To start the new school year off, TBC hosted Dr Ian Hunter. Ian was a university professor, now a publisher, with a special interest in teaching writing. He was invited to the College as many subject face similar challenges with student writing, such as starting writing; sequencing and organisation; lack of detail; conclusion. He offered some solutions to these challenges summarised in the following points.
- State your intent in the first paragraph: “Of all factors in employee motivation, financial reward is the most significant.”
- Mind map – great for generating ideas but is not an essay plan.
- Box plan – 1 box = 1 paragraph = 100 words = 5-6 paragraphs
- List Plan
- First paragraph written in four sentence
- Neutral
- Context
- Argument
- Sum up
- Sentences: clarity is the goal. Less than 20 words.
Ian has developed a website/online tool that helps students develop good essay writing skills. Our school will be part of a pilot to trail this approach.
