Copyright Tony Lau 2012 Idea Development and Idea Organization in English Writing Tony Lau Tak Sun Secondary School 17 th March 2012

Copyright Tony Lau 2012Copyright Tony Lau 2012

Idea Development and Idea Development and Idea Organization in English WritingIdea Organization in English Writing

Tony LauTony Lau

Tak Sun Secondary SchoolTak Sun Secondary School

1717thth March 2012 March 2012


IntroductionIntroduction

Why teach idea development and idea Why teach idea development and idea organization in English writing?organization in English writing?

Hard data – HKASL UE Examiners’ ReportsHard data – HKASL UE Examiners’ Reports


HKASL UE Examiners’ ReportsHKASL UE Examiners’ Reports

2008 HKASL Use of English2008 HKASL Use of English– Greater skills in argumentation and greater Greater skills in argumentation and greater

knowledge of the world are clearly needed … knowledge of the world are clearly needed … most candidates are unable to substantiate most candidates are unable to substantiate arguments with relevant examplesarguments with relevant examples… … personal experiences cited were personal experiences cited were unconvincing or unbelievableunconvincing or unbelievable. (p. 135). (p. 135)


HKASL UE Examiners’ ReportsHKASL UE Examiners’ Reports

2005 HKASL Use of English2005 HKASL Use of English– They shouldThey should … … broadenbroaden their experience of their experience of

English, their knowledge of current affairs and English, their knowledge of current affairs and their own ideastheir own ideas. This would also help to . This would also help to improve their critical thinking … (p.129)improve their critical thinking … (p.129)

2003 HKASL Use of English2003 HKASL Use of English– The poorer essays contained The poorer essays contained simple ideassimple ideas and and

dull content. (p. 129)dull content. (p. 129)


HKCEE Examiners’ ReportsHKCEE Examiners’ Reports

2008 HKCEE2008 HKCEE– Average candidates were unable to elaborate Average candidates were unable to elaborate

well. Their ideas were sometimes well. Their ideas were sometimes disconnected… (p. 126)disconnected… (p. 126)

2007 HKCEE2007 HKCEE– For the writing exam, consideration is given to… For the writing exam, consideration is given to…

the planning and organization of the ideas… the planning and organization of the ideas… (p.130)(p.130)


HKDSE Paper 2 Writing HKDSE Paper 2 Writing Marking GuidelinesMarking Guidelines

Level 5**Level 5**

Content (C)Content (C)– All ideas are well-developedAll ideas are well-developed

Organization (O)Organization (O)– Logical development of ideasLogical development of ideas


Music AppreciationMusic AppreciationThe flight of the bumblebeeThe flight of the bumblebee


Music AppreciationMusic AppreciationPicking flowers (a piano piece)Picking flowers (a piano piece)


Rap TalkRap Talk

DemonstrationDemonstration

– Pair work (1 minute)Pair work (1 minute)

– Swap your role with your partner (1 minute)Swap your role with your partner (1 minute)


FreewritingFreewriting

Freewriting was first pioneered by Peter ElbowFreewriting was first pioneered by Peter Elbow

Meditate-then-writeMeditate-then-write

Five-minute freewritingFive-minute freewriting

Five-minute loopingFive-minute looping


Five-minute freewritingFive-minute freewriting


Five-minute loopingFive-minute looping


One-minute WritingOne-minute Writing

InstructionsInstructions– Spend one minute writing a single sentence.Spend one minute writing a single sentence.– Don’t panic if it doesn’t make too much sense.Don’t panic if it doesn’t make too much sense.– On the next page you will find some ideas for On the next page you will find some ideas for

you to get the ball rolling:you to get the ball rolling:


One-minute WritingOne-minute Writing

Topics (please choose Topics (please choose ONEONE of the following) of the following)– Write a sentence starting with a name.Write a sentence starting with a name.– Write a foolish sentence.Write a foolish sentence.– Write a sentence describing yourself.Write a sentence describing yourself.– Write a sentence regarding love.Write a sentence regarding love.– Write a sentence narrating the weather.Write a sentence narrating the weather.– Write a sentence depicting an animal.Write a sentence depicting an animal.– Write a boring sentence.Write a boring sentence.


Make a listMake a list

Choose Choose ONEONE of the following: of the following: List some of your anxietiesList some of your anxieties List the best gifts you have ever receivedList the best gifts you have ever received List smells with special meaning for youList smells with special meaning for you List the people you look up toList the people you look up to List some wonderful things about yourselfList some wonderful things about yourself


Things to be excited aboutThings to be excited about

List at least List at least FIVEFIVE things for you to be things for you to be excited aboutexcited about


A placeA place Describe Describe ONEONE of the following: of the following:

– A place which made you feel delightedA place which made you feel delighted– A place which made you feel furiousA place which made you feel furious– A place which made you feel excitedA place which made you feel excited– A place which made you feel secureA place which made you feel secure– A place which made you feel scaredA place which made you feel scared– A place which made you feel alienatedA place which made you feel alienated– A place that you would like to visit againA place that you would like to visit again– A place which made you feel valuedA place which made you feel valued– A place which spiritually invigorated youA place which spiritually invigorated you


Dull topicsDull topics

In one minute, write down as many dull In one minute, write down as many dull topics as you can think of.topics as you can think of.


