news articles, directed writing, comparison Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are some features of a headline in a news article?
The headline is usually catchy and often uses a literary device such as alliteration, a pun, or rhyme.
What is a lead paragraph?
The lead paragraph summarises the most important information in the article.
What structure is key to writing a news article?
The structure revolves around the five W’s:
WHAT – What happened that is noteworthy?
WHERE – Where did this happen?
WHEN – When did these events occur?
WHO – Who are the important people in the story?
WHY – Why did the events happen?
What types of speech are commonly used in news articles?
Direct speech: Example: “Doctors are very keen,” said Professor Mallal.
Reported speech: Example: Shadow Transport Minister, Simon O’Brien, said that the opposition would build a similar rail line.
How are paragraphs structured in news articles?
News articles use short paragraphs and complex sentences to include a lot of information.
What tone is used in news articles?
A neutral tone is maintained.
What kind of supporting information is included in news articles?
Facts and comments from experts or eyewitnesses are included.
What is required to create a successful ‘Directed Writing’ answer?
- Understand how the original text works linguistically.
- Select information/content from the original text.
- Write accurately to the brief.
- Adapt content to suit a different context (purpose/form/audience).
What is the required word count for a ‘Directed Writing’ answer?
150-200 words
What qualities define a successful ‘Comparison’ answer?
- Strong sense of the differences between forms, audiences, and purposes.
- Supported with quotations from both texts.
- Sustains the comparison throughout with references to form, structure, and language.
- Uses comparison connectives.
- Includes clear topic sentences.
Uses terminology and analysis.
What are the key components of a directed writing task?
- Read and understand a text type, such as an article, letter, story, diary, leaflet, or review. The source text is approximately 550–750 words in length.
- Write a shorter text (150–200 words) connected thematically to the original text for a specified audience and purpose, which may differ from the original.
What questions should you ask about the original passage for Paper 1, Question 1a?
- What is the focus of the original passage/source text?
- What form is it written in (e.g. diary, blog, letter)?
- Who is the writer of the passage (e.g. a mother, a single man, an ‘agony aunt’)?
- What is the writer’s narrative point of view or purpose (if any)?
What questions should you ask about your directed writing response?
- What is the focus of the text you are asked to write?
- What form should it take (and is it different from the original)?
- From whose perspective is the directed response written?
- What different narrative point of view (or perspective) must your text take?
What is the relationship between the directed writing task and the comparison task?
The skills used in both tasks are complementary and inform each other.
What skills are more relevant to the comparison task?
- Understand key points in an unfamiliar text and apply analytical skills.
- Write analytically about the effects of form, structure, and language in two different texts.
- Use quotations and evidence precisely and thoughtfully.
- Comment on the overall style and qualities of a passage.
What skills are more relevant to the directed writing task?
- Plan, sequence, and write your own text in your own words (or in a given role).
- Use knowledge of non-fiction conventions to write your own text.
Q: What are essential skills for success in both the directed writing and comparison task?
- Decoding the task to create a ‘mental template’ for writing.
- Selecting relevant points and analysing their significance.
- Planning and structuring responses effectively.
