English Language 1123 Essential 2k17

Workshop by: Sir Abdul Majid Khan @ Language Guru

 Content of the workshop
order. Content Duration

1. Understanding Paper Patterns , Mark Scheme and Assessment 10 min

Objectives

2. Understanding Paper 1 – Writing 10 min

3. Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing 60 min

4. Understanding Sec 2 – Creative Writing 60 min

5. Understanding Paper 2 – Reading 10 min

6. Understanding Sec 1 – Reading For Ideas 60 min

7. Understanding Sec 2 – Reading For Meaning 60 min

8. Formal tone, register and persuasive writing 30 min

9. Grammar – Model Verb 30 min

10. Mock 205 min

Understanding Paper Patterns , Mark Scheme and
Assessment Objectives
Understanding Paper Patterns , Mark Scheme
and Assessment Objectives
Understanding Paper 1 – Writing
Understanding Paper 1 – Writing
DIRECTED WRITING
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing

1.
Situation

2.
Content
Points

3.
Suggestions
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing
• Whenever you’re about to answer a directed writing task keep these
questions in mind:

• Who are you and who is the audience?

This decides the tone, vocabulary and register of your writing.

• Why are you writing?

This is the purpose.

• What are you writing?

This determines the type and format of your writing.

• For every question, you will be required to elaborate and explain the three bullet
points given. You must make five separate paragraphs: an introductory paragraph,
three paragraphs explaining the bullet points and a concluding paragraph.
•
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing

Categories you may find are:

• Informal Letter / Personal letter.
• Formal Letter / Official Correspondence.
• Speech Writing.
• Report Writing.
• Eye-witness report.
• Account Writing.
• Magazine / Newspaper Article Writing.
• Leaflet / Brochure (Part of syllabus but never asked in last three decades)
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Informal letter

Definition: Format:
Date: 1st May 2017
“ An informal letter is a x-x-x
letter that is written Salutation,
x-x-x
in a personal fashion Introductory Paragraph
to your family, x-x-x
Content point one Paragraph
friends or relatives. ” x-x-x
Content point two Paragraph
x-x-x
content point three Paragraph
x-x-x
Conclusion Paragraph
x-x-x
Valediction,
x-x-x
First Name
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Informal letter

Sample: Tips:
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Formal letter

Definition: Format:
“Formal letters are different Date: 1st May 2017
x-x-x
to informal letters. We write Subject: “Not more than one line.”
formal letters to the x-x-x
Principal, the Editor a bank, a Salutation,
x-x-x
doctor, the local council, your Introductory Paragraph
landlord or a company. We x-x-x
write informal letters to Content point one Paragraph
x-x-x
friends and family.” Content point two Paragraph
x-x-x
content point three Paragraph
x-x-x
Conclusion Paragraph
x-x-x
Valediction,
x-x-x
Signature
X-x-x
Full Name
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing – Formal letter
Sample: Tips:
Be concise and relevant
• Get straight to the point and stick to it.
• don’t include any unnecessary or supplementary
information. don’t use any flowery language or long words.
• don’t repeat too much information.

• Check your grammar and spelling very carefully

• check your grammar carefully.
• check your sentences and punctuation.
• Are the sentences complete?
• Does the punctuation help to make what you’re saying
clearer?
• Don’t rush the letter; many mistakes occur because of this.

