BEGAE-182 Block 3 Unit 3 Notes — The Writing Skill

BEGAE-182 Study Notes — Block 3 Unit 3: The Writing Skill — Basic Guidelines

Study notes for BEGAE-182 Block 3 Unit 3. Covers the recursive writing process, thesis statement, essay map, paragraph writing, topic sentence, complete linkers table, four forms of discourse, and the five-stage writing process from draft to proofread. Free PDF download.

0 views 0 downloads January 2026 English 14 pages 19 min read🔄 Updated Today

Free study notes by IGNOUNotes.in for BEGAE-182 Block 3 Unit 3 — The Writing Skill: Some Basic Guidelines. This unit covers everything you need to write well — why writing is a skill, the recursive writing process, how to gather and organise information, thesis statements, paragraph writing, linkers, forms of discourse, and the complete draft-to-proofread workflow. Full exam-ready notes with model answers.

3.1 Introduction — Writing Is a Skill, Not a Gift ignounotes.in

As a student, you will write assignments, term papers, emails, formal letters, reports, and more. Many people believe that good writers are born with a natural ability — that they can dash off a letter or essay without effort. Research shows this is completely false.

Myth About Writing	The Reality
Good writers are born, not made.	All writers need to work at their writing. Writing is a skill anyone can develop with practice and effort.
Good writers write perfectly on the first attempt.	Experienced writers spend a lot of time planning before they begin. Their first drafts are always rough and imperfect.
Once you've written it, you're done.	Experienced writers thoroughly revise — sometimes completely rethinking and restructuring entire sections or the whole piece.
Writing is a linear process.	Writing is recursive — writers return again and again to their ideas, clarifying and improving throughout.
You just need a good idea and the words will flow.	You need strategies: planning, investigating, organising, drafting, revising, refining, and proofreading.

3.2 Methods of Writing — Pre-writing, Writing, Re-writing ignounotes.in

PRE-WRITING

Planning and preparation before writing begins — identifying subject, gathering information, brainstorming, formulating a thesis

▶

WRITING

Producing the first rough draft — building the framework of content, meaning, and form. Not worrying about perfection.

▶

RE-WRITING

Reviewing, revising, refining, editing, and proofreading the draft until it is complete and correct.

Fig 3.1 — The Three-Stage Writing Process (Reference: BEGAE-182, Block 3, Unit 3, IGNOU)

📌 The Recursive Writing Process

Writing almost always progresses in a recursive manner — not linearly. Writers return over and over again to their ideas, clarifying, extending, and improving them. Most writers plan, revise plans, write, and rewrite right until literally the last moment. New ideas also emerge during writing itself — which may cause earlier plans to be revised completely.

3.3 Three Key Elements Before Writing: Purpose, Subject, Reader ignounotes.in

Element	Key Question	Why It Matters
Purpose	Why am I writing this?	Your purpose determines your format, tone, and what information to include. Without a clear purpose, writing wanders without direction.
Subject	What am I writing about?	The subject must be clearly identified and thoroughly investigated. Knowing the subject deeply gives you choices about what to include and what to leave out.
Reader / Audience	Who am I writing for?	The reader determines vocabulary level, amount of explanation needed, tone (technical vs accessible), and level of formality.

3.4 Gathering Information — Techniques ignounotes.in

Technique	How It Works	Best For
Highlighters	Read through research material and use different colours — one for ideas, one for evidence, one for arguments to counter	Quickly identifying useful material from a large amount of reading without re-reading the whole text
Note Making	Write notes as you read. Be specific. Keep track of what you have read so you can refer back to it during writing	Tracking information and building a reference base for writing assignments and reports
Brainstorming	Generate ideas, facts, and opinions very quickly without evaluating them — quality is assessed later, not during brainstorming itself	Getting all possible ideas out quickly; especially effective in a group
Planning Session	A solo version of brainstorming: review materials, make a list, even speak into a recorder. Write quickly in incomplete sentences — just get ideas flowing	When working alone on an assignment or report without access to a group
Issue Tree / Mind Map	A visual, hierarchical display of ideas and their relationships. Shows each idea's relative importance and connection to other ideas in the piece	Organising complex information visually before beginning to write — especially for long or complex assignments

💡 Practical Writing Tip

Start with more information than you think you will need. If you gather only 5–7 facts to support your main idea, you will probably use all of them regardless of quality. If you gather 10–15 facts, you have a choice — you can select the strongest and most relevant. The result will be fewer gaps and fewer reader objections. Do not take research so seriously that you forget your deadlines — start writing even before you feel completely ready.

