Temario
PRESENTACIÒ,N
The Writing in English Workshop offers an opportunity to learn how to develop texts in English. The focus of the sessions is on the elaboration, development and analysis of the participant´,s own written work. Despite this emphasis on the personal requirements of each participant, it has to be recognized that professional writing requires input from a wide variety of sources such as journalism, academic articles, letters, proposals, short story, among others, which play a role in the work and development of the Workshop.
Writing is often the most difficult skill to acquire when learning a language. Unlike reading, listening or speaking, writing requires the coincidence between our personal way of expressing ourselves, clear thinking and the use of techniques that can be acquired through training and practice. Putting words down on paper, or on the computer screen, is influenced by our approach to a given subject, our knowledge about it and our desire to express our opinion about it. The tools of writing enable us to communicate our message coherently and in a way that is appropriately targeted to our reader. There are two fundamental qualities in the act of writing that the other language skills don&rsquo,t possess: i) the writer has to be prepared to spend sufficient time developing a text, and ii) writing has a degree of permanence as the written word can have legal, scientific, artistic or historic value.
To some extent, the processes involved in the elaboration of a written text can be compared with road construction: both require the application of rules, knowledge of techniques, and some theoretical understanding. However, there is a major difference between them as a text has to be interesting to the reader, -otherwise it won&rsquo,t be read, whereas a road just has to be functional. This explains why our pen, or the keys of our computer, are constantly seeking the right expression that transmits our message.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES
Encourage the significant improvement of written English among the Workshop participants. This includes the elaboration and structuring of texts, the understanding and use of the main technical aspects of writing in English, a grasp of the elements of a good writing style, and finally, the sense and interpretation of English words.
Offer participants the opportunity to develop criticism and appreciation skills with respect to their own writing, as well as the necessary skills of dialogue and commentary on the work of their peers and fellow participants in the Workshop.
Offer the participants a context to evaluate and recognize the quality of texts that have been written by professional writers.
JUSTIFICATION
English is a global language that is increasingly required for work and social and cultural life. The use of written English is particularly important for university life and is used for everything from the writing of simple messages to the development of complex programs, events and projects. Writing in English is also important as not all academic and administrative texts, or documents containing information which is essential for professional and university life, are translated, thus increasing the need to prepare documents in English.
There are many advantages to writing well in English, including students who wish to undertake academic studies abroad, administrators whose work includes the coordination with their counterparts abroad, and also professionals whose work deserves greater diffusion.
