GRADE 9 English PERSONAL GROOMING – WRITING:THE WRITING PROCESS Notes
ENGLISH NOTES — WRITING: THE WRITING PROCESS
Topic: PERSONAL GROOMING (examples used for grammar practice) · Level: Form 2 / Age ~14 · Kenya
Use grammar correctly when writing about the personal grooming process. Focus on sentence structure, tense, punctuation, linking words, voice, and common word errors.
The Writing Process (grammar focus)
- Plan (Brainstorm) — Choose verbs, nouns and adjectives you will use. e.g., nouns: soap, comb, uniform; verbs: wash, comb, polish; adjectives: clean, neat.
- Draft — Write sentences. Watch subject-verb agreement, correct verb tense, and pronouns.
- Revise — Improve cohesion: use linking words, check paragraph structure (topic → support → closing).
- Edit — Correct grammar: punctuation, capitalization, spelling, articles (a/the), prepositions.
- Proofread — Final read for small grammar mistakes and word choice (their/there/they're etc.).
Key grammar points with examples (all about personal grooming)
Use the correct verb form for singular and plural subjects.
- Singular: "The boy combs his hair." (not "comb")
- Plural: "The students polish their shoes." (not "polishes")
- Example: "He washes his hands." vs "They wash their hands."
Process writing usually uses the present simple for routines and the past simple for events that happened:
- Routine: "Every morning I put on a clean uniform and brush my teeth."
- Sequence of past events: "Yesterday I woke up early, washed my face, and hurried to school."
- Tip: For instructions use the imperative: "Comb your hair neatly."
One clear paragraph = topic sentence + supporting sentences + closing sentence. Use linking words to show order:
Linking / sequencing words: first, then, next, after that, finally, meanwhile.
Example paragraph (process):
i wake up wash my hands then i put on my school uniform and comb my hair.
Corrected:I wake up, wash my hands, and then put on my school uniform. Next, I comb my hair neatly.
Corrections explained: Capitalize "I"; use commas to separate actions; include "and" for lists; use sequencing word "Next"; add adverb "neatly" to describe how.
- Begin sentences with a capital letter: "My shoes are clean."
- Full stop (.) for statements, question mark (?) for questions, exclamation (!) for strong commands or feelings.
- Use commas to separate items or actions: "Wash your hands, dry them, and put on deodorant."
- Use apostrophes correctly: "It's important to be neat." (It is) vs "Its sole is worn." (possessive)
Active voice is clearer for process writing. Use passive only if the doer is not important.
- Active: "Mum washes my school blazer." (clear and direct)
- Passive: "The blazer was washed." (focuses on the blazer, not who washed it)
- Use articles correctly: "a comb" (one of many) vs "the comb" (specific comb).
- Common prepositions: "wash with soap", "put on a uniform", "brush before school".
- Examples: "I clean my nails with a brush." "She dries her hair with a towel."
- their / there / they're — "Their uniform is clean." / "There is soap on the sink." / "They're going to school."
- your / you're — "Your shoes are shiny." / "You're ready."
- everyday / every day — "Every day I brush my teeth." (use two words for 'each day')
Quick editing checklist
- Capitals at sentence start and for "I".
- Correct tense and subject–verb agreement.
- Punctuation at sentence end and commas in lists.
- Correct articles (a/an/the) and prepositions.
- Spelling of tricky words and homophones (their/there/they're).
- Clear paragraphing and linking words for sequence.
Short exercises (try them!)
- Correct the sentence: "me wash my hands then i put on deodorant"
- Change to imperative (command): "You should comb your hair neatly."
- Combine using linking words: "I brush my teeth. I put on my shoes. I go to school."
- "I wash my hands, then I put on deodorant." (Capitalize I; add comma; correct verb form)
- "Comb your hair neatly." (Imperative form — short and direct)
- "First, I brush my teeth. Then I put on my shoes. Finally, I go to school." (Use sequencing words for cohesion)
Use clear sentences like steps: ✓ Start with a topic sentence. ✓ Use present simple for routines. ✓ Use commas between short actions. Example: 🧼 Wash your hands → 🧴 Dry them → 👕 Put on a clean uniform.
Tip for teachers / learners: When marking drafts, focus first on meaning and sequence, then correct grammar (tense, agreement, punctuation) before final copy.