Paper 1 Section B Writing to Argue Improving your Performance in Writing
Dec 29, 2015
What is Writing to Argue?
Discusses an issue or idea Considers both points of view –
balanced Reaches an overall judgement to
influence the reader
Assessment Objectives AO3(i) – Communication
Ideas, addressing the audience, meeting the purpose
AO3(ii) – Organsiation Type of text, overall structure, use of
paragraphs and sentences AO3(iii) – Sentence structure,
punctuation and spelling Accuracy of writing skills and vocabulary
What’s it worth?
Section B is worth 27 marks out of 54 These 27 marks are worth 15% of the
final GCSE (45 minutes worth of work) Each assessment objective is worth 5%
of the final GCSE grade
IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO DO WELL!!
C Grade Criteria AO3(i)
Clear identification with purpose and audience Sustains reader’s repsonse Detailed argument with a clear awareness of other
viewpoints Varies tone e.g. humour, seriousness, anger Confident use of rhetorical devices
AO3(ii) Clear structure Paragraphs are linked together using connectives Connectives are used to develop the argument Range of vocabulary for effect
AO3(iii) Different types of sentences used for effect Secure spelling Accurate punctuation especially to mark sentences and
clauses
What do I need to do? Structure your writing carefully, showing
different viewpoints Make your writing interesting to read Use a range of rhetorical devices for
effect Use a range of paragraphs and types of
sentence for effect Use a range of punctuation for effect Spell words correctly and use an
interesting vocabulary
Examples of tasks Write an article for a teenage magazine
arguing that nowadays TV or radio can be an important source of education.
Write an article in which you argue for or against the view that people should not be encouraged to take part in dangerous sports or activities
Older people often blame younger people for today’s problems. Write an article in which you argue that older people are the ones to blame.
Writer’s ToolkitOverall Structure Remember to create a detailed plan Write an imaginative opening to engage
your reader i.e. a rhetorical question Link your conclusion back to your
opening Vary the length of your paragraphs e.g. a
one-sentence paragraph Use a range of connectives to link your
paragraphs together
Writer’s ToolkitRhetorical Devices Rhetorical
questions x 2 Lists of three x 2 Emotive language Anecdotes Facts and
Statistics Audience
involvement
Direct address Personal
involvement Alliteration Repetition Over-
exaggeration Expert opinions
Writer’s ToolkitSentence Structure Questions Exclamations Short sentences for impact Complex lists e.g. There are many
reasons not to smoke: it is bad for your health; it makes you smell; it is very expensive.
Begin with a reason Begin with a verb Move your subordinate clauses around
e.g. at the beginning
Writer’s ToolkitRange of Punctuation Exclamation / question marks Brackets to show sarcasm Inverted commas for irony Apostrophes for omission and possession Use a colon instead of ‘because’ or ‘so’ Use a semi-colon to show that 2
statements are closely linked Put a comma after a connective at the
beginning of a sentence
Why use a Text Skeleton?
It helps you to visualise what your writing should look like…
It helps you to structure the writing effectively…
It shows the examiner you know what you are doing…
Plan an interesting openinge.g. anecdote, question
Add your ideas –3 pros & 2 cons
Plan an interesting endinge.g. loop back to anecdote
Add connect
ives e
.g.
Some m
ight s
ay… h
owever
‘Decorate’ yourtree with
interestingrhetoricaldevices
Approaching the task
1. Analyse the task: work out the PAFT2. Think of an interesting opening3. Plan your ideas: 3 pros and 2 cons4. Think of an effective conclusion –
link back to your opening5. Add connectives6. Add rhetorical devices
PURPOSE: what job is the writer trying to do?Argue Inform Analyse ImaginePersuade Explain Review ExploreAdvise Describe Comment Entertain
PURPOSE: what job is the writer trying to do?Argue Inform Analyse ImaginePersuade Explain Review ExploreAdvise Describe Comment Entertain
FORM: type of writingLeaflet ArticleWeb page StoryLetter EmailSpeech EssayReport Advert
FORM: type of writingLeaflet ArticleWeb page StoryLetter EmailSpeech EssayReport Advert
TONE: what is the mood of the writing? How are we addressed?Enthusiastic Angry Questioning ObjectivePassionate Frustrated Doubtful SubjectiveHopeful Pessimistic Suspicious NeutralOptimistic Sad Sarcastic CynicalHumorous Annoyed Ironic Knowledgeable
TONE: what is the mood of the writing? How are we addressed?Enthusiastic Angry Questioning ObjectivePassionate Frustrated Doubtful SubjectiveHopeful Pessimistic Suspicious NeutralOptimistic Sad Sarcastic CynicalHumorous Annoyed Ironic Knowledgeable
AUDIENCE: the readerChildren ExpertsTeenagers FansParents Men Pensioners Women Workers Adults
AUDIENCE: the readerChildren ExpertsTeenagers FansParents Men Pensioners Women Workers Adults
PAFTPurposeAudience
FormTone
PAFTPurposeAudience
FormTone
Age Interests LifestyleGender Education ClassJob Hobbies Politics
Interesting openings
Begin with an anecdote – tell a story Use a complex list to summarise your
main points e.g. there are many reasons to…
Use a rhetorical question (NOT “WHAT DO YOU THINK?”)
Begin with a controversial statement
3 Pros
Think of three points that support your view
Add evidence: case studies, facts and statistics, quotations
Explain how these examples support your views and prove your argument
2 cons
Consider what other people might think
Give examples that might support this opinion
Explain why these arguments aren’t right
Conclusion Link back to what you said in your
opening paragraph Repeat or reinforce your main
arguments Answer any questions you may
have asked Think about what might happen in
the future if people don’t do what you want
Connectives
SEQUENCINGFirstly, secondly,
thirdlyFinallyNext
ADDINGAlso / andIn additionAs well as
CONTRASTINGSome people believe
HoweverAlthough
COMPARINGEqually
SimilarlyIn the same way
Task
A newspaper has suggested that women are less suited to doing certain jobs than men are.
Write an article for a newspaper in which you argue for or against this view.