(SKKN 2022) Solutions help students in grade 7 improve writing skill effectively

Contents Contents Pape OPEN 1.1 The reason for choosing the topic 1.2 The aim for researching 2 CONTENTS OF THE TOPIC 2.1 The basic arguments of the issue 2.2 The reality of the issue 2.3 Solutions to the issue and steps to carry out 2.3.1 Describing festivals/ events/ ceremonies 2.3.2 Narratives 2.3.3 Discursive Essays 2.3.3.1 For and against essays 2.3.3.2 Opinion essays 2.3.3.3 Solutions to problem 2.4 Effect of the experience 3 4 5-7 7-10 10-11 11-14 14 CONCLUSION AND PROPOSALS 3.1 Conclusion 3.2 To learn from experiences 3.3 Proposals REFERENCES 15 15 15 16 INTRODUCTION 1.1 THE REASONS FOR CHOOSING THE TOPIC I can realize from my teaching that Writing skill is one of the most important and difficult skills It requests that students should have a great deal of vocabularies, understand the grammatical structures and the idea on the writing as well when writing essays Students, especially, have to know clearly about each type of essay Writing helps improving students’ ability of creation, it also shows the results of listening, speaking and reaading during their studyings In addition, it helps teachers find out students’ mistakes in writing more easily than these in speaking, reading or listening It seems that students easily get confused when they run into a test with the request of an essay Therefore, I have made decision to choose this topic: “SOLUTIONS HELP STUDENTS IN GRADE IMPROVE WRITING SKILL EFFECTIVELY”, which increases the effect of teaching and learning 1.2 The aim of researching To have the best results and a perfect exam, students need to have a good writing skill and know some kinds of essay From this topic, I want to help students get to know clearly the writing skills, then practice with some special kinds of essay 1.3 Objects of the researching - Skills of writing, some special essay modes 1.4 Researching methods When doing with this topic, I have combined it with some messures below a Argument studying method - Document analysing and assembling method b reality analysing method THE CONTENTS OF THE TOPIC 2.1 The basic arguments of the issue As a developing country, we have been carrying out the open-door economic polisy, exchange our full-traditional culture with other countries in the world And English is considered the connection that helps nations get to know more about each other That English is taught as a compulsory subject in schools is essential Students, at the beginning of English studying, have to learn with four skills such as reading, listening, speaking and writing, thanks to which teachers can give their knowledge to students Of four skills, writing is the most difficult for the learners and demands students as well as teachers to perform the rule: “ no good study is without practice” To meet the more and more increasing needs, Each teacher needs to have the most effective and practical method of his/ her own, which is suitable for students Every year, teachers are encouraged to improve their method and knowledge as well by the government From the mentioned arguments above, I think it is very important to apply the essay writing method in helping students write essays 2.2 The reality of the issue Although English has become as a officially compulsory subject in secondary schools, it hasn’t got much care so far Some are due to the poor facilities and out- of- date teaching aids Some are owing to the fact that students are always trying to avoid doing the writings Apart from this, students only focus on identifying what kind of the essay is, without trying to make the outline of it As the result the effect and quality of teaching and learning go down In this case, teachers should show students how to prepare for the writings In the old curricula, the writing was practiced at the same time of other skills, the themes of essay were usually limited or too familiar to students, this made students fed up with writing Since the renewing of the curricula, the four skills, listening, speaking, reading and writing, have been learnt at defferent time seperatedly There have been more various themes offered to students, which motivates them to write more 2.3 Solutions to the issue and steps to carry out SOME CATEGORIES OF ESSAY AND OUTLINES 2.3.1 Describing festivals/ events/ ceremonies * Making outline: - Introduction: Set the scene (name, time/date, place of event, reason(s) for celebrating) -Main body: Preparation (decorations, rehearse, etc.) Description of actual event (costumes, food, atmosphere, activities, etc.) - Conclusion: feelings, comments, thoughts - Notice: When you describe annual events (a celebration/festival which takes place every year), present tenses are used and the style is formal However, when giving a personal account of an event which you witnessed or took part in, past tense is used and the style may be less formal The passive is frequently used to describe preparations/ activities which take place Eg: Pumpkins are carved and placed in windows and costumes are designed Topic: The Rice-cooking festival * Suggested essay: The Rice- cooking festival takes place annually in Vinh Hung, Nam Dinh It is usually held in the communal house yard about one kilometer away from a river There are three competitions: water- fetching, fire- making and rice- cooking, the main and interesting contest The festival takes one day In