Discursive Writing Folio - W1

Learning Intentions By the end of this unit, you will be able to Identify key elements of discursive writing Use key elements of discursive writing Redraft your discursive writing using all of the key elements

Elements of Discursive Writing titles formal language introductions and conclusions key statements persuasive language repetition rhetorical questions development anecdote statistics

Titles Indicate which direction the argument will take (not just the topic) Use of pun Can be alliterative E.g. newspaper headlines

Task Read the article about mobile texting twice In groups, discuss the title and make any relevant comments On your own, write a paragraph outlining your thoughts on: “How effective is the title?”

formal language No contractions (except direct speech) Not colloquial Usually 3rd person

Task In groups, identify elements of the article which make it formal Homework - write a paragraph outlining your thoughts

Introductions capture the reader's attention avoid being bland or dull. E.g. “I am going to write about fast food”

Types of Opening Provocative- Junk food is the scourge of our society! Balanced – Whether we should eat is a subject many people disagree about! Quotation – Fast food has been described, in the press, as being “out of control”. Illustration - "On a glorious Saturday evening, a young girl staggers to the side of the road, fighting for breath. Anecdote - "I have always felt that the promotion of fast food is unacceptable, since I was shocked to see a girl fighting for breath due to obesity.

Task Look at your first draft. Does your first sentence fit into any of the styles? How would you describe it? Write different openings, for your essay, in each of the styles Now, rewrite your introduction bearing in mind what you have learned

Paired Task In pairs, read the two versions of your partner’s introduction Make notes on how they compare Now relook at your own Is there anything you would change?

key statements This is your point in its most basic form No examples No development Can be quite emotive Strong statement E.g. “Animals are not always like humans.”

Task Pick out 2 of your main points. Write them as statement sentences

Development Builds on your main point Uses examples Uses statistics Includes the opposing argument See the next slide for an example

Development Example They do not suffer from all human diseases, so scientists have to give them the illnesses artificially. The joints in rabbit legs are inflamed with chemicals to help research in rheumatism. These tests do not always work because animals do not react to drugs in the same way as humans. Aspirin, for example, damages pregnant mice and dogs, but not pregnant women. Arsenic, which is a deadly poison for humans, has no effect on sheep, while penicillin, which is so valuable to humans, kills guinea pigs

Task  Write developments for each of your previous 2 statements

persuasive language try to avoid weak vocabulary such as 'get', 'got' and 'getting'. without question, without doubt, unquestionably, absolutely. Conclusion/summary e.g. - thus, therefore, consequently, accordingly, in retrospect, hence, in conclusion, in brief, as a result.

Linking Same line of thought e.g. - and, firstly, secondly etc., next, furthermore, likewise, in addition, similarly, also, moreover. Contrasting idea e.g. - yet, on the other hand, nevertheless, however, although, conversely, otherwise, on the contrary.

Repetition emphatic Can be words/ phrases “One form of abuse is… Yet another form of abuse is… A further example of abuse is…” Use of several examples “Aspirin, for example, damages pregnant mice and dogs, but not pregnant women. Arsenic, another example, which is a deadly poison for humans, has no effect on sheep, while penicillin, which is so valuable to humans, kills guinea pigs.”

rhetorical questions Asking a question you will answer yourself Or Asking a question to engage the reader and consider your point of view

anecdote Personal story to illustrate a point Only use if you are confident E.g. “I used to watch the older children standing around and drinking. I would envy their ‘maturity’ so much until the day I saw one carried away in an ambulance! She was unconscious!”

statistics Used to reinforce a point Don’t make them up E.g. “More fast food outlets has seen obesity rise by 500% since the 1950s. Such an increase means the sceptics cannot argue that we have a problem!

Summary Be formal Structure your writing Link your writing Use the devices you have learned Check… have you been persuaded?

How Much Do You Remember? http://www.teachers-direct.co.uk/resources/wordsearches/preview.aspx?puzzle-number=662282