Session 4.

Writing

Gadget and inventions

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the session participants will:
- be familiar with presenting information clearly while writing report
- practice giving written reports
- gain experience how to structure the different points and use a different
paragraph for each

Time: 80 min.
Materials: whiteboard and whiteboard markers, handouts, LCD
Projector, stickers.

Plan
1 Activity 1. to prepare for the 10 Handout 1
Warm up session
2 Activity 2. to give information on
Reading for the topic 5 Handout 2
detailed
information
3 Activity 3. to be able to find and 20 Handout 3
Reading for use specific
specific information from the
information text
4 Activity 4. to be able to complete Handout 4
Complete a a report; 35
report. to be able to plan
writing report
5 Activity 5. to be able to check own Handout 5
Conclusion mistakes and make 10
correction
Activity 1. Warm up
Objectives: to prepare for the session.
Time: 10 min
Material: Handout 1

Handout 1.
Which of the following products do you use? Which do you think are the
most useful? Why?

a smartphone a mobile phone

a tablet computer a personal computer

Possible answer. Participants own answers.

Activity 2. Reading for detailed information

Objectives:
Time: 5 min
Material: Handout 2

1. The table below shows worldwide sales for smartphones, mobile

phones, tablet computers and personal computers in 2010 and 2011.

Handout 2.

Look at the table and answer the questions.

Which product has increased its sales the most?
Which product sells the most?
Which product has decreased in sales?

2010 sales 2011 sales

Items Increase
(million units) (million units)
Smartphones 297 480 61%
mobile phones 1143 1120 -2%
tablet computers 19 35 84%
personal computers 346 355 2%

Keys: 1. tablet computers 2. mobile phones 3. mobile phones

Activity 3. Reading for specific information
The table shows smartphone, mobile phone, tablet computer and
personal computer sales in millions of units for the years 2010 and
2011.
First of all, when looking at phone sales, it can be seen that overall
sales have increased significantly. However, comparing the sales of
smartphones with mobile phones it becomes obvious that the overall
increase is due entirely to smartphone sales as there is almost no
difference in sales of ordinary phones.
Figures show only a slight variation between 2010 and 2011. On the
other hand, there are significant differences in smartphone sales over
the same period with an increase of a staggering 61% in only a year.
This trend is likely to continue as more and more people who need to
buy a new phone decide to change over from the ordinary type to the
smart type. The results for smartphones showed an interesting contrast
to those for mobile phones with smartphone sales rising significantly
even though mobile phone sales continue to be far more important
than smartphone sales. The figures for computer sales are equally
interesting. To begin with ...

Objectives: to be able to find and use specific information from the text
Time: 20 min
Material: Handout 3

Read the report on the information in the table.

1. Read the report again and find:

1 Two phrases which say that two things are nearly the same.
almost no difference; only a slight variation

2 Four phrases that talk about differences.

significant differences; an increase of;
an interesting contrast, rising significantly

3 Four linking phrases.

First of all; However; On the other hand; To begin with
2. Look at the phrases in the box which have the same or a similar
meaning.
almost no difference equal significant difference
only a slight variation no difference no variation
of greater importance far more important more or less equal

Answers:
-almost no difference; only a slight variation; more or less equal
-significant difference; of greater importance; far more important
-no difference; no variation

3. Use the words in the box to complete the sentences.

however nevertheless despite even though
1. Some people don't like smartphones _________________they have
many advantages.
2. Smartphones are very useful.________________, they are expensive.
3. _________________the fact that everyone seems to have a smartphone,
mobile phones sales are still twice that of smartphones.
4. Smartphones can run down the battery very quickly__________ battery
life is improving every year.
Answers:
1.even though 2.However 3. Despite 4. Nevertheless

Activity 4. Complete a report.

Objectives: to be able to complete a report;
to be able to plan writing report
Time: 35 min
Material: Handout 4

Complete the report by comparing computer sales figures in the

table and then providing an overall conclusion (100-150 words). Use
at least six of the expressions in exercise 4.
Writing Tip
When you write a report, it is very important to present the information
clearly. Before you write the report, you need to think about how you are
going to structure the different points and use a different paragraph for
each. You should include a general overview, detail information relating to
the different points you make and an overall conclusion.

Plan your writing

Think about the content of your report. Provide a general description

of computer sales, contrast sales of tablet and personal computers and

mention sales of different types of phones and computers in your
conclusion.

Activity 5. Conclusion
Objectives: to be able to check own mistakes and make correction
Time: 10 min
Material: Handout 5

Check your writing

Have you used at least six of the expressions in exercises 4 and 5?

Have you checked your grammar and spelling?

Did you find any mistakes?