English Writing Skills Syllabus

What is the PEEL structure for paragraph writing?

Point (state the idea), Evidence (give proof/example), Explain (interpret the evidence), Link (connect back to the main argument or to the next point).

What are the three main parts of an essay?

Introduction, body, and conclusion.

What is a thesis statement and where is it usually placed?

A thesis statement is a single sentence expressing the central argument or main point of an essay; it is typically placed at the end of the introduction.

What is the purpose of an essay's introduction?

To hook the reader, provide background/context, and present the thesis statement that the essay will support.

What are the four common types of essays?

Narrative (tells a story), descriptive (paints a picture), expository (explains/informs), and persuasive/argumentative (convinces the reader of a position).

What is the role of the body paragraphs in an essay?

Each body paragraph develops one supporting point with a topic sentence, evidence, and explanation, all reinforcing the thesis.

What should an essay's conclusion accomplish?

Restate the thesis in new words, summarize the main points, and leave the reader with a final thought or call to action, without introducing new arguments.

What is the difference between an expository and a persuasive essay?

An expository essay objectively explains or informs about a topic, while a persuasive essay takes a stance and uses arguments and evidence to convince the reader to agree.

What is the five-paragraph essay format?

One introductory paragraph (with thesis), three body paragraphs (each developing one supporting point), and one concluding paragraph.

What are the three classical modes of persuasion (rhetorical appeals)?

Ethos (appeal to credibility/character), pathos (appeal to emotion), and logos (appeal to logic and reason).

What is the main goal of creative writing?

To express ideas, emotions, and stories imaginatively and artistically, emphasizing originality, voice, and aesthetic effect rather than purely factual communication.

Name the major genres of creative writing.

Fiction (novels, short stories), poetry, drama/playwriting, and creative nonfiction (memoir, personal essay).

What are the key elements of a story (narrative)?

Plot, character, setting, conflict, theme, and point of view.

What is the five-stage structure of a typical plot (Freytag's Pyramid)?

Exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution (denouement).

What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?

First-person uses 'I/we' and tells the story from inside a character's perspective. Third-person uses 'he/she/they' and narrates from outside; it may be limited (one character's view) or omniscient (all-knowing).

Distinguish a metaphor from a simile.

A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as' ('brave as a lion'); a metaphor states one thing is another directly ('he is a lion in battle').

Define personification as a literary device.

Giving human qualities, actions, or emotions to non-human things or abstractions, e.g., 'the wind whispered through the trees.'

What is the difference between 'showing' and 'telling' in creative writing?

Telling states information directly ('She was angry'); showing reveals it through action, dialogue, and sensory detail ('She slammed the door and clenched her fists').

What distinguishes technical writing from creative writing?

Technical writing is factual, clear, concise, and objective, aiming to inform or instruct a specific audience; creative writing is imaginative, expressive, and figurative, aiming to entertain or move the reader.

What are the key characteristics of good technical writing?

Clarity, conciseness, accuracy, objectivity, audience-awareness, and logical structure, often using headings, lists, and visuals.

Give four common examples of technical writing.

User manuals, instructions/how-to guides, reports, and proposals (also memos, datasheets, and standard operating procedures).

What is the purpose of an abstract in a technical or scientific report?

A brief summary (usually 150–250 words) of the report's purpose, methods, key results, and conclusions, allowing readers to grasp the content quickly.

Why is audience analysis important in technical writing?

Knowing the readers' knowledge level, needs, and purpose lets the writer choose appropriate vocabulary, detail, and tone so the document is understandable and useful.

What is the recommended voice (active vs. passive) for clear instructions, and why?

The active voice is generally preferred ('Press the button') because it is more direct, concise, and clear about who performs the action than the passive voice ('The button should be pressed').

What are the standard stages of the writing process?

Prewriting (planning/brainstorming), drafting, revising, editing, and publishing/sharing.

What is the difference between revising and editing?

Revising addresses big-picture content, organization, and clarity of ideas; editing focuses on surface correctness such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word choice.

What is the difference between proofreading and editing?

Editing improves content, structure, and style; proofreading is the final check that catches small surface errors in spelling, punctuation, and typos before publishing.

What is a common readability guideline for average sentence length in clear writing?

Aim for an average of roughly 15–20 words per sentence; varying sentence length while avoiding overly long sentences keeps prose clear and readable.

What is the difference between 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're'?

'Their' shows possession ('their car'), 'there' indicates place or existence ('over there'), and 'they're' is a contraction of 'they are' ('they're late').

What is parallelism (parallel structure) in writing?

Using the same grammatical form for items in a series or comparison, e.g., 'reading, writing, and speaking' rather than 'reading, to write, and speech,' which improves clarity and rhythm.