3.5 Knowing Your Reader — Questions to Ask ignounotes.in

🗣 Questions to Ask About Your Reader Before Writing

📖 Is the reader an expert or a general (non-specialist) reader?
📖 What does the reader already know about the topic?
📖 What background information might they need to understand the current situation?
📖 What does the reader need to know that they don't already know?
📖 What action do you want the reader to take after reading?
📖 What is the reader's attitude? Are they likely to be biased or resistant to your argument?

3.6 The Thesis Statement and Essay Map ignounotes.in

📌 Definition — Thesis Statement

A thesis statement declares the main point or controlling idea of your writing. It is most often located at the beginning. It states an opinion about the subject and suggests what the writing will do. Everything you write must support your thesis statement — it is the most valuable organisational tool in any draft.

🔍 Example — Good Thesis Statement

"The University requires smart boards urgently if education has to be delivered in a modern way."

This states: (a) the subject (smart boards), (b) the writer's opinion (urgently required), and (c) what the writing will do (argue for building smart classrooms with modern technology).

Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement	Why
States the writer's clearly defined opinion on a specific topic	Vague or obvious statements do not help focus the writing — they go nowhere
Generally asserts ONE main idea	Multiple ideas in one thesis lead to unfocused, sprawling, uncontrolled writing
Stated in specific, concrete terms	Vague: "Education is important." Specific: "Universities must adopt e-learning to improve student outcomes."

📌 Definition — Essay Map

An essay map is a brief statement in the introductory paragraph that introduces the main points to be discussed. It provides a skeleton outline for the sequence of paragraphs. It is different from a mind map — an essay map is concrete (describes the main point of each paragraph); a mind map is an open, exploratory jotting of ideas.

3.7 Writing a Paragraph — Topic Sentence, Coherence, Linkers ignounotes.in

📌 Definition — Paragraph

A paragraph is a piece of writing unified by a central controlling idea or theme called the topic. This topic is usually expressed in a topic sentence — most often found at the beginning, but sometimes at the end or middle. Every other sentence in the paragraph must relate to and support the topic sentence.

Paragraph Component	Purpose	From the Codfish Paragraph (IGNOU Textbook)
Topic Sentence	States the main controlling idea of the paragraph	"Two main circumstances govern the relationship of living things in the sea."
Elaboration	Expands on the topic sentence — explains what the two circumstances are	The fruitfulness of marine life; the ruthlessness with which larger creatures eat smaller ones.
Illustration	Gives a specific example to make the idea concrete and memorable	Codfish eggs: if all hatched, the Atlantic would be solid with cod within six years.
Summing Up	Draws a conclusion or restates the main point to close the paragraph	"Only one sea creature in about 10 million escapes the usual violent death inside another."

3.8 Linkers — Complete Reference Table ignounotes.in

Linkers are words and phrases that connect sentences and show the logical relationship between ideas. They are the signposts of a paragraph — they enable the reader to follow the writer's argument smoothly and logically.

