Standard Grade WritingStandard Grade Writing

Four Types of WritingFour Types of Writing

to convey informationto convey information discursive (to deploy ideas, discursive (to deploy ideas,

expound, argue and evaluate)expound, argue and evaluate) to describe personal experience, to describe personal experience,

express feelings and reactionsexpress feelings and reactions to write in a specific literary to write in a specific literary

form (e.g. short story, letter, form (e.g. short story, letter, poem).poem).

To convey information To convey information

These are topics which ask you to These are topics which ask you to give give informationinformation, expressed clearly , expressed clearly and organised in a logical way.and organised in a logical way.

ExamplesExamples– Write about your hobby in an Write about your hobby in an

informative and interesting way. informative and interesting way. – Write about your neighbourhood, giving Write about your neighbourhood, giving

as much information as possible about as much information as possible about housing, local facilities, places of housing, local facilities, places of interest etc.interest etc.

Discursive (to deploy ideas, Discursive (to deploy ideas, expound, argue and evaluate) expound, argue and evaluate)

In a discursive essay you are asked to In a discursive essay you are asked to express your express your viewsviews on a topic, backing up on a topic, backing up your ideas with evidence. Usually you can your ideas with evidence. Usually you can recognise this type of question easily by recognise this type of question easily by key words such as:key words such as:– Discuss Discuss – Views Views – OpinionsOpinions

ExamplesExamples– Write your views on animal experimentation. Write your views on animal experimentation. – Scotland should be an independent nation. Scotland should be an independent nation.

Discuss this view.Discuss this view.

Criteria states that personal writing should Criteria states that personal writing should have ‘have ‘insight and self-awarenessinsight and self-awareness’ and you ’ and you

should be able to ‘should be able to ‘express personal express personal feelings and reactions sensitivelyfeelings and reactions sensitively’’

Some rules:Some rules: Include your thoughts and feelingsInclude your thoughts and feelings Use detail and descriptionUse detail and description Should be trueShould be true Write in first person narrative i.e. I, me, Write in first person narrative i.e. I, me,

my, wemy, we Explain how the events, experiences and Explain how the events, experiences and

people you describe affects youpeople you describe affects you

Personal Writing - ExamplesPersonal Writing - Examples

Write about a place which made a Write about a place which made a strong impression on you, conveying strong impression on you, conveying your feelings and thoughts about it. your feelings and thoughts about it.

Think about a time when you felt Think about a time when you felt lonely. Describe what happened, lonely. Describe what happened, what you thought and what you felt.what you thought and what you felt.

Specific literary form Specific literary form

If the question asks you to write in a If the question asks you to write in a specific literary formspecific literary form (e.g. short story, (e.g. short story, article, letter) this will be clearly stated in article, letter) this will be clearly stated in the question.the question.

ExamplesExamples– Write a short story where a character changes Write a short story where a character changes

his or her views as a result of experience. his or her views as a result of experience. – Write an article for a magazine about a person, Write an article for a magazine about a person,

living or dead, whom you admire, making clear living or dead, whom you admire, making clear what qualities have led you to admire him/her.what qualities have led you to admire him/her.

Writing under exam conditions Writing under exam conditions

Before you start writing:Before you start writing: Read the questions and choose Read the questions and choose oneone

carefully carefully Make sure you are clear about what Make sure you are clear about what

the question is asking you to do and the question is asking you to do and what form it should take what form it should take

Writing under exam conditionsWriting under exam conditions

Before you start writing you should ask Before you start writing you should ask yourself -yourself -

WhatWhat am I being asked to write? (Purpose) am I being asked to write? (Purpose) WhoWho am I writing for? (Audience) am I writing for? (Audience)

The answers to these questions will tell you The answers to these questions will tell you how to approach your writing task. They how to approach your writing task. They will tell you what will tell you what formform your writing should your writing should take (e.g. letter, script) and what take (e.g. letter, script) and what kind of kind of languagelanguage you should use. you should use.

Writing under exam conditionsWriting under exam conditions

Planning Planning – Brainstrorm: Brainstrorm: jot down any ideas which come jot down any ideas which come

into your headinto your head– Organise your ideasOrganise your ideas

Think of structureThink of structure– beginning, middle, endbeginning, middle, end– IntroductionIntroduction– One main idea per paragraphOne main idea per paragraph– ConclusionConclusion

– UseUse HeadingsHeadings Key wordsKey words Diagrams Diagrams

Writing under exam conditionsWriting under exam conditions

When writing:When writing:– Read each paragraph to make sure Read each paragraph to make sure

you’re on the right lines.you’re on the right lines.– Check punctuation and spelling.Check punctuation and spelling.– Leave 5 minutes at the end to check Leave 5 minutes at the end to check

over your work over your work

What type of writing?What type of writing?

““Those who work in the emergency Those who work in the emergency services should not have to risk their services should not have to risk their lives to rescue people who take part lives to rescue people who take part in dangerous activities.”in dangerous activities.”

Discuss this point of view.Discuss this point of view.

What type of writing?What type of writing?

““A holiday with a difference.”A holiday with a difference.”

Write about an activity holiday you Write about an activity holiday you have taken part in.have taken part in.

What type of writing?What type of writing?

Write a short story in which leadership Write a short story in which leadership plays an important part.plays an important part.

What type of writing?What type of writing?

In search of…In search of…

Write about what you are looking and Write about what you are looking and hoping for from life.hoping for from life.

TaskTask

Make a plan for each of these tasks:Make a plan for each of these tasks:

1.1. ““A holiday with a difference.” Write A holiday with a difference.” Write about an activity holiday you have taken about an activity holiday you have taken part in.part in.

2.2. You have a penpal in another country. You have a penpal in another country. Write a letter to her/him, describing a Write a letter to her/him, describing a typical day in your life. Include your typical day in your life. Include your thoughts and feelings while you describe thoughts and feelings while you describe the events that happen. the events that happen.

Your plan should include the Your plan should include the following informationfollowing information– PurposePurpose– AudienceAudience– Type of languageType of language– Main ideasMain ideas– StructureStructure