Transactional Writing
Language paper 2 Q5
Letters and speeches
What is transactional writing?
What does our test look like?
But it’s not just about writing articles..
• You could get asked to write:
– A speech
– A newspaper article
– A letter
– A leaflet
– An essay
First we are focussing on ‘letters’ 
Why do people write letters?
•
•
•
•
To thank
To complain
To apply for a job
To communicate information
When did you last send a letter?
• I sent a letter last year because I ordered
some bedroom furniture from Dreams (more
like a nightmare!!), it took 3 months to arrive
and when it did, it was cracked!
• They then ignored my calls and tweets.
• I got £150 back 
• My brother sent a letter to NatWest about
some suspicious activity on his debit card..
Formal and Informal Registers
• Formal Language – We use formal language in
situations that are serious or that involve
people we don’t know well.(E.g. writing a
letter to the Headteacher).
• Informal Language – Informal language is
more commonly used in situations that are
more relaxed and involve people we know
well.
Formal and Informal Language
• Watch these two clips.
• Which one is formal and which one is
informal?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAQy7jfgV7w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2OeShqh7jM
Rewrite the sentences but in the opposite
register.
• Hiya what ya doing later? Wanna come shops
with me?
• Gimmie the pencil!
• Wanna come round mine later for a brew?
• Good morning, how may I help you?
Formal Letter Template
YOUR ADDRESS
DATE
THEIR ADDRESS
Dear (Sir / Madam or Mr/s _____________________
Introduction- explain WHY you are writing
2-3 PARAGRAPHS OF MAIN POINTS
Conclusion- sum up your main points powerfully and offer a solution to the problem
End with: Yours faithfully = Sir/Madam
Sincerely = Mr/s (if you know their surname)
Sign your name
So if we had to write formal letter,
what would we make sure we
included?
Letter Success Criteria
1.
Plan the letter using the correct PAF (and language) and organise writing into paragraphs
using the I, 1, 2, 3, 4, C structure.
2. Lay the letter out in the correct way (your address is ALWAYS on the right).
3. Structure your letter in a purposeful way – remember the structural tools you can use for
effect – think HOW you want to structure your information and the effect this will have.
4. Begin the letter in the appropriate way.
5. Use an extensive range of appropriate vocabulary to convey precise and purposeful
meaning – even if it is informal you do not use slang.
6. Make sure your letter flows, links and makes sense across and within paragraphs.
7. Be a reasoning learner and make sure your ideas are developed with explanations
(remember reasons, counters arguments and to convince them – always think WHY –
appeal to different emotions).
8. End the letter in the appropriate way according to the PAF (remember if it is formal then
yours faithfully if you don’t know who you’re sending it to and yours sincerely if you do).
9. Make sure spelling of simple words (there/they’re/their) and complex words (awkward)
are correct.
10. NON negotiable: Use a range of correct punctuation throughout including apostrophes,
semi-colons, commas (for list and clauses), full stops and capital letters.
11. Be a reflective learner and spend at least four minutes reading over your work with your
pen in your hand – checking for mistakes.
12. Be a resilient learner and stick at all tasks until successful – even when things become a
challenge!
PAF
Purpose
Audience
Form
+ Language
The Structure – I, 1, 2, 3, 4, C
I – Introduction
1 – Discussion point 1
2 – Discussion point 2
3 – Discussion point 3
4- Discussion point 4
C - Conclusion
This is the basic
skeleton which you
can use – you just
have to pad it out
with all of the
relevant information
and details and
language tools!
The death penalty is an
appropriate way to serve
justice.
/24
content
/16 SPaG
What are your views on the death penalty?
• Can you support your argument with facts/statistics?
• How much do you know about the death penalty?
• https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/deathpenalty/?utm_content=bufferd5043&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitt
er.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Debate in pairs:
• ‘The death penalty is an
appropriate way to serve justice.’
• Everyone will be asked to contribute.
‘The death penalty is an appropriate way to
serve justice.’
Write a letter to the paper about this subject.
Adverbial conjunctions
Notably
Clearly…
Evidently
Adverbial
conjunctions
Arguably
Conceivably, mainly, ostensibly,
certainly, surely…
Possibly
Plus conjunctions …in addition/furthermore/moreover
https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=3klMM9BkW5o
– (‘tell us’) why the orator is speaking
- (sympathy/ empathy) emotion
– Logic and facts
about
- (Ethical) credibility - speaker knows what they’re talking
WHY
Using Rhetoric and APINEFORREST
A – Anecdote
P – Personal pronouns
I – Imperatives
N – Noting the negatives
E – Expert evidence
F – Facts and statistics
O – Opinions
R – Rhetorical devices
R – Repetition
E – Emotive language
S – Superlatives
T – Rule of THREE
Leaflets
Question 5
Turn your argument into a leaflet.
Ensure you weigh up both sides of the argument.
Writing a formal letter:
A job vacancy has been advertised at a hotel near
where you live. The advert requires the young person to
assist in the kitchen, housekeeping department and must
have good communication skills.
Write a letter to the hotel outlining why you believe you
have the necessary qualities for this role.