14 – Upper Advanced - Unit 3：USI

TOPIC

In the preceding units, nine writing techniques were  introduced: metaphor, hyperbole, symbolism, free writing, focused free  writing, loop writing, listing, questioning and cubing. Write a paragraph or  two explaining which techniques seem most useful to you.

TEACHER'S NOTE

Word choice: You said, "All above tree steps" in  your submission, but you should say, "All above three steps"  instead. As nouns the difference between tree and three is that tree is a  large plant while three is the digit/figure 3. This is EXCELLENT WRITING.  Please keep it up. However, it was way too long. You exceeded the word limit.  Please remember that while it might be nice to be very descriptive, you can  also be succinct and tactful when writing. It is always safer to be within  the prescribed word limit.

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Writer’s block is not only the prerogative of famous  authors. It can happen to anyone struggling to write an academic dissertation  or an essay for school. Sometimes we don’t know what we want to write about  until we have started to write. 

My first step is free writing. It's simply  because I give my mind the freedom to wander, from rivulets to seas, likely.  Sitting down in front of a piece of paper, or a computer screen, I just write  without stopping about how I’m feeling and whatever is on my mind at the  moment. The purpose of this is to get started, the push needed to kick into  action on the topic at hand. Whenever I'm done, I've got ideas that are much  more focused on what I want to say. 

The second stage is focused writing. I  again write without stopping about everything that comes to mind not worrying  about the grammar, punctuation or spelling and no editing at all as I just  write and write and write. It can be very liberating and give me creative  juices. Sometime I go a little further and step onto techniques of loop  writing. 

All above three steps are based on the stream of consciousness process  in which I also invite figurative language such as metaphor, simile,  hyperbole, etc. Whenever possible, I try to personify the objects of my  writing, symbolize and visualize them in my mental world, letting them grow,  talk, transform, interact or syndicate to bear new things, etc. 

Cubing is  also been applied. It’s called cubing because it allows me to look at a topic  from six sides, like a cube: 1.Describing it: what it look like? 2. Comparing  it: what’s it similar or different to? 3. Analyzing it: what’s it made  of/from? 4. Associating it: what does it remind me of? 5. Applying it: what  can I do with it or use if for? 6. Arguing it: take either side, and defend  or attack it. This is an excellent strategy to use when I’m trying to tackle  a topic at the outset, or should my ideas dry up and come to a sudden stop.  What emerges at this stage is the gist of what I am trying to write about!  

Don’t spend too long to worry about the end product. Get going with the  process and you’ll be amazed at the results!

Writing Challenge Survey：80 SCORE

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