Stage 3 guidelines for writing: Appropriate varieties

Here are some objectives for learning appropriate varieties for writing in Stage 3:

To use formal or informal style appropriately

• To use stylistic devices appropriate to the genre

Here are some strategies for learning appropriate varieties for writing in Stage 3:

• Analysis

  Analyze the style of different genres of writing and discuss with good writers of the target language. In a society where a tradition of writing is just beginning, you can still find out what is considered to be good quality. You will not have a past accumulation of literature as a resource.

• Ask for correction

  Practice writing in a particular style and get friends from the language to critique your writing.

• Selective attention

  Focus on a specific speech variety or register, and practice writing within that one variety. Then ask a language associate (LA) or some other friend critique your work.

  Note:

  You may discover that certain registers or varieties are considered unsuitable for writing, especially by a foreigner like you.

Here is a technique for learning appropriate varieties for writing in Stage 3:

The Write and Rewrite technique

Here is an activity for learning appropriate varieties for writing in Stage 3:

Use writing at work, for education, and in everyday life. Make a conscious effort to use the register or variety appropriate to each task.

• Generic module: Stage 3 guidelines for writing: Appropriate variet...
• In overview module: Stage 3: Writing modules
• In modular book: Guidelines for a Language and Culture Learning Program, by Carol J. Orwig
• In document collection: Other Resources
• In bookshelf: Language Learning

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 8 December 1998

© 1999 SIL International