Type of Relationship	Linkers to Use	Example Sentence
Sequence / Order	first, second, third, then, next, after that, finally	"First, a layer of gravel. Then, a layer of charcoal. Finally, the soil mixture."
Addition	moreover, furthermore, also, too, besides, in addition, what is more	"Man can cross deserts. Moreover, he can live on a very wide variety of food."
Result / Consequence	therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, hence, so	"He did not get enough votes. As a result, he lost the election."
Example / Illustration	for example, for instance, specifically, such as, as an illustration	"Many animals cannot survive in cold climates. For example, tropical birds die in freezing temperatures."
Comparison	similarly, likewise, in the same way, just as	"Monkeys can move over unforested land. Similarly, macaques have spread widely."
Contrast	but, yet, still, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, in contrast, although, while	"Man has developed culture. However, monkeys share some of his adaptability."
Time	now, later, meanwhile, since then, after that, before that time, when	"Before printing, books were handwritten. After printing, literacy became universal."
Cause	because, since, as, owing to, due to	"Reading slows down because the reader must decode every word individually."
Concession	although, even though, despite, in spite of, while, granted that	"Although man shares some traits with monkeys, he has developed culture they have not."
Summing Up	in conclusion, to sum up, in short, all in all, to conclude, therefore	"In conclusion, reading is an active, not a passive, process."

3.9 Introductions and Conclusions ignounotes.in

Type	Techniques to Use	Key Principle
Introduction	• Statement of a problem or misconception • An arresting statistic or shocking fact • A question • A quotation • A relevant story, joke, or anecdote • An analogy or comparison • A contrast • A personal experience	The first few sentences determine whether the reader keeps reading. You must catch the reader's attention immediately and make them want to continue.
Conclusion	• A restatement of the thesis statement • An evaluation of the importance of the subject • Statement of broader implications • A call to action • A warning based on the thesis • A quotation from an authority • An anecdote • A rhetorical question	Must give the reader a sense of completion and leave them with a strong, clear impression of your main argument. Must never introduce new ideas.

3.10 Organising Your Writing — The Four Forms of Discourse ignounotes.in

There are four basic forms of discourse — types of writing. In any single piece of writing, you will likely use more than one type, but one form is usually dominant.

📋 EXPOSITORY

Focus: Setting forth facts and information

Dominant tools: grouping, classification, definition, illustration, instructions, processes.
Examples: Textbooks, reports, instructions, encyclopedia entries, academic essays

📖 NARRATIVE

Focus: Presenting events in temporal (time) order

Events arranged so reader interest builds to a climax. Can use flashback or in media res.
Examples: Stories, novels, anecdotes, autobiographies, case studies

🎨 DESCRIPTIVE

Focus: Creating a picture — what someone or something looks like

Uses spatial arrangement, specific details, sensory language, and concrete vocabulary.
Examples: Travel writing, character descriptions, scene-setting in fiction (R.K. Narayan)

⚖️ ARGUMENTATIVE

Focus: Arguing a case and expressing an opinion on a problem

Uses pro-and-con structure, affirmative reasoning, countering opposition, exposing fallacies.
Examples: Opinion articles, debate speeches, persuasive essays, position papers

Expository Discourse — The Key Tools

Tool	What It Does	Example
Grouping	Selecting and combining items by shared features	Grouping animals into mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and amphibians
Classification	Breaking a broad topic into logical parts	Classifying communication into verbal and non-verbal
Definition	Distinguishing a thing from others by its characteristics	Defining "communication" as "the exchange of information between two or more persons"
Illustration	Using examples to make an idea concrete and accessible	Illustrating homonyms with examples like "club" and "bed"
Instructions / Directions	Explaining how to do something step by step	A recipe, a how-to manual, a user guide, an IGNOU assignment format guide
Process / System	Describing how something works	Explaining how the reading process works; how a terrarium maintains itself

Descriptive Discourse — Key Features (R.K. Narayan Example)

Feature	What to Do	From R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day"
Being specific	Use exact details instead of vague generalisations	"...a dozen cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth, a saffron-coloured turban..."
Descriptive details	Describe appearance, texture, colour, sound, smell	"His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermillion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam..."
Variation	Vary vocabulary — don't repeat the same descriptive word	"eyes sparkled... sharp abnormal gleam... prophetic look... power of his eyes..."
Spatial arrangement	Move from general to particular — organise what you describe in space	Narayan first describes the astrologer, then moves outward to the crowded street scene around him