• Use the right tone of language

• It’s important to use the right type of language, the right
‘register’.
• avoid everyday, colloquial language; slang or jargon
• avoid contractions (I’m; it’// etc)
• avoid emotive, subjective language (terrible, rubbish etc)
• avoid vague words such as nice, good, get etc
• You should always be polite and respectful, even if
complaining. One way of doing this in English, which is
common in formal letter writing, is to use ‘modal verbs’
such as would, could and should. Instead of simply
writing Please send me, you could express this more
formally as I would be grateful if you could send me
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Speech Writing
Definition:
“ Speech Writing is an art of conveying
a message to your audience. Either
through oral communication or
through other means, such as
powerpoint slides, speech writing has
the same function as normal writing.
The reasons for writing are to inform,
to explain or to persuade. In a
speech, typically the main purpose is
to persuade the listener/reader to
take up and support your views.”
Format:
Introductory Paragraph
• Salutation (Honourable Principal, Teachers and
fellows,)
• Greetings (Good Morning.)
• Introduce yourself (My name is…)
• State the purpose (Today, I stand in front of you)
x-x-x
Content point one Paragraph
x-x-x
Content point two Paragraph
x-x-x
content point three Paragraph
x-x-x
Conclusion Paragraph
• Summarise your position.
• Give a conclusion
• Thank your audience for their attention
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing – Speech Writing
Sample: Tips: Step one - Introduction
Friends, professors, administrators, and parents, welcome. We are graduating. Greeting - Attention Getter
Can you believe it? Four years ago, most of us walked into these halls as nervous as we were the first How are you going to greet your audience, grab their attention and
day of school. We were the freshmen, the low men on the totem pole. Now, those same four years compel them to listen?
later, we’re leaving the school behind to a whole new crop of people, most of whom were just as
nervous as we were when we arrived. It could a rhetorical question, a startling statistic, a quotation or a
humorous one-liner. To be effective it must be related to your topic and
It has been a long four years and a short for years. Long because of all the drama and bad apt for your audience.
homework, the boring readings and early-morning extra credit projects, and all the other little Thesis Statement
pratfalls that hit us in high school. Short because of the lifelong friendships, the lasting memories, A one sentence summary of your speech topic and your point of view or
and the truly interesting and amazing things we learned between the occasional bits of drudgery.
angle.
E.g. Green politics is no longer a fanciful, fringe fad. It is a necessity.
Good or bad, long or short, I will always remember this place. While I’m thrilled to be our
valedictorian, I can’t say I’ve spent as many hours as some of us have between these halls: Our Credibility
teachers, of course, spend an inhuman amount of time here, and many students do as well. Most of This establishes your right to speak on the topic. It cites your
them even do it of their own choosing. I came by to get a book I forgot last night around 8 p.m. and qualification or expertise.
found Rachel Earl, student head of the graduation planning committee, still here putting crepe paper
Summative overview
on chairs and laying out programs in each and every seat. That’s dedication.
Brief outline of the main points to be covered
It takes that kind of teamwork to survive anywhere in life, I’ve found. I know my experience is Benefit
limited, but every problem I’ve overcome has been because someone has been there to help me. My What's in your speech for your audience? Why will they want to hear
support net ranged (and still ranges) from my parents to my friends to my teachers, depending on what you've got to tell them? Be specific. Tell them.
the kind of trouble I’ve had and its severity.
Step two – Main Body
Transition
