Relier Pairs A route for writing workVersion en ligne A typical route for the development of writing skills. It may involve some or all of the following steps: par María Guadalupe Diez Sánchez 1 Introduce & summarize the main writing task 2 Sort and order ideas 3 Focus on useful models 4 Get feedback 5 Prepare draft 6 Prepare final text 7 Plan de text 8 Edit 9 Introduce the topic 10 Brainstorm ideas 11 Fast-write 12 Select and reject ideas Preparing a draft version before the final one gives them the chance to get the reader reactions. Students carefully go through their own text, checking if it says what they want it to, if it is clear, if its language is correct, etc. What is worth leaving out? Get students interested through an advert, article, picture, or discussing some key issues. Another student can read and make useful comments/suggestions on the content, the message, the organization, or the language. A very good way to overcome 'blank page' terror and get ideas flowing is to 'fast-write'. Help students to study sample(s) of similar written texts, focusing on content, message, organization, grammar, phrases, etc. Start to plan structure of text by arranging ideas. Make sure students know what they are expected to do, the genre (magazine article? letter? formal report? etc.), and the audience (who they are writing to and why). Use notes to start shaping the text. The layout & order of paragraphs. Are there any special rules for the genre? Based on feedback, students write a finished text. Whole class: use the board to collect as many ideas as possible. Small groups: speak and take notes.