GCSE English Section B Revising the writing tasks - The Basics

Sample question: Writing to ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE 8. A recent newspaper article has claimed that in the age of the internet we no longer need schools. Write a letter to the newspaper arguing your point of view. Begin the letter ‘Dear Editor’. [30]

Before you begin to answer, make sure that you… F L A PF L A P Click the button below each letter to remind yourself what they mean, or click in the corner to move onto the next topic. (In some cases you may have learnt to PFAC or PAST instead, it’s the same idea)

F orm Make sure that you are aware of what form the answer requires. It may be any of the above or more. How will you alter your writing for each of these forms? What do they need?

L anguage Make sure you know which style of language is required.

A udience Who are your writing for? Who do you want to interest? How will you alter your writing for each of these different audiences? Your school? The general public? A headmaster? Who else could you be writing for?

P urpose ANALYSE, REVIEW, COMMENT ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE Writing to…. OR For tips on how to write for each triplet, click the question marks below. Otherwise click to the bottom left to continue.

Argue Features of writing to ‘argue’ -Formal language -Balanced sentences -People’s opinions -Specific examples -Range and variety of points -Countering opposite points of view, discredit the other side’s views politely. -A clear conclusion

Persuade Features of writing to persuade: -Emotive language -Apparent balance, polite but convincing -Mixture of first, second and third person -Shock the reader? -Literary devices: alliteration, rule of three, short sharp sentences -Rhetorical questions Or, another way of saying it:

PERFORM (Argue/Persuade) PPersonal address to involve the reader EEmotive language and strong ending RRhetorical questions and repetition FFacts and formal tone OOpening statement to grab audience RRule of three MMarkers or connectives to shape your writing

Advise Features of writing to advise: -Formal language -Give reasons for a course of action -Suggestions of what to do -What, should, could… -Address the reader: ‘you’ -Imperatives -Ask questions and give answers -Clear conclusion

ANALYSE, COMMENT, REVIEW To analyse asks you to consider and judge viewpoints. To review asks you to give your viewpont and your reasons for it. To comment asks you to give your viewpoint and the reasons, but also to take others’ viewpoints into account in presenting a balanced argument. You need to analyse the positive and negative aspects of the subject under consideration. You must use EVALUATIVE language. Use infinitives and technical terms to show authenticity.

Writing to ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE 8. A recent newspaper article has claimed that in the age of the internet we no longer need schools. Write a letter to the newspaper arguing your point of view. Begin the letter ‘Dear Editor’. [30] Click ‘?’ to FLAP this question.

Writing to ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE 8. A recent newspaper article has claimed that in the age of the internet we no longer need schools. Write a LETTER to the newspaper arguing your point of view. Begin the LETTER ‘Dear Editor’. [30] FORM: Letter Language: Formal AUDIENCE: Editor and newspaper readers PURPOSE: Argue

When you have FLAPped the question, then you need to PLAN your answer. Spend FIVE minutes planning your answer. A plan will help to give structure to your answer; it will give a direction to your writing. Different types of planning: Work out which method you prefer and practice it using the questions at the back (see contents page).

HOW CAN I MAKE MY WRITING INTERESTING? PARAGRAPHS: Make sure that you start a new paragraph whenever you begin a new point or topic. Some of your paragraphs will be obvious from your planning. Indent your paragraphs. Or miss out a line. SENTENCE STRUCTURES: Make sure you have a range of LONGER and SHORTER sentences. Use exciting connectives, rather than commas. PUNCTUATION: Make sure that you have included the correct punctuation: - Full stops and capital letters (essentials!) - Speech marks and apostrophes - Commas, Semi-colons; Colons:

AFTER you have finished writing Make sure that you leave FIVE minutes at the end in order to check your answer… Check for: spelink Spelling “Punctuation…” Have I answered the question? Have I included all the features necessary for the form?

Practice Questions Practice Question OnePractice Question Two Practice Question Three Practice Question Four

Practice Question One WRITING TO ANALYSE, REVIEW, COMMENT 1. How independent do you think you are? Do you want more or less independence in your life? What are the dangers of freedom?

Practice Question Two WRITING TO ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE 2. Your college youth council is debating making the school day longer to add in an extra lesson. Write a speech to the council arguing your point of view.

Practice Question Three WRITING TO ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE 3. An elderly relative has just bought a computer but is unsure of how to use it. Write a report advising him/her how to use the internet and some of the potential problems they need to be aware of.

Practice Question Four WRITING TO ANALYSE, REVIEW, COMMENT 4. Your class is discussing the topic: “Music be the food of love.” What is the importance of music for you in your life?