Connector Imagine you are in an exam and you don’t know where to start… Think of five ways to say you are panicking!!

LO - You will learn how to approach writing questions in an exam. Some new English terms.

In your connector did you include FLAP?

Flap is an acronym. It stands for: F – Form L – Layout A – Audience P - Purpose

Form This is what you have actually been asked to produce. The form of a text just means what it is. Forms can include – A letter A review A leaflet An article An email A report A speech

Layout Do you know how it should look on the page? What should a formal letter look like? Do you need – Pictures Headings Bullet points Etc.

Audience Who is the text for? Does the question specify a person/group? Does this make the text formal or informal? Examples can include A friend A relative A group of young people A teacher The readers of a newspaper Or even the Prime Minister!

Purpose What is the text intended to do? Purposes of writing – Inform Explain Describe Argue Persuade Advise Imagine Entertain Explore Review What is the text intended to do? What are you trying to do by writing the text?

You can apply FLAP to any exam writing question. You should do this to make sure you are answering the question correctly and you will get the most marks for the best levels!

Example Imagine that the examine question is this – Make a leaflet to be given out in your school to persuade pupils to eat healthily.

FLAP it! Write a leaflet to be given out in your school to persuade pupils to eat healthily. Form – leaflet Layout – pictures, bullets, different font/sizes Audience – teenagers Purpose – to persuade (CRAPFOREST)

Now you know exactly what to do! Let’s identify what we should do in this question: Write a report for your school council on the sports facilities at your school. FLAP it!

Write a report for your school council informing of the sports facilities at your school. Form – a report Layout – headings Audience – school council (pupils and teachers) Purpose - Inform (facts, third person, etc)

FLAP these on your own. Write a newspaper article for your school magazine to review your school trip to London Zoo. Write a letter to Simon Cowell to persuade him to hold the X Factor final in Southall. Write an email to the BBC to complain about a programme you watched.

Complaints These can be tricky! The audience, form and layout are fine, it’s the purpose which is difficult to spot. You must use a little of all– You must inform them of the situation, describe why you have a problem and persuade them to do something about it!

review What does FLAP stand for?