2223 Levels L and M Section B RDW Practice

RDW (Reading and Directed Writing) Section B Tasks

Section B — writing (30 marks each)

Writing Section:
The marks for this part will be allocated as follows:

Content: 20 marks

Use of appropriate language/style and length: 5 marks

Structure and organization: 5 marks

LANGUAGE ERROR DEDUCTION SCALE

a. MISSPELLING of word in text (copy error) – 0.5
b. MISSPELLING of other words – 0.25
c. PUNCTUATION ERRORS – 0.25
d. other GRAMMATICAL ERRORS (tense, double negative, agreement, etc.) – 0.25
e. EXPRESSION ERRORS (sentence structure, etc.) – 0.5

PRESENTATION DEDUCTION (neatness) –3

Understand the question asked and then identify whether you are to . . .

i) Draft an Article,
ii) Give a Speech/Talk,
iii) Write a Formal Letter/
iv) Write an Informal Letter,
v) Write a Summary or
vi) Writing a Journal/Diary Entry

So, what do you have to do now?

1. Writing a Summary/No title

The best way to describe a summary is an outline: a thumb-nail sketch in words of the most important points
a writer is making. Think of yourself as translator, rather than a critic or a commentator. You are simply
relaying ideas in the text in a much shortened form, without any of your own additional detail or opinion.
Top Ten Tips For Summary Writing:

1. Understand the question - normally it directs you to a specific area of the text or to a specific set of
information. So, understand the question FIRST!
2. Make brief notes - underline the key points or order them as you wish to present them. Pick out only
the main ideas being asked!
3. Copy words or phrases that answer the question. Next incorporate them into full sentences.
4. Paragraphing: Usually, it is written in ONE paragraph - 150 words /TWO paragraphs; 150-200
words /THREE paragraphs 200-250.
5. Observe the WORD LIMIT - count your words and write them down.
6. Use your own words and write in FULL SENTENCES. Each sentence you write must contain a
point or points.
7. DONT write anecdotes, statistics, detailed facts, examples, or illustrations. A summary does not
include repetitions, direct quotes, figurative language, or minor details.
8. Do not add details of your own nor express your own viewpoint, make assumptions, use slang or
abbreviations.
9. Use CONNECTTVES to link up ideas, points, and sentences [In addition, Similarly, as well as;
moreover, furthermore, however although, finally, as a result]
10. Divide the CONTENT MARK by two to get the number of points required. Otherwise, write all
the points to get the word limit.

2. Writing a Formal Letter

Formal letters are letters to people who we do not know on a personal level. We may write to find out
information, to apply for a job or a course, to make a complaint, to give information or to send an apology.
1. Two addresses: Your address on the top right hand corner. The name and address of the person you
are writing to goes below this, on the left.
2. The position of the date is flexible. It can go on the left or the right, usually below the addressee
details. The format of the date is also flexible: 5 April 2003 or April 5, 2003.
3. The salutation at the beginning of the letter depends on whether you have the name of the person. If
you do not know the name of the person, you must write Dear Sir/Madam.
4. The content of your letter is divided into three paragraphs.
5. Introduction must state the reason/purpose of your writing. Conclude accordingly.
6. Body paragraphs: address all the bullet points.
7. Conclusion: Always finish a formal letter with some call to action, or reference to a future outcome
you desire.
8. Closing: write Yours sincerely if you have started the letter with the name of the person, or Yours
faithfully if you have started with something like Dear Sir/Madam.
9. Signature: Sign your name directly below the ending and then write your signature lastly.
Basic Structure:
First Paragraph: The first paragraph of formal letters should include an introduction to the
Purpose of the letter.
Body Paragraphs: The second and following paragraphs should provide the main information of the letter,
and build on the main purpose in the introductory first paragraph.

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 2223 Levels L and M Section B RDW Practice
Final Paragraph: The final paragraph should shortly summarize the intent of the formal letter and end with
some call to action.
Formal Letter Structure: Beginning Your Letter:
Starting with a "Thank You': Formal letters are often begun by thanking someone. This is especially true
when writing in response to an inquiry of some kind. Here are some useful phrases:
Thank you for your letter of (date) inquiring about...
We would like to thank you for your letter of (date) asking for / requesting information about .
In response to your letter of (date), we would like to thank you for your interest in ...
Reason for Writing: If you are beginning correspondence with someone about something, or asking for
information, begin by providing a reason for writing:
I am writing to inform you about ...
I am writing to ask / inquire about ...
Asking for Help: Use the following phrases to ask for help:
I would be grateful if you could +t verb
Would you mind + verb + ing
Would it be too much to ask that
Offering Help: The following phrases are used to offer help:
I would be happy to + verb
We would be pleased to + verb
Closing Remarks: Always finish a formal letter with some call to action, or reference to a future outcome
you desire.
An offer of further help: Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions
regarding this matter.
If you need any further assistance please contact me.
Finishing- Sign the letter with: Make sure to sign your letter by hand followed by your printed name
Yours faithfully, - used when the recipient is not addressed by name (i.e., the recipient is addressed by a
phrase such as "Dear Sir/Madam")
Yours sincerely, - when the recipient is addressed by name (e.g. "Dear John") and is known to the sender.