This isn’t to say I’ve been a troublemaker—I only got sent to the office twice, and one of those times
was a misunderstanding—but even for me, a relatively quiet student, a lot of help has been needed This the link between your introduction and the main body of your
to get me through at times. This is where our high school truly excels, I think. speech. How will you tie them together?
Main Idea 1 - Supporting ideas - Details and examples - Transition to...
What’s next? I will be going to college, as will many of my classmates. More of us yet will go to Main Idea 2 - Supporting ideas - Details and examples - Transition to...
various branches of the armed forces to help keep our country safe home and abroad. Others may
get right to work, or even take a year or more off to decide what they want to do. Leaving high Main Idea 3 - Supporting ideas - Details and examples - Transition to...
school is such a brutal transition, as Principal Davis put it, that I don’t know what the world has in Step three – Conclusion
store for any of us.
Summary of main ideas
These are the main points you covered in the body of your speech.
I do know how I’ll deal with those life events, though: by using the skills and info I’ve picked up here.
It all comes down to help, and I’ve got plenty of people to thank for that: parents, of course, Re-statement of thesis statement
teachers, friends... I guess that means the biggest thing I learned in high school is to lean on others Use the statement from your introduction to reinforce your message.
when needed. Re-statement of benefit to audience
Remind the audience of the benefits they'll receive through carrying out
There’s another, more important, side to that idea as well, and it’s the one piece of advice I’d like to whatever your propose. Again this comes from your introduction.
give you as we get ready to cross this stage for the last time: Make sure you’re around when other
people need someone to lean on. They’ll thank you for it. Heck, one of them might even mention Closer, Clincher or Call to Action
you in his valedictorian speech. This is your final sentence. To ensure your speech ends with a bang
Congratulations, Class of 2013! We did it! rather than a whimper.
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Report Writing
Definition: Format:
“The definition of report writing is To: Recipient’s Full name / Designation.
creating an account or statement (The Police or The Principal)
x-x-x
that describes in detail an event, From: Your Full Name or Designation
situation or occurrence, usually x-x-x
as the result of observation or Date: 1st May 2017
inquiry. x-x-x
The two most common forms of Heading/Title: “Should be one liner.”
x-x-x
report writing are news report Introductory Paragraph
writing and academic report x-x-x
writing. Content point one Paragraph
Report writing is different from x-x-x
other forms of writing because it Content point two Paragraph
x-x-x
only includes facts, not the content point three Paragraph
opinion or judgement of the x-x-x
writer.” Conclusion Paragraph
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing – Report Writing
Tips:
Title/Headline:
•
Sample: •
Catchy, Self explanatory, unique, easy to comprehend.
Attracts the reader’s interest
• Indicate the attitude of report
• Maximum 6 words
• Use of sensational vocabulary (Tragic, Crash)
• Use shorter synonyms (e.g. use weds for marries)
• Use present tense for events in the recent past
• Leave-out articles
• Passive voice
• Avoid “I”
• Use Literary devices
1. Assonance: Repetition of identical or similar VOWEL sounds in
consecutive words. For e.g Hit List Twist
2. Alliteration: Repetition of an initial consonant sound. For e.g
fear of free fall.
3. Pun: a play of words. For e.g Fruit stroller rolls over creating
jam.
4. Quotation or misquotation. For e.g For richer for poorer
Introduction:
• Teaser, Explain the topic without revealing all points.
Body:
• Details, explanations with examples, begin with most
important point.
Conclusion:
• Brief Recap.
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Account Writing
Definition: Format:

