Assignment 1 Overview

This task is your chance to show off your ability to evaluate facts, opinions, and arguments from a given text (or texts). It also lets you demonstrate that you can write in an engaging and technically accurate way, adapting your style to suit your audience and purpose.

Here’s what Assignment 1 involves:

• Text Selection: Choose a text (or texts) that offer plenty of ideas and opinions to evaluate.
• Response Style: Write a letter, article, or speech in response to the text(s).
• Skills Assessed:
• Reading (15 marks): Show you can analyse, evaluate, and respond to the ideas presented. This includes spotting both explicit and hidden (implicit) meanings.
• Writing (15 marks): Show your flair for writing with a highly effective, clear, and accurate style.

 

What You’ll Be Marked On

Reading (15 marks)

• How well you identify, summarise, and evaluate the arguments and opinions in the text(s).
• Your ability to explore both obvious points and underlying meanings.

Writing (15 marks)

• A strong, clear style that can communicate even subtle points.
• Varied and effective language.
• Flawless technical accuracy (spelling, punctuation, and grammar).

 

Adapting Your Writing to Suit Your Audience and Purpose

 Every good piece of writing is tailored to its audience and purpose. Think carefully about who you’re writing for and why.

Here’s how to adapt:

• Tone: Is it formal or informal? Professional or conversational?
• Style: Are you writing to inform, argue, persuade, or explain?
• Language: Use appropriate vocabulary. For example, when addressing teenagers, keep it relatable but avoid slang. For adults, go for a more formal tone.

 

 

Examples of Audience Adaptation

 

Audience	Example of Language
Teenagers	"We’ve all had those moments when social media feels overwhelming, but how often do we really think about its impact?"
Adults	"The data strongly suggests that a balanced approach to social media use is essential for mental health."
Authority Figures	"It is imperative that we prioritise mental well-being when creating policies surrounding technology."

 

Writing for a Purpose                       

 Your purpose will determine how you structure and phrase your work. Here’s how to approach different types of writing tasks:

Explaining

• Purpose: Provide clarity.
• Techniques: Use examples, anecdotes, facts, and imagery.
• Language: Clear and straightforward.

Arguing

• Purpose: Present your viewpoint convincingly.
• Techniques: Use inclusive language like “we” or “us,” rhetorical questions, and logical reasoning. Address counterarguments but circle back to your position.
• Tone: Persuasive and passionate without being aggressive.

Persuading

• Purpose: Win over your audience.
• Techniques:
• Rule of Three: Grouping ideas for impact (e.g., "fairer, smarter, stronger").
• Imperatives: Call to action (e.g., "Act now!").
• Emotive Language: Words that evoke feelings (e.g., "heart-breaking," "inspiring").

 

 

Examples of Assignment 1

 Here are a few ideas for what your response could look like:

• Write an article for a school magazine arguing whether or not mobile phones should be allowed in classrooms.
• Write a formal letter to your local council, discussing the pros and cons of introducing a new cycle lane in your area.
• Write a speech to deliver at an assembly, persuading your peers about the importance of reducing single-use plastics in school.

 

Final Tips for Success

1. Plan before you write: Spend 10 minutes brainstorming ideas and structuring your response.
2. Include Evidence: Refer to specific ideas or quotes from the text(s).
3. Stay Organised: Use clear paragraphs, linking sentences, and appropriate connectives.
4. Check Your Work: Leave time at the end to proofread for grammar and punctuation error