Argumentative Discourse — Key Strategies

Strategy	How It Works
Affirmative argument	Give your own arguments by taking a clear position and supporting it with evidence and sound reasoning
Counter-argument / Rebuttal	Give evidence that counter-balances or weakens the opponent's argument
Exposing fallacies	Point out logical errors, false assumptions, or weak evidence in the opponent's position to discredit it

🗣 Argumentative Linkers — Use These in Essays

"On the one hand..." "On the other hand..." "Also..." / "Not only that, but..." "However..." / "Nevertheless..." "Some... Others, however..." "All in all..." / "Ultimately..."

3.11 The Writing Process — First Draft to Proofread ignounotes.in

Stage	What to Do	Key Questions to Ask Yourself
1. First Draft	Write quickly to build a rough framework of content, meaning, and form. Do not worry about perfection — it is provisional, experimental writing.	What am I trying to say? Does this draft have a general structure?
2. Revising	Carefully review the draft against your original intention. Check what you left out (gaps), what is unnecessary, and whether you achieved your purpose.	What did I miss? What is irrelevant? Have I fulfilled my purpose?
3. Refining	Improve examples, illustrations, and evidence. Check logical flow between sub-sections. Fill in gaps — add explanations and details where needed.	Do my examples support the main ideas? Is anything still missing?
4. Editing	Careful reading to ensure correctness of: paragraphing, topic sentences, sentence structure, tenses, pronouns, vocabulary choice, format consistency, headings, indentation.	Are paragraphs logical? Are sentences grammatically correct? Is vocabulary precise and varied?
5. Proofreading	Word-by-word review to find and correct remaining errors. Do not rely solely on spell check — it misses many errors.	Are there any spelling, punctuation, or capitalisation errors?

💡 Proofreading Tips — The Final Stage

• Get rid of all distractions — concentrate fully during proofreading
• Do not rely on spell check — it cannot identify every error (e.g., "their" vs "there")
• Read slowly and read every single word — do not skim at this stage
• Check punctuation carefully: commas, colons, semi-colons, full stops, apostrophes
• Check capitalisation and all numbers — omitted or extra zeros are extremely common mistakes
• Ask someone else to proofread — after multiple readings, we become blind to our own errors

3.12 Let Us Sum Up ignounotes.in

Writing is a skill, not a gift — all good writers work hard at it. Research shows experienced writers plan extensively, revise thoroughly, and sometimes completely restructure first drafts.
Writing is a recursive process (not linear): pre-writing → writing → re-writing. Writers return repeatedly to their ideas, clarifying and improving throughout.
Before writing, clarify: Purpose (why am I writing?), Subject (what am I writing about?), and Reader (who am I writing for?).
Gather information using: highlighters, notes, brainstorming, planning sessions, issue trees, and mind maps.
A thesis statement declares the main controlling idea. It must state a specific opinion on a particular topic. An essay map previews the main points to be covered in the introduction.
A paragraph is unified by a topic sentence. It must be coherent — each sentence logically leads to the next. Linkers (therefore, however, moreover, etc.) show logical relationships.
Introductions must catch attention immediately. Conclusions must give a sense of completion. Neither should be treated as an afterthought.
The four forms of discourse: Expository (facts/information), Narrative (events in time), Descriptive (spatial picture), Argumentative (reasoning for and against).
The 5-stage writing process: First draft → Revising → Refining → Editing → Proofreading. Each stage has a different focus and purpose.

3.13 Model Q&A — Exam-Ready Answers ignounotes.in

⭐ Word Limits

2-mark → 40–60 words | 4-mark → 100–150 words | 6-mark → 200–280 words

Q1 (2 marks) — What is a thesis statement? What makes a good thesis statement?

A thesis statement declares the main point or controlling idea of a piece of writing. It is usually located at the beginning and everything in the writing supports it.

A good thesis statement: (1) states the writer's clearly defined opinion on a specific topic, (2) asserts one main idea, and (3) is stated in specific, concrete terms. Example: "The University requires smart boards urgently if education has to be delivered in a modern way."

