Transcript The golden rules for writing that gets marks exam on 4

The golden rules for
writing that gets marks
The second part of your
th
exam on 4 June (Q5&6)
Rule 1: PLAN
Techniques:
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Punctuation:
. , : ; - ( ) “ ” ... ! ?
Rule 2: CRAFT
Craft your
writing
like I craft
my food
Rule 3: CHECK
Craft – Answering the question VS
getting the marks
Problem = I wrote a lot. I really liked that question.
“What did you write for question 5? I wrote loads
because I found that I had a lot to say.”
Focus = on content instead of skills. WHAT NOT
HOW.
It’s more about using a formula than you think!
Think in marks
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VARIETY
SHOW-OFF YOUR SKILLS
‘INTERESTINGNESS’
THE VOICE
SUBTLETY
ACE THE OPENING
VARIETY – EVEN IN THE PLAN!
Punctuation:
Techniques to use:
• ZOOM – like a camera zooming in…
paragraphs, then sentences, then, words
(and techniques) then punctuation.
• Short sentence at the start to grab
attention
• Special techniques depending on the
purpose eg. if persuasive rhetorical
questions, list of three, facts and statistics…
• Sentence starters: ‘...ing ...’ ‘...ly ...’ ‘As ...’
‘Like a...’
• ‘Whilst...’ ‘First...’ ‘Finally...’
• Drop in clauses (use brackets & dashes as
well as commas) too technical use a pair of
commas or dashes extra info
• Full range of punctuation- write it all down
at the top of each page
• What is the voice – e.g if it’s formal then
you should have a BBC news or Queen
voice…
• ToP TiP for paragraphs. Every time it’s a
new Topic, Person, Time or Place it should
be a new paragraph
. , : ; - ( ) “ ” ... ! ?
Planning punctuation
Get into the habit of writing the full range of
punctuation at the top of your page – cross it off as
it’s used.
. , : ; - ( ) “ ” ... ! ?
full range of punctuation used.
Revision: make sure you know how to use all these!
Tip: Check your book – make posters with how to use
them and prompt cards so someone can test you.
SHOW OFF YOUR SKILLS
• You are an expert in English. So show them.
REJECT any boring words
Have a one word or sentence paragraph
Use techniques – such as alliteration or a
repeated technique – such as violent verbs.
Look at the reading extracts to help you if you’re
stuck.
‘Interestingness’
• LIE – pretend to write from a teacher’s point of view, a
parent’s, a character from COD or a film, a celebrity…
• Change the mood (tone) or pace (speed). For example,
if you are persuading someone, shouting at them the
whole time will not work. You need a variety of tones.
The word choices and sentence lengths should reflect
this change in mood.
• Don’t go for the obvious – give yourself thinking time
BEFORE you write (do not make it up as you write).
The voice
• Become a character when you write and hear
their voice in your head.
• Do NOT write as yourself as it tends to
become too concerned in content instead of
skills.
SUBTLETY
-You need to try and read non-fiction. Otherwise you
can’t get the style right. Persuasion becomes shouting
and arguing becomes foot-stamping.
-Perhaps get a scrap book together?
-Newspapers/leaflets/autobiographies/travel
writing/websites/speeches/e-mails/blogs
-There is so much online! Could be an electronic
scrapbook?
-We will be giving out a pack of resources in addition to
anything you find yourself.
-Ask yourself: what devices do they use? How would I
copy their style. Try and do it.
Some people believe far-flung holiday destinations are a
waste of money and damage the planet. Write an article …
Jeremy Clarkson Sunday Times
For your next holiday, why don’t you take all your
money and put it on the fire? Then stand in a fridge
for a week, beating your children with a baseball
bat until their arms and legs break. And then, after
you’ve eaten some melted cheese, dislocate your
shoulder. If all of this appeals then you are probably
one of the 1.3m British people who…
Are TV Reality Shows a good thing?
Polly Hudson, The Mirror, 18 May 2012
THERE was only one real winner of Britain’s Got Talent and he didn’t
slobber over any of the female judges.
No, it wasn’t Pudsey the dog or Simon Cowell for me – it was
incredible teenage opera singer Jonathan Antoine.
A year ago he was a virtual recluse, having given up his A-levels after
being bullied at school about his weight.
Even on the show he remained painfully shy, glancing at his singing
companion Charlotte Jaconelli for encouragement.
His mum has told how for years he simply wanted to melt into the
background and would hide behind a baggy jumper. Now he goes out
wearing a Superman T-shirt. Jonathan has played the ace card in
dealing with bullies. He has beaten them with brilliance.
ACE THE OPENING
Aim = set the tone and grab the reader by the throat. Scream out = I am confident and in control here.
How?
a. Start by using Imagine (or Picture if it is easier for you)
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b. Use 3,2,1 or 1,2,3 (particularly for describe questions)
c. Start with dialogue
d. Describe a place or idea without saying it (like a riddle)
e. Do something unusual or ironic with a dull task.
f. Exaggerate and use humour - where appropriate.
g. Use an extended metaphor or simile to capture the feeling
h. Use repetition to build layers of meaning (like Dickens does)
i.Start with an adjective and jump right into the heart of the piece
j. Start with a very short sentence or paragraph – even a question which you then answer
Don’t write yourself into bad habits.
Force yourself to break them.
• Write a lot of openings. Do 20 questions (see
sheet) but just the openings. Make them
thrilling.
• Write a lot of plans – you will then remember
the techniques
• Write a piece with a focus – say punctuation.
Write it at the top and check it is all used and
is all used to control the pace and mood.
• Speak writing – oral rehearsal
• Writing bursts (to rehearse timings)