An Overview

In this module, you will produce two short pieces of writing. There are three different types of tasks which your teacher could ask you to complete: Moving Images, Commissions and Recreations. Usually, the tasks will be around 1200 words each. However, their length does not have to be equal because it will be determined by the type of creative writing chosen. This module is 15% of your overall GCSE English Language mark and can be completed in up to 4 hours. These sections will provide advice about planning and writing the three different tasks. One of your tasks should involve media and film, the other should be a piece of creative writing.

How the marks are split:

Altogether, both texts are worth 30 marks, with 20 marks given for content and organisation and 10 marks for accuracy.

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Content and organisation

• Show clear understanding of the purpose and format of the task through the content of your writing; your ideas and statements.
• Show distinct awareness of the target audience.
• Support your statements with opinions and facts. Writing is detailed and all of it is relevant to your task.
• Shape ideas into coherent arguments.
• Structure paragraphs so that your writing is clear and can be easily navigated.
• Style adapted to purpose and audience.

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Accuracy

• Language used concisely, effectively and accurately to make meaning clear.
• Vocabulary should be appropriate to the task, technical when possible and sophisticated.
• Grammar is varied and used correctly.

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Audience

As with most texts, consider who will read your article. Make sure that you aim all your points at the target audience by writing in an appropriate style. You must include all the points on the brief whilst making sure that they address the audience. For example, you could be writing an opinion article about improving school meals which will appear in the school paper. You have to include one positive and two negatives about school meals. This article will be read by other students so your style could be less formal. However, it will also be read by teachers and governors. This means that, whilst being informal, it is important to write in full sentences and not use too much slang. It would be a good idea to remain professional and not be too negatives about school meals. For example, you could argue that, although school meals are delicious, there is a lack of choice in the menu and they are too expensive.

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Purpose

The purpose of your article will be revealed in your task brief. It is very important that your paragraphs all relate to the purpose. This will have more impact on the reader.

Possible article purposes include:

• Information – informing readers about a past or future event.
• Opinion/analysis – giving an opinion about an issue or an event.
• Advice – advising readers about a certain situation.

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Style

Writing should always be clear and accessible. Once you are clear about who your audience is, this should help you work out your style. For instance, if you are writing an informal article aimed at your students, you would use more informal language and tone, such as some slang and addressing the reader as ‘you’, adopting a friendly, chatty style.