ORIGINAL WRITING
Skills
 You will have to focus on your sentence structure
 Varied punctuation to create specific effects
 The structure of the narrative
 Varied vocabulary to create specific effects.
Sentence Structure
Little variety in sentence structures
Skilful control in the construction of varied sentence
forms
 Write simple, compound and complex sentences
 Use conjunctions to join clauses in compound
sentences: and, but, nor, or, so, then, yet
 Use subordinating conjunctions to join clauses in
complex sentences:
o time clauses: when, before, after, since, while, as,
until
o conditional clauses: if, unless
o purpose clauses: in order to, so that
o reason clauses: because, since, as
o result clauses: so that
o concessive clauses: although, though, while
o place clauses: where, wherever
o clauses of manner: as, like, the way
o Use defining and non-defining relative clauses
 Use noun phrases, adjectival phrases and adverbial
phrases to expand sentences, for example, The old
man with a stick was walking down the winding
road.
Use of language
Limited vocabulary
Extensive vocabulary
AVOID
 Clichés
 Slang and colloquial language;
 Contractions, abbreviations and acronyms;
 Innovations as used in sms and mxit texts; and,
 Foul language.
 a lot
 the 4th of July
 whereby; reason being
He was unhappy.
Vs.
Carefully, he wiped away a glistening tear as he
watched her turn away and move purposely
towards the door.
TECHNIQUES
SENSES
Sight
Sound
Smell
Touch
Taste
CHOICE OF WORDS
Adjectives
Onomatopoeia
Alliteration
Assonance
DEVICES
Metaphor
Juxtaposition
Simile
Pathetic fallacy
Personification
 Pathetic fallacy is when you use the weather to reflect what is
happening in the scene. Pathetic Fallacy is very similar to
personification. However, it can also be used when the weather
reflects what is going on in the scene. Eg.
If the weather is hot, sunny and there are people everywhere- it
usually represents a ‘happy’ story.
If the weather is dark, cold and stormy- you can usually guess
that something bad is going to happen.
 Juxtaposition is two random objects/ideas/perspectives moving
in parallel, a technique intended to stimulate creativity
 Satire is to hold up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn.
Paragraphs
Broadly appropriate paragraphing
Skillfully sustained paragraphing
So, when do you start a new one?
Time
Person
NEW
Place
Topic
Structure
Organisation of the material is simple
Sophisticated control of the text structure
Different types of texts have different purposes and require different
text structures and language features
Narrative
Purpose
To entertain
Text structure
 Orientation that introduces characters and setting, e.g. Once
upon time there was an old woman who lived with her son called
Jack. They were very poor.
 Events leading to a complication, e.g. Jack spent all the money
his mother gave him on some magic beans. His mother was
angry.
 Resolution and ending, e.g. Jack came back with the Giant’s
treasure and they lived happily ever after.
Language structure
 Written in the first or third person
 Written in the past tense
 Events described sequentially
 Connectives that signal time, e.g. Early that morning, later on,
once
 Makes use of dialogue
 Language used to create an impact on the reader, e.g. adverbs,
adjectives, images
Descriptive
Purpose
To describe something in a vivid way
Text structure
 Identification: gives a general orientation to the subject, e.g.
There was a huge beast
 Description: describes features or characteristics of the subject,
e.g. It had a huge bulbous body with bloated pustules dripping
green slimy liquid onto the floor.
Language structure
 May be written in past or present tense
 Creates a picture in words
 Uses adjectives, adverbs
 Uses figurative language, e.g. simile, metaphor, personification,
alliteration
Reporting
Purpose
To classify and describe phenomena
Text structure
An opening, general classification e.g Weavers are seed-eating
birds. More technical classification (optional), e.g. Their Latin name
is ploceidae. A description of the phenomenon including some or all
of its: Qualities, e.g. The male of the species is brightly coloured,
usually yellow and black. Parts and their functions, e.g. Weavers
have round conical bills. Habits, behaviour or uses, e.g. Weavers
make elaborate woven nests. May have accompanying visual text,
e.g. diagrams, photos
Language features
Written in the simple present tense Initial focus on generic
participants, e.g. Weavers in general not a particular weaver. Moves
from the general to the specific May use technical vocabulary, e.g.
conical, seed-eating
Procedures, instructions, directions and rules
Purpose
To describe or instruct how something is done through a series of
sequenced steps
Text structure
Goal: a statement of what is to be achieved, e.g. How to make a
cover for a portfolio Materials/equipment needed listed in order,
e.g. Large sheet of art paper, paints, etc. Sequenced steps to
achieve the goal, e.g. First, paint a blue background on the paper.
May have accompanying visual text, e.g. storyboard, diagrams, etc.
Language features
Written in the imperative, e.g. Paint a blue background … In
chronological order, e.g. First … next … Use of numbers and bullet
points to signal order Focus on generalised human agents rather
than named individuals Expressions of cause and effect
Explanation
Purpose
To explain how or why a process occurs
Text structure
General statement to introduce the topic, e.g. A dynamo is a
machine which changes mechanical energy into electrical energy. A
series of logical steps explaining how or why something occurs, e.g.
When the axle of the dynamo is turned, it receives mechanical
energy … May have accompanying visual text, e.g. diagrams
Language structure
Written in simple present tense May use conjunctions and logical
connectors that signal time, e.g. then, next, etc. May use causal
conjunctions and logical connectors, e.g. because, so , this causes
May use passive voice
Persuasive / Argumentative
Purpose
To argue a case for a point of view; to attempt to convince the
reader
Text structure
Statement of position, e.g. Shops should be closed on Sunday.
Series of arguments – often in the form of a point plus elaboration,
e.g. Everyone needs a day of rest. This is especially important for
people who work in shops because … Reinforcement – summary
and restatement of the opening position, e.g. We have seen that …
so …
Language structure
Simple present tense Focus mainly on generic participants, e.g.
shops, people Reason, cause/effect, concessive
conjunctions/logical connectors, e.g. this shows, however, because,
therefore
Discussion / Discursive
Purpose
To present arguments from differing viewpoints
Text structure
Statement of the issue; may preview main arguments, e.g. The issue
of whether or not we should wear school uniforms is very important.
There are good reasons both … Arguments for, plus supporting
evidence Arguments against, plus supporting evidence Conclusion –
summary and recommendation
Language structure
Simple present tense Generic participants, e.g. school uniforms,
students Reason, cause/effect, concessive conjunctions/logical
connectors, e.g. therefore, however, so Movement from generic to
the specific
Reflective
Purpose
To give emotional reaction and feeling on a specific matter
Text structure
A writer can reflect on dream or aspirations, e.g. How I remember
my best teacher; My view of life... Subjective Feelings and emotions
play an important role Greater part of the essay may be descriptive
Language structure
Personal pronouns Vocabulary that expresses view points, emotions,
etc.
Review
Purpose
To summarise, analyse and respond to literary texts or
performances
Text structure
Context: background information such as author, illustrator, type of
work Text description: describes elements of the text or production
such as main characters, key incidents and stylistic features
Judgment: evaluation of the work by expressing an opinion or
judgment
Language structure
Written in the present/past tense Use of appreciation vocabulary to
evaluate text, e.g. enjoyable, heart-warming, funny, exciting,
amusing, important, informative, outstanding