“ An account is defined as an oral To: Recipient’s Full name / Designation.

(The Police or The Principal)
or written detail of an event or x-x-x
situation. An example of From: Your Full Name or Designation
an account is when a child relays x-x-x
all of the events of his school day. Date: 1st May 2017
The definition of an account is a x-x-x
Heading/Title: “Should be one liner.”
record of an ongoing relationship, x-x-x
debt or obligation.” Introductory Paragraph
x-x-x
Content point one Paragraph
x-x-x
Content point two Paragraph
x-x-x
content point three Paragraph
x-x-x
Conclusion Paragraph
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing – Account Writing
Tips:

Accounts must direct the reader in the right order as what and how things had
exactly happened. Unlike other reports, the first paragraph must necessarily answer
the questions of ‘What’, ’Where’ and ‘When’ followed by the explanation about the
incident.
NOTE: The candidate should not jumble the sequence of the event, they should be
presented in the right order.
The tone of an account totally depends on to whom the account is written. If the
question clearly states that the account should be written to a headmaster or an
inspector/a police personnel, then it is pretty obvious that the tone should be formal,
polite and respectful.
An account can have personal feelings. The candidate may, therefore, choose
emotive language and sensational words and phrases as far as those assist in
providing relevant information to the recipient. (Remember! Here the purpose is to
inform not to entertain)
The candidate is free to give his opinion about the event. He may provide
suggestions to certain matters even if he/she isn’t asked to.
The sentences can be varied in style and structure conforming to the details and
information being provided.
 Report Vs. Account writing
• Both words share the same broad meaning of being a verbal or written record of
an event (or series of events). They are often used interchangeably. However—in
British English, at least—they can be used in slightly different ways.

