Learning Objective

• To know how to write for different purposes

English Language Section B: WritingIn Section B of your exam you will have to complete a Writing

Task.

You must also learn the techniques required for the format

stated in the question. This could be to write a letter, a leaflet, a

newspaper or magazine article,  and so on.

Finally, you need to be able to adapt your writing to suit the

audience. Do this by carefully selecting your vocabulary, as well

as appropriate tone and language devices.

You should aim to write 1.5 – 2 pages. Spelling, punctuation and

grammar are important in this exam so make sure you have

enough time at the end of your exam to check through your

answer.

This section is worth a total of 24 marks.

Writing to Argue• You are writing to disagree with something

• Your audience will usually be someone of authority, like

an MP, policeman or head teacher. This means it must be

very formal and use standard English.

• You must be forceful but not too aggressive. Your

argument must be well structured into linked paragraphs.

• Your writing should be direct and clear, using evidence to

support all of your points

• Use persuasive techniques

Writing to Argue

Writing Frame:

1. Introduction – explain why are you

writing.

2. Content – provide evidence for your

argument and use persuasive

techniques

3. Conclusion – State what you want to

happen.

Writing to Persuade

• You are writing to convince someone to

agree with you

• It should be formal – use standard English.

• You want to win people over – the tone

should be inviting and not aggressive.

• Make your points clearly and acknowledge

your audience.

• Vary your sentence structure to make it

interesting to read.

Writing to Persuade

Writing Frame:

1.Introduction – explain why you are writing and

who you are writing to.

2.Information – present your case and use a

variety of persuasive devices to win your

audience over.

3.Conclusion – summarize the details and sign

off in a formal but friendly way.

Writing to Advise

• Offer advice – do not persuade or argue; you

should be impartial

• Writing should be clearly structured and easy

to follow. Perhaps with subheadings for extra

clarity.

• The writing should be fluid – make use of

discourse markers and varied vocabulary.

• Use standard English

• Your advice should make sense and promote

the success of the reader

Writing to Advise

Writing Frame:

1. Introduce the topic in a clear and straightforward

way.

2.Expand on the subject – offer impartial advice

about different elements and how difficulties can

be tackled.

3.Write a brief conclusion to round off the writing,

perhaps words of encouragement would be

appropriate (dependant on the given audience)

Writing to Inform / Explain / Describe

Which of these is informing / explaining / describing?

Writing to Inform / Explain / Describe

Writing to Inform / Explain / Describe

Describing - you are telling the doctor how you feel.

Informing - the doctor gives you the facts.

Explaining - the doctor explains what a cold is and

tells you a little bit more about it.

These areas do tend to overlap, but you should keep

in mind that:

Information is factual.

Explanation is factual, but with more detail.

Description is usually about how something makes

you feel.

Writing to Inform

• Use straight forward language – get directly to the point

• Use commands: ‘Take out the fish’.

• Write in the present tense.

• Use some short sentences when writing instructions.

• When writing instructions use connectives:- firstly, next, after…

• You are writing to people you assume will be

interested in the topic

• Be certain why you are writing to them, eg

"being fair is a good quality in a carer

because...“

• You break your topic into sections to explain

each part

• It should be accessible – use standard English

and clear to your audience.

• Vary your vocabulary and sentence structure.

Writing to Explain

• Use poetic / language features to create

vivid images for the reader

• Give lots of precise detail about the given

topic

• Consider thoughts and feelings

• Use adjectives and adverbs to add detail

• Use standard English

• Use paragraphs and link with discourse

markers

Writing to Describe

Writing to Analyse / Review / Comment

Analyse:

‘to examine something by dividing it into separate

parts, in order to learn about its qualities or

meaning.’

Review:

‘to consider and judge carefully’

Comment:

opinion, explanation of judgement made about an

event, person or situation.

Writing to Review• The writing should be lively – varied

vocabulary / sentence structure and discourse

markers.

• The writing must show considered judgement –

look at both sides of an argument, consider all

the evidence.

• Use standard English, though the occasional

‘slang’ term may be appropriate dependant on

topic.

Writing to Comment• This asks for a more personal opinion that

reviewing or analysing

• You must give a well considered personal

assessment of the given topic

• Avoid summarizing, consider all the evidence

and provide a personal comment

When writing an article:

• Include a catchy headline

• You can divide your paragraphs into sub

headings to clarify structure.

• Give clear information

• Keep writing interesting – vary sentence

structure and vocabulary

• Use discourse markers

• Use standard English but maintain a

friendly tone.

Writing to Analyse / Review / Comment

When writing an article:

• Write confidently to gain the trust of the

reader

• Use words like ‘could’ ‘might’ ‘perhaps’ to

keep suggestions open.

Writing to Analyse / Review / Comment

Persuasive Techniques

Rule of 3

Anecdote

Rhetorical Questions

Facts / Statistics

Emotive Language

Repetition

Exaggeration

Opinions

Personal Pronouns (I, We, You, Us)

Simile / Metaphor

Poetic / Language devices

Simile Metaphor

Imagery

Hyperbole (exaggeration)

Personification

Repetition

Alliteration

Onomatopoeia

Symbolism Oxymoron