Writing and Speaking Writing and Speaking EffectivelyEffectively

WRITINGWRITING

Using Freewriting to Discover Using Freewriting to Discover What You Want to SayWhat You Want to Say

• What is freewriting?

• Narrowing your topic

• Helps to find a focus and place to begin writing

• Exploratory writing

• Helps you discover what you want to say

• Important that it is private

• A step toward explanatory writing

Your TurnYour TurnHave you tried freewriting before? To see what freewriting feels like, write, “My writing speaks for me.” Write for at least 10 minutes, nonstop, about that statement. Don’t think about organization, grammar, punctuation, or spelling, and don’t stop writing until the time is up. Discuss with your classmates your reactions to writing this way and what each of you wrote.

The Writing ProcessThe Writing Process• Prewriting: The idea stage

• Helps you prepare to write by filling your mind

with information from other sources

• Writing: Beginning of organization

• Converting exploratory writing to a rough

explanatory draft

• Rewriting: The polishing stage

• Revising your work until it clearly explains what

you want to communicate

• Allocating time

• How much time should you allow for each step?

Your TurnYour Turn

Describe your writing process. What steps do you go through when you write a major paper?

Choosing the Best Way to Choosing the Best Way to Communicate with Your AudienceCommunicate with Your Audience• Electronic writing• E-mails, Facebook, blog comments, text messages,

tweets

• Grammar and structure resemble conversations

instead of formal writing

• Does not convey emotions as well as face-to-face or

phone conversations

• Sarcasm is especially dangerous to use

• Be aware of the differences between formal

and informal writing• Will help build appropriate writing skills for college

Your TurnYour Turn

Have you ever sent or received an e-mail or text message that could be interpreted in more than one way? What did you learn from that experience?

SPEAKINGSPEAKING

Preparing a SpeechPreparing a Speech

• Step 1: Clarify your objective

• Step 2: Analyze your audience

• Step 3: Collect and organize your

information

• Step 4: Choose your visual aids

• Step 5: Prepare your notes

• Step 6: Practice your delivery

Your TurnYour Turn

Think about public speakers you have heard either in person or on TV. Which ones were the most effective? Why? What are some specific ways in which the best public speakers communicate with an audience?

Using Your Voice and Body Using Your Voice and Body LanguageLanguage

• Make eye contact with as many listeners

as you can

• Smile appropriately

• Pay attention to the pitch of your voice,

rate of speaking, and volume

• Pronunciation and word choice are

important

• Consider your appearance

The GUIDE ChecklistThe GUIDE Checklist

Speaking on the SpotSpeaking on the Spot

PREP Formula

• P: Point of view

• Provide an overview

• R: Reasons

• State why you hold this view

• E: Evidence or examples

• Present specific facts or data supporting your

view

• P: Point of view, restated

• End with a restatement of your position

Your TurnYour Turn

Write about your experience of speaking in front of a group. Is public speaking something you enjoy or dread? Are you an anxious or a comfortable speaker? What strategies could you suggest to anyone who wants to become more comfortable when speaking in front of a group?

Tech Tip: Blog For BrillianceTech Tip: Blog For Brilliance

Improving your writing skills by setting

up a blog• Go to blogger.com or wordpress.com and

create a blog

• Choose a display name

• Name your blog

• Follow prompts to select a template

• Get thinking and typing!