How to show the Examiner
you deserve a ‘C’ Grade
Tips to improve the quality of
writing to Argue, Persuade,
Inform and Explain
How your writing is assessed
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There are three Assessment Objectives
for writing:
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AO3(i) – Communication
AO3(ii) – Organisation
AO3(iii) – Sentence Structure, punctuation
& spelling
AO3(i) – Communication
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Your writing is matched to audience,
purpose and form
Your writing uses the correct features
Your writing is interesting and detailed
AO3(ii) – Organisation
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Your writing is in paragraphs that are
linked together logically
Your writing has an effective opening
and ending paragraph
Your writing uses a range of rhetorical
devices for effect
AO3(iii) – Sentence structure,
punctuation & spelling
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You use a variety of different types of
sentences for effect
You use the full range of punctuation
accurately
You spell common and a range of
complex words correctly
To get a C grade you
must show the
examiner you are
thinking about all of
these AOs!!!
Write in paragraphs
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Remember TiPToP
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Time
Person
Topic
Place
Use one-sentence paragraphs for
emphasis
Use a range of connectives to link them
Brainstorm your connectives…
Adding
Sequencing
Comparing
Contrasting
Brainstorm your connectives…
Adding
Also
As well
Moreover
In addition
Furthermore
Too
Comparing
Similarly
Equally
Likewise
Like
In the same way
Sequencing
Firstly
Secondly
Finally
Next
Then
After
Contrasting
However
In contrast
Whereas
Although
But
Nevertheless
Use PEE to structure your
paragraphs
Point – Pupils hate school uniform!
 Evidence – In a recent survey, 73% said
they would like to wear their own
clothes.
 Explain – Such a strong response shows
we need to re-think the school’s rules.
Now write your own PEE paragraph about
school uniform…

Rhetorical devices

How many can you think of to use to
make your writing interesting?
Quickly brainstorm a
list!
Vary your sentences for effect
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Use at least two rhetorical questions
Use very short sentences for impact
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Follow your rhetorical questions with a very
brief answer e.g. ‘No!’
Re-arrange your clauses to show you
can vary complex sentences
Complex sentences
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A complex sentence is made up of a main
clause and a subordinate clause
A main clause is the most important piece of
information in a sentence
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I like to go swimming
The subordinate clause adds extra
information and doesn’t make sense on its
own
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On Saturday
Complex sentences
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The subordinate clause can be moved
around to create variety e.g.
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I like to go swimming on Saturdays.
On Saturdays, I like to go swimming
I like, on Saturdays, to go swimming
Remember to separate the clauses with
a comma
Complex sentences
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Re-arrange these clauses to create
more interesting sentences:
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Teenagers argue with their parents for no
good reason.
Complex sentences

Re-arrange these clauses to create
more interesting sentences:
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Teenagers argue with their parents for no
good reason.
For no good reason, teenagers argue with
their parents.
Teenagers argue, for no good reason, with
their parents.
Complex sentences
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Re-arrange these clauses to create
more interesting sentences:
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Healthy living is essential for pupils
studying for their exams.
Complex sentences

Re-arrange these clauses to create
more interesting sentences:
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Healthy living is essential for pupils
studying for their exams.
For pupils studying for their exams, healthy
living is essential.
Healthy living, for pupils studying for their
exams, is essential.
Varying openings
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You could begin your sentence with a
reason
Remember to use a comma if it is a
separate clause
Because we don’t like being told what
to do, we ignore our teachers.
Varying openings
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Change these sentences:
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Mobile phones can be harmful to your
health owing to the radiation.
Varying openings
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Change these sentences:
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Mobile phones can be harmful to your
health owing to the radiation.
Owing to the radiation, mobile phones can
be harmful to your health.
Varying openings
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Change these sentences:
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Size Zero models should be banned from
the catwalk because of the impact they
have on young people.
Varying openings
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Change these sentences:
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Size Zero models should be banned from
the catwalk because of the impact they
have on young people.
Because of the impact they have on young
people, Size Zero models should be banned
from the catwalk.
Begin with a verb
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You could begin your sentences with a
verb instead of a noun
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We will succeed at school if we work hard.
Working hard means that we will succeed
at school.
Write three sentences that begin with a
verb instead of a noun…
Punctuation – apostrophes
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Correct these spellings by adding the
apostrophe to show the missing letters
Wont
Cant
Theyre
Shouldnt
Mustnt
Dont
Punctuation – apostrophes
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Correct these spellings by adding the
apostrophe to show the missing letters
Wont
Won’t
Cant
Can’t
Theyre
They’re
Shouldnt
Shouldn’t
Mustnt
Mustn’t
dont
Don’t
Punctuation – apostrophes
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Remember that apostrophes are used
to show possession:
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Mark’s books
The dog’s tail
The girls’ changing room
What are the different rules for singular
and plural nouns?
Punctuation – apostrophes
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Where should the apostrophe go?
Wendys playroom
The schools rules
Many teenagers habits
The Magazines cover
Writers technique
Pupils common room
Punctuation – apostrophes
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Where should the apostrophes go?
Wendys playroom
Wendy’s playroom
The schools rules
The school’s rules
Many teenagers habits Many teenagers’ habits
The Magazines cover
The Magazine’s cover
Writers technique
Writer’s technique
Pupils common room
Pupils’ common room
Punctuation – colons
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Use a colon and semi-colons in complex lists
There are many reasons not to smoke: it is
bad for your health; it makes you smell; it is
very expensive.
Write your own complex list summarising
reasons why school uniform should be
banned
Punctuation – colons
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Use a colon instead of the words ‘since’,
‘because’ and ‘so’
Many people donate to charity because
it makes them feel better.
Many people donate to charity: it makes
them feel better.
Punctuation – colons
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Swap the connective for a colon:
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Animal testing should be banned since it
causes pain to them.
We naturally don’t like stress so we try to
avoid it whenever possible.
Parents should listen to their children
because they are under a lot of pressure.
Punctuation – colons
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Swap the connective for a colon:
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Animal testing should be banned : it
causes pain to them.
We naturally don’t like stress : we try to
avoid it whenever possible.
Parents should listen to their children :
they are under a lot of pressure.
Homophones - Common errors
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There / their / they’re
Where / were / we’re
Your / you’re
There / their / they’re
Correct these sentences:
 The team think there going to win
 Their was no chance of beating them
 I couldn’t see they’re goal keeper
Answers
Correct these sentences:
 The team think they’re going to win
 There was no chance of beating them
 I couldn’t see their goal keeper
Where / were / we’re
Correct these sentences
 I knew were the game was going to be
played
 Were not going to win this, I thought
 I were trying to get past the striker
 They where going to win
Answers
Correct these sentences
 I knew where the game was going to
be played
 We’re not going to win this, I thought
 I was trying to get past the striker
 They were going to win
Your / you’re
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“Your really good at this”, I said.
I don’t know where you’re kit is
Your sure you want to do that?
Answers
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“You’re really good at this”, I said.
I don’t know where your kit is
You’re sure you want to do that?
And finally…
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Make sure you check your work at the
end.
The examiner will be pleased if they can
see you have crossed out mistakes and
corrected them.
The examiner will be annoyed if they
find you have made lots of careless
errors!