When such a distinction is applied, a report normally conveys the sense of being a
record of the facts alone. It may be "outline", "lengthy", "detailed", "official" and
more besides, but is essentially an objective record of what took place or what was
observed—nothing more. When somebody (who applies this distinction) asks you
for a report, they are inviting you to set down the facts about what has happened,
succinctly and dispassionately. They are not normally inviting you to express your
opinions or make any other kind of judgement about the matter you are
"reporting" on.

In comparison, an account carries a greater sense of being a narrative, and

so does allow scope for the author to interpret and comment on the facts they are
reporting. Indeed, it often demands it. Whereas "report" carries a strong sense of
being dispassionate and objective, an account is often specifically "personal" (an
adjective rarely applied to "report") and subjective. It often also has a strong sense
of being an explanation or justification: a parent, for example, who receives a
report that their child has misbehaved, might ask the child for an account of what
happened.
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Eye-witness Writing
Definition: Format:

“An eyewitness report is a first-person To: Recipient’s Full name / Designation.

account of an event you personally (The Police or The Principal)
witnessed. The goal is to provide details x-x-x
about the event in a clear, concise manner, From: Your Full Name or Designation
giving as many details as you recall as x-x-x
accurately as possible. Date: 1st May 2017
x-x-x
Eyewitness reports are often crucial to
Heading/Title: “Should be one liner.”
solving crimes or providing background on
x-x-x
newsworthy stories.
Introductory Paragraph
Eyewitness reports are also used as part of x-x-x
incident reports at workplaces such as Content point one Paragraph
schools, nursing homes, jails and other x-x-x
facilities requiring employees to monitor Content point two Paragraph
sensitive situations.” x-x-x
content point three Paragraph
x-x-x
Conclusion Paragraph
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Eye-witness Writing
Sample: Tips:
• A successful eyewitness report should:
• focus on an event that is important to
the writer or is historically important
• answer the 5 W's (who, what, when,
where, why, and how)
• explain how the event occurred
• use sensory details, dialogue, and action
verbs to show exactly what the writer
observed
• present events in a clear, logical order
• capture the mood of the event
•
• The best way to organize an eyewitness
report is chronologically
• describe the events in the order
that they happened
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing – Eye-witness Writing - Sample
Anticipating the Dream
I am sitting with my grandparents in the spectators’ section of the echoing auditorium, my baby brother on my lap. I’m not sure what I expected this morning, but thus
far it has been an incredibly boring experience. The judge is half an hour late, and to add to that, Graeme, my brother, is tired and fussing, and would evidently much
prefer his mother’s lap to mine. Unfortunately for him, my parents and older brother are sitting on the other side of the room with almost 200 others. Thirty-one
countries are represented here today.
This is a citizenship ceremony. My parents, my older brother, and I were all born in South Africa. After living in the United States for 13 years, they are finally becoming
citizens. I am not yet 18; consequently, I have to wait for my parents to obtain citizenship before I am eligible. All my younger siblings were born here, and are
therefore Americans by birth.
Graeme was only momentarily distracted by the book we brought along to amuse him. He is now struggling noisily to climb off my lap. It’s time to bring out the secret
weapon: candy. I just hope my supply doesn’t dwindle too quickly.
In our particular situation, it seems rather odd that the citizenship process works this way. Having lived here since I was two, I have always been more American than
anything else. I don’t speak Afrikaans, but my parents do (as well as English). I am the one who briefed my mother on American history and government before she
took the citizenship test. Not only that, but I am always having to remind my parents that the word is flashlight, not torch, and that here in America we have a tooth
fairy, not a mouse, who comes to fetch our teeth. After today, my parents will be Americans, and I will be the unique one, the alien, the only South African remaining in
our house. How bureaucratic of the American government to work that way.
The judge has arrived, and now that everyone has stopped talking, Graeme has started to cry. I make a hasty retreat up the slanted aisle to the back of the room.
Maybe I can rock him to sleep.
I have often asked my parents why we moved here from our homeland, and from what I’ve gathered, there are several reasons. Foremost is apartheid, the total
segregation of South Africa, whereby whites held all power and blacks were not even allowed to vote. The government established separate buses, bathrooms, even
public lawns. My parents, who are by no means radical, were very strongly against apartheid and were arrested for protesting. They were released in the next moment
because they were white, while their black friends were hauled off to jail. The atmosphere was growing more volatile every day, and when the building across the
street from where my mother worked was bombed, my parents decided that it was no longer safe to stay, especially with two small children. Consequently, my father
took advantage of the first opportunity to get a job here in America. It must be incredibly difficult to live in a country that is so immoral, where people are looked down
upon simply because their skin happens to be a different shade. How can you pledge allegiance to a government responsible for the obvious evil around you every day?
America was segregated at one point also, but at least the government called it “separate but equal.” In South Africa, the government did not even attempt to bring
about equality. Can anyone take pride in a government like that?
Graeme is finally asleep, drooling on my shoulder, and I can return, victorious, to my seat. The judge has been giving a speech about the privileges and responsibilities
that come with being an American citizen. I’m beginning to understand why my parents are so excited about this day. At first I expected nothing of great importance to
occur in this ceremony. I imagined we would arrive here, say the Pledge of Allegiance, and my parents would receive a piece of paper declaring them “American
citizens.” As it turns out, a lot more is involved than the mere title. Today my parents will not only become eligible to vote and serve on jury duty, but they will
automatically become part of American history, culture, and society. The United States becomes their country, a land that kindles pride. All of a sudden, they have a
duty to serve this country and to be loyal to it above all others. It is a colossal decision for them to make.
South Africa is a beautiful nation. My parents grew up there and have many fond recollections. They remember visiting game preserves and finding lions in the middle
of the road. They remember going to school with their friends and tormenting substitute teachers. The different snacks they ate—biltong, Chappie gum, and Bovril—
could never be found in the United States. My parents remember getting married in the city of Florida on February 2, 1980. I’m certain it must have been difficult to
leave everything, including family, and move to America. Now, at this ceremony, everything is becoming finalized. They will no longer be a part of South Africa, but
South Africa will always be a part of them. They have given up the past in anticipation of the future, one filled with hope for greater peace, prosperity, and happiness:
the American Dream.
I scan the room, the many different faces of my fellow spectators: grandparents, parents, and children of various races. Anyone can read the pride in their eyes as they
watch their loved ones from across the room. I snap to attention. People are rising. This is the moment; they are about to take the oath. Now I have grown just as
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing –
Magazine / Newsaper Article Writing
Definition: Format:

