| Writing Can Seem Like a Daunting Task | | | | sentence. |
| Whether you are an English as a foreign language | | | | 3. Use compound sentences expressing no more than |
| teacher or a foreign language learner, at some point | | | | two ideas - sparingly |
| you're going to have to write an essay or composition | | | | For a little variety, you can use compound sentences |
| in English. Since English is structured quite differently | | | | which express two ideas instead of just one. If you do |
| from many other foreign language groups in terms of | | | | this however, it should be just a very few sentences - |
| grammar, spelling and punctuation rules, writing even a | | | | not a lot of them. "People in many European countries |
| simple, straight-forward opinion essay or composition | | | | often have to communicate in several languages on a |
| can seem like a daunting task for many. Writing in | | | | daily basis, like English, Spanish, and French or German |
| English can be either process or product-based (ref. | | | | for example." |
| Fowler, 1988 vs.White, 1987), so even native English | | | | 4. Be sure to capitalize proper nouns |
| language speakers can experience problems with | | | | Proper nouns are generally the names of persons, |
| organizing, composing, drafting and editing a written | | | | places or things and should be capitalized. Examples |
| piece in their own first language (L1). So if you are | | | | are nouns such as languages, cities, people's names, |
| nervous about writing at first, don't worry too much | | | | titles, and geographic names among many other |
| about that. You're in plenty of good company. | | | | possibilities. Use a dictionary to help you. English, |
| Here are seven easy tips to help make the English | | | | Barcelona, President George W. Bush, and Mt. Saint |
| language writing process easier. | | | | Helens illustrate proper capitalization. |
| 1. Use a five-paragraph essay format | | | | 5. Be careful with the use of the articles in English |
| To keep yourself on track use this writing format: | | | | In a number of languages, the use of the indefinite |
| Paragraph one - state your idea or opinion and what | | | | article (a, an) or the definite article (the, this, that, these, |
| you're going to write about clearly and simply in three | | | | those) can be very different from their use in the |
| to five sentences. | | | | English language. Also related are quantifiers like: some, |
| 2. Write simple sentences | | | | any, a lot of, many, few, all, none, much and most). |
| Use short, simple sentences to help state your points | | | | These can be a problem if the learner translates from |
| as directly as possible. "I think learning a foreign | | | | their first language (L1). |
| language is important for most learners." Then use | | | | Many English-Speaking Natives Have Problems |
| additional sentences to add additional points. "This is | | | | So if you are nervous about writing in English at first, |
| because most learners will need to be able to | | | | remember that even many native English language |
| communicate with others not from their culture." For | | | | speakers have problems with essays, articles, letters |
| more points and ideas just use more sentences. "We | | | | and compositions in their own first language (L1). Just |
| all live in a globally-based community connected by | | | | follow the steps above and you should find the English |
| technology like telephones, faxes, e-mail and the | | | | language writing process a whole lot simpler and |
| internet." Don't list more than three or four items in a | | | | easier. |