the water- fetching contest, one person from each team has to go to the river to get the water which is considered tohelp making the rice good In the fire- making contest two team members have to make a fire in the traditional way They tried to rub pieces of woods together to make the fire Six people from each team take part in the rice- cooking contest They have to separate the rice from the husk and then cook the rice After the three contests, all the points are added and the team with the highest points wins the grand prize The festival ends with the song “unite the people” 2.3.2 Narratives * Making outline: - Introduction: Set the scene (Who/what/when/where) Sets the scene (place, time, character(s), etc.), creates an intersting mood/ atmosphere to make the reader want to continue reading, and/or begins dramatically to capture the reader's attention - Main body: Develope the story (Describe incidents leading up to the main events and the event itself in detail, describe people/ place/ emotions/ actions/etc) - Conclusion: End the story (sumarize the plot; describe feelings/ reactions; explain the conspuences) - Notice: + Before writing, you must first think of a suitable story outline, you should decide on a detail plot, including how the story will begin, who the characters will be, where the story will happen, the events in the order you will present them, and how the story will end + Narratives are normally set in the past, and therefore use a variety of past tenses.For example, Past Continuous is often used to set the scene (eg: The wind was howling ); Past simple is used for the main events (eg: He entered the room, looked around, and ); Past perfect is used to describe an event before the main events (eg: She had set out in the morning, full of hope, but now she felt ) + The sequence of events is important: before, after, then, in the evening, later, in the end, until, while, during, finally, etc * Preparing words/ structures: - Techniques for beginning or ending stories: - You can start your story by: + describing the weather, place, people, etc, using senses + using direct speech + asking a rhetorical question - You can end your story by: + using direct speech + referring to feelings or moods + describing people's reactions to the events developed in the main body - Past tenses and time words: Past habits are not described using Past Continuous In stead, use Past Simple, "used to" or "would", with an appropriate adverb of frequency Eg: When I was child, my father often told me/ sometimes used to tell/ would always tell me stories to get me to fall asleep + Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, frequently/often, sometimes/occasionally, seldom/rarely, never) - Inversion: + Some words, especially adverbs of frequency and time words/phrasals, are followed by inversion when they are used at the beginning of a sentence Eg: Never Tom had imagined that he would find himself in such a situation + The words/ phrasals followed by inversion are negative in meaning: Never (before/again), No sooner, No longer; Nowhere Not often, Not always; Not only ( but also) Seldom/Rarely = "not often" Hardly ever/anywhere =" almost never/nowhere" Not until Not before only when = "not until/before", only if = "not unless" Eg: No sooner had I stepped under the shower than the doorbell rang Not only was I exhausted, but also extremely hungry + "Not until/before" and "Only when/if" are followed by inversion in the second part of the sentence Eg: Not until it grew dark did they stop searching for the missing dog Topic: Tell about the memories of your childhood? * Suggested essay: The memories of childhood, the best period of man’s life, a child has no worries, anxieties and no work He is free from the dirty and filthy noises of the world His motto of life remains: eat, drink and be merry The charm of childhood cannot be forgotten These memories have everlasting impression on one’s life When I recollect the days of my childhood, I feel very delighted over the pleasant period which I spent in my spirits In my childhood I was carefree, having no worries at all I used to wander like a deer in the open field and enjoyed the natural beauty in the gardens along with my other companions Another thing I still remember is my swimming accident It was on a Sunday that I went with my friends for a picnic at Vung Tau beach Some of us were expert swimmers but unfortunately I did not know much about swimming My friends plunged into the sea in order to swim and persuaded me to the same Soon I was caught by the swift current in the water and was carried away My scream of panic was heard by my friends who rescued me from drowning I was really very grateful to them for saving my life It is this period of childhood which has been described by poets and writers To recollect the past is to plunge ourselves in a state of nostalgia Wordsworth, the immortal poet of England, and a great worshipper of nature, describes in his poems his childhood period, which, to him, was full of pleasant memories I too miss those good old days which had flown by so quickly 2.3.3 Discursive Essays There are three main types of discursive essays 2.3.3.1 For and against essays: Present both sides of an issue, discussing points in favour of a particular topic as well as those against or the advantages and disadvantages of a particular question Each point should be supported by justifications, examples, and/or