The Island: Year 8 English Home Learning assignment (Mr Lister’s group)
Persuasive writing
Task One: The holiday brochure
Write an introduction to Friary Island that will go at the front of the brochure. We need
something that will really make our island sound appealing to holidaymakers, so be as
persuasive as possible.
You need to write at least 300 words.
Advice:
1. Remember those persuasive techniques:
Lots of exciting adjectives (e.g. soft, golden sand)
Make it sound as if you are actually talking to the reader; use a friendly tone
Put in the odd question
Lists of three work well
The odd bit of alliteration is helpful
Try an occasional short sentence for dramatic effect
2. You can produce your brochure page using ICT if you wish. Google and insert some
Caribbean images to make it look even more attractive.
3. STRUCTURE your entry. Here is a suggestion
Paragraph one: make this just one sentence that is like a subtitle, summarising the
delights of the island.
Paragraph two: this could be a general paragraph about why the island is a perfect
holiday destination for all types of traveller.
Paragraph three: this could include more detailed examples of what the island has to
offer.
On the next three pages you will find some material to help you.
Facts about the island that you can use in your brochure entry
The map of the island
An example of a brochure entry (for the Caribbean island of Barbados) from the
actual Thomson’s brochure
Advice on how to achieve a level 6
Some facts about Friary Island
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8 hours by plane from the UK
Temperature between 22-30 C degrees all year round
Used to be Spanish colony – gained independence in 1932
The island capital is Friary Town – main shopping area, fishing port,
restaurants, cathedral. Spanish architecture from colonial past. Open air
market on Wednesdays and Saturdays
Fort Friary – dates back to when the island was governed by Spain. Remains
of the old prison can be found here
Beacon Mountains in the north – this mountain range includes spectacular
limestone caves and waterfalls
Small resort of Fradlisi in the North West – good for surfing
Island has a history of piracy – legend has it that area around Pirate Bay
may contain buried treasure (a find was made in the 1970s)
Main industries – fishing, rum, sugar, bananas
Beacono in the north – good for dolphin watching (it is claimed that some of
them even sing!) and other sea life
Coral reef on the west coast – abundant sea life - ideal for snorkelling and
scuba diving
Wildlife reserve in the south around the lakes
Solitude island off the south coast of the island – monastery open to
sightseeing – monks make own wine
Best beach on east coast – will be main site for hotels
Off east coast is wreck of a German cruiser that sank in 1942
Island famous for its coconuts and palm trees (62 different species)
Island is home to the Friary parrot – not found anywhere else in the world –
featured on the island’s flag (see below)
Sea turtles come ashore at night during May-August
Dolphin Bay
Friary Island
Beacono
Beacon Mountains
Shark Point
Fradlisi
Beacon Caves
Friary Falls
Forest
Pirate Bay
Lake Friary
Friary Resort
Coral reef
and lagoon
Proposed site
for theme park
Fort Friary
Nature reserve
Shipwreck
Sugar cane and
banana plantations
Sea caves
Rum factory
Stonnalio
Airport
Friary
Town
Monastery
Solitud
e Island
1 mile
BARBADOS
Barbados showcases all the Caribbean credentials – exotic beaches, lush
countryside and temperatures that never stray too far from the 30s.
Back in the 1920s when the British governed Barbados, life on the island revolved around
polo games, afternoon tea and G&Ts on the terrace. But today’s holidaymakers flock here
for simpler reasons – for the fabulous beaches and a slice of laid-back Barbadian life. And
they’re not disappointed. For starters, Barbados’ beaches are some of the best in the
Caribbean. We’re talking gently nodding palms and fine white sands trickling between
your toes.
Top of the beach-beautiful list is the west coast, around Paynes Bay and the parishes of St
James and St Peter. Here, the creamy sands are lapped by coconut palms on one side and
the Caribbean Sea on the other. Thanks to the swanky hotels tucked into the trees, this
stylish strip is a celebrity magnet, drawing stars like Simon Cowell and Wayne Rooney.
Along the south coast, a brighter and breezier vibe takes over, thanks to the fun-loving
resorts of St Lawrence and Dover Bay. Head further east and things change again. Around
the parish of St Philip and the east coast, everything feels more rural and rugged. Think
cliffs plunging into the sea, crashing Atlantic surf, and sweeps of footprint-free sand.
When you want a breather from the beaches, head inland. Here, tall sugar cane fields
melt into villages and botanical gardens pipe the perfume of orchids and hibiscus into the
air.
(From Thomson ‘Faraway Shores’ brochure 2012.)
Level 5
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My writing is both varied and interesting.
I vary my writing so that it suits purpose and audience.
I can use a more formal style where appropriate.
I can use a some range of imaginative vocabulary accurately..
My sentences and paragraphs are clear, coherent and well-developed.
I am generally able to spell words with complicated spelling patterns correctly.
I use a range of punctuation, including commas, apostrophes and inverted commas.
My handwriting is clearly legible and fluent.
Level 6
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My writing is fluent and it engages and sustains the reader's interest.
I adapt my style of writing and language choices to suit different forms.
I experiment with a range of sentence structures and a very varied vocabulary in
order to create effects.
I organise my ideas in well-developed, linked paragraphs.
My spelling, even of irregular words, is generally accurate.
I use a range of punctuation to clarify my meaning, for example, semi colons.
My handwriting is neat and legible.
Task Two: Trouble in paradise…
Not everyone on Friary Island is happy about the plans to build hotels and develop tourism
on the island.
You are a local resident who thinks this will be a disaster.
Write a letter to the Friary Times, the island’s newspaper. In the letter you must make
clear why you are opposed to more tourism on the island. The letter should be at
least 250 words long.
This is also a persuasive piece of writing. You want the readers of the newspaper to agree
with you.
Here are some of the points you might include in your letter. Try to add more detail and
examples of your own to make your points more powerful. Organise your writing in
paragraphs.
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The impact on the natural beauty of the island. What about the nature reserve,
the Friary parrot and the turtles who need to lay their eggs on the beaches?
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There will be more noise from aeroplanes and congestion on the roads.
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The fragile eco-system of the coral reef and lagoon will be threatened by souvenir
hunters.
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There will be more litter.
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Holidaymakers can be badly behaved (especially if they are young and British.)
This will mean more crime and anti-social behaviour. Will we need more police?
Will this mean higher taxes?
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Shops will cater for tourists. It will be difficult for local residents to buy the things
they need.
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Fishing boats in Friary Town harbour will be replaced by pleasure craft. The
island’s traditional fishing industry will suffer.
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The planned theme park threatens an area of outstanding natural beauty.
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How will the island authorities ensure safety on the beaches? Tiger sharks are well
known to visit the shores…
Feel free to add your own ideas!
Look back at the advice for the previous task on how to achieve level 6.