AS LANGUAGE: PAPER 1

PASSAAGES FOR COMMENT: APPROACHING ‘DIRECTED WRITING’ QUESTIONS (part b) of the question)

WHAT IS A DIRECTED WRITING TASK?

A directed writing task is a piece of writing based on either:

• The style and language of the original passage, or

• The material of the original passage

Directed writing may involve:

• Adapting a piece of writing for a similar task, but maybe with a different content, using the same language and style

• Rewriting a passage with a different purpose and/or viewpoint (for example from the perspective of a different character mentioned in the passage) using the same material

In the exam you will be asked to write between 120 and 150 words for a directed writing task.

SAME STYLE, DIFFERENT CONTEXTTasks might ask you to remain ‘in role’ as the same

speaker or writer of the original passage, keeping a similar style and language, but changing the topic, focus or content of the writing. Here is a typical task:

The following text is from an online promotion for an adventure trek by pony in South America. The same company decides to organise a trek, using a different means of transport, in your own country.

Write the opening (120-150 words) for this promotion. Base your answer closely on the style and language of the original text.

From this, (even though we cannot see the original text) you can see that the task tells you:

• The writer/role: someone from the travel company (the same writer as the original)

• The purpose/type of text: to promote the trek, still an online promotion

• The length (120-150 words)

• The content/context: the different elements you must include – just the opening; different means of transport and own country.

Read this similar task:1. The following passage is part of a speech delivered by Hilary

Clinton, wife of the American president at the time. In it she considers the issue of women’s rights.

a) Comment on the style and language of the passage.b) The same speaker delivers another speech to an international

audience. In it she considers the rights of children. Write the opening of her speech (between 120-150 words). Base your answer closely on the style and language of the original extract.

On your own, note down:• The writer/role (whose perspective you will be writing from)• The purpose/type of text• The style (if stated)• The length• The content/context (different elements, if any, you must

include or change).

SAME MATERIAL, DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

In directed writing tasks you may also have to use the material in a different way, or write from a new person’s perspective:

1. a)Read this extract from a review of a film about Princess Diana. Comment on the style and language of the passage.

b) Another reviewer visits the same restaurant at the same time, but has a different viewpoint on his/her dining experience. Basing your answer closely on the material of the original extract, write the opening section (120-150 words) of the review.

Remember that you would need bear in mind the following points:

• The writer/role: this will be a different reviewer (not the original one)

• The purpose/type of text: this is the same – to review the meal/visit

• The style: this is not mentioned, but as it is a review, you should use similar language features and conventions as those in the original passage.

• The content/context: (what elements to include, what viewpoint, etc): the viewpoint is to be different; the original was very negative, so it is implied that your response should be a positive one. You only have to write the opening section of the review, so this might deal with the arrival and first course, for example.

Whether the tasks require you to maintain a similar voice and style, or to take a new role or perspective, the important thing is to take what you can from the original passage and shape it carefully to your needs.

Remember:

• Directed writing tasks will be short texts of 120-150 words based on a passage you have already commented on

• Read the questions carefully to identify whether it is a ‘style’ or ‘material’ type of question, and perhaps, even a combination of the two (e.g. As shown in the restaurant review task previously).