reasons The writer's own opinion should be presented only in the final paragraph * Preparing expressions and linking words/phrases: - To list points: + Firstly, First of all, In the first place, To begin/start with Secondly, Thirdly, , Finally - To list advantages: + One/Another/a further/ an additional (major) advantage of is The main/greatest/first advantage of is - To list disadvantages: + One/Another/ a further/ an additional disadvantage/ drawback of + The main/ greatest/ most serious/ first disadvantage/ drawback of + Another nagative aspect of - To introduce points/arguments for or against: + One (very convincing) point/argument in favour of /against + A further common criticism of /It could be argued that , claim/suggeste/argue/feel that maintain/believe/point/agree/hold that advocate ( +ing/noun)/support the view that oppose the Some/many/ view that one all in favour of/against of the opinion that/convinced that opposed to - To add more points to the same topic: + In addition (to this), furthermore, moreover, besides, apart from/ What’s more, as well as, not to mention (the fact) that, also, not only but also/ as well, both and There i s another side to the issue/question/argument of - To make constrasting points: On the other hand/ it may be said/argued/claimed that, however incorrect/misguided Others / many peole nevertheless,/ even so Still/ yet/but/ nonetheless + Although, though, even though, while, whilst, whereas, despite/in spite of (the fact that), regardless of the fact that + Opponents of argue/believe/claim that +The fact that contradicts the belief/idea that +While it is true to say that , in fact +While/although , it cannot be denied that - To intruduce examples: + For example, for instance, such as, like, in particular, particularly, especially, this is (clearly) illustrated/ shown by the fact that One/A clear/striking/ typical example of (this + The fact that shows/ illustrates that - To emphasis a point: +Clearly, obviously, it is obvious, naturally, of course, needless to say, indeed - To express reality: + In fact, the fact (of the matter) is, actually, in practice, it is a fact that, in effect - To make general statements: +As a (general) rule, generally, in general, on the whole, by and large, in most cases - To make partially correct statements: + To a certain extent/ degree, to some extent/degree, in a way/sense, this is partly true (but), to a limited extent, there is some truth in (ths), in some cases, up to a point - To explain/clarify a point: +In other words, that is to say, this/which means that - Conclusion expressing balanced considerations/opinion indirectly : In conclusion, On it can/must be said/claimed that balance, All things it seems/appears that considered, Taking it would seem that everything into it is likely/unlikely/possible/foreseeable that account/consideration it is clear/obvious that , To conclude, To sum there is no/little doubt that up, All in all, the best course of action would be to Finally/Lastly, achieving a balance between would be it is true to say that although it must be said that it may be concluded/said that + All things considered, the obvious conclusion to be drawn is that / + There is no absolute answer to the question of , + In the light of this evidence, it is clear/obvious/etc that Eg: In conclusion It is Clear/apparen above Evidence plain/obvious from Foregoing All in all, evident Points To sum up, arguments - Conclusion expressing opinion directly: In conclusion, On balance, All things It is my belief/ opinion that I (firmly) considered, Taking everything into believe/feel/think that account/consideration, I am convinced that To conclude, To sum up, I am inclined to believe that All in all, Finally/Lastly, I (do not) agree that/with Ex: For the above - mentioned reasons, therefore, I (firmly) believe that Topic: Should teachers give pupils too much homework? Discuss * Suggested essay: Majority of people now hold the idea that teachers give pupils too much homework They say that it is unnecessary for children to work at home in their free time Moreover, they argue that most teachers not properly plan the homework tasks they give to pupils The result is that pupils have to repeat tasks which they have already done at school Recently many parents complained about the difficult homework which teachers gave to their children The parents said that most of the homework was a waste of time, and they wanted to stop it Spain and Turkey are two countries which stopped homework recently In Denmark, West Germany and several other countries in Europe, teachers cannot set homework at weekends In Holland, teachers allow pupils to stay at school to their homework The children are free to help one another Similar arrangements also exist in some British schools Most people agree that homework is unfair A pupil who can his homework in a quiet and comfortable room is in a much better position than a pupil who does his homework in a small, noisy room with the television on Some parents help their children with their homework Other parents take no interest at all in their children’s homework It is important, however, that teachers talk to parents about homework A teacher suggests suitable tasks for parents to with their children Parents are often better at teaching their own children 2.3.3.2 Opinion essays Present the writer's personal opinion concerning the topic, clearly