3. Writing an Informal Letter

Informal letters are usually written to someone you know well (like a friend or
relation) and the level of formality that you use will depend on how well you know
the person.

1. Understand the question FIRST!!!

2. The way you start and end your letter will be a clear clue to the examiner that
you have understood that you are writing an informal letter.
3. Avoid using the text language or slang that you might use with your friends.
4. You are assessed on your ability to write clearly and correctly.
5. If there are bullet points to the question, address each point in detail.

Basic Structure:
Salutation or Greeting: Start with Dear followed by the first name of the person to whom
you are writing. In emails, you can also start with Hi (and the person's name). Dear Ben, or Hi
Ben,
Openings: You would normally start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to
which you are replying. It is often an innovative idea to acknowledge some key information given in
the original letter too. You can also make a comment on your own reply.
Introduction: How are you? /How have the family been? / I hope you are
well, /Thank you / Many thanks for your recent letter /postcard.
Main Body Paragraph: Indicate what form of writing is being made from the list below:
Giving news/ Apologies/ Invitations/ Requests/ Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck
Making suggestions and recommendations, e.g.: I thought you might be interested to hear about /
Conclusion: The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. There are some standard
ways of finishing an informal letter or email.
Give a reason you are ending the letter: Anyway, I must get on with my work! /I
guess it is time I got on with that studying I have been avoiding.
Send greetings and/or refer for future contact: Give my love / regards to... /Say
hello to... Anyway, do not forget to let me know the dates of the party. / I will try and phone you at.
Closing statement: such as Love, lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes, should be
written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here too.
Signing Off: Your first name then follows on another new line.
Look at the different exam questions below and identify whether they are formal (F) or informal (I) letters.

Exam Question Formal/Informal?

Write a letter to a friend who is moving to your town.
Your coat was stolen at a local restaurant. Write a letter of complaint.
Your cousin has asked you to visit them in Miami. Write your letter in
response.
You are concerned about litter in our school. Write a letter to the
director.
Write a letter of application for a part time job in a local café.
Write to your MP about the lack of recycling facilities in your area.
You are worried about a friend who is constantly tired. Write a letter
advising them to seek some help.

4. Drafting an article

1. It must carry a headline or article title. Keep it short; make it catchy and it gives an idea of what the
rest of the article will be about.
2. Introduction of the article. Give a brief outline of the subject of the article . Keep this to a few
minimal ideas and sentences.
3. Main body of the article - employ RACPPRSEE where possible; try to answer the reader's
questions like 'why', 'how' and 'what'. Make each of the THREE paragraphs relevant to the subject or
the title of the article. Add plenty of detail so your reader fully understands you and answer the
important points in this section. [If need be, address all the bullet points in this section]
4. Conclusion of the article. This should be at the end of your article. Give a summary of the article in
brief or give recommendations/an overview and a catchy ending.

5. Writing/Giving a Speech/Talk

1. Greeting - make sure you address the audience; thinking about who you are speaking to as this will
guide your formality. Keep it short.
2. Introductory paragraph-give a brief outline of the subject (purpose) you are talking about; making
it clear to the reader your position.
3. Main body of the speech- write at least three paragraphs for the main content using RACPPERSEE;
give your opinions. Make each paragraph relevant to the subject or title of the article, adding plenty
of detail so that your reader fully understands you. Answer the important questions like 'why', 'how'
and 'what' in the body paragraphs.

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 2223 Levels L and M Section B RDW Practice
4. Conclusion of the speech - give a summary of your ideas. Give recommendations/an overview and
think about how you will end. Will you end with a question, a fact, an exaggerated sentence, or a
plea?
5. Thank audience

Writing your speech and delivering your speech:

1. A secure grasp of appeal to the audience

2. Accurate punctuation and spelling
3. The ability to engage listeners
4. Some humor
5. Facts and statistics
6. Emphasizing the key messages
7. Repeating the key facts
8. Repeating the key ideas
9. Pausing in the right places
10. Making your views noticeably clear
11. Linking the ideas very carefully
12. Using effective techniques in your writing
13. Anecdotal evidence

6.Writing A Journal/Diary
A diary is something that is more likely to be used every day to record specific things that happened on a
specific day. It can be used to record feelings, moods, and emotions.
The contents of a journal, on the other hand, are not necessarily constrained by the dates on a calendar.
Journals can include random thoughts, lists, ideas, pictures, doodles, memories, song lyrics, and
anything else that comes to mind and can entered in date format.
Remember Catherine the Great’s diary and journal entries.
A diary records what you have done that day.
A journal records your reactions and thoughts about your day, and is more personal and expressive.
-Date
- Students may be asked to write bullet points
OR
-Write three paragraphs

There are some general tips for writing a good diary or journal:

a. Do not hold back. If you only half-heartedly write what you feel about something, it may come
across as half-baked to the reader.

b. Even though it is informal, express yourself clearly. This means you need to think about the right
word for the situation. For instance, do not use ‘guilty’ when really you mean ‘ashamed.’

c. Recall snippets of conversations if they help get your message across.

d. Do not be afraid to open - if you are angry at someone but know rationally that you should not be,
write about it! There is nothing better than self-awareness.

e. Although profanities can sometimes perfectly represent your mood, try to moderate how much you
use them or do not use them at all.