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Produce crafted and

developed formal

transactional writing

English External Examination Preparation

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Achievement Standard 90376 (English 2.2) 'Produce crafted and developed formal

transactional writing' requires:

Drafting, reworking and presenting writing that develops and supports ideas in formal, transactional writing

Crafting formal writing to create effects

Structuring formal writing appropriately for audience, purpose and text type

The use of accurate writing conventions

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Level Two English requires external examinations for the following papers;

Achievement Standard 90377 (English 2.3)Analyse Extended Text3 Credits

Achievement Standard 90378 (English 2.4)Analyse Short Written Text3 Credits

Achievement Standard 90379 (English 2.5)Analyse a Visual or Oral Text3 Credits

Achievement Standard 90380 (English 2.6)Read Unfamiliar Texts and Analyse the Ideas and Language Features3 Credits

The first three of these papers requires a set format followed as a formal written response to questions given.

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There are many different types of formal writing, but they all have one thing in common ­ ideas are presented in an organised structure, supported by details,

examples and expanded by explanation and/or comment.

Ideas can be expressed as;Facts and informationOpinionsArgumentObservation

In our context we are using Formal Writing Structure in order to format appropriate written responses to questions in external exams with regard to

literacy essays and a film review.

A formal piece of writing has three main components ­ an introduction, the body of the writing and a conclusion

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IntroductionThe ideas the written piece will be dealing with are introduced.

Any necessary context is provided (eg the text to be discussed in a literary essay is briefly introduced).

An outline of the approach you intend to take to the topic you will write about is provided.

It is crucial you write the essay question you are answering into your introduction, clearly identifying it as the given direction of your writing.

Ensure you have clearly read and understood the given question. It is imperative you have identified key words in the question.

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Body of WritingConsists of at least three or four paragraphs, each of which deals with one aspect of

the topic/question you are answering.

Each paragraph uses the following pattern;STATEMENT /EXAMPLE + COMMENT/EXPLANATION

Each paragraph will consist of

^ A topic sentence or statement (what the paragraph is about), usually at the beginning of the paragraph.

^ Examples and evidence supporting your statement ­ could include quotations, descriptions, statistics, research findings, anecdote (a brief story that illustrates an ideas or moral).

^Comments or explanations of how the examples relate to the topic statement (main idea) of the paragraph. Comments and explanation of main ideas can precede or follow examples.

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ConclusionThe conclusion draws the ideas discussed together in a brief summary

statement and re­emphasise's the central idea(s) proposed in the introduction.

It is wise to re­visit the question and state it clearly in your conclusion, in a context of summarising your response and main points, wrapping ideas up,

giving meaning and direct context.

Write clearly and ensure your Introduction and Conclusion support each other. This is extremely important.

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Topic: Introduction• Main idea/approach or position held on topic.• Background (context of topic).• Outline/summary of argument

Body paragraph one• Topic sentence ­ 1st reason/idea for holding opinion, taking position • Evidence + explanation relating to reason• Evidence + explanation relating to reason

Body paragraph two• Topic sentence ­ 2nd reason/idea for holding opinion, taking position • Evidence + explanation relating to reason• Evidence + explanation relating to reason

Body paragraph three• Topic sentence ­ 3rd reason/idea for holding opinion, taking position • Evidence + explanation relating to reason• Evidence + explanation relating to reason

Conclusion • Summary of ideas, opinion presented• Revisit given topic/question, to ensure your opinions/ideas are relevant.

These basic ideas can be changed easily but applied to any nearly any topic

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Formal Writing ­ Literacy EssaysAn Essay is an extended piece of structured, formal writing which presents and argument on a

proposition.

In an academic literacy essay, the writer develops an argument in response to an academic question or proposition. The writer aims to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a particular literary topic. These are the type of essays required in the external exams for Level Two English.

The essay writers point of view must be made clear in the introduction.

Before you begin writing your essay you must ensure you have a sound knowledge of the topic presented. You must have quotes you can apply to areas of interest in your answers and you are confident with your knowledge and information you have on the text you have studied.

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Titles and Names

Book titles must be underlined within the essay text. This distinguishes the name of the book from the name of something or someone in the book's text.

Titles of short stories and poems are presented within quotation marks, the title of the collection they are published in is underlined.

Authors are named by first and surname the first time they are mentioned, following by future use of their surname only, not their first name.

Characters are named as they usually presented in the text.

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Literacy Essay StyleThe written essay in your exam is a formal piece of writing, so the essay must use:

• Formal language ­ colloquialisms, slang, non­standard words are unsuitable ­ unless you are quoting from the text.

• Impersonal language only ­ avoid referring to yourself or the reader. Avoid 'I think...' or 'You...' statements.

• Written language only ­ no 'spoken language' such as 'Yes' or 'No' as answers to questions.

Never use features of conversation such as fillers (well) or intimacy signals (I mean, you know).

Avoid contractions (eg 'and not '&').

Avoid writing questions ­ apart from the occasional rhetorical question.

Use a variety of sentence patterns within well­organised paragraphs.

Express your ideas as simply as possible. Avoid padding your essay with empty or repetitive words.

Edit and proof­read carefully. Try to minimise any errors.

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Do Not;Repeat yourself

Use clumsy expressions

Make unsubstantiated claims in your argument.

Use long, uncontrolled sentences.

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Always read the Exam Question you are answering repetitively as you craft your essay.

You need to ensure you fully understand the question, have underlined specific words and

have a sound knowledge of what is expected in your written response.

Ensure you have read the assessment criteria and fully understand what is expected in your

response.

Reading the assessment criteria is just as important as reading the question.