Empathetic Genre Conversion

Exam preparation

Think - PAT

Text type

Audience

Purpose

Text type

Audience

PurposeWhy?

Who?

What?

Any non-fiction text is written in order to be ‘fit for purpose’

Text type

Audience

Purpose

‘Fit for purpose’

Purpose – the ‘events’

•Inform•Explain•Describe•Advise•Persuade•Argue•Analyse•Review•Comment

Each text type has an intended ‘target audience’ – the exam is likely to ensure

that you can demonstrate a wide ranging vocabulary and technical control.

Text type

Audience

Purpose

(you won’t be expected to write to a younger sibling for example) – by all

means modify your style to suit the given audience but never ‘dumb down’ your

expression.

Each text type has a set of features which define them: It would be difficult to

mistake an interview transcript with a newspaper article for example!

Text type

Audience

Purpose

You can think of the features of a text as the basic kit which the

writer uses to ensure that his/her text is ‘fit for purpose’ and shaped with a particular audience in mind

Having selected the right kit (writing features) you can then concentrate on using wide ranging detail from the original text in order to secure as many marks as possible:

marks for

‘Reading’

15

marks for

‘Writing’

5

If you apply the wrong techniques and features – the text won’t provide a platform from which you can show off your ability to extract and use detail from the original – even though there are only 5 marks for ‘Writing’, it’s important to get it right.

Band 1:13–15The answer reveals a thorough reading of the passage. A good range of ideas ismodified, developed and integrated into the answer, contributing to a strongsense of purpose and approach. Responses are consistent and sustained.

Band 2:10–12There is evidence of a competent reading of the passage. Some of the ideas andfacts are developed, but the ability to sustain may not be consistent. Expect someattempt to integrate the material with occasional effectiveness. There is some supporting detail throughout.

Band 3:7–9The passage has been read reasonably well, but the answer may not reflect therange and detail of the original. There may be evidence of a mechanical use of thepassage. There is focus on the task and satisfactory reference, but opportunitiesfor development are not always taken. Some supporting detail is used, but notconsistently. Ideas are simply formulated.

Marks for Reading

Band 1:5The language has character and sounds convincing. Ideas are confidently expressed in a wide range of effective and/or interesting language. Sequence is sound throughout.Band 2:4Language is mostly fluent and there is clarity of explanation. There is a sufficientrange of vocabulary to express ideas with some subtlety. Theresponse attempts to create character or appropriate voice. The answer is mainly well sequenced.Band 3:3Language is clear and appropriate, but comparatively plain, expressing littlecharacter. Individual points are rarely extended, but explanations are adequate.There may be flaws in the sequence.

Marks for Writing

You should, then, practise extracting relevant material, modify or adapt it and then employ the relevant features and techniques associated with the target text type you are asked to write in.

Here are some of the text types that you might be asked to produce:

Newspaper reportMagazine article

Journal entrySpeech / interview / debate

ReportFormal / informal letter

And here are some of the features you might like to consider when ‘empathetically

converting’ your genre (!)…

StructureNarrative perspective

TenseFormality

VocabularyTone

Past Paper Analysis

Do the examiners have a ‘favourite’ text type?

2011 / 2010 Exam Empathetic Genre – conversion form

May/June 2011 (i) Interview

May/June 2011 (ii) Formal report

May/June 2011 (iii) Personal letter (descriptive)

Oct./Nov.2010 (i) Personal dialogue (conversation)

Oct./Nov. 2010 (ii) Public dialogue (meeting)

Oct./Nov. 2010 (iii) Newspaper report

May/June 2010 (i) Public Dialogue (TV interview transcript)

May/June 2010 (ii) Personal letter (persuasive)

May/June 2010 (iii) Public dialogue (meeting)

2011 / 2010

DialogueFormal reportLetterNewspaper report

Exam Empathetic Genre – conversion form

Oct./Nov.2009 Personal letter (descriptive)

May/June 2009 Formal Report

Oct./Nov.2008 Newspaper report

May/June 2008 Public Dialogue (interview transcript)

Oct./Nov.2007 Newspaper report

May/June 2007 Formal Report

Oct./Nov.2006 Diary entry

May/June 2006 Formal letter (commendation)

Oct./Nov.2005 Formal letter (complaint)

May/June 2005 Visitor’s guide

Oct./Nov.2004 Letter

May/June 2004 Public Dialogue (radio interview transcript)

2004-2011

DialogueFormal reportLetterNewspaper reportDiaryVisitor's guide

The best strategy is to prepare for any

eventuality!

Past Paper Questions

May / June 2011 (i)

Imagine that you are the reporter, Rob Buchanan. You interview Dean Potter after the climb and

ask the following questions:• Incredible! How did you manage to climb the face so

quickly?• How do you answer people who say that what you do

is foolish?• Can you tell us about your relationship with your

climbing partner, O’Neill?Write the words of the interview

May / June 2011 (ii)

Imagine you work for the Ministry of Agriculture. You have been sent to conduct a second investigation as to whether there is large foreign cat activity on Bodmin Moor.

Write a formal report on your findings.In your report, you should comment on:• what local people believe about the presence of a beast;• the lack of conclusive proof and the alternative theories;• your recommendations with reasons.

May / June 2011 (iii)

Imagine that you are the old man in the final paragraphs (When we returned…after our visit).

Write a letter to your sister, who lives in a different part of the country.

In your letter, you should:• describe, in your own words, what has happened to

the town;• express your thoughts and emotions about the past,

present and future.

