WJEC English Language GCSE Unit 2 Writing

What are we learning today? Learning Outcomes I will have created a file on key information for our Unit 2 GCSE exam I will be able to identify the PAFT of informal letters I will have evaluated an example informal letter I will have created an informal letter Learning Objectives To develop our understanding of the expectations for Unit 2 Writing Exam To examine and discuss what is required for an informal letter.

letter; report; article; leaflet; speech; review Don’t get caught with your pants down when it comes to your final English exam! There are two writing questions and you have just one hour to complete BOTH! You will be asked to write two of these: letter; report; article; leaflet; speech; review

What about the numbers involved? Each question is marked /20. 13 marks for content and paragraphing 7 marks for technical accuracy.

Top Tips As you read the question look for and identify the Purpose Audience Format Read the instructions carefully and use any bullet points you are given. Time management: 25 minutes per question to allow for revision and last minute editing. Think before you write – plan your work carefully so there is structure to your writing.

Letter Writing Informal Letter – written to a friend or family member. The tone should be friendly with a “chatty” approach. There are certain features of an informal letter. What are they?

Write a letter to a friend who is considering moving abroad. Look at the following letter. The task set in the exam was: Write a letter to a friend who is considering moving abroad. PAF? Evaluate the letter for: Layout Tone Organisation Content Technical inaccuracies

Now look at the paragraph that begins: “Going abroad …… Now look at the paragraph that begins: “Going abroad …….” - this has lost valuable marks because it is so brief. Re-write this paragraph detailing what some of the problems are: finding a job; accommodation; making new friends, etc.

Informal Letter Success Criteria Informal Letter Aspects: Clear PAFT Points convincingly developed Sustained, developed detail throughout Paragraphs Appropriate and ambitious vocabulary Stylistic devices Technical Aspects: Correct Spelling Varied sentence structure Range of punctuation used accurately Sentences used to create effect

Your aunt & uncle have invited you to go on a round the world cruise with them over the holidays. Write a detailed letter with your reply giving reasons for your decision.

Now let’s look at formal letter writing – notice the differences about how they are set out

Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully Your own address Today’s date Name and address of person you are writing to. (or name of person if possible, you can make one up) Dear Sir/Madam, Letter content which should be clearly paragraphed using relevant topic sentences. Make sure your work is punctuated correctly and that you use formal language. You use “faithfully” if you began your letter with “Dear Sir/Madam” Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully

Most of the letters you will be asked to write will ask you to PERSUADE or to ARGUE or ADVISE. Quite often they may ask for a combination. There are certain skills/features associated with these terms and examiners will expect you to evidence them in your writing.

Persuasive devices – remember A FOREST A Alliteration: Audience involvement F Facts: figurative language O Opinion yours and experts R Rhetorical questions: repetition E Emotive language – exaggeration - hyperbole S Statistics T Three: list of

When you are asked to argue, the examiner wants you to put just one point of view. You need to be very clear from the beginning what your viewpoint is and make this clear in your writing. If you are asked to argue Mobile phones should be banned in schools, you are either in favour or against, you ARE NOT putting two points of view. The only time you may wish to put the opposite view is if you are using it as an example to then disagree with –a counter argument eg. Mobile phones are a necessary part of life. What rubbish, what did people do before they were invented!

Choose one of the following questions to answer…