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Writing - Activities & Links |
Letter-Writing: Procedure
Writing Assignments / Tareas para composiciones, by Michelle 
1. Before Writing: Think!
What do we want to say?
Do an outline with key ideas/words.
Some support at the TP Forums: Outlines
What language do we need to use to say that?
Tenses: past simple, past continuous; present perfect, present perfect continuous; Conditional sentences type 1 or type 2 (e.g. If you come, I'll take you to...) and Conditional sentences combined with modals (e.g. If you come/came, we can/could do this or that); Future Simple (for predictions), "going to" future (for plans and intentions)...
Language Functions and Modals / Useful Expressions: Thanking, Inviting, Making Proposals/Suggestions (e.g. can, could for proposals as in We could visit the Prado), Volunteering/Offering to do something (e.g. I'll fetch you at the airport), Expressing your Ability to do something (e.g. I can pick you up at the airport). What language structures can you use to perform these and other language functions?
Some support at the Talking People website: Language Functions & Modals
2. Write your letter
3. After Writing: Proofread your work!
Check for general coherence (Step 1 or 2): Read your letter aloud (non-stop) checking it makes sense, that people can understand the ideas in it. Repeat the process after introducing your corrections. Be aware of cultural differences, in order to explain what a foreigner might not understand. Check linkers/sequencers make sense (cohesion).
Check your Grammar and Spelling (Step 1 or 2): Read your letter slowly, checking your...
togo to the Prado; unless that modal is "have to"; you cannot use a gerund with no auxiliary, as in I [am] not working); any adjectives in a non-existing plural form?! (e.g. I love travelling to differents places); any misplaced adjectives (e.g. did you put the adjectiveafterits noun?!); what about agreement between subject and verb? (e.g. Youis, Wewas; Iare!!!)...