation, appeal, etc. ) Report (incident reports, eyewitness report)

49 PAC

50 Given Situation

51 Pupils Task Formal to request help

52 Format Greeting Content of Introduction Body Conclusion Closing phrase and Signing off

53 Dear Mrs Choo, I am Mary Tan, the president of Sunny Club, the school s club for adventurous pupils. I am writing this to seek your help. Sunny Club is organising a camp for its members to cultivate a love for the outdoors. The camp will be held at Lagoon Park on 15 and 16 November We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope you can help us to get the caps at a good price. I would appreciate if you could get back to me by 7 October I look forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Mary Tan President of Sunny Club

54 Dear Mrs Choo, Greeting depends if sender knows the I am Mary Tan, the president of Sunny Club, the school s club for recipient. If sender doesyour nothelp. know the adventurous pupils. I am writing this to seek recipient, then Dear Sir/ Madam is used Sunny Club is organising a camp for its members to cultivate a love for the outdoors. The camp will be held at Lagoon Park on 15 and 16 November We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope you can help us to get the caps at a good price. I would appreciate if you could get back to me by 7 October I look forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Mary Tan President of Sunny Club

55 Dear Mrs Choo, I am Mary Tan, the president of Sunny Club, the school s club for adventurous pupils. I am writing this to seek your help. Sunny Club is organising a camp for its members to cultivate a love for the outdoors. The camp will be held at Lagoon Park on 15 and 16 November Introduction: We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope - Explains who theyou can help us to get the caps at a good price. sender is - States the purpose of I would appreciate if you could get back to me by 7 October I look forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. the text Yours sincerely, Mary Tan President of Sunny Club

56 Dear Mrs Choo, I am Mary Tan, the president of Sunny Club, the school s club for adventurous pupils. I am writing this to seek your help. Sunny Club is organising a camp for its members to cultivate a love for the outdoors. The camp will be held at Lagoon Park on 15 and 16 November We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope you can help us to get the caps at a good price. I would appreciate if you could get back to me by 7 October I look forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Mary Tan President of Sunny Club Body: - The essential details and relevant information

57 Dear Mrs Choo, I am Mary Tan, the president of Sunny Club, the school s club for adventurous pupils. I amconclusion: writing this to seek your help. - The action required of the recipient Sunny Club is organising a camp for its members to cultivate a love for the recipient outdoors. The camp will- bethank held at the Lagoon Park on 15 and 16 November We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope you can help us to get the caps at a good price. I would appreciate if you could get back to me by 7 October I look forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Mary Tan President of Sunny Club

58 Dear Mrs Choo, Closing Phrase & Signing off: I am Mary Tan, - the president of Sunnywhen Club, one the school s Yours sincerely knowsclub the for adventurous pupils. I am writing this to seek your help. recipient and has a formal working relationship thattoperson; Sunny Club is organising a camp for itswith members cultivate a Yours love for the outdoors. The camp faithfully will be held atiflagoon Park on 15 know and 16 the November one does not We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope you recipient can help us to get the caps at a good price. - Signing off with sender s full name and I would appreciate if designation you could get back me by 7 October I look (iftoapplicable) forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Mary Tan President of Sunny Club

59 Language Features Sentences short and simple Information provided concise and to the point Use of formal language Appropriate tone (polite, apologetic, annoyed, etc.)

60 Dear Mrs Choo, I am Mary Tan, the president of Sunny Club, the school s club for adventurous pupils. I am writing this to seek your help. Sunny Club is organising a camp for its members to cultivate a love for the outdoors. The camp will be held at Lagoon Park on 15 and 16 November We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope you can help us to get the caps at a good price. I would appreciate if you could get back to me by 7 October I look forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Mary Tan President of Sunny Club Information concise and to the point

61 Dear Mrs Choo, I am Mary Tan, the president of Sunny Club, the school s club for adventurous pupils. I am writing this to seek your help. Sunny Club is organising a camp for its members to cultivate a love for the outdoors. The camp will be held at Lagoon Park on 15 and 16 November We need to purchase caps for our camp activities and we hope you can help us to get the caps at a good price. I would appreciate if you could get back to me by 7 October I look forward to your favourable reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Mary Tan Appropriate President of Sunny Club tone: polite and sincere because sender requires recipient s help

