Process Writing

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SBLE2103

Process Writing
Nurul Imtiaz Abd Gani
Hana Mulyani Harun
Nurul Akmal Ab Halim
Shahrul Niza Said

Centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) Universiti Utara Malaysia
Sintok 2014

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ISBN 978-967-????-??-?
First Published, 2014
Centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means,
electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording,
or any information storage and retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the Centre for Professional and
Continuing Education (PACE), Universiti Utara Malaysia,
06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah Darul Aman.
The Self Module Series is one of the teaching and learning mode
under the Off-Campus Studies of Universiti Utara Malaysia. This
Self Module Series is to be improvised and revised during every
teaching activity and the distribution of this Self Module is
restricted within the campus of Universiti Utara Malaysia.

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CONTENTS
Preface
Explanation of Icons
Synopsis and Learning Outcomes
How to Use This Module

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CHAPTER 1 ELEMENTS OF PROCESS WRITING

Learning Objectives
1.1 The Writing Process
1.2 Process Writing

CHAPTER 2
PARAGRAPH

1
1
1

DEVELOPING/ WRITING A

Learning Objectives
2.1 Paragraph Organisation
2.1.1
Topic Sentence
2.1.2
Supporting Sentence
2.1.3
Concluding Sentence
2.2 Unity within a Paragraph
2.3 Coherence / Cohesion within a Paragraph
2.3.1
Time Order
2.3.2
Space Order
2.3.3
Order of Importance

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CHAPTER 3
DEVELOPING THE FIVEPARAGRAPH ESSAY
Learning Objectives
3.1 What is a Five-Paragraph Essay
3.2 Introduction to Paragraph
3.2.1
General Statement /
3.3 Body Paragraphs
3.4 Conclusion Paragraph
3.5 Transitions
3.5.1
Transitions between
3.5.2 Transitions between Paragraphs
3.5.3 Transitional Expressions

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CHAPTER 4
SUMMARISING AND
SYNTHESISING INFORMATION IN
SOURCES
Learning Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Avoiding Plagiarism
4.2.1 What is Plagiarism
4.2.2 In-text Citation
4.2.3 Bibliography / Reference / Works
Cited List
4.3 Paraphrasing
4.3.1 Techniques of Paraphrasing
4.4 Summarising
4.5 Synthesizing

CHAPTER 5

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APA SYSTEM OF REFERENCING

Learning Objectives
5.1 Definition of Referencing
5.2 The Purpose of Referencing
5.3 Reporting Verbs for In-text Citation
5.4 APA System
5.4.1 APA Referencing Style
5.5 Avoiding Plagiarism
5.5.1 What is Plagiarism?

CHAPTER 6
ESSAY

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WRITING AN ARGUMENTATIVE

Learning Objectives
6.1 Definition
6.2 Characteristics
6.3 Organisation
6.3.1 Introduction Paragraph
6.3.2 Body Paragraphs
6.3.3 Conclusion Paragraphs
6.4 Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay
6.5 Model and Identification of the Parts of the
Argumentative Essay
6.6 Writing Opinion Statements
6.7 Stating Counter Arguments
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6.3.1 Writing Refutation/Rebuttal of the

Counter Agreement

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CHAPTER 7

PATTERNS OF EXPOSITORY ESSAY

ORGANISATION

Learning Objectives
7.1 Exemplification Pattern
7.1.1 Definition of Exemplification Pattern
7.1.2 Characteristics of Exemplification
Pattern
7.1.3 Types of Examples
7.1.4 Outline of Exemplification Pattern
7.1.5 Steps to Write Exemplification
Pattern
7.1.6 Model and Identification of Parts of
Exemplification Pattern
7.2 Comparison and Contrast Pattern
7.2.1 Definition of Comparison and
Contrast Essay
7.2.2 Characteristics and Outline of
Comparison and Contrast Essay
7.2.3 Guidelines to Write Comparison and
Contrast Essay
7.2.4 Model and Identification of Parts and
Comparison and Contrast Essay

