Standard Grade Writing

Four Types of Writing  to convey information  discursive (to deploy ideas, expound, argue and evaluate)  to describe personal experience, express feelings and reactions  to write in a specific literary form (e.g. short story, letter, poem).

To convey information  These are topics which ask you to give information, expressed clearly and organised in a logical way.  Examples –Write about your hobby in an informative and interesting way. –Write about your neighbourhood, giving as much information as possible about housing, local facilities, places of interest etc.

Discursive (to deploy ideas, expound, argue and evaluate)  In a discursive essay you are asked to express your views on a topic, backing up your ideas with evidence. Usually you can recognise this type of question easily by key words such as: –Discuss –Views –Opinions  Examples –Write your views on animal experimentation. –Scotland should be an independent nation. Discuss this view.

Criteria states that personal writing should have ‘insight and self-awareness’ and you should be able to ‘express personal feelings and reactions sensitively’ Some rules:  Include your thoughts and feelings  Use detail and description  Should be true  Write in first person narrative i.e. I, me, my, we  Explain how the events, experiences and people you describe affects you

Personal Writing - Examples  Write about a place which made a strong impression on you, conveying your feelings and thoughts about it.  Think about a time when you felt lonely. Describe what happened, what you thought and what you felt.

Specific literary form  If the question asks you to write in a specific literary form (e.g. short story, article, letter) this will be clearly stated in the question.  Examples –Write a short story where a character changes his or her views as a result of experience. –Write an article for a magazine about a person, living or dead, whom you admire, making clear what qualities have led you to admire him/her.

Writing under exam conditions Before you start writing:  Read the questions and choose one carefully  Make sure you are clear about what the question is asking you to do and what form it should take

Writing under exam conditions Before you start writing you should ask yourself -  What am I being asked to write? (Purpose)  Who am I writing for? (Audience) The answers to these questions will tell you how to approach your writing task. They will tell you what form your writing should take (e.g. letter, script) and what kind of language you should use.

Writing under exam conditions  Planning –Brainstrorm: jot down any ideas which come into your head –Organise your ideas  Think of structure –beginning, middle, end –Introduction –One main idea per paragraph –Conclusion –Use  Headings  Key words  Diagrams

Writing under exam conditions  When writing: –Read each paragraph to make sure you’re on the right lines. –Check punctuation and spelling. –Leave 5 minutes at the end to check over your work

What type of writing? “Those who work in the emergency services should not have to risk their lives to rescue people who take part in dangerous activities.” Discuss this point of view.

What type of writing? “A holiday with a difference.” Write about an activity holiday you have taken part in.

What type of writing? Write a short story in which leadership plays an important part.

What type of writing? In search of… Write about what you are looking and hoping for from life.

Task Make a plan for each of these tasks: 1. “A holiday with a difference.” Write about an activity holiday you have taken part in. 2. You have a penpal in another country. Write a letter to her/him, describing a typical day in your life. Include your thoughts and feelings while you describe the events that happen.

 Your plan should include the following information –Purpose –Audience –Type of language –Main ideas –Structure