62 Given Situation

63 Pupils Task Informal to provide information to a peer

64 Hi Chris, How are you? I hope you are recovering from your flu. I am writing this to inform you about the upcoming Library Festival in our school on 14 October, 2011, Friday. The event is organised by our school library for Primary 6 students only. The Primary 6 pupils must sign up for 2 activities one before recess and one after recess. One activity which I think might be suitable for you would be the Write a Story competition. This activity will be held at the library before recess and you will need to bring along a dictionary for this activity. There will also be a Book cover design competition. I think we can both take part in this as we can draw well. We will stand a chance to win the competition. Do let me know what you think. I hope to see you in school soon. Cheers, Jeremy

65 Hi Chris, Hi arecan be used thisflu.isi am anwriting informal How are you? I hope you recovering fromifyour this to inform you about the text. upcoming Library Festival in our school on 14 October, 2011, Friday. The event is organised by our school library for Primary 6 students only. The Primary 6 pupils must sign up for 2 activities one before recess and one after recess. One activity which I think might be suitable for you would be the Write a Story competition. This activity will be held at the library before recess and you will need to bring along a dictionary for this activity. There will also be a Book cover design competition. I think we can both take part in this as we can draw well. We will stand a chance to win the competition. Do let me know what you think. I hope to see you in school soon. Cheers, Jeremy

66 Hi Chris, How are you? I hope you are recovering from your flu. I am writing this to inform you about the upcoming Library Festival in our school on 14 October, 2011, Friday. The event is organised by our school library for Primary 6 students only. The Primary 6 pupils must sign up for 2 Introduction: activities one before recess and one after recess. One activity which I think might be suitableand for you behis the - Greetings askswould about Write a Story competition. This activity will be held at the library before classmate s condition. recess and you will need to bring along a dictionary for this activity. - States the purpose of the text There will also be a Book cover design competition. I think we can both take part in this as we can draw well. We will stand a chance to win the competition. Do let me know what you think. I hope to see you in school soon. Cheers, Jeremy

67 Hi Chris, Body: How are you? I hope you-arethe recovering from your flu. I am writing this to essential details and relevant inform you about the upcoming Library Festival in our school on 14 October, information 2011, Friday. The event is organised by our school library for Primary 6 students only. The Primary 6 pupils must sign up for 2 activities one before recess and one after recess. One activity which I think might be suitable for you would be the Write a Story competition. This activity will be held at the library before recess and you will need to bring along a dictionary for this activity. There will also be a Book cover design competition. I think we can both take part in this as we can draw well. We will stand a chance to win the competition. Do let me know what you think. I hope to see you in school soon. Cheers, Jeremy

68 Hi Chris, How are you? I hope you are recovering from your flu. I am writing this to inform you about the upcoming Library Festival in our school on 14 October, 2011, Friday. The event is organised by our school library for Primary 6 students only. The Primary 6 pupils must sign up for 2 activities one before recess and one after recess. One activityconclusion: which I think might be suitable for you would be the Write a Story competition. This action activity will be held of at the before - The required thelibrary recipient recess and you will need to bring along a dictionary for this activity. - Wishes There will also be a Book cover design competition. I think we can both take part in this as we can draw well. We will stand a chance to win the competition. Do let me know what you think. I hope to see you in school soon. Cheers, Jeremy

69 Hi Chris, How are you? I hope you are recovering from your flu. I am writing this to Closing Phrase Signing inform you about the upcoming Library & Festival in ouroff: school on 14 October, 2011, Friday. The event is organised by ourclosing school library for Primary - Usually informal phrase, e.g. 6 students only. cheers, love, etc. Fullsign name designation not required The Primary 6 pupils- must up forand 2 activities one before recess and one after recess. One activity I think might be suitable for aswhich recipient is supposed to you be would on be the Write a Story competition. This activity will be held at the library before terms with sender recess and you will needfriendly to bring along a dictionary for this activity. There will also be a Book cover design competition. I think we can both take part in this as we can draw well. We will stand a chance to win the competition. Do let me know what you think. I hope to see you in school soon. Cheers, Jeremy

70 Language Features Sentences short and simple Information provided concise and to the point Use of informal language Appropriate tone (friendly)

71 Thank you!

Lesson The Lion and the Mouse By Aesop. Reading Questions

Lesson The Lion and the Mouse By Aesop. Reading Questions Lesson 17 1. The Lion and the Mouse By Aesop A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his face. He rose up in anger, caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously begged,