Wt/L2.6

Use different styles of writing for different purposes, e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, technical vocabulary
(a) Understand that the style of writing involves choice of vocabulary, sentence length and structure, and how the text is organised
(b) Understand that what is appropriate style depends on purpose, audience, and context
(c) Use imagery such as simile and metaphor to enhance meaning

A set of two exercises (one vocabulary exercise, then a directed writing exercise) plus an extension (fun exercise where learners use the ‘wrong’ register to write a text) to learn about formal and informal language in English.

Editor’s note
No answers
Love the final exercise :) The examples (which involve David Beckham and a broken washing machine) are hilarious.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
FE Writing composition

A revision activity for Level 1 Functional Skills English reading and writing.

Editor’s note
Reading questions cover all aspects of the FS criteria. The writing activity (formal letter) stresses the use of persuasive techniques and is ideal for both Level 1 and Level 2. It includes a useful writing checklist.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
Functional English reading
Context
Voluntary, Charity and Community
News, Politics & Government items

This is new from Sept 2015 for L2 reading.
It is a list of writing techniques – the name of the technique, a description and an example.

Editor’s note (updated 7/5/2017)
Also ideal for GCSE English revision.
Covers 14 techniques: similes, hyperbole, alliteration, rhetorical questions, superlatives, personification, analogy, colloquialisms, cliches, onomatopoeia, oxymorons, imperatives, metaphors and emotive language.

Level
Level 2
GCSE L1-5
English
GCSE English Reading AO2 Explain & analyse language & structure
GCSE Writing AO5(a) Use tone, style and register for different forms, purposes & audiences
FE L1.12 Recognise that language & other textual features can be varied to suit different audiences & purposes
FE L2.14 Understand how textual features/devices can shape meaning for different audiences/purposes
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience

Four completely different ideas to fire your students’ imaginations and put pens to paper.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L2.3 Present information and ideas in a logical or persuasive sequence, using paragraphs where appropriate
Wt/L2.1
Adult Lit Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence, using paragraphs where appropriate
Adult Lit Wt/L1.1 Plan and draft writing

This activity is designed to follow on from previous discussion about formal language and letter writing. It can be adapted to suit all levels but is best for Entry 3 – Level 2.
Learners will consider the importance of the purpose, content, style and tone of letters; and write a suitable letter of complaint from a given scenario.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
Wt/L2.6
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
Wt/E3.3
Wt/E3.2
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism

This is an activity that’s evolved over time and I’ve used it with learners ranging from E3 to L2. It’s always fun and can get the group talking and sharing thoughts. It’s a good way to reinforce the importance of choosing the correct tone for a letter.

It also has the advantage that it needs little preparation and no resources (except pen, paper and students!).

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
Wt/L2.6

A fabulous way to teach the importance of style, suitable vocabulary and formal letter writing. Students must read, discuss and edit an over-the-top business letter.

Level
Level 2
English
AL Rw/L2.3 Vocabulary (language features, synonyms, formality)
Wt/L2.2
Wt/L2.7
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience
Wt/L2.6
Context
Construction Carpentry Plumbing

A beautiful five page handout designed to help students write clear descriptions and learn key technical vocabulary – examples include British cheese, cuts of vegetables and a wonderful mind map showing key quality points to look for in cuts of meat and poultry. Written for NVQ 1-2 catering students working on their ‘local hospitality provision’ project.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Rw/L1.2
Rw/L2.1
Wt/L2.6
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Retail Hospitality Customer service

6 page pack of examples, proof reading tasks and excellent explicit examples of how to rewrite sentences (written in the 1st person) to the more formal 3rd person. Written for NVQ 1-2 catering students working on their ‘local hospitality provision’ project but suitable for other report writing tasks.

Level
Level 2
English
Adult Lit Wt/L2.5 Use formal & informal language appropriate to purpose & audience
Wt/L2.6
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Retail Hospitality Customer service

Wordle creative writing prompts – two word clouds to prompt short story writing.
Wordle is a brilliant on-line, completely free word cloud creator.Wordle is a brilliant on-line, completely free word cloud creator.
See our blog articles for more Wordle teaching and learning ideas:
http://skillsworkshop.blogspot.com/2008/07/using-wordle-in-classroom.ht…

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Adult Lit Wt/L1.4 Use language suitable for purpose and audience
Wt/L2.6