Q2 (2 marks) — What is a topic sentence? Where is it usually found in a paragraph?

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the central controlling idea of a paragraph. It tells the reader what the paragraph is about and guides everything that follows. It is most commonly found at the beginning of a paragraph, but can sometimes appear at the end or in the middle. It may also be implied rather than directly stated. Every other sentence in the paragraph must relate to and support the topic sentence.

Q3 (4 marks) — What are the four forms of discourse? Briefly describe each.

There are four basic forms of discourse:

1. Expository: The writer sets forth facts and information. Central tools include grouping, classification, definition, illustration, and instructions. The most common form of writing — textbooks, reports, and academic essays are primarily expository.

2. Narrative: The writer presents events primarily in chronological (time) order. Details are arranged so reader interest builds to a climax. Authors may use flashback or begin in the middle (in media res). Novels, stories, and anecdotes are narrative.

3. Descriptive: The writer creates a picture — showing what someone, something, or a place looks like. All descriptions involve spatial arrangement and use specific, sensory language. R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day" is a masterful example.

4. Argumentative: The writer argues a case by examining a problem from both sides. Good argumentation uses affirmative reasoning, counter-arguments, and exposure of fallacies. It requires strong evidence and logical structure.

Q4 (6 marks) — Describe the writing process in detail. What are the five stages from first draft to final document?

Writing is a recursive process — writers do not move linearly from start to finish. They return repeatedly to their ideas, revising and improving throughout. The process involves five stages:

1. First Draft: The first draft is an experiment — a rough framework of content, meaning, and form. Write quickly to build the general structure. Do not worry about perfection. The first draft is provisional — it will be changed significantly.

2. Revising: Carefully review your first draft against your original intention. Identify what you left out (gaps), what you have included unnecessarily, and whether the draft achieves your purpose. This is a thinking process that may prompt a completely new approach.

3. Refining: Move from global revision to a finer level. Look at examples, illustrations, and evidence. Check whether sub-sections flow logically into each other. Fill in gaps — add explanations and details where they are missing.

4. Editing: Careful reading to ensure correctness of paragraphing (logical? topic sentence?), sentences (tenses, pronouns, structure), vocabulary (precise? varied?), and format (consistent headings, indentation, visual aids).

5. Proofreading: A word-by-word review. Concentrate fully. Do not rely on spell check. Check punctuation, capitalisation, and numbers. Ask someone else to proofread once — after multiple readings, writers become blind to their own errors.

Q5 (4 marks) — What are linkers? Give the types of linkers with two examples each.

Linkers are words and phrases that connect sentences and show the logical relationship between ideas in a piece of writing. They are the signposts of a paragraph — they enable the reader to follow the writer's argument smoothly.

Types with examples:
• Sequence: first, finally — "First, add a layer of gravel. Finally, add the soil."
• Addition: moreover, furthermore — "He can cross deserts. Moreover, he can eat a very wide variety of food."
• Result: therefore, as a result — "She didn't prepare. As a result, she failed the interview."
• Example: for example, for instance — "Many barriers exist. For example, language differences can stop communication entirely."
• Contrast: however, on the other hand — "He is hardworking. However, he lacks confidence in speaking."
• Time: meanwhile, before that — "She waited anxiously. Meanwhile, the train arrived at the platform."
• Conclusion: in conclusion, to sum up — "In conclusion, reading is always an active, not a passive, process."

IGNOUNotes.in — Free study material for IGNOU students. These notes are for personal academic use only. Download the full PDF version of this unit from our website for offline reading and exam revision.

BEGAE-182 Study Notes — Block 3 Unit 3: The Writing Skill — Basic Guidelines

0 views 0 downloads January 2026 English 14 pages 19 min read🔄 Updated Today

Myth About Writing

The Reality

Good writers are born, not made.

All writers need to work at their writing. Writing is a skill anyone can develop with practice and effort.

Good writers write perfectly on the first attempt.

