Writing to Persuade

Biased writing/one sided/apparent balance

Logical connectives (because, consequently, as a result,

nevertheless, however)

Connectives showing the move from one point to another

(firstly, secondly, next, finally)

Emotive vocabulary

Opinion presented as fact

Rhetorical questions

Involve the reader using inclusive pronouns (we, us)

Repetition of words or phrases especially in patterns of

three

Adjectives and adverbs

Lists

Imperatives

Colloquial language
Writing to Argue

Statistics

Comparisons

Examples

Variety of arguments

Anecdotes

Quotation from ‘experts’

Irony

Rhetoric

Balanced – considers both sides

Logical development

Summaries
Writing to Advise

Clear organised structure which presents advise step by

step

Number/bullets

Time connectives

Simple vocabulary

Second person

Imperative verbs

Lacks unnecessary detail

Clear diagrams

Present tense

Simple/compound sentences
Writing to Inform

Clear introduction

Provide a context for what you are going to write

Wide range of different aspects of the topic

Detail

Technical language, perhaps explained briefly

Systematic and logical organisation

Use of personal experience

Use of present tense

Clear links between paragraphs

Unusual and interesting detail specific to the subject

Writing to Explain

Range of reasons

Range of appropriate detail

Specific examples of different kinds to support explanation

Range of responses to ‘why’

Range of responses to ‘how’

Different points expanded and linked

Writing to Describe

Wide range of appropriate detail

Use of modifiers such as adjectives and adverbs

Use of colour

Use of senses: sight, touch – perhaps texture, hearing,

taste, sound

Words to convey feelings and atmosphere

Use of metaphor and simile, perhaps use of personification

Denser language than in many of the other forms

Perhaps personal reactions

Variation of sentence length and type

Rich, varied, perhaps unusual vocabulary