Transactional Writing Lesson 1 Different writing forms What

Transactional Writing Lesson 1 Different writing forms

What is transactional writing? A transaction is an exchange of goods between a buyer and a seller. Transactional writing is an exchange of information between a reader and a writer. It seeks to inform, educate, explain, argue, persuade, advise readers.

Why is transactional writing important for me? Transactional writing is what you are required to do in Section B of your IGCSE English Language exam. It is worth 45 marks and 50% of the paper. It will make or break your result! We recommend you start your exam paper with transactional writing for this reason.

What forms can transactional writing take? The transactional forms in the IGCSE English Language paper tend to take one of four forms: Newspaper article Letter Speech Guide book

Assessment criteria: no. 1 Appropriate use of form, tone and register. (L 3) Effective use of form, tone and register. (L 4)

Making the form of writing clear

Newspaper q. Heading q. Subheading/s q. Quotes from the article q. Photo q. Caption of the photo q. Paragraphin g Letter Speech Guidebook q. Address q. Date q. Short first paragraph q. Dear…. . q. Yours sincerely / faithfully plus name q. First person q. Title q. Short paragraphs – one sentence paragraphs (either using imperatives or anaphora) q. Mixture pgh lengths q. First person q. Time reference, ‘Today’ q. Bullet points – anaphora q. Sub-headings q. Direct address to the audience q. Heading q. Pictures and captions q. Introductory paragraph q. Sub-headings and sections that tackle different aspects q. Quotations

The importance of homework mock up Newspaper article Letter Speech Guidebook

Transactional Writing Lesson 2 Engaging your audience

Effective use of form, tone and register (L 4)

‘There is no point in travelling when you can see everything and learn about places on television and the internet. ’ Write an article for a magazine giving your views on this statement. Your article may include: • The advantages and disadvantages of travel • The advantages and disadvantages of learning about places on television and the internet • Any other points you wish to make

Today’s technique Anecdote versus Flip anecdote

Begin with the worst case scenario

‘There is no point in travelling when you can see everything and learn about places on television and the internet. ’ q What would a world be like if noone travelled anywhere? q What would your world be like if you never travelled anywhere?

Feedback Imagine a world

Feedback q. Experiences q. Different cultures q. Close-minded q. Limited view / perspective on the world. q. Facts – understanding and truths q. Experience to change perspective of how you see things Imagine a world where no one travels anywhere. A world in which people follow the same routine day in, day out, where their experiences and perspectives on the world are confined to the four walls of their own home and they are faced with visions of themselves, alone. A world of monotony. A world of greyness. A world of ignorance.

End with the utopia

‘There is no point in travelling when you can see everything and learn about places on television and the internet. ’ q What would a world be like people, including yourself, travelled the world?

Now imagine a world Feedback

Feedback q. Culturally enriched q. Experiences q. Open-mindedness q. Broader perspective q. Job opportunities q. Educated q. More inclusive Now imagine a world where everyday the possibilities of adventure lie ahead. People excited to culturally embrace other communities; launch themselves out of their comfort zone to experience other cultures and enrich their lives with the lives of others. A world exposed to knowledge. A world exposed to culture. A world exposed to life. Are your bags packed?

Now you have a go at crafting your own anecdote / flip anecdote. ‘Schools and colleges have a duty to ensure their students keep fit. ’ You have been asked to give a speech in which you express your views on this statement. • Your speech may include: • Who should have responsibility for the fitness of students • Whether extra time for physical education should be found in schools and colleges • Any other points you wish to make Anecdote – what would a school / college where there was no attempt to ensure students are fit look like? Flip anecdote – what would a school / college where all students were fit look like?

Transactional Writing Lesson 3 Another way of engaging the audience from the outset

Question: A newspaper has published a report stating that all young people should do two hours of unpaid voluntary work a week. Write a letter to the Editor of the newspaper giving your views on the subject. As a group table, construct an anecdote vs flipped anecdote, opening and closing paragraph

Another way in to transactional writing Q: “The internet causes more harm than good. It is the worst invention in human history. ” Write an article for Parliament in which you argue for or against this statement.

