Writing: Task 2

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Writing Task 2

• English Communications III Engl 214

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Discussion

• What are the drawbacks of having an office or
  desk job?
• What specific physical ailments or diseases can
  result from long periods of inactivity?
• What might office workers do to stay in shape or
  keep fit?

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Essay question

• Present a written argument or case to an educated
  non-specialist audience on the following topic
•  
•  
• Many of the diseases which afflict people who do
  office jobs are the direct result of a sedentary
  lifestyle. Do you agree?
•  
• a sedentary lifestyle is one where people spend
  most of their time seated e.g. at computer
  terminals, and get little exercise as part of
  their daily work.
•  
•  
• You should write at least 250 words.
•  
• You should use your own ideas, knowledge and
  experience and support your arguments with
  examples and relevant evidence.
•  

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Approach

• Analyse the task
• express an opinion?
• give views about 2 different opinions as well as
  your own?
• discuss advantages and disadvantages?
• give a solution to a problem by suggesting
  measures?
• discuss the causes of a problem and suggest
  solutions?
• Analyse the topic
• Underline key words
• Simplify the question
• Brainstorm ideas/vocabulary
• Decide the layout 3 7 7 3
• Write
• Edit

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Applying the approach task/topic

• Analyse the task
• Analyse the topic
• express an opinion
• Many of the diseases which afflict people who do
  office jobs are the direct result of a sedentary
  lifestyle. Do you agree?
• Office workers health problems come from a
  sedentary lifestyle. Yes or No?

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Applying the approach brainstorming

• Brainstorm ideas/vocabulary
• Office workers health problems come from a
  sedentary lifestyle.
• Yes?
• No?

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Applying the approach layout

• Decide the layout
• Intro 3 sentences
• One side of argument 7 sentences
• Other side of argument 7 sentences
• Conclusion 3 sentences

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Layout introductions

• Introduction (3 sentences)
• Example 1 Does aid to poor countries work?
• Many countries in the Third World receive
  donations from rich neighbours to improve
  infrastructure. However, sometimes this aid can
  be abused. This essay discusses arguments for
  and against foreign aid.

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Layout introductions

• Introduction (3 sentences)
• Example 2 Should dangerous sports be banned?
• Extreme sports such as hangliding, parachuting or
  motor racing bring thrills and challenges to our
  everyday lives. However, every year 1000s of
  people are killed or injured in such activities.
  This essay examines the arguments for and against
  banning these sports.

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Layout introductions

• Introduction - 3 sentences
• One side/opinion of the situation
• The other side/opinion of the situation
• Thesis statement (what you are going to write in
  the essay)
• This essay discusses
• examines
• explores
• outlines
• analyses

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Layout Your turn

• Your turn
• Write the introduction for this essay with a
  partner
• Many of the diseases which afflict people who do
  office jobs are the direct result of a sedentary
  lifestyle. Do you agree?

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Layout Main body

• One side of argument 7 sentences
• Other side of argument 7 sentences
• Opinion and support/justification
• Opinion phrases

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Layout opinion phrases

• Opinion phrases

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Layout Conclusion

• Conclusion (3 sentences)
• Example 1 Does aid to poor countries work?
• Altogether, I would argue that foreign aid
  doesnt work. It is better for rich countries to
  send teams of experts to work with locals to
  build up the necessary infrastructure. Sending
  money can result in misuse.

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Layout Conclusion

• Conclusion (3 sentences)
• Example 2 Should dangerous sports be banned?
• All things considered, I feel strongly that doing
  dangerous sports is a personal choice. As long as
  the participants are fully informed about the
  risks involved they should be allowed to follow
  their interests. Dangerous sports should not be
  banned.

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Layout Conclusion

• Conclusion (3 sentences)
• Answer the question
• Give a justification for your opinion.
• Give another justification for your opinion
• Concluding phrases

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Layout Conclusion

• Concluding phrases

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Writing Editing

• Write the essay.
• Edit
• paragraphs?
• development of ideas?
• no of words?
• range of grammar?
• range of vocab?
• spelling?
• punctuation?

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