Reinforcing Writing Across The Curriculum

A guide for teaching staff

· Postcard· Newspaper report· Diary or journal· Blog· Biography· Write up of trip or activity

Writing a Recount

Text

Used to retell an event or series of events, in the order in which things

happened (chronological order)

What language features should be included?

Past tense

•Start by setting the scene, e.g., “what?”, “where?”, “when?”, “how?”•This is followed by a series of events, in the order that they happened •They focus on specific people or events, not general topics•Paragraphs mark change of focus, time or place

Sequence, casual and contrasting connectives

Use of active voice to make it clear who did what.

Writing a Recount

• Essays used in different curriculum areas

Writing to Analyse

This is a reasoned and detailed response, breaking down a text or

issue.

What language features should be included?

Past or present tense

•Writing that analyses a topic or question is held together by clear, direct topic sentences (points) at the start of paragraphs and supporting evidence which is used to expand the point. •Uses PEE (point, evidence, explanation) to analyse different aspects of a topic/text•Comes to a conclusion about the topic in question

Comparison, cause and effect, illustration and summary connectives are used.

Third person but First person can be used to give your own views

Quotations from the text are very important when analysing!

Writing to Analyse

Point

Evidence

Explanation

• Leaflet or article giving a balanced account of an issue

• Newspaper editorial• Essay on an issue

Writing to Discuss

Used to present arguments and information from differing

viewpoints.

What language features should be included?

Present tense

Starts with a statement of the issue under discussionSummarises or outlines the main arguments as you see themProvides arguments to support one side of the case. Give examples and evidenceProvide arguments to support the opposing view.

Gives examples and evidenceComes to a conclusion about which side you agree with

Cause and effect, contrast and comparison, summary connectives used.

Third person used/passive

Writing to Discuss

• Evaluations in Science or Design • Book reviews• Film reviews• Performance reviews inDrama

Writing to Evaluate

Records the strengths and weaknesses of a performance or product along with

targets for the future (where appropriate).

What language features should be included?

Past tense and future tense for target setting

Starts with a brief summary of the item/issueFocuses on positives aspects and negative while finding possible reasons for theseGives examples and evidence for both positive and negative (subheadings can be used)Comes to conclusions and sums up while also giving recommendations or setting targets

Illustration and cause and effect and summary connectives used.

I/We used as well as Third Person

Writing to Evaluate

+ -

Conclusion/Targets

• Encyclopaedia entry•Technical manual• Question and Answer’ articles and leaflets• Write up of Science experiments• Geography and Science text books

Writing an Explanatio

n text

Used to give reasons for a phenomenon, problem, situation or issue

What language features should be included?

Present tense

•A general statement to introduce the topic•Paragraphs used to introduce different reasons or show different steps in a process•Impersonal, factual, plain writing to ensure the explanation is clear and concise

Sequence, cause and effect, contrast and comparison, addition connectives used Third person – active

voice

Writing to Explain

• D.I.Y instructions • Non-fiction book( e.g. sports skill, art) Instructions on packaging Recipe

Writing Instructions

Instructions are written to outline how something is done, in a series

of sequenced steps

What language features should be included?

•Start with an aim or goal – what is to be achieved in the writing•This is followed by a list of what is needed•The steps are written in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER and the PRESENT TENSE using IMPERATIVE VERBS•Use of bullet points, numbers, letters, headings and subheadings to make sequence of actions clearer

Sequence and addition connectives used

Reader referred to as ‘you’

Present tense used

Writing to Instruct

Tourist guide bookInformation leafletMagazine article

Writing to Inform

Used to organise and record factual information

What language features should be included?

•Information texts are held together by subheadings and/or clear topic sentences at the start of paragraphs that signal the subject•Presentational devices (e.g. different fonts/sizes, bullet points, boxes) used to guide readers through the text•They use a formal style which is clear and factual

Contrast/comparison, cause and effect connectives used

Sentences tend to be short for clarity’

Headings and subheadings used to sort information clearly

Writing to Report

Main Topic

Advert· Pamphlet from pressure group or political party· Travel brochure· Poster or flier· Book blurb· Letter to the Editor

Writing to Persuade

Used to argue the case for a point of view and to convince the reader to follow advice or take action

What language features should be included?

Your view needs to be backed up with supporting evidence such as FACTS and STATISTICS· You should use emotive language e.g. Wildlife threatened...forests destroyed… .· Ask rhetorical questions e.g. Would you like to… .? And use REPETITION FOR EMPHASIS· Appeal to your reader by involving them: ‘We all know that...’

Emphasis, illustration, summary and sequencing connectives used

First person can be used

Present and past tense used.

Writing to PersuadeParagraph topics