“FREE” WRITING AT ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE Wednesday, 02 January 2019 “FREE” WRITING AT ENGLISH LANGUAGE GCSE

The choices Paper 1: Descriptive and imaginative Paper 2: Transactional and discursive

Paper 1 Descriptive requires: FOCUS, Organisation and clarity together with accuracy of language. It must not turn into a story. Imaginative requires: Control of a plot, Development of character, structure, language for effect, punctuation for effect and planning. It must not be too far fetched.

Paper 2 Transactional has a clear sense of purpose and a clear intended audience: reports, letters, leaflets… REPORTS need a clear heading, information about the author and intended recipients and a date. Bullet points are acceptable, but all writing should reflect well constructed standard English. what is a report? (yours will be simpler than this) LEAFLETS must have headings and sub-headings. Pictures can be represented by an empty box containing a few words of description. Bullets may be used.

Paper 2 (continued) Discursive writing focuses on argument, opinion and discussion. It may take the form of transactional writing – newspapers for example. There is intended and acknowledged overlap between the two sections in this writing task. Layout is important – think before you write. Concentrate on using correct Standard English. Question B1 is often related to the media content of the A questions – use it.

Write a report Write a report which looks at the quality of promotional leaflet writing used to promote tourist sights. Consider: use of layout, font, language, information. Consider the intended audience/readership. Consider what would make a good leaflet in your opinion. This report should help you to recognise the key features of such transactional writing. Use your leaflets carefully and go for detail here!