For

Secondary Level

Eka Dev AdhikariNELTA Chitwan Secretary

Marigold English Boarding SchoolJanajagriti Higher Secondary School

TWO Days ELT Training ProgrammeEkata Shisu Niketan

Ratnanagar, Chitwan

Writing section of Grade 9 and Grade 10 curriculum

List of writing types to be used in the secondary level

Types of essay writing Practical example of an essay [five paragraph

essay] Correction techniques / Rubrics for assessing

writing Short Story: Elements and Classroom Strategy Evaluation Rationale for Story Writing News Story: Format and Structure References

Mother: My dear Prince, what did you learn in your school today?

Prince: I learnt to write, Mom.Mother: Oh, that’s nice. What did you write

then?Prince: I don’t know Mom. I haven’t learnt

to read it yet.

Mother and son talking after son’s first day in a school

What are the different types of Writing Exercises to be

included in Secondary Level Classroom?

Paragraphs (Both Grades) Describe an Object or Event (Grade 9) Narrating a Sequence of Events (Grade

10) Transfer information from table to prose

or vice versa. (Grade 9) Transfer information from tables, charts

and diagrams to prose or vice versa. (Grade 10)

Making notes on Variety of Texts. (Both Grades)

Write about personal experiences creatively (Both Grades)

Compose Simple Dialogues (Both Grades)

Authentic Texts Grade 9): (Postcards, Questionnaires, Phone Message,

Personal and Official Letters, News Stories, Advertisement, Notice such as Condolence and Congratulation)

Authentic Texts (Grade 10): (Personal Official and Business letters, Job

Application, CVs / Bio Data, News Stories and articles, Rules and Regulations, Advertisements, Notices such as Condolence Congratulation, Invitation, Greeting )

What are the different types of Essays to be taught in

Secondary Level Classroom?

Expository Essay Expository essay is a type of writing where the

purpose is to inform, explain, describe, or define the author's subject to the reader. Expository text is meant to deposit information and is the most frequently used type of writing by students in colleges and universities. Write several paragraphs on Rivers in Nepal Write several paragraphs on Farmers in Nepal Write an essay on Patriotism Write an essay on a pet dog you have.

Cause and Effect Essay A cause and effect essay is a paragraph or

essay form which investigates and analyzes into the causes (rationale, reasoning and background reasons) along with the effects (consequences, effects and outcome) for a particular event, happening, condition or behavior” Write an essay on the link of overpopulation

and deforestation. Write about the changes taking place in your

locality because of urbanization. What is global warming? What things are

responsible for global warming and what are its consequences?

Write the causes and effects of cigarette smoking.

Comparison / Contrast Essay Compare and contrast essay is one of the

numerous essay subtypes. In this case, as we can easily deduce, the main objective of this kind of essay is compare any two items, finding similarities between them, and/or contrast them, i.e. analyze them critically finding and pointing out dissimilarities. Write an essay on City life and Village life Write an essay comparing the hilly regions of

the country with the terai region. Your parents are going to move to the village.

You strongly object to it. For this purpose you make the comparative and contrast analysis of living in the city with living in the country.

Argumentative (Pro / con) Essay Pros and cons are arguments for or against a

particular issue. Pros are arguments which aim to promote the issue, while cons suggest points against it. Why do you think it is good for the students to

go to school. Dowry system is an evil of the society. It must

be abolished. Give your opinion about it. Others (Literary Analysis, Character Analysis)

1. The Essay in the Examination is the part of Writing Skill. The question carries 12 marks and a maximum of 25 minutes can be allotted to it during the examination (more precisely 22 minutes)

2. If the pupils saved some more time from other reading section, they can give a bit more time for it.

3. The essay is about an issue or a subject of general interest and more possibly contemporary issues (like Tourism year 2011). The essay topic will require you to present your opinion or explain your views about the assigned topic.

4. You have a maximum of 25 minutes to plan, and write, your essay. You can use rough paper for the outline or mind map the outline yourself by brainstorming it. You are required to write the essay neatly in the paper provided.

1. Your Writing will be evaluated on the basis of Range of vocabulary, Sentence building, Completion of content, Cohesion and Coherence, Errors in Spelling Grammar and Punctuation. So, you must be careful in these fields.

1. Though the full marks of your essay is 12 marks, the marks are divided under different sub headings and so if you are able to make sure what the division will be then you can plan and design your essay as per the need.

1. Read the question carefully until you are sure that you know what the question asks.

2. Decide what your answer will be.

3. Brainstorm your ideas and the outline of the essay. Use rough paper to jot down notes, ideas, a basic outline, or any other interesting things that you wish to include in your essay.

