notes for paper 1

Situational WritingTechniques (arguments):1. Connect with audience- We, our, us- you- use for speech or writing with a specific audience(can't usefor discursive in this case)2. Rhetorical qn- Emphasis and highlight a pt3. Modals- May (present)- Might (past)- Avoid definitives [being too single-minded]; open to possibilities- Examples:definitives Non-definitivesmust maycan couldshall Should ( this is also adefinitive actually)will would- Portray a thinker as matured/balanced- After modal, the next word should be in its root form4. Repetition (parallel structure)- Reinforce point Approaching the writing task1. Establish PAC- Purpose: why am i writing the letter?- Audience: Who am I writing the letter to?- Context: What is happening? When and where is thishappening?

2. Identify the required points to be addressed. What ideas must beincluded? Tone: formalA formal letter/email is:- An official letter/email- Usually to someone who is not a friend or family, e.g. a business or toa professional(principal, teacher ect ect) We may choose to write a formal letter to:- Propose- Persuade- Thank- complain/compliment- Inform- Enquire Examples of formal letters:- Proposal- Application for a job- Enquiry- complaint/compliment letter- Acceptance letter- Resignation letter Formal letters or emails are written in a polite and formal tone Use the following formal language features:1. Modal verbs- to express possibility, intention, necessity,ability ormake suggestions- Can, could, may, might, should, will, shall, would, ought andmust

2. Formal language- words and language used in official writtendocuments Avoid the following:1. Singlish e.g. I got an idea, so happening2. Internet slangs- words or phrases used on the internet- Abbreviations: LOL, IDK, IMO, IRL, SMH- Facepalm, triggered, salty, fam, goals, lit, low key, ect ect Useful phrasesDear….- Sir/Madam- Mr/Mrs/Ms + last name Starting- Thank you for…- I recently read/heard about… and would like to… Offering suggestion- I suggest… as…- Consideration should be given to- I am opposed to the idea of…- It would be beneficial/advantageous to…- I would strongly recommend…- I suggest that the problem of… can be addressed through… Making request(s)- We would appreciate it if you could…- I would be grateful if you could…- Could you possibly tell us/let us have…- It would be helpful if you could send us…- I am interested in (obtaining/receiving) … Offering help

- We would be happy to …- We are quite willing to …- The committee would be pleased to … Talking about contact in the futureI look forward to:- Meeting you soon- Hearing from you soon- Your favourable reply- Receiving permission to proceed with…- Your approval of… Discursive Writing Purpose1. The goal of a discursive essay is to present balanced view(maturethinkers) on a particular topic in a factual and convincing manner2. Discussion is anchored by main ideas and supported by facts andresearch (supporting details). Relevant explanations and elaborationsare given to make the balanced (multiple viewpoints) StructureIntro:- Start with interesting hook/qn (optional)- State definition of key terms- Describe the current trend- State your main points Body paras 1,2 and 3

- Point: sentence should have the main point of the para (eg: a vitaladvantage would be… )- Explanation/ elaboration: provide a convincing elaboration of the pointin that paragraph- Example / evidence: try to illustrate your point with examples orevidence. You may use statistics or facts to support your idea- Link: the linking statement links your paragraph back to the qn(therefore, this is paramount… ) ConclusionGenerally serve three functions- Sum up main points- Relate it to the writer’s opinion on the issue- Leave some food for thoughtSome strategies- summary : summarise the main points in relation to personal opinion- Call to Actions: A call to the readers, asking them to take a particularaction related to the theme of the writing- Anecdote: an interesting story that leaves a great impression- Quotation: a thought-provoking quotation about the topic- Universal; discussion of how the topic relates to a broader, moreuniversal topic/issue- Future: comment on the future Language featuresThird person- Point of view is the angle of considering things- 3rd person POV is objective and neutral- He/ She/ It/ They/ Name (not you, me, we ect ect. All these examplesare in first person)Rhetorical qns- Pose the issue and involve readerssimiles / metaphors

- A figure of speech that makes a comparison, showing similaritiesbetween two different thingsPersuasive words/ phrases- To convince the reader of your point to view- Eg: surely, obviously, undeniably, certainlyRepetition- reinforce/ emphasise your ideas; have a greater impact- Use synonyms in repetition Transition Words and phrasesAdding on points- In addition, moreover, furthermore, again, also, besides Relating a consequence- Consequently, as a result, accordingly, thus, therefore, subsequently,soSummarizing the points- Briefly, in any case, by and large, after all, all in all, in conclusion, inshort, on the whole,to sum up, finally, to summarise, ultimatelyMaking a generalization- In general, generally speaking, generally, usually, ordinarily, as usual,as a rule, for the most part, normally, by and large, more often thannot, typically, on the whole, customarilyRephrasing- In other words, that is to say, to say it briefly, namely, in short, in brief,in essence, to pu it differently, in reality, in effectComparing and contrasting- similarly , by the same token, likewise, in contrast, conversely,instead, yet, but, still, on the other hand, on the contrary, rather,however, nevertheless, even so

Practices and routines to follow during the exam(courtesy of my englishteacher) (Sec 2)1. Situational Writing – 50min15 min – read qn and planWhat are the question requirements?What do I know about the purpose, audience & context?Which [part of] detail to use?How to elaborate on the detail to support opinions?How should I organise the paragraphs for my essay? 2. EDITING – 10minWhat text type is this?What is the predominant tense?Some types of errors to consider: SVA, number agreement, T, article, word form,verb form, preposition, conjunction, etc.Did I circle errors?Did I use ink? 3. Continuous Writing – 50min15 min – planWhich genre am I better at writing?Which topic do I know better based on my personal experience and observation?Do I have a range of relevant vocabulary for that topic?Do I have 3 distinct main points? What are they?What are the relevant words I can use?What techniques can I use? 25 min – write 10 min – editDid I remember to indicate my question no?Did I use connectors for a better flow?Check for sp, T, run-on, SVA, etc.