Developing Writing Skills

Writing is an useful skill. We can learn to write in a number of stages.

1. Copying 2. Imitation 3. Guided writing 4. Semi-guided writing 5. Free writing

Again writing is absolutely difficult specially, for the beginners. But, if we follow some mechanics, writing can be easier. The techniques are as follows:

1. Selecting the Topic

2.Scheduling time

3. Jotting down ideas

4. Starting with a strong introductory sentence

5. Staying on track

6. Writing to inform not to impress

7. Not to panic

8. Edit and proof-read

9. Generating ideas i. Brainstorming ii. Reading iii. Field work iv. Cluster maping

Levels of writing

1. Sentence

2. Paragraph  

3.Composition

However, to write any type of writing, you must learn sentence writing because sentence is the basic element of all writings. The following pattern can help you a lot.

Single Pattern for writing  English sentences                                      Subject + Verb + (VR) + (extension)

Example: (1) Nazmul haque  is   a banker.        S           LV     VR

(2) We  live in Bangladesh.        S    Vi          VR

(3) Imran  plays  cricket  well.                  S Vt        VR     Ext

You can create many more patterns using this one:

Patterns of linking verbs:                be, remain, become, look, seem, turn, get, feel, keep, prove, go, fall etc.

1. Subject + Linking verb + (adjective) Noun Complement + (extension).         [Identity of the subject]

Examples: (a) Mr Alim is a famous doctor now.    (b) Bangladesh is our homeland.        (c) Arsenic is a poison.

Use these adjectives as the attributive modifier of noun complements in your own sentences: good, fine, dangerous, lucky, happy, useful, important, significant, ill, easy, difficult, harmful, poor, rich, intelligent, excellent, wonderful, large, ugly, kind, cruel, beautiful, well known, nice.

2. Subject + Linking verb + Adjective Complement + (extension). [Characteristic of the subject]

Examples: (a) He was famous as a singer.              (b) Bangladesh is small. (c) Smoking is injurious to health.

Use these adjectives as complements of LV in your own sentences: good, fine, dangerous, lucky, happy, useful, important, significant, ill, easy, difficult, harmful, poor, rich, intelligent, excellent, wonderful, large,  ugly, kind, cruel, beautiful, well known, nice

3. Subject + Linking verb + Adverb Complement(preposition + place noun) + (extension).[Position/situation of the subject]

Examples: (a) He was in Dhaka yesterday.             (b) Bangladesh is in the south Asia.    (c) I will remain at home in the evening.

Use these adverbs as complements of LV in your own sentences: in our village, in the field, on the tree, at home, in red shirt, over head, under the table, on the roof in front of the park, behind the curtain, beside the post office, next to our house, inside the garden

Patterns of intransitive verbs: Go, depend, walk, come, fly, work, rely, happen, run, swim, sit, sleep, shout, laugh, stand, lie, live, pray, get up, die etc.

4. Subject + intransitive verb + Adverb + (extension).

Examples: (a) They went there last Sunday.          (b) We walk in the morning regularly.    (c) Adeeb laughed at Raghib.Use these adverbs as VR of Vi in your own sentences: Preposition + time/ place noun, adjective + ly, root adverbs

Patterns of  transitive verbs: Do, have, see, make, help, cause, know, pollute, get, take, receive, cultivate, remove, dig, expand, publish, give, render, want, pay, divide, exploit, maintain, and change etc.

5. Subject + transitive verb + Object + (extension).

Examples: (a) Zarin helps her mother.                      (b) Hafiz plays cricket with his friends.   (c) Shefa likes to read in the morning.

6. Subject + transitive verb + object + complement + (extension).

Examples: (a) I found the place beautiful.       (b) She got her rice cooked by her mother.                              (c) You will find the Tajmohal wonderful  in a moonlit night.

Use these objects as VR of Vt in your own sentences:                                                         i. nouns: Mina, Mitul, flower, tree, village, a boy of our class etc. ii. pronouns: me, us, you, him, her etc.  iii. gerunds: walking, swimming, reading, watching TV etc. iv.                                           iv. infinitives: to learn English, to see a bird, to go now etc.                 v. nominal adjectives: the poor, the rich, the educated etc.

Types of writing:

Academic writing

Creative writing