Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

SUMMIT 1 WRITING ASSESSMENT 4

Not my style!
Students…

 Organize complex written material into numbered sections and sub-sections.

 Express coherent ideas on topics of interest related to clothing and
appearance.
 Write a detailed, reasoned argument about a topic.

1. Think about:

1. How would you define your clothing style?

2. Is there any piece of clothing or accessory

typical form your country that is popular or
recognized in other parts of the world? If so, why
do you think it is popular?

3. Do you think clothing is a representation of

culture? Why?

4. Do you toss your clothes aside in your

wardrobe?

Toss aside: To discard, reject, or abandon

someone or something.

Dip into: Spend part of your saved money.

2. Words matter!

To do well in this lesson, it is necessary to learn a number of words. Please complete

the following exercise. At the end, you will have increased your vocabulary.

2.1. Underline the expression that best matches the idea of the boldfaced word or
phrase. Have a dictionary at hand!

a. Don’t you think that jacket is a little flashy for a job interview? I would go for a suit instead.

- Something that attracts people’s attention. – Something expensive.

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Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

b. You look awesome in those orange shoes. You are very self-confident to wear them. I
wouldn’t take those fashion risks.

- Being a little crazy -Having a strong personality.

c. Those baggy pants are a brilliant idea! Nobody can tell I’m pregnant yet.

- Big - Dark

d. I hate formal clothes, but the company has a very strict dress code. Should I accept the
job?

- Has clear rules about clothing. - Hires only elegant people.

2.2. Match the word on the left with the corresponding category on the right. In this
way you will know what kind of word it is.

Word Category
1. Conservative (___) a. Low profile
2. Old fashioned (___) b. Classic
3. Underdressed (___) c. Edgy
4. Trendy (___) d. Overdressed
5. Over the top (___) e. On trend

3. Read a bit!

Read the following text of one of our columnists who explains how Colombian
clothing changes according to the regions.

FROM REGION TO REGION

Coming from a tropical weather country and visiting a seasonal one is one of the biggest
challenges people have to face when traveling. This was my personal experience when
traveling abroad. I’m a very informal man, and I love wearing baggy clothes, really
comfortable pants and t-shirts. However, when I traveled to Italy for work and stayed there
for two years, my vision totally changed. It is amazing how the style and the mood of people
change depending on the time of the year. In summer, for instance, flashy styles are
everywhere, colorful shorts, sandals and shoes are trendy during those three months. All
those colors were a little too much for me, I guess I’m not that self-confident.

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Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

Then, I started wondering the way

clothes change in my country because,
even if we are not seasonal, Colombian
clothing differ if you are in the high, cool
mountain regions to the low, warm
coastal zones. To illustrate, the Andean
region tends to be older fashioned and
“conservative “. On the other hand,
Caribbean region dress code adopted
bright colors and loose-fitting clothes.
Let's find out about the clothing
traditions of different parts of Colombia
that shows the wide range of elements
that represent their identity, culture and
customs.
Andean region

Due to the mountain range that covers this region some communities have opted for the
“ruana” or wool poncho that goes for both, men and women. Andean city folk have adapted
this piece of clothing as something highly fashionably including different styles and fabrics
leaving behind the idea, this element could give an underdressed look. Some people could
consider they are over the top, while some others claim the cold is so intense (especially in
the ‘Sabana’ region) that it is not a fashion element but a necessary one.

Orinoco region

In contrast, this region is characterized by being warm. Horseback riding and cattle ranching
are a way of life so clothes are simple, convenient and designed for the horseback riding.
One of the distinguishing elements is the hat which is made of heavy material as to not fly
off when riding a horse.

Caribbean region

This region is coastal, so the clothing of local people is light, using bright colors on their
pieces. It is common to see men wearing white pants and a white shirts and women wearing
light skirts and tops. But one of the elements that calls the attention the most is the “vueltiao”
hat which was declared a Cultural Symbol of the Nation.