The most beautiful wordThe most beautiful word

From the list of the most beautiful words compiled From the list of the most beautiful words compiled by the British Council below, please choose by the British Council below, please choose the the most beautiful wordmost beautiful word and elucidate your choice in and elucidate your choice in ONEONE sentence. sentence.

mothermother destinydestiny sunshinesunshine gracegrace

passionpassion freedomfreedom sweetheartsweetheart rainbowrainbow

smilesmile libertyliberty gorgeousgorgeous fantasticfantastic

lovelove tranquillitytranquillity cherishcherish blossomblossom

eternityeternity peacepeace enthusiasmenthusiasm hopehope


You desireYou desire

List List EIGHTEIGHT things you desire at present things you desire at present


First ChallengeFirst Challenge

Idea development and idea organization at Idea development and idea organization at the sentence levelthe sentence level– Good writing should be logical.Good writing should be logical.– The problem is that our students’ writing has a The problem is that our students’ writing has a

lot of illogical ideas, even though the sentences lot of illogical ideas, even though the sentences are grammatically correct.are grammatically correct.


First Challenge - ExamplesFirst Challenge - Examples

1. Pigs can fly.1. Pigs can fly.a. Pigs can flya. Pigs can fly when they are on an airplanewhen they are on an airplane..

b. Pigs can fly b. Pigs can fly in the comic book I am reading in the comic book I am reading nownow..


First ChallengeFirst Challenge

Instructions: Instructions:

Please make the following Please make the following ILLOGICALILLOGICAL sentences become sentences become LOGICALLOGICAL ones. You ones. You can can ADDADD words at the end of the sentences words at the end of the sentences but you but you CANNOT CHANGECANNOT CHANGE any words in any words in the original sentences.the original sentences.


First ChallengeFirst Challenge1.1. It was raining, the ground was dry.It was raining, the ground was dry.

2.2. The Earth is flat.The Earth is flat.

3.3. The sun never sets for half a year.The sun never sets for half a year.

4.4. Although Samuel looks ugly, he is handsome.Although Samuel looks ugly, he is handsome.

5.5. Despite the fact that Mr Chan has a lot of money, he is poor.Despite the fact that Mr Chan has a lot of money, he is poor.

6.6. The full cup of water was empty to John.The full cup of water was empty to John.

7.7. Birds fly backwards.Birds fly backwards.

8.8. Barack Obama is no longer the American President.Barack Obama is no longer the American President.

9.9. There is no law and order in New York.There is no law and order in New York.

10.10. The cat is both dead and alive.The cat is both dead and alive.


Time to workTime to work

C:\Documents and Settings\enm\Desktop\20090424 Tony's Lesson\online-countdown.exe


First Challenge First Challenge Idea Development and Idea Development and

OrganizationOrganization

Your show time!Your show time!


Second challengeSecond challenge

Warm up question:Warm up question:– How many skills are there in the English language?How many skills are there in the English language?


Second ChallengeSecond Challenge

Idea development and organisation based Idea development and organisation based on visuals on visuals

– Group work and discussionGroup work and discussion


Second Challenge (A)Second Challenge (A)

Image courtesy of Mr. Peter KennedyImage courtesy of Mr. Peter Kennedy





Second Challenge Second Challenge Idea Development and Idea Development and




Second Challenge (B)Second Challenge (B)

Which of the following Which of the following movie posters on movie posters on

each page do you like each page do you like more and why?more and why?


Movie postersMovie posters

The Iron LadyThe Iron Lady John CarterJohn Carter HugoHugo Johnny English RebornJohnny English Reborn The Ghost Rider The Ghost Rider The ArtistThe Artist The DescendantsThe Descendants The AvengersThe Avengers Extremely Loud and Incredibly CloseExtremely Loud and Incredibly Close The LadyThe Lady


Third ChallengeThird Challenge Making a TV commercialMaking a TV commercial Group Work and PresentingGroup Work and Presenting


I was loving it !I was loving it !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx0IJnO3o8ghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx0IJnO3o8g


Examples of famous taglinesExamples of famous taglines

Carlsberg: Carlsberg:

Probably the best beer in the world!Probably the best beer in the world!

American Express: American Express:

Don’t leave home without it.Don’t leave home without it.


Turkish Airlines Manchester UnitedTurkish Airlines Manchester United

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p5FrOEaflU


Blackberry vs AppleBlackberry vs Apple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVO8o_PKvVg





Third Challenge Third Challenge Idea Development and Idea Development and




Good Examples of Creative WritingGood Examples of Creative Writing

Pride and Prejudice and ZombiesPride and Prejudice and Zombies Shakespeare UndeadShakespeare Undead Diary of a Wimpy VampireDiary of a Wimpy Vampire Abraham Lincoln: Vampire HunterAbraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Frankenstein: Lost SoulsFrankenstein: Lost Souls


Summing UpSumming Up

We can help our students develop and We can help our students develop and organize their ideas creatively through organize their ideas creatively through listening (e.g. songs), speaking (e.g. rap listening (e.g. songs), speaking (e.g. rap talk), reading, writing (e.g. freewriting), talk), reading, writing (e.g. freewriting), viewing and presenting tasks.viewing and presenting tasks.


Summing UpSumming Up

Be observant, passionate, proactive, and Be observant, passionate, proactive, and reflexive in English language teaching and reflexive in English language teaching and you could help your students develop and you could help your students develop and organize their writing creatively.organize their writing creatively.


BE BE OO

BE BE PP

BE BE RR

BE BE PP

OBSERVANTOBSERVANT PASSIONATEPASSIONATE

REFLEXIVEREFLEXIVE PROACTIVEPROACTIVE

Tips for good writingTips for good writing


Good luck Good luck and God bless!and God bless!

You can also become a magical You can also become a magical writer like J. K. Rowling if you try writer like J. K. Rowling if you try

your utmost every day!your utmost every day!


Question & Answer SessionQuestion & Answer Session


A thundering applause for all of you coming A thundering applause for all of you coming to this workshop!to this workshop!