Directed writing [0500/0522] (paper 3, Part 1) Guidance for students of IGCSE English New Era International Laboratory School

Overall goal: To prepare students for Paper 3, Part 1 IGCSE English over the coming weeks Learning objectives: To become more familiar with types of writing asked for by Paper 3, Part 1 To practise using the conventions of a letter and a report To ask questions of your teachers

How can we improve our writing?

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING. + self-assessment 1 HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING? + self-assessment 1. Use it or lose it There are times when I wish I have a magic pill that I could give to students. The fact is, there are no shortcuts. To learn a language, one has to use it. Start today. Speak to your friends. If you are shy, start with a few words or phrases in your conversation. Practise speaking in front of the mirror. 2. Read it Read the newspapers. I would recommend the sports pages if you are a sports enthusiast, or the letters to the editor. You will learn how to give opinions, to complain and to elaborate your ideas. Go to your school library and borrow a book. Make use of pockets of time during school such as in between classes. I am quite sure you are able to squeeze ten minutes a day for reading. Do not get bogged down if there are words that you do not know. Just read the easier stuff first. 3. Write it My students are required to keep a journal in my classes. What is a journal? Is it like a diary? A diary is a record of your daily experiences but a journal is more than that. It is a collection of your thoughts, responses to events in your life and it may also include any interesting article, poems or even a song. I keep a journal of articles and quotations that are motivating. There are many types of journals which you can keep. Check out the bloggers on the Internet for more examples. Search also for examples of journals to help you get started.

40-50 minutes

What’s being assessed Writing (5 skills) Write five sentences, each beginning with “In my directed writing task, I need to…” Writing (5 skills) Communicate what’s thought, felt and imagined Order and present facts, ideas and opinions Understand and use a range of appropriate vocabulary Use language and register appropriate to the audience and context Make accurate and effective use of: paragraphs, grammatical structures, sentences, punctuation and spelling. Do not use full sentences from the text Reading (3 skills) Understand and collate explicit meanings Understand, explain and collect implicit meaning and attitudes Select, analyse and evaluate what is relevant to the purpose of the activity Improve your personal writing, too! Write three sentences, each beginning with “I need to read…”

Question 1: What IS MEANT BY “directed writing”?

Answer 1.a: “Directed writing refers to writing that follows directions or instructions”

Answer 1.b: “The purpose of the exercise is to test how well a student can respond in an appropriate way to a certain task.”

Answer 1.c: “In the exam for paper 3 your question will come in the form of notes or a stimulus. You could be asked to write: a report, a speech, informal or formal letters, processes and procedures, description, an article or a recount.”

Where have you seen these forms of writing in the past? What do these different styles of writing look like? a report a speech informal letters formal letters heavy description an article a recount PAPER 3 QUESTION 1

Two lists (find examples on your phones) A report A speech A formal letter An informal letter A recount A description An article

EXAMPLE 2: LARRY – LETTER – GORILLA SANCTUARY Imagine that you are the writer’s friend, Larry. Write a letter to a member of your family after your visit to the gorilla sanctuary. In your letter you should: 1. make the chimps and gorillas sound interesting and lovable 2. give your impressions of Mark and of Madame Yvette 3. Persuade your family to support the work of the sanctuary Base you answer upon what you read in passage ‘A’ You should write 1.5-2 sides, allowing for the size of your handwriting.

Group 1: make the chimps and gorillas sound interesting and lovable Group 2: give your impressions of Mark and of Madame Yvette Group 3: persuade your family to support the work of the sanctuary

What traits is it important for letters to have?

LETTER Start with a greeting (e.g. ‘Dear…’) Who are you, who are you writing to? (level of formality) Consider the structure of your letter and use paragraphs Be informative Think about how to end the letter Yours sincerely (you know their name) Yours faithfully (you don’t know their name)

Other forms [directed writing]

NEWSPAPER REPORT (ARTICLE)

NEWSPAPER REPORT (ARTICLE) Headline Who, what, when, where, why, how Journalistic style Dramatic, attention grabbing Include quotes from eyewitnesses Short, simple sentences where possible Should be objective Could consider giving your newspaper report an angle e.g. how human kindness saves people, never give up hope etc…

NARRATIVE WRITING (ARTICLE) A story or part or a story OR a true account Plan Catchy opening Entertaining Imaginative or realistic – depends on task WHO are you speaking as, WHO you are speaking to Don’t change tenses Create a convincing character background or setting Clear resolution The use of ambitious vocabulary is VERY important

SCRIPT WRITING (DIALOGUE) Character names in margin followed by a COLON (:) Don’t use speech marks E.g. Charles: I’m not famous. Yet. Consider characters carefully – HOW would your character speak – would they use complex vocabulary or simple vocabulary? It is happening NOW – think carefully about tense Stage directions – in brackets

Get and keep the audience’s attention Make clear points Write for your target audience Use persuasive techniques: repetition, irony, lists of three, rhetorical questions, evidence, emotive language Stay on topic What type of writing could this be?

Answer: SpEECH / DIALOGUE

DIARY ENTRY (NARRATIVE) Includes inner thoughts and feelings From one perspective A place to ‘vent’ Clearly paragraphed WHO are you writing as

REPORT (ARTICLE) Be informative Use formal language Use evidence Have a clear structure: introduction, body, conclusion Use topic sentences Use clear headings and sub-headings Avoid bias – be objective and use evidence only to make a conclusion

REVIEW (ARTICLE) General overview of subject Criticize Balanced conclusion Consider the qualities of your subject Don’t stray from the topic You may have to write AS someone or AS a character – consider this carefully Back up ideas, avoid emotional statements

Books closed What are the top 10 things that people on your table have learned / remembered today?

Task A: Read the question below DIRECTED WRITING - REPORT As the secretary of the English Society in your school, you have been asked to write a report about the club and its activities for your school magazine. Use the following notes to help you write your report. • established in 2000 • 250 members • aim – to help students improve their English • advisor – Mary Jones Activities organised • English assembly • Pop Quiz • Treasure Hunt • English camp • English week – poetry, drama and story-telling competition • Annual party

What to include in your report • remember to provide a title • state the aim of the society • encourage others to become members Task B: Answer the following questions. 1. What is the required task? 2. How many points are provided? Do you need to provide any of your own? 3. What is a suitable introduction and closing?  

So, let’s plan the answer. TITLE: (Think of a suitable title for your report) INTRODUCTION: The English Society was established in 2000 with the aim of helping students improve their English. It received tremendous support from its 250 members this year. BODY The main activity for this year was? (include all the points given in two or three paragraphs.) ENDING (End your essay with the mention of the annual party, presentation of prizes, etc. and encourage others to join the society)

EXAMPLE TWO : HOME SCHOOLING