Folio - W1

By the end of this unit, you will be able to
Identify key elements of discursive writing
Use key elements of discursive writing
Redraft your discursive writing using all of the key elements

titles formal language introductions and conclusions key statements persuasive language repetition rhetorical questions development anecdote statistics

Indicate which direction the argument will take (not just the topic)
Use of pun
Can be alliterative
E.g. newspaper headlines

Read the article about mobile texting twice
In groups, discuss the title and make any relevant comments
On your own, write a paragraph outlining your thoughts on:
“How effective is the title?”

No contractions (except direct speech)
Not colloquial
Usually 3 rd person

In groups, identify elements of the article which make it formal
Homework - write a paragraph outlining your thoughts

capture the reader's attention avoid being bland or dull. E.g. “I am going to write about fast food”

Provocative- Junk food is the scourge of our society!
Balanced – Whether we should eat is a subject many people disagree about!
Quotation – Fast food has been described, in the press, as being “out of control”.
Illustration - "On a glorious Saturday evening, a young girl staggers to the side of the road, fighting for breath.
Anecdote - "I have always felt that the promotion of fast food is unacceptable, since I was shocked to see a girl fighting for breath due to obesity.

Look at your first draft.
Does your first sentence fit into any of the styles?
How would you describe it?
Write different openings, for your essay, in each of the styles
Now, rewrite your introduction bearing in mind what you have learned

In pairs, read the two versions of your partner’s introduction
Make notes on how they compare
Now relook at your own
Is there anything you would change?

This is your point in its most basic form
No examples
No development
Can be quite emotive
Strong statement
E.g.
“Animals are not always like humans.”

Pick out 2 of your main points.
Write them as statement sentences

Builds on your main point
Uses examples
Uses statistics
Includes the opposing argument
See the next slide for an example

They do not suffer from all human diseases, so scientists have to give them the illnesses artificially. The joints in rabbit legs are inflamed with chemicals to help research in rheumatism. These tests do not always work because animals do not react to drugs in the same way as humans. Aspirin, for example, damages pregnant mice and dogs, but not pregnant women. Arsenic, which is a deadly poison for humans, has no effect on sheep, while penicillin, which is so valuable to humans, kills guinea pigs


Write developments for each of your previous 2 statements

try to avoid weak vocabulary such as
'get', 'got' and 'getting'. without question, without doubt, unquestionably, absolutely.
Conclusion/summary e.g. thus, therefore, consequently, accordingly, in retrospect, hence, in conclusion, in brief, as a result.

Same line of thought e.g. and, firstly, secondly etc., next, furthermore, likewise, in addition, similarly, also, moreover.
Contrasting idea e.g. yet, on the other hand, nevertheless, however, although, conversely, otherwise, on the contrary.

emphatic
Can be words/ phrases
“One form of abuse is… Yet another form of abuse is… A further example of abuse is…”
Use of several examples
“Aspirin, for example, damages pregnant mice and dogs, but not pregnant women. Arsenic, another example, which is a deadly poison for humans, has no effect on sheep, while penicillin, which is so valuable to humans, kills guinea pigs.”

Or
Asking a question you will answer yourself
Asking a question to engage the reader and consider your point of view

Personal story to illustrate a point
Only use if you are confident
E.g. “I used to watch the older children standing around and drinking. I would envy their ‘maturity’ so much until the day I saw one carried away in an ambulance! She was unconscious!”

Used to reinforce a point
Don’t make them up
E.g. “More fast food outlets has seen obesity rise by 500% since the 1950s.
Such an increase means the sceptics cannot argue that we have a problem!

Be formal
Structure your writing
Link your writing
Use the devices you have learned
Check… have you been persuaded?

http://www.teachersdirect.co.uk/resources/wordsearches/previ ew.aspx?puzzle-number=662282