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CHAPTER 8GRAMMAR
Learning Objectives
8.1 Subject-Verb Agreement
8.2 The Passive Voice
8.2.1 The Fundamental Ruling
8.2.2 Recognizing Passive Voice
8.2.3 Passive Sentences with Two Objects
8.3 Compound Sentences
8.4 Complex Sentences
8.5 Parallelism
8.5.1 Parallelism in Words and Phrases
8.5.2 Parallelism in Clauses
8.5.3 Parallelism in Lists after a Colon
8.6 Run-on Sentences and Sentence Fragment
8.6.1 The Fundamental Ruling
8.7 Relative Clauses
8.7.1 Restrictive Relative Clauses
8.7.2 Non-restrictive Relative Clauses
8.8 Noun Clauses
8.8.1 Forming Noun Clauses
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8.9

Adverbial Clauses

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ANSWER KEY
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PREFACE
This module has been developed with the aim of
guiding learners with their academic goals, especially
in relation to writing. This module caters for
intermediate and upper intermediate learners by
exposing them to an integrated process-product
approach to writing from topic and audiences
considerations to planning, organizing and developing
texts. Among the writing skills students will be exposed
to in the module are writing expository and
argumentative essays, summarising texts, proof reading
and editing. Students are also exposed and guided to
the writing activities according to different rhetorical
structures.
As writing skills require good command of English
language use and structures, we have allocated
selected grammar items at the end of the module.
Some explanation and exercises are also provided. The
grammar section gives the learners the opportunity to
refine not only their writing skills but also their
language accuracy and appropriateness.
It is hoped that the learners will be interested and
inspired to improve their second language writing
since being able to express well in writing is one of
the valuable communicative skills in their future
careers. Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude
to PACE and the Director of Language Centre for their
support in developing this module.

Nurul Imtiaz Abd Gani

Hana Mulyani Harun
Nurul Akmal Ab Halim
Shahrul Niza Said

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EXPLANATION OF ICONS
You will notice that there are a number of icons
used in this module. They are there to highlight
specific information for you. Each icon has a purpose:
Practices
This icon highlights the various practices of
the unit. These activities have answer keys
at the back of each unit for you to check
your answers.
Check Your Answers
This icon indicates that the learners should
check their answers before proceeding to
the next section. It also serves as an
indicator for answer keys.

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SYNOPSIS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This upper intermediate level course aims at helping
students with their academic goals, especially in
relation to writing.
The
course
offers
a
comprehensive approach to the process of writing
from topic and audience considerations to planning,
organizing and developing texts. The genre approach
to writing will also be used in the teaching or
argumentative texts. Among the writing skills students
will be exposed to in the course are writing a variety of
expository essays, using evidence effectively in
developing arguments, using proper citations, proof
reading and editing.
Students in the course will be
given the opportunity to orally share their views
about their writing in progress and their final
products.
This module is divided into several parts.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Elements of Process Writing

Developing/Writing a Paragraph
APA Referencing
Patterns of Essay
Grammar Exercises

Upon completing of the course, students will be able

to:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Summarise and paraphrase information contained in

reading texts.
Communicate
using
appropriate
language
structures.
Distinguish between the various strategies and
elements involved in essays and write 5 paragraph
expository and argumentative essays.
Analyse debatable topics and orally presents the pros
and cons in a debate.

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HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

This is a distance-learning course and thus, the
module is self-instructional. Being familiar with the
content of the module may help you in using the
module effectively. The units are sequenced
progressively according to important stages in
writing. At the beginning, you will be exposed to the
elements of process writing followed by some
explanation and exercises on developing paragraphs
and essays. At the end of each unit, you will have the
opportunity to enhance your grammar skills by
reading the explanation and examples and later by
doing some exercises. If you have problems and
require assistance, refer to the answers given in the
ANSWER KEY. If you still have any problems on how
to use this module, do not hesitate to ask any of the
course instructors.

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