English Paper 1Section B: Situational Writing Articles

Lesson Agenda

•By the end of the lesson you would be able to:

▫Describe what an article is▫Identify its approaches▫Identify its format▫Practice writing an article

Articles in the examinations

•In the Singapore context, articles are a form of text-type that occurs in Section B of the English Language Paper 1

•The word count for this is 180-250 words

Think Time – In pairs

•What makes a good article?

•Its relevance to current affairs•The language used•The length of the article

Here are some General Characteristics• Definition:

▫ An article is a piece of writing usually intended for publication in a

newspaper, magazine or journal.

• Audience:

▫ Written for a wide audience, needs to attract readers’ attention

• Comprises:

▫ Amusing stories, reported speech and descriptions

▫ formal or informal, depending on the target audience

• Conveys:

▫ Articles should give opinions and thoughts, as well as facts

▫ Articles have a less formal style than a report

Subject matter of articles

•Describes an experience, event, person or

place

•Presents an opinion or balanced argument

•Compares and contrasts ideas or points of view

•Provides information

•Offer suggestions & advice on a matter of

great interest.

Recap of main points on Articles•What are articles?

•What do articles convey?

•Can you name some subject matter for articles?

Part II – Steps to writing an ArticleWhat you need to know to start.

Step 1: Planning and Brainstorming• Before you begin to write – you need to plan what you want to convey in

your article. Here is an worked example:

• Introduction: ▫ Tell your readers what you are going to tell them.

▫ E.g.: “…This article explains how to create a PowerPoint slide presentation. It covers the following information: choosing a theme, creating a title slide, and creating topic slides...”

• Body: ▫ Tell your readers what you promised to tell them.

▫ Each point is explained in one paragraph

• Conclusion: ▫ Recap for your readers what you just told them

Format of Article and Language used in Articles

• Format:

▫ Intro▫ Body▫ Conclusion

• Language Features:

▫ Interesting Language▫ Paragraphs▫ Linking Words

1. A Title/Heading

•Why should you give your article a title?•a) It tells the reader what they are going

to read•b) It reminds you to keep your focus•c) It looks good!

Article Writing – A walkthrough•You have been asked to write an article

about an interesting place you have visited.

•You have to include good points and bad points about this place.

•You have to write between 100 and 120 words.

Let’s return to the question:‘You have been asked to write an article about an interesting place you have visited. You have to include good points and bad points about this place. You have to write between 180 and 250 words.’

One student decides to write about a visit to the National Museum in Singapore.

•What title should they give their article?

1. Title•Here are some suggested titles. Comment

on them and decide which one you like best:

▫The National Gallery’▫Life is short, art is long’▫‘My Visit’▫‘Pleasure in Art’▫‘More than just paintings’▫The finer things in life’▫‘The Best Art Museum in the World’

2. Planning (con’td)

• You have 100-120 words to write, including good and bad points.

• Sub-heading 1 = Introduction

• Sub-heading 2 = Good Points

• Sub-heading 3 = Bad Points

• Sub-heading 4 = Conclusion

• It really is very easy!!!!

• Now your writing is organised and you already know you are going to

write four paragraphs – you’ll get some marks before you even start

writing!

3. Interesting Language

• Remember – a teacher will read your article. If

it’s boring, you won’t get many marks!

• Use a variety of language – verb tenses,

nouns, adjectives.

• Don’t just use the present simple and say

everything is ‘nice’ or ‘boring’ – that doesn’t

make your article ‘nice’ – it makes it very

‘boring’!!!!!

3. Interesting Language• Compare these two paragraphs. Why is the

second one better?

• ‘The National Gallery has lots of paintings. There are lots of different rooms. People from all over the world visit it. It is very famous.’

• ‘The National Gallery has lots of monuments. You’ll find a number of different rooms. It has been visited by people from all over the world because of its fame.’

3. Interesting Language•Now look at this paragraph. Can you think

of different words to replace the underlined adjectives?

•The National Gallery is nice. The paintings are very nice. I had a nice time there. The rooms are nice but some people think they’re boring. I saw some nice art there. Art is sometimes boring. London is nice and the people there are nice. I think writing articles is very boring.

3. Interesting Language• How many synonyms can you think of for

‘people’ in a composition about the National Gallery?

• Everyone/Everybody• Tourists• Some• Foreigners• Critics• The English• Visitors• Fans

4. Paragraphs

•Now you need to think how you could begin each paragraph to make it interesting for the reader.

•Any suggestions?

4. Paragraphs• Here’s an idea:

▫ Start each paragraph with a question. (A common strategy)

▫ Then answer the question with your second sentence.

• For example:

• Introduction

▫ ‘What makes the National Gallery worth visiting? It’s incredibly

diverse art collection, of course.’

▫ Then continue the paragraph with information about the

National Gallery and your visit.

▫ This makes your composition more interesting.

4. Paragraphs

•Now you try.

•Think of an opening question and answer

for paragraphs two and three – Good

Points and Bad Points.

•Remember – the question should make the reader want to know the answer.

5. Linking Words

•What do we use linking words for?

▫To link ideas!

▫They help organise our writing.

▫Provides greater clarity in your article

•Can you think of any linking words?

5. Linking or Transitional Words• We use linking words to order information:

▫ Firstly, Secondly, Finally etc.

• We use linking words to add information:

▫ Furthermore, In addition, Moreover etc.

• We use linking words to contrast ideas:

▫ However, In contrast, Nevertheless, On the contrary, On the one

hand…on the other hand etc.

• We use linking words to summarise or reach a conclusion:

▫ In conclusion, In sum etc.

• Write these linking words in your notebook or commit them to

memory!

Class Practice

• You’re going to write an article.

• This is the question:

▫ ‘You have been asked to write an article about

Singapore for students from another country.

You have to include good points and bad points.

You have to write 180-250 words.

• What do you need to remember before you

start writing your article?

Pre-Writing

• 1. A Title – what will you call your article?

• 2. Planning – how many & what will you call them?

• 3. Interesting Language – nouns, verbs and

adjectives – try not to repeat words.

• 4. Paragraphs – how many & how will you begin

them?

• 5. Linking Words – try to include two in each

paragraph.

REMEMBER!

• Read the question carefully

• Make sure you answer it correctly

• Think about who you are writing the article

for.

• Check your spelling and grammar

• Check the number of words

• Plan your answer carefully.