Page 83 - ABCTE Study Guide_Neat

Building Blocks of Language IV

Lesson Objective

Now let's turn our attention to some of the necessary skills in creating a clear, informative, and
interesting text.

Previously Covered:

• In the previous section, we looked at some of the basic elements of language
acquisition, including semantics, syntax, and morphology. We also reviewed some methods
and techniques to help students acquire a deeper understanding of the language.

Care and Handling of the Spoken Word

Receiving a message orally—whether it’s a presentation, speech, radio ad—is quite a different process
than reading. Because the speaker can employ body language, inflection, volume, and other elements,
they can shape the message in a host of different ways. Here are some things to look for when listening:

• Dialect
Is it apparent that the speaker is from a certain place? How is this affecting your reception of the
message—many stereotypes crop up when speakers employ dialect.

• Point of view
Is the speaker coming at the issue from a particular angle, or are they simply reporting or telling
something?

• Main idea vs. digression
Know what the speaker’s point is and when they are straying from it. This will help you
clarify and understand their argument or statement.

Of course, there are many more considerations when analyzing a spoken text. Be aware that the
denotative words are always working in conjunction with connotative signals like the ones mentioned
above.

When speaking yourself, you should also be conscious of these factors and how your audience is
receiving them. Be clear, concise, stay on topic, and choose language that is appropriate for your
audience and setting.

Back to the Page

Now, let’s turn our attention back to the art of creating a good, solid piece of writing. We’ll review some of
the basics of the process step by step. First, let’s look at what happens even before the pen hits the page.

The Writing Process
"Writing is a fluid process created by writers as they work. Accomplished writers move back and forth
between the stages of the process, both consciously and unconsciously. Young writers, however, benefit