Experienced writers spend a lot of time planning before they begin. Their first drafts are always rough and imperfect.

Once you've written it, you're done.

Experienced writers thoroughly revise — sometimes completely rethinking and restructuring entire sections or the whole piece.

Writing is a linear process.

Writing is recursive — writers return again and again to their ideas, clarifying and improving throughout.

You just need a good idea and the words will flow.

You need strategies: planning, investigating, organising, drafting, revising, refining, and proofreading.

Element

Key Question

Why It Matters

Purpose

Why am I writing this?

Your purpose determines your format, tone, and what information to include. Without a clear purpose, writing wanders without direction.

Subject

What am I writing about?

The subject must be clearly identified and thoroughly investigated. Knowing the subject deeply gives you choices about what to include and what to leave out.

Reader / Audience

Who am I writing for?

The reader determines vocabulary level, amount of explanation needed, tone (technical vs accessible), and level of formality.

Technique

How It Works

Best For

Highlighters

Read through research material and use different colours — one for ideas, one for evidence, one for arguments to counter

Quickly identifying useful material from a large amount of reading without re-reading the whole text

Note Making

Write notes as you read. Be specific. Keep track of what you have read so you can refer back to it during writing

Tracking information and building a reference base for writing assignments and reports

Brainstorming

Generate ideas, facts, and opinions very quickly without evaluating them — quality is assessed later, not during brainstorming itself

Getting all possible ideas out quickly; especially effective in a group

Planning Session

A solo version of brainstorming: review materials, make a list, even speak into a recorder. Write quickly in incomplete sentences — just get ideas flowing

When working alone on an assignment or report without access to a group

Issue Tree / Mind Map

A visual, hierarchical display of ideas and their relationships. Shows each idea's relative importance and connection to other ideas in the piece

Organising complex information visually before beginning to write — especially for long or complex assignments

Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement

Why

States the writer's clearly defined opinion on a specific topic

Vague or obvious statements do not help focus the writing — they go nowhere

Generally asserts ONE main idea

Multiple ideas in one thesis lead to unfocused, sprawling, uncontrolled writing

Stated in specific, concrete terms

Vague: "Education is important." Specific: "Universities must adopt e-learning to improve student outcomes."

Paragraph Component

Purpose

From the Codfish Paragraph (IGNOU Textbook)

Topic Sentence

States the main controlling idea of the paragraph

"Two main circumstances govern the relationship of living things in the sea."

Elaboration

Expands on the topic sentence — explains what the two circumstances are

The fruitfulness of marine life; the ruthlessness with which larger creatures eat smaller ones.

Illustration

Gives a specific example to make the idea concrete and memorable

Codfish eggs: if all hatched, the Atlantic would be solid with cod within six years.

Summing Up

Draws a conclusion or restates the main point to close the paragraph

"Only one sea creature in about 10 million escapes the usual violent death inside another."

Type of Relationship

Linkers to Use

Example Sentence

Sequence / Order

first, second, third, then, next, after that, finally

"First, a layer of gravel. Then, a layer of charcoal. Finally, the soil mixture."

Addition

moreover, furthermore, also, too, besides, in addition, what is more

"Man can cross deserts. Moreover, he can live on a very wide variety of food."

Result / Consequence

therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, hence, so

"He did not get enough votes. As a result, he lost the election."

Example / Illustration

for example, for instance, specifically, such as, as an illustration

"Many animals cannot survive in cold climates. For example, tropical birds die in freezing temperatures."

Comparison

similarly, likewise, in the same way, just as

"Monkeys can move over unforested land. Similarly, macaques have spread widely."

Contrast

but, yet, still, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, in contrast, although, while

"Man has developed culture. However, monkeys share some of his adaptability."

Time

now, later, meanwhile, since then, after that, before that time, when

"Before printing, books were handwritten. After printing, literacy became universal."

Cause

because, since, as, owing to, due to

"Reading slows down because the reader must decode every word individually."

