Writing Tips

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the last exploratory post, your comments and opinions were very useful.

One function of the blog that I'm going to put into practice now, and which was mentioned in the comments, is that of a class diary where you can check what we've done in class and what the homework is for the week to come.

Today I will combine the class diary with the week's post, but in the future I will post the class diary on the Sunday after class, then post again with something new on Wednesday.

So, last Saturday we...

• Checked the homework from the week before (Vocabulary, p. 31, ex. 1-3)
• Worked on the Formal Writing practice in Unit 5
• Practiced identifying and constructing defining and non-defining relative clauses, also in Unit 5 (p. 36-37), and in the Grammar Folder in your book (p. 165)
• Peer-reviewed one another's formal letters from the week before 

The homework for this Saturday is to re-write your formal letter (from ex. 6, p. 33). Use everything that we've learned about formal writing to help you. Make it as good as you can because I'm going to give it a grade. Also, please type it up and print it out.

We've done a lot of work on formal writing over the past two weeks, so I hope you feel more comfortable with it. If you're still a little unsure, or just interested in other resources, check out this video:

These tips aren't specific to formal writing. They're applicable to any and all writing you might do. I encourage you to try to incorporate them in your English learning, I think they will pay off in the future.

Now, for your comments...

• Which of these tips do you think is the most useful? Why?
• Are there any other strategies for writing, and for improving your writing, that you want to share with the class? What works for you?

That's it for today. I look forward to reading your comments, have a nice week and I'll see you Saturday. 

What would you do?

For our first real post, I'd like you to tell me what you like about blogs, and what you would like to see on this one. We've talked some about this in class, so I know you have interesting opinions to share!

Specifically I want to know:

• How often do you use blogs? Have you ever had your own blog before?
• How can a blog be useful for learning a foreign language?
• What would you like to see on this blog? Keep it reasonable, please!

You don't need to write alot, just give us some of your most fabulous/marvelous ideas. The first person to post a comment gets a gold star. Everyone else, look at your classmates' comments and respond to them where appropriate (and always politely, of course).

Happy blogging!

Welcome to the blog!

Welcome to our class blog! This is a resource that will allow you to expand and personalize the class, and make it more fun in the process.

On the blog you'll find class updates, recommended links, and extra resources to help you. You will also find posts you will be expected to respond to. Check the blog a few times a week, respond when necessary, and feel free to add things that are relevant to the class.

There's only one rule for the blog: be courteous, civil, and polite to everyone.

And with that, let's put out (or on) the welcome mat...