WRITING ASSIGNMENT (PART 1) – 15%

OPINION PARAGRAPH

Task

You are required to create a portfolio of an opinion paragraph on one of the suggested topics given.Your portfolio should contain the following items:

  1. Paragraph outline
  2. First draft
  3. Peer-feedback Form
  4. Second draft
  5. Self-editing Form
  6. Final draft

Marks will be deducted if the portfolio is incomplete.

Instructions

  1. Write your opinion paragraph based on ONE of the suggested titles below.
  2. Use the given TEMPLATE to write your paragraph.
  3. YourOUTLINE should be written in full sentences.
  4. Your assignment should only be HANDWRITTEN.
  5. Your paragraph should be at least 300-350 words.
  6. Your paragraph should have a topic sentence, several supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.
  7. Support your opinion with relevant explanation and appropriate examples.
  8. This assignment is DUE in WEEK 10.

Suggested titles(Choose only ONE)

  1. Social networking sites such as ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’ as well as blogging have destroyed communication between friends and family. Do you agree?
  1. At present, the number of educational institutions both public and private has increased tremendously. However, many students still prefer going abroad for studies. What is your opinion on this issue?
  1. “Holding a part-time job while studying disrupts a student’s studies”. What is your view?

The Writing Process

  1. Brainstorm for ideas/points according to your chosen topic.
  2. Prepare an outlinein complete sentences (using the template given below).
  3. Develop the first draft by connecting your ideas in the outline into coherent sentences and expand the sentences to include specific details. Use appropriate transitional words(e.g.: Therefore, Moreover, In addition, Firstly, In short etc.)
  4. Exchange your first draft with a peer. Your peer will then provide feedback on your draft by filling in the Peer-feedback Form. This completed feedback form is one of the items that needs to be included in your portfolio for submission.
  5. Write the second draft of your paragraph based on the comments that were given in your Peer-feedback Form.
  6. Edit your second draftyourself using the Self-editing Form. This completed Self-editing Form is one of the items that need to be included in your portfolio for submission. Thoroughly revise your paragraph for coherence, relevance, unity and language use.
  7. Based on the revision from the Self-editing Form, write the final draft of your paragraph.
  8. All the required items should be submitted together as the Writing Assignment portfolio.

Template 1

PARAGRAPH OUTLINE

TITLE:

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Topic Sentence:

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Supporting Sentence 1:

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Supporting Details 1:______

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Supporting Details 2:

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Supporting Sentence 2:

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Supporting Details 1:______

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Supporting Details 2:

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Supporting Sentence 3:

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Supporting Details 1:______

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Supporting Details 2:

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Concluding Sentence: ______

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Template 2

PARAGRAPH:DRAFT 1

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PEER-EDITING FORM

Peer-editor: / Date:
Writer’s name: / Number of words:
TOPIC SENTENCE / YES / NO
  1. Is there a topic sentence? Write the sentence number. ______

  1. Is the topic sentence well-focused and makes clear the writer’s stand on the topic?

  1. Make a prediction about what you expect to read in the rest of the paragraph based on the topic sentence.


SUPPORTING SENTENCES / YES / NO
  1. Has the writer provided adequate and specific support throughout the paragraph?

  1. Has the writer related the supporting details to the topic sentence?

  1. Does the information follow a logical order?

  1. Are there any supporting details that require more explanation to relate it to the topic sentence?

CONCLUDING SENTENCE / YES / NO
  1. Is there a concluding sentence?

  1. The concluding sentence summarises/paraphrases the writer’s stand.

COHERENCE AND UNITY / YES / NO
  1. Do all the supporting points discuss the topic?

  1. Is there any irrelevant sentence? Sentence No. ______

  1. Are the ideas ordered in a way that is logical, clear, and easy to follow?

  1. Does the writer use consistent nouns and pronouns throughout the paragraph?

  1. Does the writer use adequate transition signals?

LANGUAGE AND SENTENCE STRUCTURES / YES / NO
  1. Is there a variety of sentence structures?
Identify at least one of the following.
a)Simple b) Compound c) Complex
Sentence No. ____ Sentence No.___ Sentence No. ___
  1. Is there any spelling error?
Circle on the draft if any.
  1. Is there any error in subject-verb-agreement?
On the draft, underline and write SVA above it.
  1. Identify any wrong usage of tenses.
Underline on the draft if any.
  1. Are the sentences punctuated correctly?

  1. Does the writer use correct capitalization?

Template 3

PARAGRAPH:DRAFT 2

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SELF-EDITING FORM

Writer’s name: / Date:
Number of words:
YES / NO
  1. My paragraph has a topic sentence that statesa stand/offers a perspective of importance that I would like to discuss.

  1. My topic sentence contains only one main idea.

  1. I have supported my topic sentence with relevant supporting details.

  1. I have made sure all my supporting sentences relate clearly to my topic sentence.

  1. I have written an appropriate concluding sentence calling for an action or a change.

  1. I have used correct punctuation.

  1. I have checked for correct capitalization.

  1. I have checked my spelling.

  1. I have checked my sentences for subject-verb agreement.

  1. I have checked for unity and coherence.

  1. I have checked for noun pronoun consistency.

Put a tick (√) in the boxes provided.
  1. I have checked my paragraph for

a)fragments
b)run-ons
c)comma splices
d)parallel structures
  1. I have made changes to my paragraph (revised my writing) after receiving feedback from my peer editor.

  1. The 3 most important changes I have made to my paragraph are:
a)
b)
c)

Template 4

PARAGRAPH: FINAL

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