Concession

although, even though, despite, in spite of, while, granted that

"Although man shares some traits with monkeys, he has developed culture they have not."

Summing Up

in conclusion, to sum up, in short, all in all, to conclude, therefore

"In conclusion, reading is an active, not a passive, process."

Type

Techniques to Use

Key Principle

Introduction

• Statement of a problem or misconception
• An arresting statistic or shocking fact
• A question
• A quotation
• A relevant story, joke, or anecdote
• An analogy or comparison
• A contrast
• A personal experience

The first few sentences determine whether the reader keeps reading. You must catch the reader's attention immediately and make them want to continue.

Conclusion

• A restatement of the thesis statement
• An evaluation of the importance of the subject
• Statement of broader implications
• A call to action
• A warning based on the thesis
• A quotation from an authority
• An anecdote
• A rhetorical question

Must give the reader a sense of completion and leave them with a strong, clear impression of your main argument. Must never introduce new ideas.

Tool

What It Does

Example

Grouping

Selecting and combining items by shared features

Grouping animals into mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and amphibians

Classification

Breaking a broad topic into logical parts

Classifying communication into verbal and non-verbal

Definition

Distinguishing a thing from others by its characteristics

Defining "communication" as "the exchange of information between two or more persons"

Illustration

Using examples to make an idea concrete and accessible

Illustrating homonyms with examples like "club" and "bed"

Instructions / Directions

Explaining how to do something step by step

A recipe, a how-to manual, a user guide, an IGNOU assignment format guide

Process / System

Describing how something works

Explaining how the reading process works; how a terrarium maintains itself

Feature

What to Do

From R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day"

Being specific

Use exact details instead of vague generalisations

"...a dozen cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth, a saffron-coloured turban..."

Descriptive details

Describe appearance, texture, colour, sound, smell

"His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermillion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam..."

Variation

Vary vocabulary — don't repeat the same descriptive word

"eyes sparkled... sharp abnormal gleam... prophetic look... power of his eyes..."

Spatial arrangement

Move from general to particular — organise what you describe in space

Narayan first describes the astrologer, then moves outward to the crowded street scene around him

Strategy

How It Works

Affirmative argument

Give your own arguments by taking a clear position and supporting it with evidence and sound reasoning

Counter-argument / Rebuttal

Give evidence that counter-balances or weakens the opponent's argument

Exposing fallacies

Point out logical errors, false assumptions, or weak evidence in the opponent's position to discredit it

Stage

What to Do

Key Questions to Ask Yourself

1. First Draft

Write quickly to build a rough framework of content, meaning, and form. Do not worry about perfection — it is provisional, experimental writing.

What am I trying to say? Does this draft have a general structure?

2. Revising

Carefully review the draft against your original intention. Check what you left out (gaps), what is unnecessary, and whether you achieved your purpose.

What did I miss? What is irrelevant? Have I fulfilled my purpose?

3. Refining

Improve examples, illustrations, and evidence. Check logical flow between sub-sections. Fill in gaps — add explanations and details where needed.

Do my examples support the main ideas? Is anything still missing?

4. Editing

Careful reading to ensure correctness of: paragraphing, topic sentences, sentence structure, tenses, pronouns, vocabulary choice, format consistency, headings, indentation.

Are paragraphs logical? Are sentences grammatically correct? Is vocabulary precise and varied?

5. Proofreading

Word-by-word review to find and correct remaining errors. Do not rely solely on spell check — it misses many errors.

Are there any spelling, punctuation, or capitalisation errors?

BEGAE-182 Study Notes — Block 3 Unit 3: The Writing Skill — Basic Guidelines

Expository Discourse — The Key Tools

Descriptive Discourse — Key Features (R.K. Narayan Example)

Argumentative Discourse — Key Strategies

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BEGAE-182 Study Notes — Block 3 Unit 3: The Writing Skill — Basic Guidelines

Expository Discourse — The Key Tools

Descriptive Discourse — Key Features (R.K. Narayan Example)

Argumentative Discourse — Key Strategies

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