Title: Unit 10: Helping a Tutee Write a Paragraph
Course: STEP DEV > Section: Tutoring Writing

OBJECTIVE

·       Apply strategies to help the tutee generate ideas for an opinion paragraph.

Introduction

Writing is a highly personal skill, but as a tutor, you can always help your tutees generate and organize their ideas using certain strategies. Keep in mind that writing a text along with your tutee is considered plagiarism.

Pre-Activity

How can you help a tutee generate and organize ideas to write an opinion paragraph?

Activity

STEP 1: Assessment

·       Find out what help the tutee needs with the writing.

o   What do you need to write about?

STEP 2: Theory

·       Instruct the tutee to explain what they have to do.

o   What are the instructions for the assignment?

·       Ask the tutee to see the instructions yourself.

o   Can I see the instructions?

·       Explain the brainstorming technique Word Map.

·       Ask the tutee to complete the Word Map.

STEP 3: Controlled and Communicative Exercises

·       Ask questions to help the tutee generate ideas

o   What topic do you want to write about?

o   What is your opinion about that topic?

o   What is the main point that you want to make? (topic sentence= topic + opinion)

o   What are your arguments?

o   What are your supporting points?

·       Ask the tutee to complete the outline

 STEP 4: Production Task

·       Read the topic sentence and the outline and ask your tutee questions about anything you can’t understand.

·       Go sentence by sentence using correction techniques to deal with major grammar errors.

o   Inform your tutee that there is an error.

o   Point out the error if necessary.

o   Instruct your tutee to find the answer in their grammar book or with resources you provide.

STEP 5:  Final Review

·       Instruct the tutee to write a draft at home.

·       Ask the tutee what they have learned.

Brainstorming: Word Map

One of the most effective brainstorming techniques is Word Mapping. In a word map, as illustrated below, the main concept is in the middle, and you create associations with that word.

Organizing Ideas: Topic sentence and Outline

Topic Sentence

A topic sentence includes a topic and your opinion about it. An appropriate topic sentence does not simply announce the topic; for example, “I am going to write about vegetarianism,” is not a solid topic sentences because it does not specify your position regarding vegetarianism. Are you in favour or against? It is not clear.

In addition, a topic sentence does not state a fact; rather, it explains your position about that topic. To illustrate, “Many people are becoming vegetarians nowadays” is not an adequate topic sentence because it merely states a fact (something that is true or not and can be verified). When you write a topic sentence, your audience should be able to say if they agree or not with your position. Thus, a topic sentence such as “There are many advantages to being vegetarian” or “Being vegetarian is a difficult commitment” are strong topic sentences.

Outline

An outline is a plan to write a text. Once you have completed the outline, it is easier to add support for your arguments (examples, reasons, facts, expert opinion, etc.). Look at the sample outline below.

Topic: We Need Green

Topic sentence: (topic + opinion) Parks are essential in big cities like Montreal.

·       Argument 1 First, people of all ages need a green space in their neighbourhood.

o   Support for argument 1 For example, pet owners who live in an apartment can walk their animal outside.

·       Argument 2 Second, parks provide a safe space.

o   Support for argument 2 Children need to run and play around safely. Teenagers can get together outdoors and socialize. Moreover, older couples can sit on a bench and enjoy the scene.

·       Argument 3 Third, a park is a good place to get to know your neighbours and do social activities.

o   Support for argument 3 Without parks, many neighbours would not have a common space to share.

Conclusion: In conclusion, green spaces like parks are necessary for people to enjoy their community.

Note: Notice that the transitions (in red), help the reader follow the arguments and establish connections between the ideas.