1. Paper One – Question Two
The Writing Task
Paper One – Question Two

2. The Writing Task
The writing task measures a student’s ability to write creatively and to explore the concept of discovery.
This question is out of 15 marks. A = 13-15, B = 10-12, C = 7-9, D = 4-6, E = 0-3.
The question gives stimulus that has to be used in the term’s that the question requires.

3. The Writing Task Excellent responses include:
an insightful/perceptive understanding of discovery.
artistry
creating a strong narrative voice.
sophisticated use of language.
a variety of effectively used language devices e.g metaphors, similes, personification, irony, juxtaposition.
an original structure.
effective use of the stimulus.

4. The Writing Task
In more basic terms the important factors in your writing need to be:
a discovery concept
evocative imagery
a narrative voice
sophisticated language
use of language devices
an original structure
use of the stimulus

5. The Writing Task – Discovery Concepts
Your response needs to address a discovery concept or multiple discovery concepts.
Whilst it is essential to have a discovery concept its use must be subtle. An obvious concept that is clearly stated throughout your piece of writing will only get you 7-9.
Use concepts that you may have identified in the texts you have or will study during the discovery unit. Write down as many discovery concepts that you can think of now!
What is a belonging concept? Belonging is a basic human desire.

6. The Writing Task – Narrative Voice
A narrative voice is created by how effectively your ideas engage the marker. It is essential that your voice is authentic.
Markers are impressed when you attempt to write from a different perspective and do it well.
Avoid writing from a teenager’s point of view because a high percentage of the canditure will do this.

7. The Writing Task – Narrative Voice
Choose one of the characters below and write one paragraph from their perspective. Before you start empathise with their situation and imagine how they would feel in their given situation.
A) A mother at home alone with her newborn child B) A policeman corrupted by his partner to steal dirty money C) A person being placed into a mental institution against their will.

8. The Writing Task – Sophisticated Language
Due to the name of this quesiton being The Writing Task your written expression is an important aspect of the marking criteria.
You must use vocabulary that is sophisticated.
You must also write sentences that are correctly structured, correct use of punctuation and correct spelling.
All of these things will impact upon your mark.

9. The Writing Task – Sophisticated Language
Re-write this paragraph using more sophisticated language. You can change the sentences but you can not change the meaning of the sentence.
The boy was sad. When he opened up his box it was empty. Everyone else was holding up a toy and he was holding up nothing. Through this discovery he found that life was unfair. All he wanted was to have a toy too but the look on his mum’s face said that she had forgotten to put his toy in the box like she should have.

10. The Writing Task – Language Devices
To add to the sophistication of your language it is important to use the techniques that you have learnt from analysing other composers’ works.
Effective use of language devices is important. You need to use them to communicate meaning. Don’t just use them. Use them for effect.
Don’t feel compelled to use every language device that you know just use the ones that suit your writing.

11. The Writing Task – Language Devices
Re-write this paragraph using language devices.
I felt absolutely terrible. My heart was aching
because the news that I had just been told shocked
me. I wished that I had not heard it at all. Sometimes
though I guess you need to know what is going on. I
sort of knew what was coming but that word when
said out loud is still tough to take. I didn’t know how
I was going to tell my wife that I had been sacked. It
would be a difficult situation but I know that I must
tell her. I’m just so worried that when she learns
what I have learnt that she will be angry.

12. The Writing Task – Original Structure
The question can require you to write in any format.
A high percentage of the canditure will write a straight narrative.
If narrative is an option then 95% of the canditure will choose it. These seem to get the better marks.
Try and experiment with your
Split narrative (change perspective)
Re-occurring motif (re-occurring statement)
Song lyrics
Start with the end and back track
Use a twist

13. The Writing Task – Using Stimulus
If you write an excellent response without referring to the stimulus you won’t get more than 12.
Just like the discovery concept you need to use the stimulus in a subtle manner. If you do it in a really clear and obvious manner you will receive 7-9.
You have to attempt to use the stimulus in an original, perceptive and/or conceptual manner.