Writing prompts

This resource was created as a way to focus my learners on one person in a larger story. I believe it is a great way to get them used to using the Who, What, Why, When and Where writing method creatively. It is especially good for planning activities.

Editor's note

Although Functional English does not include creative / fiction writing this resource is still useful for general E3 and L1 planning and writing practice, and (for L2 students) as preparation for GCSE.

This lesson was designed to help learners prepare to write articles for their L1 writing exam. 

There is a reading text "Woman ran last 18 miles of London Marathon with broken ankle" with vocab, gist and detail questions, and a few questions for genre analysis.

Then a worksheet to support learners to gain top tips from a youtube video (watch till 2:18).

They can check their learning by reconstructing the sample text from the video, cut up into sections.

Two sets of Functional English resources based on various texts from the set of seven How We Remember texts (follow link right, under See also to download the texts). 

L1 tasks - reading questions based on Texts B ( Poppies web site) and E (A Nation's Thank you - the People's Procession) and a related writing task.

L1-2 tasks - reading questions based on Texts E (as above) and G (Nurse Mary Borden - forgotten female poet of WWI) and a related writing task that focuses on presentation devices and persuasive techniques.

A multi-skill worksheet that incorporates speaking, listening, reading and writing, based on a short (1:22) BBC news video about a 100th birthday trip to London. Aimed at E3 / L1, but suitable for higher level E2 and for L2 as a recap (for L2 - elicit examples of the grammar and instructions beforehand).

Key learning outcomes: learners will:

EL3 reading, writing and proof reading resource based on a newspaper article about the decline of hedgehogs.

Editor's note

Fully mapped to the new 2018 Functional English content which comes into effect September 2019. 

10 comprehension questions which focus on extracting the main point and ideas. The main writing task is an informal email - planning and drafting is expected and there is an E3 writing  checklist for the learner. There are also short task on grammar, proof reading and adjectives.

A reading comprehension and writing activity at L1/L2 and at E3 on Walter Tull, one of England’s first black professional footballers and the UK’s first black army officer. He has an inspiring story and was killed in action in France 100 years ago (March 25, 1918). David Lammy MP is calling for his Military Cross to be awarded posthumously as an inspiration to others. Plenty of possibilities for speaking and listening discussions around the topic.

Editor's note

Reading and writing tasks based on an over-the-top article about a new ride at Nottingham’s annual Goose Fair.
The emphasis is on language features ( I HAD A FOREST) and persuasive writing but many aspects of L1-2 reading and writing are covered.

A set of six linked, differentiated texts about Valentine’s Day, with associated writing assessments.

Two texts and two writing tasks for Entry 1 and for Entry 2. One text and two writing tasks for E3, and one of each at Level 1.

Reading texts: an email, a recipe, a competition, a menu, a press release about a fun fair and a florist’s advert.
Writing tasks include form filling, an email, a restaurant review, a set of craft instructions, and a competition entry.

Answers will be available (to site contributors only) from late February 2018

Very topical resource based on an article about the popular, award-winning Blue Planet 2 series.
General reading comprehension questions (with a focus on reading for detail) followed by a challenging writing exercise where the learner has to email a friend and persuade them not to leave litter on the beach.
With answers and curriculum mapping.

Very topical resource about the the Blue Moon Eclipse due on 31 Jan 2018.
General reading comprehension questions followed by an interesting writing exercise where the learner has to enter a competition to win a telescope.
With answers and curriculum mapping.