WRITING SKILLS
Unit 2:
Description/Narration/Exposition
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Unit3:
Persuasion and Argumentation
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Name: ……………………………………….
Ian Altman ERW
Exposition Writing
‘Sugar is the greatest enemy facing our young people today.’ Write an essay to
explain the extent to which you agree with this view, giving clear reasons and
examples.
General
 Use the information from the reading tasks you have done to help you get
ideas to support your answer.
 Write a plan of your main points.
 Remember that you are writing for general audience so you need to make
your points very clear.
Introduction (1 paragraph)
 This is your chance to interest your reader in the topic you are writing
about. Use the information in the question to help you get started.
 Try asking a question, using a statistic or dropping in a couple of eyecatching names to make an initial point.
Main Paragraphs (4-5 paragraphs)
 These paragraphs are the heart of your essay. Each of these paragraphs
should be properly structured with a range of appropriate sentences.
 Use specific details and precise language to support your points.
 Write your paragraphs in order of importance.
 Make sure that your paragraphs are cohesive – appropriate connectives
will help with this.
Conclusion (1 paragraph)
 It is important that you take the opportunity to tie up all the main points
of your essay and leave the reader with a clear understanding of the
topic.
 Try to restate your main points using some new vocabulary.
 Finish with a memorable sentence.
B2. In this section you will be assessed for the quality of your writing skills.
20 marks are awarded for communication and organisation; 15 marks are awarded for
writing accurately.
You should aim to write about 350-500 words.
Choose one of the following for your writing:
[35]
Either,
a) Write about a visit to an attractive and appealing sweet shop.
Or,
b) ‘Sugar is the greatest enemy facing our young people today.’ Write an
essay to explain the extent to which you agree with this view, giving clear
reasons and examples.
When using information from the texts, you will need to present this in your own words.
The space below can be used to plan your work.
PLAN
6. Sum up. Responsibility of youngsters, schools,
food producers (some have reduced sugar
content e.g. KitKat)
5. Are there other dangers
I would consider more
important? Mention
internet safety!
4. Role of schools/parents
in educating children. Has
to be some choice though!
1. Use the title. Key phrases in
opening paragraph.
2. Use Text A. Although it
can be argued that…
‘Sugar is the greatest
enemy…’
3. Childhood obesity…link
to the title
Firstly…Moreover…Additionally...Furthermore...Although…Penultimately…Finally
WRITING
Many people would argue that too much sugar in the diet of young people is a genuine
danger and that it can be considered to be a real threat to our long term health. Personally,
as a teenager, I believe that we are exposed to a constant bombardment of adverts for
sugary foods as over 70% of food adverts are for unhealthy products. Sugar is indeed a very
real enemy!
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Argumentation Writing
The texts in Section A put a strong case against keeping an exotic pet. Imagine that you
have discovered a pet shop which is providing exotic pets and write an online review for the
shop arguing that it should be closed.
General

Use the information from the reading tasks you have done to help you get ideas to
support your answer.

Write a plan of your main points.

Remember that you are writing for specific audience so you need to make your
points very precise and convincing. Think about whether the audience is a formal
one as this will have an impact on your vocabulary choices.

Think about the layout. If it is a letter or report then it will need to have the
appropriate features.
Introduction (1 paragraph)

This is your chance to interest your reader in the topic you are writing about. Use
the information in the question to help you get started.

Ensure that the language you use in the opening paragraph is appropriate for the
audience and sustain this tone throughout.

After the opening paragraph the audience should be aware of the purpose of your
work.
Main Paragraphs (4-5 paragraphs)

These paragraphs are the heart of your essay. Each of these paragraphs should be
properly structured with a range of appropriate sentences.

Use specific details and precise language to support your points.

Write your paragraphs in order of importance.

Use a counterargument to ensure that you acknowledge the other side of the
argument e.g. Although many people argue...Despite the recent investment in the
facilities in..

Make sure that your paragraphs are cohesive – appropriate connectives will help
with this.
Conclusion (1 paragraph)

It is important that you take the opportunity to tie up all the main points of your
essay and leave the reader with a clear understanding of the topic and what you
would like done about it.

Try to restate your main points using some new vocabulary.

Finish with a memorable sentence.
SECTION B (Writing): 40 marks
In this section you will be assessed for the quality of your writing skills.
Answer both B1 and B2
B1.
The texts in Section A put a strong case against keeping an exotic pet. Imagine that
you have discovered a pet shop which is providing exotic pets and write an online
review for the shop arguing that it should be closed.
Write your review.
[20]
10 marks are awarded for communication and organisation. 10 marks are awarded for
writing accurately. You should aim to write between 200-300 words.
The space below can be used to plan your work before starting on the next page. You may
continue on an extra sheet of paper should you need it.
PLAN
1. Address the issue. Strong
opening – be outraged!
6. Sum up. Emotive and forceful
final paragraph.
5. What would I like to
happen. Think of good
practice Folly Farm??
4. Counter argument!
Having recently visited
Paradise Pets…
Review: Closing
down shop selling
exotic pets.
2. Use Text A - some good
phrases here. Use similar
ones
3. Texts B and C – extinction,
impact on animals etc.
The proprietor (shop owner)
argued/insisted…However…
Firstly…Moreover…Additionally...Furthermore...Although…Penultimately…Finally
(Emotive language/tripling/rhetorical questions/statistics/imperatives)
REVIEW
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Initially, the establishment seemed to be no different from any other pet shop I have visited
and reviewed in recent months with the usual array of pet products and small pets such as
hamsters and rabbits. However, as I went further into the depths of the shop a more
worrying picture emerged as animals such as iguanas and parrots were imprisoned in
claustrophobic and appalling conditions. I was shocked by what I saw and this is why
organisations such as the APA campaign so aggressively for an end to the trade of wildlife as
exotic pets.
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