Pacific region

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Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

This territory is highly influenced by African descendants retaining traditions and including
the clothing. Woman, use to wear head wraps and other colorful adornments and
accessories; colorful clothing, made with soft fabrics and decorated with flowers, ribbons
and other flourishes and designs. Similarly, to the Caribbean region, men, usually wear loose
colorful garments, and sandals made from the natural materials. Patterns and polka dots are
usually seen on their designs.

4. Grammar and composition

In this session you will find grammar elements and composition strategies that help
will you with your writing production. Read the explanation; this is important for the
next step!

Connectors for comparing and contrasting paragraphs

Connectors are vital when we are constructing a text. Here we have some cases in which
connectors are useful to compare and contrast in paragraphs and short texts. Check this
out:

1. Similarly, to the Caribbean region, men, usually wear loose colorful garments, and
sandals made from the natural materials.

Now check this:

2. In contrast, this region is characterized by being warm.

In which sentence are we comparing? In which one are we contrasting information?

We can also use connectors to link to sentences:

3. Some people could consider they are over the top, while some others claim the cold
is so intense

There are other useful connectors such as whereas, however, in contrast, likewise,
among others. If you keep this in mind, you written texts will be awesome!

Making a chart can help you figuring out what criteria you want to focus on in comparing
the items.

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Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

Andean Region Caribbean Region

Material Wool Cotton

Colors Dark colors Bright colors

Weather characteristic Windy and mountainous Hot and tropical

After stablishing what the differences or similarities are, you must decide which of them
are relevant to be included in your text. Consider the following:

What’s relevant to the giving instructions you have for developing the text?

What matters to the argument you are going to make?

Then, it is time to write!

4.1 Express where you stand on the following question: Are “Mochilas Wayú” a fashion
trend or a cultural symbol?

________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________.

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Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

4.2 Think of a “mochila Wayú” a Colombian fashion accessory that has so much history
behind. Have you ever seen it? Try to remember how it looks and state five opinions
or perceptions you might have on this fashion item compared to other type of similar
elements. Then write them in the blanks below. Follow the example:

I see a lot of women in the street wearing these mochilas. Unlike regular purses, I consider
them very trendy.

a. _____________________________________________________________________________________________.

b. _____________________________________________________________________________________________.

c. _____________________________________________________________________________________________.

d. _____________________________________________________________________________________________.

e. _____________________________________________________________________________________________.

HEADINGS AND SUBHEADINGS

Using headings and subheadings give the readers a general idea of what to expect from the text
dividing its elements and defining each section of the paper. Using subsections in the text,
progressively you give the sense of heading into the next elements without skipping any of them.
But this is only a small scale, as in academic text, and according to the APA style, papers could be
divided not only into an only and specific heading, but into 5 different levels.

Level 1 Section heading

Level 2 Subsection heading

Level 3 Subsection of a subsection heading

Level 4 Subsection under a subsection of a subsection heading

Level 5 Subsection under the three subsections heading

According to the APA, there is a recommended format and example for the heading levels .

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Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

Taken from: https://apaformat.org/apa-headings-and-subheadings/

Your text is meant to communicate ideas and get our points across as clearly as possible. That is
why it is important to know how to state your points clearly and precisely, integrating the
elements you want to describe.

4.3. Think about one element that is typical or representative of the place, region or
city you live. After that, complete the following chart:

Element/object _________________________________________________

Is there any similar object in another

region of the country? Maybe in _________________________________________________
another part of the world?

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Writing Assessment Student’s Guide

Which are the similarities/ SIMILARITIES:

differences your object has with the
one you mentioned before? 1._______________________________________________.

2. ______________________________________________.

3. ______________________________________________.

4. ______________________________________________.

5. ______________________________________________.

DIFFERENCES:

1._______________________________________________.

2. ______________________________________________.

3. ______________________________________________.

4. ______________________________________________.

5. ______________________________________________.

Mention 3 different headings you 1._______________________________________________.

can develop about the topic.
2. ______________________________________________.

3. ______________________________________________.

Now you are ready for your writing test. Let’s write something!

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