Structure • Reference to a recent news event (doesn’t have to be real but should be realistic!) • A rhetorical question or a statistic • An emotive statement of intent/call for action

The news has been dominated this week by the tragic death of Molly Russell, the 14 year old girl who killed herself after being exposed to a series of images promoting self harm and suicide on Instagram. Her father has said that Instagram killed his daughter. He, like over 60% of parents we surveyed, monitored his daughter’s social media use closely. He thought he knew what his daughter was accessing. But how much do we really know about what our children are looking at when they are in their rooms, staring at their phones? This tragedy is the alarm call we all need to hear, the alarm that should wake us up to the danger of mankind’s greatest invention: the internet. Reference to a recent news event (doesn’t have to be real but should be realistic!) A rhetorical question or a statistic An emotive statement of intent/call for action

Question 7: ‘Homework has no value. Some students get it done for them; some don’t do it at all. Students should be relaxing in their free time. ’ Write an article for a newspaper in which you explain your point of view on this statement. Reference to a recent news event (doesn’t have to be real but should be realistic!) A rhetorical question or a statistic An emotive statement of intent/call for action

Transactional Writing Lesson 4 SADOC – planning for a response

Recap: Reference to a recent news event (doesn’t have to be Question 7: real but should be ‘Homework has no value. Some students get it done realistic!) for them; some don’t do it at all. Students should be A rhetorical relaxing in their free time. ’ question or a Write an article for a newspaper in which you statistic explain your point of view on this statement. An emotive statement of intent/call for action

The opening is just the beginning… A secure realization of the writing task according to the writer’s purpose and the expectations / requirements of the intended reader is shown. (L 4) which means that your middle has to have meat!

Introducing SADOC to help you plan a response S Spider leg A Add detail D Device O Order C Connective or adverbial What is the main idea you wish to convey? How will you develop this idea? What details could you add? What devices will you use to engage with your reader? Where will this appear within your writing? Where does it fit in the order of your piece? What connective or adverbial could you use to start this section of writing?

Modelled example

Creating your own SADOC

Transactional Writing Lesson 5 Creating a voice

You have 10 minutes to create a SADOC plan in response to this question. S – spider leg – three main ideas A – add detail – how could you develop the main idea in three different ways? D – device – what devices could you use within the paragraph? (anecdote, fact, opinion, rhetorical question, repetition, emotive words, statistics, tricolons etc) O – order – what order will these paragraphs be in (best – first and last) C – connective – what connective or adverbial are you going to use to start the paragraph off?

Transform it… Look at the paragraph below. Participating in dangerous sports or dangerous activities can lead to serious injuries. Every year 55% of patients admitted into hospitals are admitted as a result of injuring themselves whilst completing a sporting activity. These injuries range from cuts and bruises, to fractures and breaks to something more serious, including fatalities. Giles Mc. Wright, a snowboarding enthusiast, stated: ‘Last year I ended up in hospital with a broken leg after falling whilst skiing. My leg hasn’t been right since. Who knows when I will be able to ski again? ’ Injuries like this are all too common and something needs to be done to ensure the safety of people – whether it is a banning of a particular sport or stricter safety measures put in place. Action should be taken now! If you were an examiner, what would you reward in this paragraph? What band would you give it?

Now choose one of your ideas to turn into a paragraph of writing.

BUT…

q. Communication is perceptive and subtle q. Task is sharply focused on purpose and the expectations / requirements of the intended reader q. Sophisticated use of form, tone and register 0. 01% of students meet this criteria.

How would your piece of writing change if you wrote from the perspective of one of these three people?

Transform it… Look at the paragraph below. Participating in dangerous sports or dangerous activities can lead to serious injuries. Every year 55% of patients admitted into hospitals are admitted as a result of injuring themselves whilst completing a sporting activity. These injuries range from cuts and bruises, to fractures and breaks to something more serious, including fatalities. Giles Mc. Wright, a snowboarding enthusiast, stated: ‘Last year I ended up in hospital with a broken leg after falling whilst skiing. My leg hasn’t been right since. Who knows when I will be able to ski again? ’ Injuries like this are all too common and something needs to be done to ensure the safety of people – whether it is a banning of a particular sport or stricter safety measures put in place. Action should be taken now! How would this paragraph be different in it is was written from the perspective of a mother? Or a sports fanatic? Or someone who has been injured whilst doing a dangerous sport?

As a mother, As a sports fanatic, As someone who has suffered injuries whilst climbing,