Higher Writing Folio

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Higher Writing Folio

• Discursive Writing

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Learning Intentions

• Understand the importance of the Higher writing
  folio
• Identify the key pieces of information you must
  take into account
• Begin to think about topics/subjects/issues you
  could use for your discursive essay

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Higher Writing Folio

• Your Higher writing folio is worth 20 of your
  overall grade and must contain two pieces of
  writing. These come under
• Creative/personal
• Discursive

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Discursive Essay

• This type of essay has three sub-categories
• Report
• Argumentative
• Persuasive

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Discursive Essay

• We will begin to look at some persuasive writing
  and you should spend this time thinking about the
  topic you wish to write about.
• You must choose your topic wisely as you need to
  be able to take a clear stance and persuade your
  audience to agree with you.

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Higher Writing Folio General Information

• Word Count
• The word count is very important as you will be
  penalised if you do not follow it. The minimum
  word count is 650 words at Higher. If you are
  under this then you automatically fail and the
  highest you can get (regardless of content) is
  11.
• The most you can write is 1300 words. If you are
  over then your essay is sent to the Principal
  Assessor and a penalty is applied.

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Higher Writing Folio General Information

• Technical Accuracy
• Your essays must be deemed consistently accurate
  in terms of punctuation, spelling and grammar. If
  there are too many errors then you automatically
  fail.
• I am not allowed to correct any technical
  accuracy errors but I can bring them to your
  attention.

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Higher Writing Folio General Information

• Evidence
• You need to show clear evidence of the writing
  process throughout the year. This means I will
  require a task proposal, a plan, first drafts
  etc.
• You will be given homework to do over the
  holidays that relate to your task proposal and
  plan.

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Higher Writing Folio General Information

• Essays should be typed up and put in an
  appropriate format.
• You will be given opportunities throughout the
  year to write in different ways to help you
  choose your best pieces.
• These will not be marked over and over again.

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Higher Writing Folio General Information

• References
• You must include a list of books, websites,
  journals etc that you read and referred to in
  your discursive essay.
• If this is not included then markers may become
  suspicious and refer it to the PA so make sure
  you keep a list of your sources.

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Persuasive Writing Think/Pair/Share

• On your own, THINK about the purpose of
  persuasive writing and when it is used.
• In PAIRS, discuss your ideas and add to your
  notes.
• Finally in groups, SHARE your information and try
  to identify the techniques a writer can use in
  order to be persuasive.

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Possible Topics

• As stated earlier, your choice of topic is
  extremely important as it needs to be something
  you can
• Explore from different angles
• Provide a clear stance
• Research and find clear evidence
• Feel strongly about

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Topics

• In groups, create a list of possible topics you
  could write about. Think about what is important
  to you and what you feel strongly about.

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Topics

• Avoid
• Euthanasia
• Abortion
• Size Zero
• Footballers Wages
• Legalisation of drugs
• These are all done to death!!!!!

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Topics

• By the end of this period, you must have chosen a
  topic to write about. Use the laptops for
  inspiration if you cant think of anything. If
  you already have your topic, begin your research.

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Useful Websites

• http//www.procon.org/
• http//www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/
• http//www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_index.php

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Topics

• Move around the room and exchange ideas with each
  person you meet. Think about their choice of
  topics and if there is anything you could use.
• Remember, you MUST have your choice of topic
  decided for when you come back.

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Model Essays

• Read over an example model essay and look at the
  grade related criteria. Highlight any good
  examples of persuasive writing and decide, which
  grade you would award it. Remember to justify
  your choice.