Writing to Inform, Explain or Describe

1
Session 2

• Writing to Inform, Explain or Describe

2
Inform, Explain, Describe Writing Task

• For a C grade, the marker needs to be confident
  of the following
• Content interesting/ relevant
• Audience your expression is suitable for the
  audience
• Purpose you are using the features of writing
  type
• Organisation both of paragraphs and within
  paragraphs
• Sentence variety shows range and control
• Vocabulary accurate, clear and shows a range
• Punctuation not too many errors, especially
  sentences spelling not too many errors,

3
For an E grade, the marker will see the following

• Content makes some points
• Audience aimed at an audience, but not
  consistently aware.
• Purpose does not stick to your text types (e.g.
  argue,) or form (e.g. letter)
• Organisation use paragraphs but they might be
  better ordered or opened. You have a clear
  opening para, but perhaps not an ending para
• Sentence Variety sentences are secure, some
  range.
• Vocabulary shows limitations. Some vagueness,
  likely to have repetition
• Spelling some accurate spelling of complex
  words.
• Punctuation some range shown.

4
CONVERT THE FOLLOWING EXCERPT FROM A D/E GRADE
PIECE OF WRITING TO A C (or better) GRADE,

• Q Write an article for a family magazine
  describing what it is like to be a
  sixteen-year-old these days and explaining how
  parents and other adults can do more to make life
  better for youngsters

5
What would stop the following opening paragraph
to this essay from attaining C Level?
Doing GCSEs and having to decide about staying on
or getting a job dont make life easy. Teenagers
have exams and spots and problems with boys or
girls. When youre sixteen you are no longer a
child. This does not mean that you have like
sorted everything out and stuff. Some people say
that these are the best days of your life.
6
The Answers
Sentences lack variety and lack links so they
dont flow - it appears jotted down
Doing GCSEs and having to decide about staying on
or getting a job dont make life easy. Teenagers
have exams and spots and problems with boys or
girls. When youre sixteen you are no longer a
child. This does not mean that you have like
sorted everything out and stuff. Some people say
that these are the best days of your life.
Lacks clear organisation. Shoudnt the paragraph
be restructured? It is an introduction to the
essay. Best to start with the big picture
7
C Grade Version
Some people say that these are the best days of
your life. But if you think of exams, spots and
the problems of boy/girl relationships, its
obvious that it isnt easy to live through. Just
because youre sixteen and no longer a child it
doesnt mean youve sorted out your life. Yet you
are expected to.
Find evidence for the following
comments Suitable for audience. Connectives
help it flow. Some range of sentences.
Clear expression. Accurate punctuation.
Sequence of sentences shows organisation.
8
A Grade Version
The best days of your life indeed. What a load
of nonsense! This myth, put around by people too
old to remember what it really was like to be
sixteen, needs exploding now! Stress, angst
and terror might be more appropriate
descriptions. From the yuckiness of exploding
blackheads, to the pressure of oncoming GCSE
exams from the black hole of an unknown future
to the known-by-everybody humiliation of being
ignored by the boy/girl of your dreams. This is
what it is like.
Very suitable for a lively magazine article
Audience strong sense of purpose range
of sentences range of appropriate vocabulary
(including slang)