4. Check your notes / ideas for the content and the organization of the essay. Scratch out anything that is off topic. To be on topic, everything must answer, explain, or support your answer to the essay

5. Now organize your notes and ideas. Organize your essay in at least in a 4 – 5 paragraph plan.

Eka Dev Adhikari

1. Once you like the look of your plan, write it neatly into an actual essay. Expand your notes and outline by using complete sentences and by adding complete explanations that include specific details and examples. Be sure that all the details and examples you provide in your essay are directly relevant to your response to the essay topic. In other words, stay on topic!

2. Once you have finished your essay, check for errors and make corrections by crossing out with a single line (and write the correction above the line if necessary).

Is the entire essay on topic? Did you write in complete sentences?

Every sentence should have a subject and verb.

Make sure your essay is about a page to two pages in length. Your essay should not be shorter than 200 words, or way too long essay is also not desirable.

Check for errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and everything else you have that might make the writing less specific.

1. First paragraph (Introduction): This introductory paragraph must include your ANSWER to the question. It’s a great idea to include the essay topic/question in your answer. For example, if the essay question asks you if you prefer to live in the city or the country, you could start your essay by writing the following: If I had to choose between living in the city or the country, I would choose the country………..Now add three supporting ideas. Again, just list them briefly. This paragraph does not have to be too lengthy. four to five sentences would be fine.

2. Second paragraph (body): This paragraph is all about the first supporting detail that you mentioned in paragraph one. It should be, at least 5-6 sentences in length.

3. Third paragraph (body): This paragraph is all about the second supporting detail that you mentioned in paragraph one. Again, it should be, at least, 4-6 sentences in length.

4. Fourth paragraph (body): This paragraph is all about the third supporting detail that you mentioned in paragraph one. Try to write 4-6 sentences.

5. Fifth paragraph (conclusion): Your concluding paragraph will be very similar to your introductory paragraph. Include your answer to the question and your 3 supporting ideas. This paragraph can be very short.

Essay Topic: Tell about a hobby that you have and why it is important to you. Use your personal observations, experience, and knowledge to support your essay.

Blue = topic sentence Pink = 1st subtopic

Green = 2nd subtopic Purple = 3rd subtopic

Orange = conclusion

I started collecting teddy bears when I was a little girl. My grandfather bought my first bear for me. Each one reminds me of a different part of my life. I have passed my collection on to my daughter. Collecting teddy bears has really brought out a lot of joy to my life.

Pink = 1st subtopic

Black = supporting details

My grandfather started my teddy bear collection. He had just returned from Italy with a big red box for me. Inside was a beautiful Mohair bear with a pink bow around its neck. Since that day, I've added many bears to my collection.

Green = 2nd subtopicBlack = supporting details

Each time I look at one, it reminds me of different times in my life. I remember a time that my dad spent forty dollars at the fair trying to win me a bear worth about two dollars. Every Christmas there was always a teddy bear sitting under the tree. Collecting bears has also helped to collect memories.

Purple = 3rd subtopicBlack = supporting details

I have passed my teddy bear collection on to my daughter. I've also added a few since she was born. I hope they bring her the same happiness they've brought me. When she gets older, collecting could be something we can share.

Orange = Conclusion

Black = supporting details

MMy grandfather had no idea what he started when he brought that first bear home. Anytime I'm feeling down, I can just pick up a bear and I can be reminded of a happier time. I hope that someday my daughter will pass them on to her own daughter as I have passed them to her.

I started collecting teddy bears when I was a little girl. My grandfather bought my first bear for me. Each one reminds me of a different part of my life. I have passed my collection on to my daughter. Collecting teddy bears has really brought out a lot of joy to my life.

My grandfather started my teddy bear collection. He had just returned from Italy with a big red box for me. Inside was a beautiful Mohair bear with a pink bow around its neck. Since that day, I've added many bears to my collection.

Each time I look at one, it reminds me of different times in my life. I remember a time that my dad spent forty dollars at the fair trying to win me a bear worth about two dollars. Every Christmas there was always a teddy bear sitting under the tree. Collecting bears has also helped to collect memories.

I have passed my teddy bear collection on to my daughter. I've also added a few since she was born. I hope they bring her the same happiness they've brought me. When she gets older, collecting could be something we can share.

My grandfather had no idea what he started when he brought that first bear home. Anytime I'm feeling down, I can just pick up a bear and I can be reminded of a happier time. I hope that someday my daughter will pass them on to her own daughter as I have passed them to her. [252 words]

Patriotism means love of mother country. People do have patriotic feelings to the nation for a long time in history. A patriot loves his mother-land and these patriots are loved by the whole country. Extreme patriotism sometimes might bring a nation into trouble. There were great patriots in our country who sacrificed their lives for the sake of country. Patriotism is considered as a commendable quality that everyone should have within him.

