KS3 English

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KS3 English

• The longer Writing Paper

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Are you ready for the Test?

• This Writing Test will last for 45 minutes.
• It is recommended that you spend up to 15 minutes
  planning and 30 minutes writing.
• There are no extra marks for writing a lot. Go
  for quality, not quantity. Five or six paragraphs
  a side and a half to two sides will do.

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What do I need to do well to achieve my best mark?

• 1. Check what the question wants.
• 2. Plan for the form, purpose and audience.
• 3. Use paragraphs well.
• 4. Punctuate sentences well.
• 5. Use a range of sentences.
• 6. Check over actively.

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Check what the question wants

• Read the question at least twice and slowly.
• Underline or highlight the key words
• Check the task for each of the following
• its form ( brochure, journalism, formal letter
  etc.)
• its audience (what age group, knowledge of the
  subject etc.,)
• Its purpose (to persuade, inform, describe etc)

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Plan well

• Spend up to 15 minutes planning.
• When planning
• Brainstorm ideas.
• Then list main points.
• Sort into paragraphs.
• Draft topic sentences for these paragraphs.
• Jot down some key words or phrases.

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Paragraphs

• Show you know that
• New main point a new paragraph.
• Each paragraph has a topic sentence.
• Each topic sentence is developed by the other
  sentences in that paragraph.

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Paragraphs (2)

• The opening paragraph introduces the whole piece
  of writing so it may be short.
• The end paragraph closes the piece of writing
  often linking back to the opening paragraph.
• A typical piece of good writing mixes short and
  long paragraphs.

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Sentences

• Use full stops and capital letters correctly.
• Think of the whole sentence before you start it.
• Show you can use sentences of different lengths.
• Try not to repeat the same word or phrase at the
  start of a series of sentences (except for
  rhetoric)

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Sentences (part 2)

• Use interesting connectives (avoid using and,
  but, so or then more than once or twice).
• Show you can use a range of punctuation. Speech
  marks, commas and apostrophes are particularly
  important.

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Style

• Think of form, purpose and audience.
• REMEMBER that paragraphs and sentences change in
  different text-types.
• REMEMBER that your choice of words is linked to
  your text-type and audience.

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Style (2)

• Try not to sound like you are chatting.
• Do not use slang or short forms of words.

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Warm-up Task

• Turn over your warm-up activity sheet.
• Concentrate on the questions.
• You will be told how much time to spend on each.

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Some Answers

• e.g. Although I am quite calm, I am ready for
  action.
• OR, I am quite calm, yet ready for action.

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Answer 2

• 2. Sitting in the exam hall, I am waiting for the
  start of the written test, ready to write.
• OR, Sitting in the exam hall, waiting for the
  start of the written test, I am ready to write.

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Some more answers

• 3. (a) I am ready to start my writing test. I
  know I can do well. I will remember to make my
  sentences interesting.
• e.g. (b) I am ready to start my writing test, in
  which I know I can do well, so long as I remember
  to make my sentences interesting.

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Another answer

• 4. e.g. Having had a filling breakfast this
  morning before coming to school, I feel cheerful
  because I can show what I know in this Test.

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And the last one

• 5. e.g. My friend screeched, Hurry up! as I
  staggered across the vast school playground,
  grasping my bulging school bag.

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Final slide

• Well done.
• Now you are ready to start the test. Remember to
  keep thinking about sentences, paragraphs,
  interesting and suitable style and word choice.
• GOOD LUCK!