Language
Paper 1
Question 5
Descriptive and Narrative Writing
Aim to write at least 3 paragraphs
Aim to use at least 3 STARS devices in your
writing
Senses
Triples
Similes
(or power of 3)
Use STARS
in your
writing
Repetition
Alliteration
Triples
The triple is an effective technique to use in descriptive writing because:
It is the smallest number needed for a pattern to emerge;
Three is also the smallest number needed to create a rhythm;
Three allows a beginning, a middle and an end.
“Ready,
Steady,
Go!”
Repetition
• Repetition in general is the
repeating of a word, theme or idea
within a sentence or a poetical line, in
order to emphasize.
• Anaphora is the repetition of the
same word or phrase at the beginning
of successive sentences
• “We shall go on to the end, we shall
fight in France, we shall fight on the
seas...”
• Commoratio is the repetition of an
idea several times in different words.
“He's passed on! This parrot is no
more! He has ceased to be!”
Also, think carefully
about your
vocabulary choices.
Try and level up the
words you choose.
Example
Writing to describe
Plan first
What do you need to consider and
remember to include for this task?
Write a
description
suggested
by the
image
OR
Write the
opening to
a story that
is set at sea
Writing to describe
What do you need to consider and
remember to include for this task?
Write a
description
suggested
by the
image
OR
Write the
opening to a
story that is
set in a
theme park
Writing to Narrate
What do you need to consider and
remember to include for this task?
You are entering
a 300 word
descriptive
writing
competition
to be judged
by the PTA.
Write the
beginning of a
short story
suggested by
the image.
Writing to describe
What do you need to consider and
remember to include for this task?
Write a
description
suggested
by the
image
OR
Write the
opening to a
story about
extreme
weather
Language
Paper 2
Question 5
Argumentative and Opinion Writing
Use the OREO structure to structure your
paragraphs
Aim to use at least 3 PERSUADER devices in
your writing
Opinion Writing
Using the sentence starters, explain
your opinion as to which
chocolate bar is the best!
This is the writing frame we use at
GCSE for opinion writing.
In my opinion Mars Bars are by far the best chocolate bar
out there
This is because the combination of creamy caramel and
succulent truffle is the best.
The fact that there is so many Mars products out there; drinks, ice-creams
shows just how popular it is; everybody loves it
A Mars Bar is reliable, honest and will never let you down and will remain
my favourite chocolate forever. As the slogan says; a Mars a day helps you
work, rest and play.
Direct address
Rhetorical
Power
(second person)
question
of
three
Undermine
Repetition
opposing view
PERSUADER
Emotive
language
Exaggeration
Statistics
& facts
Anecdote
Power of three
The power of three is an effective technique to use in persuasive writing
because:
It is the smallest number needed for a pattern to emerge;
Three is also the smallest number needed to create a rhythm;
Three allows a beginning, a middle and an end.
“Ready,
Steady,
Go!”
Emotive language
• Language which creates a strong
emotional response in the reader.
A deliberate use of language by a
writer to instil a certain feeling.
“One hundred
men have
been killed by
troops.”
“One hundred
victims have
been
slaughtered
by troops.”
How would the emotions of the reader change?
Rhetorical question
• A question asked merely for
effect – an answer is not
expected.
• A rhetorical question is usually
a question that is asked for a
purpose other than to obtain the
information the question asks.
• For example, "Why are you so
stupid?" is likely to be a
statement referring to someone's
opinion of the person rather than
a genuine request to know.
Statistics and facts
• Statistics and facts add authority to your
writing;
• They convey to your audience that what you
are saying is true;
• If you have evidence to support your
argument then you must be telling the truth?!
Undermine opposing
view
Think about how
your opponent
might respond and
use this as part of
your argument in
favour.
Phrases to help with this:
• Some might say…
• Others may argue…
• In opposition….
• People could claim…
• However…
• Conversely…
• On the other hand…
• Alternatively….
Anecdotes
• Anecdotes are a short
account or brief story
used to illustrate or
support a point.
Example: If someone was
talking about the misuse of law
enforcement, for example, they
might tell a story about how a
man in charge of road cleanup
was ticketed for littering when a
scrap of paper he had already
picked up off the road blew out
the back of his truck.
Directly address the reader
(second person narrator)
YOU
Exaggeration (hyperbole)
• Hyperbole is a
device in which
statements are
exaggerated.
• It may be used to
evoke strong
feelings or to
create a strong
impression, but is
not meant to be
taken literally.
Repetition
• Repetition in general is the
repeating of a word, theme or idea
within a sentence or a poetical line, in
order to emphasize.
• Anaphora is the repetition of the
same word or phrase at the beginning
of successive sentences
• “We shall go on to the end, we shall
fight in France, we shall fight on the
seas...”
• Commoratio is the repetition of an
idea several times in different words.
“He's passed on! This parrot is no
more! He has ceased to be!”
P – Power of three
E – Exaggeration
R – Rhetorical
questions
S – Statistics and
facts
U – Undermine the
opposing view
A – Anecdote
D – Direct address
E – Emotive language
R - Repetition
For argumentative
writing, you must present
counter-arguments (the
opposing view) and
explain why you disagree
with them.
Phrases to help with this:
• Some might say…
• Others may argue…
• In opposition….
• People could claim…
• However…
• Conversely…
• On the other hand…
• Alternatively….
Writing to Comment
“The legal drinking age is too low at 18. It should be
raised to 21 to make the roads safer for everybody”
Write a newspaper article in which you argue your
point of view on this statement.
(24 marks for content and organisation
16 marks for technical accuracy)
40 marks
Check your spelling,
punctuation and
grammar carefully.
Write in paragraphs
Vary sentence starter
Vary vocabulary
Use devices
Write your
answer.
You must make
at least 3 clear
points.
Writing to Comment
“The Chinese school day is much more effective as
they start at 7 and stop at midday and then begin
lessons again at 2 until 5. The British education
system should adopt the same timetable.”
Write a letter to your headteacher in which you
argue your point of view on this statement.
(24 marks for content and organisation
16 marks for technical accuracy)
40 marks
Check your spelling,
punctuation and
grammar carefully.
Write in paragraphs
Vary sentence starter
Vary vocabulary
Use devices
Write your
answer.
You must make
at least 3 clear
points.
Writing to Comment
“There is no place for PE in the school day anymore.
The time would be better spent raising literacy and
numeracy levels which are much more important
than anything taught in PE”
Write a speech to your headteacher in which you
argue your point of view on this statement.
(24 marks for content and organisation
16 marks for technical accuracy)
40 marks
Check your spelling,
punctuation and
grammar carefully.
Write in paragraphs
Vary sentence starter
Vary vocabulary
Use devices
Write your
answer.
You must make
at least 3 clear
points.
Writing to Comment
“The new English curriculum is far too challenging
for students. It is more of a memory test than a test
of knowledge and therefore is pointless.”
Write a letter to your headteacher in which you
argue your point of view on this statement.
(24 marks for content and organisation
16 marks for technical accuracy)
40 marks
Check your spelling,
punctuation and
grammar carefully.
Write in paragraphs
Vary sentence starter
Vary vocabulary
Use devices
Write your
answer.
You must make
at least 3 clear
points.