Writing Practice


    It is important to place emphasis on writing for a purpose. While writing anything, we must constantly be aware of th audience for whom we write. Genre and audience are deeply connected. If we are writing a story for a younger sibling, the genre will most likely be narrative. However, if we are writing in our diaries or jounals, the text becomes a recount. The audience therefore, has a great impact on the genre and the genre of the audience. Because writing is a transitive verb, we must always write for a purpose: to inform someone or to entertain someone or to document an important event.

   It is necessary to incorporate many types of genre in the writing program of intermediate grade levels. Exposure to the various types of genre should be implemented in both the intermediate and primary levels. Therefore, the style of each genre can be analysed and transferred into the  students' own writing. Students should write expository, procedural, and persuasive papers in the intermediate grades. These forms of writing can be introduced in various subject areas, such as science and social studies. Writing is found within all subjects and can be analyzed in each to adapt into a student's repertoire of the many forms of genre.

    As teachers, we must have a vast repertoire of practices that will enhance students' writing at the intermediate level. A number of the practices that are mentioned here can be used by teachers to instruct their students. One of the practices is the information organizer chart. This chart can be useful for students who have difficulty of expressing text in their own words. Recursive iteration can occur by taking different view points to the same text. Having students lok at texts with different points of view also encourages students to write with originality. Another practice that can be used to initiate thought amongst students is to ask a radiant question, giving their writing a focus. Once information is successfully retained in the students' minds, teachers can use bits and pieces to provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge.

S.C.A.R.                                             Problems and Solutions