Matching Pairs A route for writing workOnline version A typical route for the development of writing skills. It may involve some or all of the following steps: by María Guadalupe Diez Sánchez 1 Plan de text 2 Prepare draft 3 Get feedback 4 Brainstorm ideas 5 Focus on useful models 6 Select and reject ideas 7 Prepare final text 8 Edit 9 Fast-write 10 Introduce & summarize the main writing task 11 Sort and order ideas 12 Introduce the topic Students carefully go through their own text, checking if it says what they want it to, if it is clear, if its language is correct, etc. Preparing a draft version before the final one gives them the chance to get the reader reactions. Make sure students know what they are expected to do, the genre (magazine article? letter? formal report? etc.), and the audience (who they are writing to and why). Use notes to start shaping the text. The layout & order of paragraphs. Are there any special rules for the genre? Another student can read and make useful comments/suggestions on the content, the message, the organization, or the language. Get students interested through an advert, article, picture, or discussing some key issues. What is worth leaving out? Start to plan structure of text by arranging ideas. Whole class: use the board to collect as many ideas as possible. Small groups: speak and take notes. Based on feedback, students write a finished text. A very good way to overcome 'blank page' terror and get ideas flowing is to 'fast-write'. Help students to study sample(s) of similar written texts, focusing on content, message, organization, grammar, phrases, etc.
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