1

INDUS UNIVERSITY

2
 CLO & PLO
CLO-1 Identify reading strategies i.e. skimming, scanning, finding main ideas,
PLO-9 (C1 - Memorize)
and drawing conclusions, paraphrasing, summarizing and using
PLO-10 (C1 - Memorize)
context clues

CLO-2 Define lexical items in context and construct sentences and questions PLO-9 (C2 - Understand)
using the vocabulary words in a personal context PLO-10 (C2 - Understand)

CLO-3 Participate in discussions by responding to arguments and anticipate PLO-9 (C3 - Apply)
responses, use effective vocabulary in routine speaking and writing PLO-10 (C3 - Apply)

FCIT, Indus University 3

 Course Contents

Composing strategies
Week # 2 Tips for Realizing Your Creative Potential
Develop effective writing habit

FCIT, Indus University 4

Strategies for Writing Success

1. Use simpler words and phrases

2. Minimize the number of negatives in a sentence
3. Write shorter sentences, but avoid choppiness
4. Use important key terms consistently
5. Balance the use of simple and sophisticated language
Use simpler words and phrases

• Using complicated, formal words and unnecessarily long

sentences will only make your readers get confused and bored
with your writing.
• When editing your work, look out for long sentences and try to
divide them into two separate sentences.

High level word/Phrase Low level word/Phrase

A great number of Many

Not only A but also B A and B

Minimize the number of negatives in a
sentence
• Sometimes, we need to write about what is not possible.
• Like (not, un-, im-) is used.
• Example:
A statistical test A statistical test
did not reject the null did not reject the null
hypothesis, and so the hypothesis, and so it
hypothesis that students is unclear whether student
cannot perform as well performance is improved
when they do not have less by using more expensive
expensive sporting sporting equipment.
equipment
was not supported.
Write shorter sentences, but avoid
choppiness
• Shorter sentences are usually easier to read.
• Ideally, the sentences used should be a mix of long and short.
Use important key terms consistently

• Generally, fluent speakers of a language have more words

available to them.
• They often know many different ways to express the same
idea.
• For example, "Increasing the efficiency of solar cells is an
ongoing challenge. However, photovoltaic cells are a rapidly
growing technology.“
• Increasing the efficiency of solar cells (also known as
photovoltaic cells) is…" will clarify that you will be using
"solar cells" throughout, but also presents the alternative term
clearly to readers
Balance the use of simple and
sophisticated language
• More complex connectors and transition words appropriate to
your field. For example, “Because X occurred…” can become
“Given that X occurred...”
How to improve your writing skills

Writing, like any other skill, is something we can get better at

with time and practice. Here are some strategies for developing
your own written communication:
How to improve your writing skills

1. Review grammar and spelling basics

2. Read what you want to write
3. Proofread
4. Get feedback
5. Think about structure
6. Write
7. Know some common fixes
1. Review grammar and spelling basics

• Grammar and spelling form the foundation of good writing.

• Writing with proper grammar and spelling communicates your
professionality and attention to detail to your reader.
• It also makes your writing easier to understand.
2. Read what you want to write

• Read humorous short stories.

• Pay attention to what makes them good.
• Make reading a part of your everyday life to improve your
writing.
• Reading the news.
• Ask friends and family for recommendations.
3. Proofread

• Revisit what you’ve written to catch errors big and small.

• Here are a few proofreading tips to keep in mind:
1. Set your work aside before you edit
2. Start with easy fixes, then progress to bigger changes
3. If you could say something in fewer words, do so
4. Read out loud
4. Get feedback

• Asking for feedback is a great way to see how somebody

besides yourself will interpret your text.
• Have an idea of what you’d like your proofreader to focus on
 Structure,
 Conclusion,
 The persuasiveness of an argument, or otherwise.
5. Think about structure

• Structure ensures the big ideas get across to the reader.

• Forming an outline will help solidify structure.
• An outline can clarify what you’re hoping to convey in each
section.
• Enable you to visualize the flow of your piece, and surface
parts that require more research or thought.
• Structure might look different depending on what you’re
writing.
6. Write

• One of the best ways to improve your writing is to practice.

• Here are a few ways you can get started:
 Start a journal or a blog.
 Join a class or writing workshop.
 Practice free writing.
 Write letters to friends or family.
 Put together an opinion piece for your local newspaper or
publication you like.
7. Know some common fixes

Here are some common ways you can sharpen your writing:
 Choose strong verbs (for example, “sprinted,” instead of
“ran”).
 Avoid passive voice.
 Vary sentence length.
 Cut unnecessary words.
Effective Writing
Writing is a technical skill that allows you to communicate
effectively through the written word. Though these may vary
depending on what you’re writing. Writing skills can more
specifically include:
 Grammar
 Vocabulary
 Spelling
 Sentence construction
 Structure
 Research and accuracy
 Clarity
 Persuasiveness
Each of these components can influence the quality of writing.
Principles of Effective Writing

• There are several traits that combine together to constitute a

piece of good writing, and these traits may greatly vary
depending on the writer, the reader, and the context.
• So whether you’re writing an essay,
• a short story,
• a blog post, or even
• a letter to a friend or a
• college application;
Here are some qualities that can make your writings really stand
out.
1. Simplicity

• A good composition will always express things in the most

direct and simple way.
• In case of languages like English, the same idea can be
expressed in multiple different ways and as a good writer; you
should always aim for the simplest way to express your ideas.
2. Unity

• The flow of a good piece of writing is a smooth sail, rather than

a road full of bumps.
• For your writing to be considered as good, you are required to
state your ideas in a meaningful and logical manner so that they
seem connected.
3. Focus

• Entirely focused on the central idea/plot of the writing.

• It makes sure that the readers follows along with ease; and does
not have to reread a portion.
4. Authority

• A good piece of writing always incorporates a sense of

authority, ensuring the reader the writer knows exactly what
he’s talking about.
• A composition is good if the writer seems to be well-informed
and credible about the subject that he’s discussing.
5. Grammar

• As a writer, you are supposed to follow the grammatical rules

of Standard English precisely.
• Pay due attention to the grammatical correctness of your text.
6. Word Choice

• A good piece of writing will always incorporate the most

suitable and accurate words.
• Good word choice greatly contributes to the clarity and
readability of your text.
7. Conciseness

• To be concise means to avoid unnecessary words and fillers

because they distract your readers.
• Sometimes people may deliberately use unnecessary words.
8. Style

• Your writing style is what makes your writing unique and sets
it apart from all the other writers out there.
• Your writing style plays a great role in determining whether
your writing is good or bad.
• Writing style basically means the way that you present your
text to the reader; your word choice, voice, and fluency all
contribute to your writing style.
9. Writing Form

• All writing is not the same and there are different forms of
writing to which the writer needs to adapt his style and content.
10. Reader-Oriented

• An important characteristic of good writing is that its reader

oriented.
• It is important to know your audience and their needs and
expectations from your writing.
• Whether your writing is to share an opinion, to educate your
readers, or to provoke a thought; understanding your audience
can greatly aid you in crafting a good composition.
Thank You

159