Unit 2 Writing
What are we learning today?
Learning Objectives
 To develop our
understanding of
the expectations for
Unit 2 Writing Exam
 To examine and
discuss what is
required for an
informal letter.
Learning Outcomes
I will have created a file
on key information for our
Unit 2 GCSE exam
I will be able to identify
the PAFT of informal
letters
I will have evaluated an
example informal letter
I will have created an
informal letter

Don’t get caught with your
pants down when it comes
to your final English exam!
 There are two writing
questions and you have
just one hour to complete
BOTH!

You will be asked to write
two of these:
letter; report; article;
leaflet; speech; review
What about the numbers involved?
 Each
question is marked /20.
 13 marks for content and
paragraphing
 7 marks for technical accuracy.
Top Tips
1)As you read the question look for and identify
the PAFT
2)Read the instructions carefully and use any
bullet points you are given.
3)Time management: 25 minutes per question to
allow for revision and last minute editing.
4)Think before you write – plan your work
carefully so there is structure to your writing.
Letter Writing
Informal Letter –
written to a friend or
family member.
The tone should be
friendly with a “chatty”
approach.
There are certain
features of an informal
letter. What are they?
Look at the following letter. The task set
in the exam was:
Write a letter to a friend who is
considering moving abroad.
PAFT?
Evaluate the letter for:
Layout
Tone
Organisation Content
Technical inaccuracies
Now look at the paragraph that begins: “Going
abroad …….” - this has lost valuable marks because
it is so brief.
Re-write this paragraph detailing what some of the
problems are: finding a job; accommodation;
making new friends, etc.
Informal Letter Success Criteria
Informal Letter Aspects:
 Clear PAFT
 Points convincingly
developed
 Sustained, developed
detail throughout
 Paragraphs
 Appropriate and
ambitious vocabulary
 Stylistic devices
Technical Aspects:
 Correct Spelling
 Varied sentence
structure
 Range of
punctuation used
accurately
 Sentences used to
create effect
Your aunt & uncle
have invited you to
go on a round the
world cruise with
them over the
holidays.
Write a detailed
letter with your
reply giving reasons
for your decision.
Now let’s look at formal letter writing – notice
the differences about how they are set out
Your own
address
Today’s date
Name and address of
person you are writing to.
(or name of person
if possible, you
can make one up)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Letter content which should be clearly
paragraphed using relevant topic sentences.
Make sure your work is punctuated correctly
and that you use formal language.
Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully
You use “faithfully” if
you began your
letter with
“Dear Sir/Madam”
Most of the letters you will be asked to write will ask
you to PERSUADE or to ARGUE or ADVISE. Quite often
they may ask for a combination. There are certain
skills/features associated with these terms and
examiners will expect you to evidence them in your
writing.
Persuasive devices – remember
A FOREST
A Alliteration: Audience involvement
F Facts: figurative language
O
Opinion yours and experts
R
Rhetorical questions: repetition
E
Emotive language – exaggeration - hyperbole
S
Statistics
T
Three: list of
When you are asked to argue, the examiner
wants you to put just one point of view. You
need to be very clear from the beginning what
your viewpoint is and make this clear in your
writing. If you are asked to argue Mobile phones
should be banned in schools, you are either in
favour or against, you ARE NOT putting two
points of view.
The only time you may wish to put the opposite view
is if you are using it as an example to then disagree
with –a counter argument eg.
Mobile phones are a necessary part of life. What
rubbish, what did people do before they were
invented!
Choose one of the following
questions to answer…