SYLLABUS CONTENT 2012 – 2013
WRITING TASKS
Creative Writing: descriptive, narrative, autobiographical and argumentative essays.
Directed writing based on a given input such as a reading passage:
Letters: formal and informal
Diary entry
Brochure
Teacher-guided activities:
Pre-writing tasks:
Reading, brainstorming, analyzing the question, planning and organizing, editing, re-writing
Discuss the different purposes of writing and the ways in which language is used to:
Persuade / Inform / Describe / Entertain / Analyse
Read exemplars to demonstrate each of the above
Make up lists of words that are effective in each category
Students write their own examples of different ways of using language and discuss the outcomes.
Writing various drafts and editing
The final draft
[Please turn the page for formats for written tasks
FORMATS AND BASIC GUIDELINES FOR DIRECTED WRITING 1.INFORMAL LETTER
Guidelines:
Focus on the ideas given in the passage/input in relation to the task – some ideas may be direct and others may need to be inferred.
Be conscious of who your reader is and use the right register.
Engage the reader by using “you, your”, using exclamations if necessary and by asking for opinions/comments.
Make your letter interesting by using varied sentence structures and idiomatic expressions.
Read the question carefully to use the right tone.
Use descriptive/persuasive/augmentative language as required in the question.
Be convincing - with facts, opinions and feelings.
Use a wide range of vocabulary.
Make the flow of ideas logical and natural.
Do not be rude or offensive.
Use your own words and avoid ‘copying’ words and expressions used in the passage given.
Salutation:
Dear Name/Mother/Father/etc Introduction:
This should be very natural, introducing the main point of the letter.
Next 3-4 paragraphs:
In each paragraph that follows, focus on a specific aspect/area/subtopic in relation to your question. These ideas should flow from one paragraph to the next
Conclusion:
Give the conclusion – but don’t say “In conclusion…” There are other ways of letting your reader know this.
Complementary close:
With love/Yours lovingly (Note that only the first word Yours / With begins with a capital letter. The word Yours does not have an apostrophe)
First name (no surname)
[Note: The question will usually specify how to begin. The address is not required.]
2. FORMAL LETTER
Guidelines:
Focus on the ideas given in the passage/input in relation to the task – some ideas may be direct and others may need to be inferred.
Do not use colloquial language, slang, abbreviations or contractions.
Use formal language.
Be conscious of who your reader(s) is/are and use the right register.
Engage the reader by using “you, your”, using exclamations if necessary and by asking for opinions/comments. Sometimes, rhetorical questions may be asked.
Make your letter interesting by using varied sentence structures.
Use persuasive language (if the task requires it.)
Be convincing - with facts, opinions and, if required, feelings.
Use a wide range of vocabulary.
Make the flow of ideas logical and natural.
Do not be rude or offensive.
Use your own words and avoid ‘copying’ words and expressions used in the passage given.
Salutation:
Dear Sir/ Madam Introduction:
This should be very straightforward and brief introducing the main point of the letter.
Next 3-4 paragraphs:
In each paragraph that follows, focus on a specific aspect/area/subtopic in relation to your question.
These ideas should flow from one paragraph to the next
Conclusion: Give the conclusion – but avoid “In conclusion…” There are other ways of letting your reader know this.
Complementary close: Yours truly/Yours faithfully (Note that only the first word Yours begins with a capital letter. It does not have an apostrophe)
Signature
Full name (name and surname)
[Note: The question will usually specify how to begin. The addresses are not required]
3. SEMI-FORMAL LETTER
Guidelines:
Focus on the ideas given in the passage/input in relation to the task – some ideas may be direct and others may need to be inferred.
Do not use colloquial language, slang, abbreviations or contractions.
Use formal language.
Be conscious of who your reader(s) is/are and use the right register.
Be conscious of who your reader(s) is/are and use the right register.
Engage the reader by using “you, your”, using exclamations if necessary and by asking for opinions/comments. Sometimes, rhetorical questions may be asked.
Make your letter interesting by using varied sentence structures.
Use persuasive language (if the task requires it.)
Be convincing - with facts, opinions and, if required, feelings.
Use a wide range of vocabulary.
Make the flow of ideas logical and natural.
Do not be rude or offensive.
Use your own words and avoid ‘copying’ words and expressions used in the passage given.
Salutation:
Dear Mr. ______/Mrs. _____________/Dr. ______________ etc Introduction:
This should be very straightforward and brief introducing the main point of the letter.
Next 3-4 paragraphs:
In each paragraph that follows, focus on a specific aspect/area/subtopic in relation to your question.
These ideas should flow from one paragraph to the next
Conclusion: Give the conclusion – but don’t say “In conclusion…” There are other ways of letting your reader know this.
Complementary close: Yours truly/ Yours sincerely (Note that only the first word Yours begins with a capital letter. It does not have an apostrophe)
Signature Full name
[Note: The question will usually specify how to begin. The addresses are not required]
4. BROCHURE
Guidelines:
Focus on the ideas given in the passage/input in relation to the task. Some ideas may be direct and others may need to be inferred.
Be conscious of the fact that you want to attract people of varying interests to this place/hotel/institution.
Engage the audience by ’speaking’ to them by using “you/your”, using exclamations and questions if necessary.
Make your presentation interesting by using varied sentence structures and idiomatic expressions
Use persuasive language (if the task requires it.)
Be convincing - with facts and figures.
Use a wide range of vocabulary and good description of buildings, natural surroundings etc.
Arrange paragraphs according to the level of interest for the readers.
Use your own words and avoid copying words and expressions used in the passage given. Use the colourful language of advertisement but without exaggeration.
[Please turn the page Heading: Give an eye-catching epithet for the place/hotel/institution Example: KERALA – God’s
Own Country Introduction:
Use very descriptive words to give the salient features of the place/hotel/institution. Draw the attention of the readers through the effective use of language.
Next 3-4 paragraphs:
In each paragraph that follows, focus on a specific aspect/area/subtopic.
Conclusion:
This may not be required as you will be asked to write only part of a brochure. But you could consider a catch phrase or motto or slogan at the bottom of the page
5. DIARY ENTRY
Guidelines:
Focus on the ideas given in the passage/input in relation to the task – some ideas may be direct and others may need to be inferred.
The language should be informal. But be creative and express yourself in an interesting manner.
Try to use some figurative language.
Use a number of questions to bring out anger/doubt/frustration if needed.
Make your writing interesting by using varied sentence structures and idiomatic expressions.
Write in the authentic voice of the character in the story/passage.
Use a wide range of vocabulary.
Make the flow of ideas logical and natural.
You could be creative and use flashbacks. The sequence of events should be clear to the examiner.
Use your own words and avoid ‘copying’ words and expressions used in the passage given unless you are quoting what characters/people have spoken.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Communicate with reader / audience
Be able to choose the right word, register and style Write in different genres
Plan, edit and revise a draft
Order and develop ideas and arguments
Place Day/Date Introduction:
Reflect on your feelings at the moment Next 3-4 paragraphs:
In each paragraph that follows, focus on a specific aspect/area/subtopic/emotion/event. Your
thoughts and feelings should be expressed well. There can be a good deal of reflection on events and evaluation of words and actions of people.
Conclusion:
Make a general assessment of your actions/feelings. Bring out your
fears/doubts/apprehension/excitement about the future depending on the question