stated and supported by reasons and/or examples The opposing viewpoint and reason should be included in a separate paragraph before the closing one, together with an argument that shows it is an unconvincing viewpoint The writer's opinion should be included in the introduction, and summarised/ restated in the conclusion * Useful Expressions for giving Opinions: To my mind/To my way of thinking, I am (not) convinced that It is my (firm) I am inclined to believe that belief/opinion/view/conviction (that) I (do not) agree that/with In my opinion/view It seems/appears to me My opinion is that, It strikes me that I (firmly) believe As far as I am concerned, I (definitely) feel/think that Topic: Some students prefer to study alone Others prefer to study with a group of students Which you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer * Suggested essay: Maybe someone will choose to study with a group of students, and they can give you sound reasons for their choice I prefer to study alone because I am sure that studying alone will prefer you with silence, freedom and enough choice, which is indespensible for a student, but regretly, group study cannot offer First, when you study alone, you will not be abstracted by the sound made by other students from your study It is fretful that when you want to study hard but others drone beside your ears like bees And always you will be angry enough to begin to quarrel with them That will certainly lead to an unfruitful study Second, many people have their own study styles Some want to have something to eat when he is studying, some want to lie down with a book in his hand, while still some want to study without anything doing And when you study alone, you can take your favorite way and needn't regard what others feel Third, studying alone profer you with enough choice as you want to You can have your media playing, you can open the window, also can sing your song when you are in a high spirit That is great I always sing a good song when I solve a difficult problem and to think that nobody will criticise you for making noise is a lovely experience So, may there some problems for studying alone, I'll prefer to study alone 2.3.3.3 Solutions to problems In which the problems associated with a particular issue or situation are analysed and possible solutions are put forward, together with any expected results/ consequences The writer's opinion may be mentioned, directly or indirectly, in the introduction and/or conclusion * Prparing languages for Essay suggesting Solution to problems: + To express cause: since/because, in view of/because of/owing to/due to (the fact that) The season that /why /for is that + To express effect: thus/therefore/so/consequetly/ as a result/consequence, the result of would be… , would result in + To express purpose: so that , so as/in order (not) to , with the purpose of/intention of (+ing) + To express possibility/probability: It can/could/may/might , It is possible/probable/ (unlike)ly/ foreseeable/certain that , is (unlikely) to/bound to/certain to/possible/probable The likelihood/possibility/probability of (-ing /noun) is * Useful Expressions: Problems & Solution: Steps Should be taken So as to In Solve/overcome/comba Measures Must/ could order to t Deal with/eradicate Eg: People Governments should focus their/ to solve/overcome the problem of our attention on ways to improve the situation of We to reduce the impact of on society Topic: The difficulties in learning English and how to overcome them * Suggested essay: Beginners of foreign language always meet difficulties from the outset For me, I had to overcome these problems when I started learning English English pronunciation is my first obstacle The pronunciation in English puzzles me a lot because the same letter has different sounds For example the letter “a” in “bath” is not pronounced in the same way of that in “bathe” The “ou” in “South” is also different from “ou” in “Southern” Generally verbs and nouns are pronounced differently although they are written the same Record is a good example to illustrate it In order to solve this puzzling question I carefully study The A.P.A (The International Phonetic Alphabets) which helps me pronounce English words correctly In order to have an accent just like the native speakers, I often listen to tapes and repeat after them, trying to imitate them Moreover, my everyday conversation with the foreigners I meet in the street will enable me to acquire a proper accent Compared with French, English grammar is much easier However, this does not mean that learners meet no difficulties in learning it It took me a long time to learn how to master the tenses in English grammar, to endeavor to as many grammar exercises as possible and read various grammar books In writing English, English language has its own style In order to drill writing skills, I have tried to read famous novels of distinguished America and English writers I enjoy the humorous style of writing in Mark Twain’s masterpieces, the elaborate and polished style of George Eliot and the sentimental and lyrical style of John Keats After long and hard years of English study, how pleased I feel when I am able to read English and American authors without any obstacles and difficulties at all * The essay plans for the three types of discursive essays: For and against Opinion Solutions to Problems Introduction State topic(without stating