“An article is a piece Headline

of writing usually intended
for publication in a
newspaper, magazine or
journal and is written for a
wide audience, so it is
essential to attract and
retain the readers'
attention.”
Byline: Your Name
Introductory Paragraph
x-x-x
Content point one Paragraph
x-x-x
Content point two Paragraph
x-x-x
content point three Paragraph
x-x-x
Conclusion Paragraph
 Understanding Sec 1 – Directed Writing – Magazine / Newsaper Article Writing
Sample: Tips:
1 The reader is identified
An article is like a direct conversation with the reader. The exam question might
tell you who your readers are. For example, the students at a school, or the
people living in a town or people who are interested in sports. Everything you
write must speak to that reader and engage their interest right from the first
sentence.

2 It has to get attention

If you're anywhere on the internet these days, you'll be bombarded with articles
with headlines that pull the reader in. It's called "click baiting" and all the writer is
trying to do is make you open the page to read their article. You need to think
like a journalist when you're writing your article.

3 It has to be interesting
For an article to work, it has to be engaging enough to read all the way through.
Remember how bored the examiner must be after reading fifty exam papers.
Make it easier for them to get a good impression about your writing by
entertaining them. Add humour, real life or made up examples, or make up
quotes.

4 It has to be easy to read

Use subheadings to break up the text and make clear paragraphs. Write in a semi-
informal, conversational style. And make sure there is organisation to your ideas.
The planning stage is vital for this. Spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming ideas and
choose the best three or four. Think what your subheadings might be and then
write a short introduction that lets the reader know what to expect.
Keep in mind that you want the reader to keep reading, so don't tell them exactly
what they will read. This is not an essay! In an essay you usually restate the
question, explain how you will answer it and maybe say why it's important. In an
article, that will kill the reader's interest.
Look back at this paragraph. What sentence style have I used that makes it semi-
informal and speak directly to the reader?**

5 Write a good ending

In an essay you sum up the points that have gone before and draw a conclusion
from that. But in an article, it's better to give the reader something to think about,
perhaps by asking them another question or giving them a call to action. Often,
the best endings link back to the starting point in some way.
Understanding Paper 1 – Writing
CREATIVE WRITING
 Understanding Sec 1 – Creative Writing

Descriptive
Essay

Argumentative
Essay

Narrative Essay

Descriptive/
Narrative Essay

Narrative Essay
 Understanding Paper 1 – Writing
CREATIVE WRITING

DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY
1)What Is Descriptive Writing?
• Descriptive writing creates a picture of a
person, place, thing, or event.

• Description tells what something looks,

sounds, smells, tastes, or feels like.
 2) Elements of Descriptive Writing

Good descriptive writing is comprised of five

elements; Sensory Details, Figurative Language,
dominant impression, precise language, and
Careful Organization.
 3) Sensory Details

Good descriptive writing includes many vivid

sensory details that paint a picture and appeals
to all of the reader's senses of sight, hearing,
touch, smell, and taste when appropriate.
Descriptive writing may also paint a pictures of
the feelings the person, place or thing invokes
the writer.
 4) Figurative Language

• Good descriptive writing often makes use of figurative language to

help paint the picture in the reader's mind. There are many ways to
use figurative language, and it is a talent that should be practiced
until perfected.
• -A simile uses like or as to compare two unlike things.
• Example: Her smile was like sunshine.
• -A metaphor compares two unlike things without using like or as:
• Example: Her smile was a light that lit up the room.
• -Personification suggests comparison between a nonliving thing and
a person by giving the nonliving thing human traits.
 5) A Dominant Impression
When you plan a descriptive essay, your focus on
selecting details that help your readers see what you
see, feel what you feel, and experience what you
experience. Your goal is to create a single dominant
impression, a central theme or idea to which all the
details relate-for example, the liveliness of a street
scene or the quiet of a summer night. This dominant
impression unifies the description and gives readers an
overall sense of what the person, place, object, or scene
looks like(and perhaps what it sounds, smells, tastes, or
feels like). Sometimes_but not always_ your details will
support a thesis making a point about the subject you
are describing.
 6) Precise language

• Good descriptive writing uses precise

language. Using specific words and
phrases will help the reader “see” what
you are describing. If a word or phrase
is specific, it is exact and precise. The
opposite of specific language is
language that is vague, general, or fuzzy.
 7) Careful Organization
Good descriptive writing is organized. Some ways
to organize descriptive writing include:
chronological (time), spatial (location), and order of
importance.
 8)Transition Words and Phrases
that Signal Description.
Transitions used in descriptive writing vary
depending on whether you are describing a
person, a .place, or a thing. Here are some
examples of transitions that might be used
in descriptive contexts:
9) To show spatial order or direction
10) To show order of importance
11)To show time order
12) The Structure of a Descriptive
Essay
 Understanding Paper 1 – Writing
CREATIVE WRITING

A R G U M E N TAT I V E E S S AY
What is an Argumentative Essay?
An argumentative essay is an essay in which
you agree or disagree with a certain issue, using
reasons to support your opinion.
What is an Argumentative Essay?

You may be asked a question like this:

Stem cell research offers a potential cure for

many fatal diseases. Many people oppose stem
cell research because it involves using cells from
human embryos. Do you agree or disagree that
stem cell research should be prohibited?
What is an Argumentative Essay?

Note: What is unique about an argumentative

essay is that you do not just give reasons to
support your point of view. You must also
discuss the other side’s reasons and rebut them.

(Rebut means to point out problems with the other side’s reasons to prove they are
not good reasons.)
 Organization of an Argumentative
Essay?

There are two common ways to organize an

argumentative essay.

