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Paper 3 ( Creative Writing)

Section A: Essay
Narrative Essay:
 A narrative essay deals with a person/people and what happened to him/her/them/me/us.
 It is usually written in the past tense.
 The value of the essay increases if the story is interesting and captures the imagination with a
surprising ending.
 Including a bit of humor sometimes makes the essay interesting, depending on the relevance
of such a topic.
 If the story is interesting (coupled with applicable language), the value of the essay will be
higher.
 Can descriptive elements appear in a narrative essay? Of course! It is the authentic and
convincing elements of your story that count.
Descriptive essay:
 In a descriptive essay, you must describe something, for example, a person, place, situation,
experience, emotion, or object.
 Observation plays an important role – whether you describe your emotions, nature, a
person/people, or whatever else – how you put it in words is crucial.
 The creation of an appropriate atmosphere/mood increases the value of the essay. Try to use
as many of the senses as possible in your description.
 Avoid deliberate, fancy/glamorous language – it is not convincing. Rather opt for simple
language that carries meaning clearly.
 Authenticity and sincerity add a lot of value to a descriptive essay.
 The fresher/more precise the observation and the more secure/more effective the observation,
the higher the value of the essay.
Argumentative essay:
 An argumentative essay is subjective and makes a case in favor of, or against, a specific point
of view and maintains that view from the first paragraph until the last sentence.
 It’s important to distinguish between argumentative and discursive essays because they are
not the same.
 The aim is to convince the reader to agree with your opinion.
 Usually, statements are made on a preconceived point of view and motivations are provided
to support the statements.
 It is usually written in the present tense.
 The language used can sometimes be more formal than in the case of a narrative essay, but
this is not a prerequisite – it depends on the nature of the issue that is being argued.
 Facts usually play a more important role than in (for example) a descriptive essay.
 Never belittle or insult in an argumentative essay – respect for the dignity of the other side
must at all times be maintained.
 The stronger the arguments and motivations (without exaggeration and over-emotionality),
the stronger the essay will address the reader.

Discursive essay:
 A discursive essay is objective and weighs different arguments against each other.
 Consider the various aspects of the topic under discussion in a rational way.
 Present the opposing views impartially – your arguments must be well-balanced and
presented logically and consistently.
 The language tends to be more formal than in a narrative or descriptive essay and the tone is
unemotional and convincing (but never condescending).
  Make your own conclusion at the end of the essay – motivated by the points you’ve made.
Reflective Essay:
 In a reflective essay you reflect on ideas (e.g. dreams and aspirations) and write about your
emotional reactions and feelings.
 A reflective essay is personal/subjective – feelings and emotions play a crucial role.
 A big part of the essay can be descriptive to recreate your feelings/reflections vividly.
 Express your ideas/thoughts/feelings sincerely and write about something you feel strongly
about.
 Focus on your emotions, rather than the event itself – try to provide a reflection of yourself
and your experience.
 At the end, you can say what you learnt from the experience.

Section B: Longer transactional texts

Informal letter:

Formal letter:
Curriculum vitae:

