AQA English Language Unit One

Understanding and Producing Non-Fiction Texts

QUESTION 6

Main menu: overview understanding the question planning the longer task Q5 i,ii useful language devices Q5 iii Spelling, punctuation and grammar question 6 exemplar skills checklist mini-assessment

Overview

Question 6 is the longer of the writing tasks. It will ask you to argue, persuade or take a viewpoint which you must try to sustain. They can a take a variety of different forms, including letters and articles. Two well planned sides of writing, shaped, structured and paragraphed is sufficient to do well

You are being assessed on your ability to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively in well organised paragraphs with largely accurate spelling, punctuation and interesting word choices.

Key information

write about 4-5 paragraphs (about two sides of A4)

a total of 24 marks; you need to score a minimum of 18 marks:

- 12 out of 16 for communication and organisation (i,ii)

- 6 out of 8 for spelling, punctuation and grammar (iii)

spend about 35mins on this question, including planning

focus on the audience and purpose in the question set

Allow sufficient time to answer this question fully – 5% don’t answer!

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Understanding the question

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6. Choose an activity or hobby that you are interested in.

Write an article for your school or college magazine persuading other students to try it.

Remember to: write an article for students write to persuade. (24 marks)

(16 marks)

The following text is taken from the June 2011 Foundation Level exam.

Look at how the question guides you to what to write about.

Main focus

The Task

The Format The

PurposeThe Audience

Planning the longer task

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Once you understand what you need to do, plan out about 4-5 main ideas with very brief notes on how to develop them in each paragraph.

Quickly decide upon your approach

Write article for students about a hobby: clear and sustained point of view

4-5 different reasons that are fully developed and linked together

Some use of different persuasive methods (see next slide)

Take up cycling1. Good exercise

- build leg muscles

- increase stamina

- stay healthy

2. See new places

-long rides in country

-new places to see

-lots of venues

3. Meet friends

-male / female sport

-social events

-regular races

2. Personal goals

-win races

-Olympic champion

-possible career

Q5 i,ii Useful language devices

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The following are some useful devices that you may wish to use in your writing to make your response more interesting to read.

Persuade (this is not a checklist and do not over use!) One point of view First person or second person pronouns for effect e.g. I, us, our, you, yours Rhetorical questions to engage e.g. Have you tried something fresh and new? Repetition for style e.g. it builds stamina, muscles and confidence Emotive words to convince e.g. you could power your way to new heights Linking words t develop whole writing e.g. in addition, furthermore, moreover

Argue Awareness of alternative views to show understanding of others More neutral tone to sound unbiased e.g. use of third person (he, she, they Contrasting words to show views of others e.g. whilst, whereas, although Modal verbs to show likely possibility e.g. might, could, should

Always: Clear paragraphs or other evidence of structure e.g. linking words Develop point with examples or lots of details Varied and interesting word choices

Q5 iii Spelling, punctuation and grammar

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Here are some guidance notes on how to make your writing more accurate. Remember there are 6 marks available for this section.

Spelling

Make sure you spell commonly used words correctly and allow time to check

Remember there are lots of complex words already spelt correctly for you in the Reading Section, so use some of them in your answer

Punctuation

Make sure each sentence has a subject and a verb

Each sentence should begin with a capital letter and end with a full stop

Use a comma before the word ‘but’*

Use apostrophes for possession or omission (be aware of its and it’s)

Start a new sentence when using ‘moreover’, ‘however’ and ‘furthermore’*

Avoid overuse of exclamation marks and question marks (once or twice)

Grammar

Use a range of simple, complex and compound sentences

Question 6 exemplar

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Look to see how you develop notes into a clear and effective paragraph.Focus – persuading other students to take up a new hobbyThings to include – exercise, meet friends, see places, set personal goals

If you are tired of washed up sports like football, cricket or tennis, then cycling might be just your cup of tea. Whilst most young people are dull and unoriginal, you could be brave and plump for something new like cycling. Getting out on a bike is a great way to see different parts of the country. On the saddle you can get close to the nature that you might miss when you are being driven around by your parents. There are lots of exciting places to visit, and it does not cost anything to get their on your by bike.

Topic sentence

The Audience

Word choices

Full stops and capitals

Complex sentence

Compound sentence

Emotive words

Activity: Write one of the other points into a developed paragraph

Skills Checklist

What you need to do:

plan out 4-5 main points with some ideas

develop writing with examples and details

include some relevant language devices

make interesting and varied word choices

use capitals, full stops and commas

vary your use of sentence types

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January 2012Time Allowed 35mins

‘Sports stars are good role models for young people.’

Write an article for a magazine of your choice arguing for or against this view.

Remember to:write an article argue your point of view.

Try to write about two pages in your answer booklet. (24marks)

Assessment practice

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