• the block pattern

• the point-by-point pattern
 Block Pattern
I. Introduction
Explanation of the issue
Thesis statement

II. Body
Block 1
A. Summary of the other side’s arguments
B. Rebuttal to the first argument
C. Rebuttal to the second argument
D. Rebuttal to the third argument

Block 2
E. Your first argument
F. Your second argument
G. Your third argument

III. Conclusion - may include a summary of your own point of view

 Point-by-Point Pattern
I. Introduction
Explanation of the issue, including a summary of the other side’s arguments
Thesis statement

II. Body

A. Statement of the other side’s first argument and rebuttal with your
own counter argument.
B. Statement of the other side’s second argument and rebuttal with
your own counter argument.
C. Statement of the other side’s third argument and rebuttal with your
own counter argument.

III. Conclusion - may include a summary of your own point of view

The Introductory Paragraph
The introductory paragraph contains an
explanation of the issue, which is a necessary
part of an argumentative essay.

You may also begin your argumentative

essay with a more engaging introduction -
with surprising statistics, for example, or a
dramatic story.
The Introductory Paragraph
If you choose to write an attention-getting
introduction, you may need to explain the
issue in a second introductory paragraph and
write your thesis statement at the end of this
(the second) paragraph.
The Introductory Paragraph
Thesis Statement

The thesis statement in an argumentative

essay states clearly which side you are for:

Stem cell research should receive the full

support of our government.
The Introductory Paragraph
A thesis statement often mentions the
opposing point of view. Notice that the writer’s
opinion is expressed in the main
(independent) clause, and the opposing point
of view is normally put in a subordinate
structure.

Although there are certainly reasons to be

cautious with stem cell research or any new
technology (subordinate clause), its potential benefits
far outweigh its dangers. (main clause)
The Introductory Paragraph
Use expressions like the following to
introduce opposing points of view.

Some people feel that the United States

should change their healthcare plan.

Many think that genetically engineered crops

are a grave danger to the environment.
The Introductory Paragraph
Smokers say that they have the right to
smoke.

It may be true that the U.S. constitution gives

citizens the right to own weapons.
The Introductory Paragraph
Then connect the opposing point of view to
your own with transition signals of contrast.

Some people feel that the United States

should change their healthcare plan;
however, others feel that the government
should stay out of the health care business.
The Introductory Paragraph
Although/Even though many think that
genetically engineered crops are a grave
danger to the environment, such crops can
alleviate world hunger and malnutrition.

Smokers say that they have the right to

smoke in spite of the fact that/ despite the
fact that smoking will kill them.
The Introductory Paragraph
While/Whereas it may be true that the U.S.
constitution gives citizens the right to own
weapons, the men that wrote the constitution
lived in a different time.
 Understanding Paper 1 – Writing
CREATIVE WRITING

N A R R AT I V E / P E R S O N A L E S S AY
 What is a Personal Narrative?

Stories about events in people's lives fascinate us.

They are the focus of many television programs and
articles in newspapers and magazines. You may
have an interesting story to tell about your own life.
Writing your own personal narrative may help you
understand better why certain events in your life
are so important to you. A personal narrative does
not have to be a life-changing event. Often they are
used as snapshots of moments in your life that are
memorable. Through your writing you can show
why the event, which may not seem that
memorable at first, is important to you.
Format
 A successful personal narrative should:

• focus on one well-defined experience

• begin with an image or idea that makes the
readers want to find out more
• make the importance of the event clear
• show clearly the order in which events occurred
• use details that appeal to the senses to describe
characters and setting
• use dialogue to develop characters
• provide a strong conclusion
 A successful personal narrative should:

• focus on one well-defined experience

• begin with an image or idea that makes the
readers want to find out more
• make the importance of the event clear
• show clearly the order in which events occurred
• use details that appeal to the senses to describe
characters and setting
• use dialogue to develop characters
• provide a strong conclusion
 Organization:

• Every narrative must have a beginning, middle, and end.

English Language 1123 Essential 2k17

GO AND ROCK THE WORLD

Workshop by: Sir Abdul Majid Khan @ Language Guru