Email:
  To: The email address of the addressee/receiver appears here (usually in small letters), for
example, onast@yahoo.ac.za – ensure that the email address is typed correctly, otherwise it
will not reach the receiver. You can write the email addresses of more than one receiver, and
then all of them will receive your message (semicolons separate the email addresses).
 CC: If you want to copy a person(s) to whom you want to note the message. Write
his/her/their email address(es) here, for example, ernst.els@gmail.com;
els.peter@telkomsa.net, etc. (semicolons separate email addresses).
 Subject: The topic of the email.
 The style and layout of an informal/formal email message are the same as when you write it
with a pen on paper. There are two differences, though:
–With an email you do NOT include residential or P.O. Box
addresses at the start of the message
– email addresses are sufficient. (You may, however, add it at the bottom, after your name.) –In
an informal email you are going to add a topic (at SUBJECT) – something you don’t do in
written, friendly letters.
Formal Report:
 In a formal report, you provide systematic information on a formal event or matter wherein
you want to convey “official” information. Usually, this is a report your
supervisor/superior/senior requests you to compile
 The intended target group is important.
 Provide the report with a short but informative heading.
 The language and style must be formal and the content very objective. Your own opinion
(based on facts) can be included where applicable.
 Introductory paragraph: Clearly state the purpose of the report.
 Content paragraphs: Be accurate with facts and make sure that ideas flow logically from one
paragraph to the next.
 Concluding paragraph: An effective summary of the report, without clumsy repetition of
information.
Magazine Article:
 A magazine article is similar to an informal report but is more focused on the human aspect of
events.
 The aim of a magazine article can be to provide information but also to educate or
entertain.
 An interesting heading that attracts the attention of readers is important. It can also contain a
bit of emotion (positive or negative) and reflect personal impressions.
 The intended target group is important. Use a lively style that is neutral or informal.
 Introductory paragraph: Gives background and tells the reader what to expect in the article.
 Content paragraphs: Mainly descriptive but with a strong narrative style. In other words, the
article tells a story about a person or people but links the event(s) in the story with
descriptions about the person(s) feelings/attitudes/perceptions regarding the narrated
event(s).
  The tone remains in all circumstances polite and fair towards the person(s) mentioned in the
article. Handle sensitive/ judgement issues with care.
 Readers should feel that they have learnt something in the magazine article about events
and/or a person(s).
 Read a variety of magazine articles and establish what the tone is, what is said about a
person(s), and how events in the lives of people are described.
Newspaper article:
 A newspaper article focuses more on events of public importance than the human aspect (in
contrast to magazine articles).
 The intended target group is readers who want to be informed about events/news.
 The heading is formulated in such a way that readers can appreciate the article.
 Avoid emotional or personal points of view.
 Names, places and relevant details should be included in the article.
 Read a variety of articles in newspapers and determine the requirements of effective news
articles.
Review:
 A review is somebody’s evaluation of (for example) a book that he/she has read, a movie
watched, a drama play attended, a choir performance listened to, a new restaurant’s menu or
dishes, etc.
 The evaluation involves an overview of the book/movie/play/choir performance, a general
impression, and a subjective, but honest and fair, appreciation (good or bad) of the “product”
reviewed.
 A review is an individual impression and is always subjective, with no prescribed
format.
 Provide pertinent details, for example: –Book review: Title, author, publisher and even the
price.
–Movie review: Name of the film, name(s) of the main actor(s), and even place and times of
showings.
–Restaurant review: Name of the restaurant, address/location of the restaurant, opening times,
type of dishes served/ menu, quality of service, and whether it is necessary to book in advance.
–Play review: Name of the play, name(s) of the main actor(s), theatre, showtimes, until when it
is playing at the theatre (plays usually have a limited run)
Agendas and minutes of meetings:
Section C:
Informal speech:
 An informal speech is delivered during an informal event – the spirit and tone are light-
hearted and friendly.
 Know who your audience is, so that you can adjust your content according to the people you
are talking to.
 Focus on the topic.
 Use relaxed language without degenerating into rude or demeaning language.
 Start the introduction with something like: Friends or Dear friends
 Build humour into your speech if it is appropriate.
 Arrange your ideas so that they flow logically.
 Round off your informal speech with suitable concluding remarks.
Formal speech:
 A formal speech is delivered during a formal event.
 Address the audience politely (“Ladies and gentlemen”). When referring to key people, use
their titles and surnames.
 In exceptional cases, it may be recognized as customary for the important person to be
addressed by his/her title and first name.
 Know who your target audience is so that you can use an appropriate formal tone and style
and keep your content relevant.
 The language used is formal but courteous and polite.
 The introduction begins with “Dear …” , followed by the person(s) who should be addressed.
 Arrange your ideas so that they flow logically.
 Stick to the topic.
 Conclude your formal speech with an effective summary of the content.
Obituary:
 An obituary aims to honour and commemorate a person who has passed away/died.
 In different cultural and language environments the obituary can serve different
purposes.
 Provide your obituary with a fitting heading.
 The tone is sincere and appreciative, and the focus is on the highlights of the person’s
life.
 Fit the language and style of the obituary to the solemnity of the occasion.
 Provide relevant detail – specific dates and events from the person’s life are important.
 Always ask yourself: What is proper and effective? What do I want to achieve with my
obituary? Does it meet the expectations of the audience in terms of respect, sincerity and
suitability? If you have clarity on these questions, the content and language use of your
obituary will hit the target accurately.
Dialogue:
 Each speaking turn starts on a new line.
 Focus on the topic and let the ideas link naturally and spontaneously.
 Consider the participants to the dialogue. The tone and language used in a dialogue between a
teacher and learner (for example) will be different from a dialogue between two friends. Be
sensitive for nuances of respect between older and younger people, junior and senior
employees, children and parents, etc.
 A realistic and natural flow in the dialogue will definitely count in your favour.
 Round the dialogue off with suitable words from both participants.
Interview:
 The interviewer must be friendly and courteous and should avoid long-winded questions.
Short and direct questions enable the interviewee to focus and answer fully.
 Indicate clearly who is the interviewer and who is the respondent – don’t confuse the roles.
Add colons after the names, followed by their words
 Each speaking turn starts on a new line.
 If the interviewee is a senior person (in years or status) a formal way of addressing him/her is
appropriate, but if the participants in the conversation are of equal status, a more informal
tone can be maintained – the context and situation determine the level of formality or
informality. As long as the interview progresses naturally and is convincing, the language and
content will fit spontaneously.
 Conclude the interview in an appropriate manner