The golden rules for writing that gets marks

The golden rules for writing that gets marks The second part of your exam on 4th June (Q5&6)

Rule 1: PLAN • Techniques: 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 • VARIETY • SHOW-OFF YOUR SKILLS • ‘INTERESTINGNESS’ • THE VOICE • SUBTLETY • ACE THE OPENING

VARIETY – EVEN IN THE PLAN! 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 Punctuation: . , : ; - ( ) “” ... ! ?

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) . 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) • 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)

The golden rules for writing that gets marks