Starter Vary your sentences How many types can

Starter: Vary your sentences How many types can you name? 1. Simple 2. Compound 3. Complex 4. Minor 5. Questions, especially rhetorical 6. Rule of three. For example: young, slim and pretty 7. Commands (Imperatives)

Aims • To explore argue/persuade / advise writing tasks • To revise sentence types • To consider tone • To practice exam skills Copyright © 2009 englishteaching. co. uk

Argue/Persuade/Advise • If you’re asked to argue, persuade or advise, you will be asked to write about a subject you’ll know something about, and will, as usual, be given a few prompts to get you going.

• A clear, strong introduction to your subject, perhaps including some background or history; • One paragraph for each new argument, topic or piece of advice; • Evidence or reasons for every argument you make; • A clear, strong conclusion which leaves the reader with a definite picture of your opinions.

Imagine you overhear the following statement: 'We're always hearing about Girl Power and Independent Women these days, but all I see female stars doing is strutting around, looking good, posing for the cameras, making loads of money and badmouthing boys. What about making your own decisions and controlling your own life? ’ Write an article for your school magazine arguing EITHER that today's female stars are strong role models and examples of Girl Power, OR that they are sexist and just obsessed with image and money.

Gather ideas – mind map Audience – who are you writing for/speaking to? Plan – structure: in what order will you present Write an article for your school magazine your ideas? arguing EITHER that today's female stars are strong role models and examples of Girl Power, OR that they are sexist and just obsessed with image and money.

Layout • Do remember that you should NOT waste time on layout features such as big headings, columns or pictures. The most important thing is the quality of your writing. • If you want to, you can use short subheadings between the paragraphs of a magazine article to signal to the reader what each section will cover, such as 'Girl Power – The Facts'. Sometimes these work well if you write them as questions, such as 'Rubbish or Reality? ’

Other Views It’s often useful to mention the opposite side’s views early on in your text and then use your arguments to prove them wrong! Of course, if you’re persuading, you shouldn’t go into much detail about other people’s views – you’re trying to convince people to agree with you, so you don’t need to be as balanced as you do when analysing. Don’t rubbish others’ views, though – your audience will just switch off!

Example: We see so many films and music videos which tell girls that being strong is all about being rich, thin, pretty and wearing almost nothing. Since when was that powerful? I’m not suggesting we should all walk around in sacks, but what about what’s inside? Not all of us are rich, and not all of us fit in with the music video image of 'thin' or 'pretty'. Surely brains, creativity or a sense of humour are more important? Life won’t be much fun or very interesting if we’re all too worried about breaking a nail to try anything new. Copyright © 2009 englishteaching. co. uk

Tone and Style Although you need to use a formal, impersonal tone overall, you should also make your writing lively and engaging. Persuasive texts often sound more convincing if you actually do use a more personal tone from time to time, including phrases like: • 'as we all know', • 'I can hardly believe' or • 'no doubt you’ve often wondered' Copyright © 2009 englishteaching. co. uk

Ending for Impact • In any piece of writing, but especially when you are arguing, persuading or advising, you need to leave the audience with an impression which will last. For example: • So next time you hear someone talk about Girl Power, ask yourself who the 'really' powerful women are. or • Girl Power is in the head, not in front of a camera.

Task • Share your plan with your partner. • Working in pairs, write an opening for the article on GIRL POWER. • Homework – complete. • Spend a maximum of 30 minutes at home. Copyright © 2009 englishteaching. co. uk