October / November 2010 (i)

Imagine that shortly after the marriage service, Mrs Ferris-Grebe and Mrs Kougar have their first

conversation together. Write the conversation that would take place.

In the conversation you should explore:• their views on the wedding ceremony;• their feelings about the suitability of the marriage;• the differences between the two women and their

families.

October / November 2010 (ii)

Imagine a meeting between the writer and the town mayor to discuss the writer’s ideas for Rataia.

Write the conversation that would take place.Include the views of both speakers on how the changes

would affect:• the town;• the lives of the inhabitants;• the natural environment.

October / November 2010 (iii)

Imagine you are a reporter investigating the cause of an infestation of mice that has occurred throughout the village of Malsam.

Write your report for a national newspaper, using the headline: ‘Horror Plague Overwhelms Village. ’

You should include the following:• the effects of the infestation on the villagers;• the attitudes of the villagers to the Duvall family;• the comments of the Duvall parents and children.

May / June 2010(i)

Immediately after the sequences that you have just read about, Signor Alessandro gives a TV interview. The interviewer asks three questions:

• Some people say you are an eccentric man whose behaviour is odd at times. Are they right?

• Can you explain the unexpected happenings that took place at the beginning of your Beethoven concert?

• Do you think that the time has come for you to retire from conducting?

Write the words of the interview.

May / June 2010(ii)

Imagine you are the writer’s friend, Lary. Write a letter to a member of your family after your visit to the gorilla sanctuary.

In your letter you should:• make the chimps and gorillas sound interesting and

lovable;• give your impressions of Mark and of Madame Yvette;• persuade your family to support the work of the

sanctuary.

May / June 2010(iii)

As a result of the dispute between neighbours, a public meeting has been called. At this meeting, in turn, the writer’s mother and the father next door are given the chance to present their views.

The chairperson of the meeting asks the mother the following question:

“Can you explain why you and other people in the neighbourhood believe that things have ‘gone too far’?”

The chairperson of the meeting asks the father next door the following question:

“Can you explain your position and views on this matter?”Write the words of the public meeting.

October / November 2009

Imagine you are a schools inspector and you have recently visited the school described in Passage A. You are not pleased with what you have observed.

Write your report, in which you:• outline and explain the reasons for your

dissatisfaction;• make some recommendations to improve matters.

May / June 2009

Imagine you are Aunt Pegg. After one week oflooking after the children, you write a letter to their

parents in which you:• give your impressions of the children;• give an account of your progress with them so far;• tell your plans for the next week.

October / November 2008

Imagine you are a reporter, writing from the area.Write the newspaper report which would have

appeared a week after the eruption of Vesuvius.Use the following headline:Tragic death of respected Naval Commander:Eruption causes terror and destruction in Bay of Naples

May / June 2008Imagine that you are Donovan Webster. You are being

interviewed for a television programmeabout your visit to Diudiu in Mongolia.Your interviewer asks the following questions:• Could you start by telling the viewers a little about

Diudiu’s lifestyle?• What did you admire most about Diudiu?• How has your meeting with her made you consider

your own life-style and values?

Write the words of the interview.

October / November 2007

Write a newspaper report using the headlines printed below.Base what you write closely on the reading material in Passage A.Lost family found alive and well − hours from deathDramatic rescue by fishermen

Include the following in your report, in any order you wish:• comments about the rescue made by some of the people

involved• reference to what life on the Ednamair was like before the

rescue took place• feelings experienced by the family and the Japanese crew

May / June 2007Your school or college has a group for older students,

which debates matters of general interest and current affairs. Imagine that you are a member of this group and have been asked to attend Dr. Zinc’s talk in the public gardens.

Write a report to the committee that organises the group. In your report give your reasons

whether or not Dr. Zinc should be invited to speak at one of the debates.

October / November 2006

Imagine you are the writer of Passage A.Write a diary entry in which you explore your thoughts

and feelings about the trip so far. You will be sending your diary entry to your friends and family.

In your entry include• the impact of the landscape• your reactions to people and places.

May / June 2006

You have recently stayed at the Shamrock Hotel and, most surprisingly, you thoroughly enjoyed your stay.

Write a letter to Mr and Mrs Doyle explaining the reasons why you liked the hotel so much. You know that the Doyles will use your letter to advertise the hotel in future.

October / November 2005

Imagine that you live near to Gatsby’s house where the parties take place. You object to the

parties for several reasons, including the lavish display of wealth.

Write a letter to the owner of the house, setting out your various objections and justifying each

one by developing ideas and details from the passage.

May / June 2005

Imagine that you are writing a visitors’ guide to the area described in Passage A. Write an

introduction which:• describes the attractions of the area• persuades people with different interests to spend

some time there.

October / November 2004

Write a letter to the organisers of an athletics competition expressing your views and concerns on

the issue of the equal participation of able-bodied and disabled athletes.

Base the content of your letter on ideas from both Passage A and Passage B.

In your letter, consider and develop these points:• that the decisions have ‘turned sport upside down’• that traditionalists will not like the changes• that some disabled athletes do not think enough has been

done.

May / June 2004

You are the presenter of a radio programme about dangerous expeditions. You have invited Walter

Bonatti and Ranulph Fiennes to talk about their experiences.Write the transcript of part of your conversation.During the conversation you, the presenter, should ask the

following questions:• What qualities do you think a successful explorer or

mountaineer needs?• Do you think you are testing your luck and your endurance

to too great an extreme?