Since the French Revolution the idea of nation and nationalism has occupied the mind of people. Since, the beginning of nation and nationalism patriotism, is hailed as a lofty quality with a person. The patriots sometimes sacrifice their lives for the good  of their respective countries. This spirit of sacrifice has made patriotism a highly noble quality. Since there is the spirit of sacrifice in patriotism, patriotism is certainly justified. We have some duty towards the country in which we are born and live. So, the poet. S.W. Scott has said –      "Breathes there the man with soul so dead      Who never to himself hath said.      This is my own, my native land".

Patriotism

Patriotism is no doubt useful in the interest of the country and the nation. The nation is strongly built upon the sacrifice of the patriots. The patriots give their money, time, energy and life for the good of the country. A patriot think of his country. He wants that his country should be great and prosperous. He wants that his country should be ideal in every field. So, patriotism is highly useful. Because it makes the people to think of their own country.

The extreme form of patriotism is not desirable. Because the blind patriots do not care for the humanitarianism. They forget that they are the members of a greater society which is called the human society. They forget the interest of the human beings as a whole. They forgets justice when they think of their country's interest. They believe in the principle 'My country, right or wrong'. He might commit many wrong things in the interest of his country. It is really not good. We should think in the term of one world and one human society. We should contemplate a world-Government.

We had great patriots in our country like Dasharath Chand, Dharmabhakta, Sukraraj Sastri and Gangalal Shrestha. Their sacrifice is now proverbial. But they were also thinking of the world as a whole. They have sacrificed their entire life for the benefit of the country for the freedom of people and for the good of the nation rather than their personal benefit.

Patriotism is no doubt a good quality. But we should always avoid the dark side of patriotism. We should not forget justice and fair play when we think the interest of our own country. A patriot should be a humanitarian first and foremost, then only he can be a true patriot.

Outline of the Essay Patriotism

 First Paragraph: Introduction Second Paragraph: Justification Third Paragraph: Usefulness Fourth Paragraph: Dark side of

patriotism Fifth Paragraph: Great patriots Sixth Paragraph: Conclusion:

1. WHY Essay: explain with 3 reasons

2. HOW Essay: explain 3 ways how something can be done

3. WHY and HOW Essay: Make sure you include both reasons why and ways it can be done. You may want to just include 2 longer paragraphs in the body of this essay. That would make this one a 4 paragraph essay (introduction, why paragraph, how paragraph, conclusion).

1. COMPARE AND CONTRAST: You are comparing and contrasting two things. Again, this is better to answer in 4 paragraphs (introduction, paragraph explaining the similarities, paragraph explaining the differences, conclusion).

2. CAUSES: Explain three things that might cause something to happen.

3. EFFECT: Explain three results of something that has happened.

4. LIST AND GIVE EXAMPLES: Provide three items in your explanation. Then in the body of the essay list again the three items, and give several examples of each of these items.

Transitions are signals that help readers follow the direction of the writer’s thoughts. They are like signposts on the road that guide travelers. Here are examples of some common transitional words or phrases, grouped according to the kid of signal they give to the readers.

ADDITION SIGNALS: first of all, for one thing, second, the third reason, also, next, another, and, in addition, moreover, furthermore, finally, last of all

TIME SIGNALS: first, then, next, after, as before, while, meanwhile, now, during, finally

SPACE SIGNALS: next to, across, on the opposite side, to the left, to the right, in front, in back, above, below, behind, nearbyEka Dev Adhikari

CHANGE OF DIRECTION SIGNALS: but, however, yet, in contrast, otherwise, still, on the contrary, on the other hand

ILLUSTRATION SIGNALS: for example, for instance, specifically, as an illustration, once, such as

CONCLUSION SIGNALS: therefore, consequently, thus, then, as a result, in summary, to conclude, last of all, finally

Eka Dev Adhikari

Scores 0 1 2 3 4

Areas Useless Inadequate Marginal Adequate Effective

Content(Range of Words and Completion of Task)

In case the writer hasn’t attempted or written something

irrelevant to the topic

The Writer has started with the topic but has

strayed from the mainstream of the

topic

The Writer has made a good start with the topic but is not

able to guide the thought towards the mainstream.

The writer has made a good start and led ahead with the

supporting details but somewhere lacks the

communication and is a bit incomplete.

The writer has made a good start and led ahead

with the supporting details and concludes in a

suitable way

LanguageSentence Structures,

Grammar and Punctuation

The writer hasn’t attempted to write or the

writing is completely irrelevant to the topic of

the question.

has connected with the topic but the language

structure and grammatical inaccuracies are abundant

has made a use of minimum grammatical and syntactic structure of the language with still a considerable amount of inaccuracies

The writer has made a good use of language

with very few grammatical and

syntactical inaccuracies.

The writer has made an excellent use of

language with almost no inaccuracies.