your opinion) Introduction State topic(without stating your opinion) Introduction State the problem and its causes/ effects Main Body Arguments for & justifications, examples or reasons Main Body Viewpoints & reasons/ examples Main Body Suggestions & results 10 Conclusion Balanced consideration or opinion Conclusion Summarise/ restate your opinion Conclusion Summarise/ restate your opinion * Formal style: - Dicursive essay are written in formal style This means you should use: + Passive voice, impersonal constructions Eg: It is argued that ; It is a common belief that + Formal linking words/ phrases: furthermore, however, nonetheless + Complex sentences with a variety of links, dependent clauses, etc - You should not use: + short forms (eg: I'm, it's) except when these are part of a quotation + colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, idioms: ,lots of, put up with,etc + a series of short sentences Eg: Many people think so They are wrong) + simple linking words (eg: and, but, so) except for variety - Useful tips for discursive essays: - When writing a discursive essay, you should: + use topic sentences to introduce the subject of each paragraph + use sequencing (eg: Firstly, Secondly, etc) and linking words/phrases + make references to other source (eg: Experts have proved that ) - You should not: + use very emotional language (eg: I absolutely detest people who ) + express personal opinions too strongly (eg: I know ) + use personal examples (eg: In my school ) 2.4 Effects of the experience After a long time in two minds to my chosen menthod, did I make decision to put my experiences into teaching students at class 7A1 and 7A in Trieu Thi Trinh Secondary School By testing and appriciating the students’ results, I have got some achievements much higher than these before I applied the new method - The results before applying the method class amount excellent good medium weak poor 7A1 34 SL % SL 5.8% % SL 20.6% 25 % Sl 73.6% - The results of the new method after applied class amoun excellent good midium t SL % SL % SL % 7A 34 20.6% 20 58.8 20.6 % % % 0% SL weak poor Sl SL % % % 0% % 0% In addition to the above results, I can see from my observation during my teaching that 11 + Students no longer mistake kinds of essay + They feel more self-confident when meeting an essay + This new menthod was also applied during the time I taught the English talented team of my school as well as of the distric The results I got from the examinations are: The District Examination- one first and one third prize; The Province Examination- two third and five prizes of encouragement For the mentioned achievements above, I claim that it is very necessary and important to teach students writing skill However, learners, themselves, have to make attemp to study and practice the other skills such as listening, reading and speaking at the same time CONCLUSION AND PROPOSALS 3.1 Conclusion That they are mentioned above is some of my limited experiences of how to write well some kinds of English essay in grade 7, that I have managed to work out and applied into the teaching process To my way of thinking, it is much easier for students to understand and write an essay when they are taught with my new menthod However, they are only some simple experiences that need improving and suporting by my colleagues 3.2 To leran from experiences - Teachers should collect and creat new mentods as well as themes of essay Each lesson needs preparing carefully before class by both teachers and students - Students’ mistakes should be corrected immediately And it is also necessary for teachers to encourage the ones with good writings - Teachers had better help students distinguish what kind the essay is, which makes them know more clearly about the aim of the writing 3.3 Proposals: - To students: + Prepare new lessons carefully, focus on teachers’ explanantions attentively + Read a lot of different references - To teachers: + Make plans of the lessons carefully Start the classes with clear and warm introduction that will easily get students’ attention - To Department of education: + Oragnise frequent conferences to enrich teachers’ skills of writing + It would be better if there were a request of an essay in exams + Supply teachers and learners with reference books, equip schools with good teaching aids SCHOOL HEADMASTER’S Thanh hoa, 15th of April, 2022 CONFIRMATION ANSWER FOR: NOT COPIED Writer Lê Ngọc Thắng 12 REFERENCS 220 English Essays - Renee Gehman, Almos Masksay Successful Writing (Proficiency) - Virginia Evans Writing Academic English - Alice Oshima and Ann Hogue Real Writing - Roger Gower Answer to All TOEFL Essay Questions Some websites http://portfolio.educ.kent.edu// http://dethi.violet.vn// http://infocus.edu.vn// http://goseasia.about.com// http://protas.pypt.lt// 13 ... of listening, speaking and reaading during their studyings In addition, it helps teachers find out students? ?? mistakes in writing more easily than these in speaking, reading or listening It seems... that students easily get confused when they run into a test with the request of an essay Therefore, I have made decision to choose this topic: ? ?SOLUTIONS HELP STUDENTS IN GRADE IMPROVE WRITING SKILL. .. kinds of essay From this topic, I want to help students get to know clearly the writing skills, then practice with some special kinds of essay 1.3 Objects of the researching - Skills of writing,