Introduction to Language Skills: Writing and Purposive Writing In Health
Introduction to Language Skills: Writing
Writing is defined as a medium of human communication that involves the representation of a language with symbols.
It is the specific process of using symbols, including letters of the alphabet, punctuation, and spaces, to communicate thoughts and ideas in a readable form.
The composition of a writer’s thinking follows a progressive hierarchy: - Begins with letters. - Creates a word. - Forms a group of words. - Turns the group into a sentence. - Composes a paragraph.
A paragraph is defined fundamentally as a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. It must be a series of sentences that are organized, coherent, and all related to a single topic.
Strategies and Hints to Enhance Writing
Writing Recommendations: - Write about subjects you know. - Write in full, complete sentences. - Vary the lengths of both paragraphs and sentences to maintain engagement. - Use varied sentence constructions. - Ensure that the concord of the sentence (subject-verb agreement) is correct. - Decide on and maintain the most suitable tense for the specific topic.
Elements to Avoid: - The repetition of the same words at the beginning of sentences. - The overuse of adjectives and adverbs. - The usage of slang. - Redundancy and tautology. - Verbosity (using more words than needed). - Ambiguity in meaning.
The Five Stages of the Writing Process
Prewriting Stage: - Involves identifying the purpose. - Brainstorming or outlining ideas. - Ordering ideas and choosing an audience. - Using prewriting techniques to gather concepts.
Drafting Stage: - Turning ideas into sentences and paragraphs. - Developing a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. - Putting ideas down on paper and exploring new ideas during the writing process.
Revising Stage: - Reviewing the overall structure. - Refining the message. - Consulting with peer readers. - Evaluating suggested changes and making revisions.
Editing and Proofreading Stage: - Checking technical aspects such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation. - Correcting errors in usage and mechanics. - Improving word choice and correcting sentence structure.
Publishing Stage: - Presenting and sharing the final work. - Examples include essays, reports, or emails.
Fundamentals of Academic Essay Structure
Essay writing requires answering three central questions: 1. What do I want to tell my readers? 2. What do I say first, and what comes after that? 3. How do I end?
An essay is composed of a group of related paragraphs that work together to present one main point.
Three-Part Structure: - The Introduction: Previews the discussion and reveals the subject and purpose. It represents a commitment to the readers about what will be said, allowing them to follow the message more easily. - The Body: Delivers on the promise made in the introduction. It provides a full explanation of the main point. It must have unity (everything expands on the main point) and coherence (thought sequence is a continuous link from idea to idea). - The Conclusion: Brings the message to a perceptible end rather than just stopping. It often re-emphasizes the main point.
Key Components of Essay Writing
Topic Sentences: - States the main idea of the paragraph. - Captures the general idea better than any other sentence in that paragraph. - Usually found at the beginning of the paragraph to provide preview and direction. - All other sentences in the paragraph must support the main idea with facts.
The Introduction and Thesis Statement: - Indicates if the essay is expository or persuasive. - Its most significant function is presenting the thesis statement. - Typically begins with general background information or an incident before leading into the thesis. - Thesis Statement definition: A concise summary, usually one or two sentences, located in the introduction that outlines the main argument or position. - Example Thesis: "Dietetics plays a crucial role in healthcare and public health by assessing nutritional needs, managing and preventing disease, educating communities, and promoting healthy eating practices to improve overall well-being."
The Body Paragraphs: - Each paragraph must support the thesis with examples, details, facts, reasons, or incidents. - Information is organized via subtopics, treating one subtopic at a time. - The body must answer expected reader questions: "Is there any proof to support the claim?", "Says who?", and "Are there any examples?" - Process involves brainstorming, listing facts, and arranging them into related categories of general evidence supported by details and scientific sources.
The Concluding Sentence and Paragraph: - The concluding statement signals the end of the discussion of the central idea. - It ties the paragraph together by summarizing, interpreting, or judging facts. - In reports, it can prepare readers for the subsequent paragraph. - The concluding paragraph is a short separate section that begins with a reminder of the thesis. - It should leave the reader feeling the topic was covered thoroughly. - Clincher: A forceful last sentence that drives home the main point.
Purposive Writing Principles
Definition: Writing with a clear, specific goal in mind to inform, persuade, instruct, or entertain.
Characteristics: Intentional, strategic, clear, concise, and focused on audience and message.
Key Aspects and Concepts: - Clear Purpose: Having a well-defined goal (explain, convince, or instruct). - Audience Awareness: Tailoring the message to the knowledge level, interests, and expectations of the audience. - Conciseness and Clarity: Using precise language and avoiding unnecessary jargon. - Strong Structure: Using paragraphs, headings, and transitions logically. - Evidence and Support: Using data and examples to build credibility. - Context: Recognizing how academic, professional, or personal settings influence style and formality. - Accuracy: Ensuring all information is correct and factual. - Engagement: Making writing interesting for the audience. - Review and Revise: Constant checking for errors.
Forms and Goals of Purposive Writing
Purposes: - Informative: Providing information. - Persuasive: Convincing the reader of a viewpoint. - Entertaining: Amusing the reader. - Expressive: Conveying personal feelings or emotions.
Examples of Purposive Writing types: - Academic: Essays, research papers, reports, theses, dissertations. - Professional: Business letters, proposals, emails, presentations. - Technical: Instruction manuals, user guides, technical specifications. - Creative: Short stories, poems, plays with a specific message. - Media/Marketing: News articles (inform the public), Marketing materials (persuade customers).
Purposive Writing in the Health Context
Writing in health is intentional and goal-directed to meet specific needs in healthcare settings.
It is essential for communication among healthcare professionals, patients, policymakers, and the general public.
Core Purposes in Health: - Informing: Conveying accurate, up-to-date data (e.g., patient information leaflets, public health bulletins, clinical guidelines). - Educating: Enhancing knowledge and behavioral change (e.g., training manuals for nurses/doctors, health education materials). - Persuading: Influencing opinions or health behaviors (e.g., health campaigns, policy briefs, advocacy letters). - Documenting: Recording events for legal, clinical, or academic purposes (e.g., medical records, patient case notes, research papers).
Types of Health Writing: - Clinical Writing: Progress notes, prescriptions. - Health Education Writing: Pamphlets, posters. - Research Writing: Journal articles, theses. - Administrative Writing: Health policy and management reports, proposals. - Advocacy Writing: Open letters, media articles.
Importance in Health: - Promotes patient safety and quality of care. - Encourages health literacy. - Supports interprofessional communication. - Influences public health outcomes and policy decisions.
Practical Scenarios and Resources
Scenario Identification: - A nurse writing a patient discharge summary (Clinical/Documenting). - A health department creating a COVID-19 awareness poster (Education/Informing). - A doctor submitting a case report to a medical journal (Research/Documenting). - A nutritionist writing a blog post on healthy eating (Education/Informative).
Primary Reference: - Title: English Handbook and Study Guide™ for CET and TVET colleges and universities. - Authors: Beryl Lutrin and Marcelle Pincus. - Scope: Language, Comprehension, Writing, Literature, Visual Literacy, Oral Communication, Spelling, Vocabulary. - Relevant Pages: .