1. Personal Writing Higher English

2. 1. Choosing a topic Avoid one-off experiences: the time I … Focus on an aspect of your personality, a problem or an interest. A good starting point: What does everyone know / think about me? What does no-one realise about me?

3. What does everyone know / think about me?  I’m a twin  I’m adopted  I love shoes  I’m a footballer  I love performing What does no-one realise about me?  I’m not as confident as everyone thinks  Competing scares me  I can sing  I’m really ambitious  I’m my mum’s carer

4. Example: “I’m a twin” Good experiences Starting school Childhood parties When my boyfriend dumped me and she was the only one who understood Bad experiences Being dressed the same (Gran!!) Are you telepathic? Other people’s daft questions No privacy The future Choosing uni courses Moving away Don’t feel the need to stay close in the future Look forward to not being “the twin”.

5. 2. Content Start off by having something genuine to say. Say what it’s really like, not just what you’re expected to say. Think of key moments / experiences which been important. Identify one key moment to act as a turning point. Reflect on your feelings in detail: what did it actually feel like? What surprised you? What might surprise your audience? Tell us something new. Reflect on the physical impact of feelings: what does sad / disappointed / delighted actually feel like? Imagery will help. Think of people, places and objects which are important and should appear in your account to bring it to life.

6. 3. Language and style “Conscious writing” means making an effort to write well:  Effective structure  Linkage between ideas  Ambitious vocabulary  Effective imagery  Varied sentence structure  Establishing a tone which is consistent with the topic

7. 4. Marking an essay Ideas What key idea does this writer get across? What key moments / experiences has s/he chosen to include? What people / places / objects has s/he included? What is the structure of the essay? Identify effective description which reveals something new. Language and style Identify good examples of ambitious vocabulary. Identify effective use of imagery. Identify good use of sentence structure. What does the style suggest about the writer’s personality, and how?