Unit 2:Writing paper - mock exam preparation

Unit 2: Exam preparationL.O: To understand and practice the skills required for the writing paper

Thursday, 26th June 2014

UNIT 2 – WRITING- 1 hour ( 2 questions)

This section will be a writing task. You will be provided with two questions.

You must spend 30 minutes on each question.

Remember to highlight the key points of the question.

0The first thing that you should do in an exam is read the question carefully. When you are sure that you understand what you are being asked to do, look for the PALL.

0PURPOSE – What is the purpose of the task? What is it asking you to do?

0AUDIENCE - Who is it for?

0LANGUAGE - What language will be used?

0LAYOUT - How is it set out on the page? What features should you include?

Plan

0 Make sure you include a plan, this can be a list or spider diagram or a flow chart.

0 Examiners automatically feel happy when they see a plan and it is a good idea to keep examiners happy.

0 You must ensure you plan and spend time checking.0 You will be assessed on your use of spelling,

sentence structure, punctuation and paragraph use. If you forget about all these things you can go back and add paragraphs by marking your text with // to show the examiner you want a new paragraph there.

Punctuation

0Try to use a variety of punctuation

0 (: ;?!)

0This automatically gives you more marks.

Use a range of sentences

0Make sure you use a variety of sentence structures for effect. Use long descriptive sentences followed by short snappy ones.

Vocabulary

0Try to expand your vocabulary. Use words you do not normally use.

0Use standard English and avoid slang.

How to engage the examiner

0Think of an examiner like a fish you want to catch…

• HOOK them in • Choose your ANGLE • Use PERSUASIVE devices ( to tempt them) • ANECDOTES ( to get them on side) • STRONG POINTS ( to finish them off)

HOOK THE READER

0 It’s really important that you select your opening line carefully in order to hook the reader into your writing and engage them to want to carry on reading.

FormalYour local area has just been voted the worst place to live in terms of being environmentally friendly. Write a letter to your local newspaper suggesting what you think are the problems and what can be done to tackle this issue.

Let’s get marking!

ArticleWrite a lively article for a newspaper or magazine on the subject of the eating habits of the British.

Headline or article titleKeep it shortMake it catchyGive an idea of what the rest of the article will be about.Introduction of the articleGive a brief outline of the subjectKeep this section to a few initial ideas and sentencesMain body of the articleTry to answer all the reader’s questions like ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘what’Make each paragraph relevant to the subject or the title of the articleAdd plenty of detail so your reader fully understands youAnswer the important points in this sectionConclusion of the articleThis should always be at the endGive a summary of the articleGive recommendations/overview linked to introduction.

Homework

0Exam revision.

0Use the work we have done in class and practice responses for the exams next week.