OrganizationThe Writer hasn’t

attempted the to write or the writing is completely

irrelevant to the topic

The writer has made an outline with the necessary supporting details but fails

to arrange them into logical order

The writer has made an outline and has moderately

arranged them in a somewhat plausible order

The writer has organized his points well with very less

miscommunication with the topic

The writer has organized the writing perfectly and the organization meets

the requirement

Short StoryA short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. The concern of our short story in the classroom are fables and parables rather than those literary short stories, however, the need to understand the elements of writing short story can never be undermined. The elements of short stories can be seen as below

Elements of Short Story• Setting

Time, Place, Weather Condition, Social Condition, Mood or Atmosphere

Character Protagonist, Antagonist

Plot Introduction, Rising Action, Climax / Turning Point,

Falling Action, Resolution / Denouement Point of View

First Person, Second Person, Third Person Theme Moral

Classroom Strategy in Writing Short Story

Write a good title In the first paragraph introduce the character or the

characters into the setting In the second paragraph describe the plot in detail In the third or final paragraph write the moral. (Rather than writing a single line moral, explain the

meaning of it with the reference to the story that is written.)

Rationale of Evaluation in Story

A good and appropriate title: 1 mark The flow of language and expression of the

clued message: 1mark Content of the story and its appropriateness:

2 marks Appropriate moral 1 mark Grammatical correctness: 1 mark

Example

•Title!•A wolf – hungry due to lack of game – a flock of sheep – couldn't get near – the dogs and shepherd guarded the flock – found a skin of a dead ship – gets mixed up with the flock – a lamb follows thinking it its mother – leads it to a cave – feasts on it – Moral.

Appearance can be deceptive•Once in a forest there was a wolf. It was growing old and so couldn't cover much distance for a game. It made him hungry. It had really been long since it had hunted so it was dearly in need of a game to carry on with his daily activities.•A flock of sheep used to come to graze near the forest. Once or twice the fox tried to snatch at a few of those animals to make them food, but the shepherd and the dogs guarded the flock with such alert that none of the attempts could really yield him anything. One day he found the skin of a dead ship. The wolf put on the skin and got mixed up with the flock. A lamb started following the wolf thinking it was its mother because the wolf was covering its body with the skin of the lamb's mother that had died. The wolf led the lamb to a cave and satisfied its hunger by feasting on the lamb. The poor lamb never had thought that the wolf could be inside the skin of its mother as a result it was waylayed and devoured by the cunning wolf.•From this story we get a moral lesson that appearance can be deceptive. We shouldn't believe everything we see without questioning it. If the poor lamb had realized that inside the skin there lived the cruel wolf he would never have lost his life.

News StoryNews style (also journalistic style or news writing style) is the prose style used for news reporting in media such as newspapers, radio and television. News style encompasses not only vocabulary and sentence structure, but also the way in which stories present the information in terms of relative importance, tone, and intended audience.News writing attempts to answer all the basic questions about any particular event - who, what, when, where and why (the Five Ws) and also often how - at the opening of the article. This form of structure is sometimes called the "inverted pyramid", to refer to the decreasing importance of information in subsequent paragraphs.

Elements of News Story Heading

Mini Sentence: so that the readers can grasp the meaning of the whole text

Byline Place of News, Date of News, Reporting Agency

Body Information Detailed news Reports of people and any consequences of the

event

Classroom Strategy in Writing News Story

Write a good Headline Write a byline eg. Kathmandu, July 23 (RSS) In the first paragraph introduce the news. Write

who, what, when, where, why In the second paragraph write the news in detail.

Write every detail of the news In the third paragraph write the reports of people or

the consequences of the incident and similar things like compensation, report of authorities and so on.

Rationale of Evaluation in News Story

A Headline and Byline: 1 mark Link of the paragraphs and their

appropriateness: 1mark Body of the news story and the content: 2

marks Grammatical correctness: 2 marks

Example

•Write a news story with the help of the following outline.•Flying to Kathmandu from Pokhara – thick clouds – hit the TV tower – caught fire – all passengers die – Rs. 500,000 as compensation.

15 Die at a Plane CrashKathmandu, August 8 (RSS)A plane flying to Kathmandu crashed here at Thankot killing all 15 crew on board.The plane, that belonged to Nepal Airlines, had taken off from Pokhara for Kathmandu with its 11 passengers and 4 crew members. According to the local people the plane had lost its way due to thick fog as a result it hit the TV tower, caught fire and crashed to the ground. All the passengers and the crew members died on the spot.The NA authorities say that the news of the accident has really made them grief-stricken. The government has announced to give Rs. 500,000 to the family members of the victim as a compensation.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_story http://www.123helpme.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_style http://www.writeawriting.com/

What did you learn from the session today? What did you like the best in the session

today? What did you feel lacked in the session

today? Any feedback and suggestion you want to

give to the presenter. What do you expect to get in future sessions?

Any comment and suggestions are welcome atekadev@ntc.net.np