90053+1.2+Formal+writing

=90053 1.2 Produce formal writing= For this Achievement Standard you will need to write a Letter to the Editor on one of ten topics. You are given more time for this standard, in the exam because there are FOUR marking criteria; ideas, writing style, structure and writing conventions.

Allow **at least 5 - 10 minutes** to proof read your essay. Achievement ** || ** Achievement with Merit ** || ** Achievement with Excellence ** || Overall Level of Performance (all criteria within a column are met) ** || For old exams and topics go to the Studyit website link on the main 11ENA page.
 * Read aloud 'in your head' i.e. without vocalising - to hear where the pauses are. These separate the units of meaning - sentences and parts of sentences - BIG pauses indicate a full stop. Smaller pauses could require a comma instead. This process helps your sentence structure (syntax) and punctuation. Refer to guides on the wikihompage for more details on conventions ('usual rules').
 * Scan for spelling errors - how does the word sound? Spelling is sound to letter translation - selecting a combination of letters that may make that sound is the trick. Some sounds have several letter combinations to choose from. You can spell by analogy as well - spell the word like other words connected with it eg. **//repe//**tition is associated with **//repe//**at, **//prejud//**ice is associated with **//prejud//**ging.
 * Here are the criteria: ||
 * Express idea(s) with supporting detail in a piece of formal writing. || Develop idea(s) with supporting detail and explanation in a piece of formal writing. || Develop idea(s) convincingly with supporting detail and explanation in a piece of formal writing. ||
 * Use a writing style appropriate to audience, purpose and text type. || Use a controlled writing style appropriate to audience, purpose and text type. || Use a controlled writing style appropriate to audience, purpose and text type, and which commands attention. ||
 * Structure material in a way that is appropriate to audience, purpose and text type. || Structure material clearly in a way that is appropriate to audience, purpose and text type. || Structure material clearly and effectively in a way that is appropriate to audience, purpose and text type. ||
 * Use writing conventions without intrusive errors. || Use writing conventions without intrusive errors. || Use writing conventions accurately. ||

=How to write 'Formally'.= Here is a Merit Exemplar from a previous external examination. [|Merit exemplar.doc]
 * **PLAN, PLAN, PLAN, and follow your plan.** Keep to the order of your plan in the introduction, body and conclusion. Refer back to it as you complete each paragraph. (This applies to all essays: film, novel, short story.) Miss a line between paragraphs.
 * Avoid 'I think... or 'for my first point..' etc.
 * Use **Formal Language**, rather than colloquial or conversational language. teenagers, not 'kids', friends, not 'mates', texts not 'txts'.
 * In a letter to the editor **personal opinion -** indicated by the use of first person pronouns **I, me, we, us** is expected, though would not dominate the letter. You are aiming to present your view, but to sound expert. That's where writing using **third person pronouns** is effective **-** eg "**It may well be the case that..." or a general claim: "Most readers/people will realise that...they should..."**
 * **Expand all contractions**. Use 'cannot' instead of can't. It sounds more impressive/less casual - contractions are a feature of conversation and sound more relaxed.
 * **Avoid all abbreviations.** Write 'New Zealand', not N.Z. Avoid etc or etcetera and avoid the ampersand (&).
 * For **numbers 10 and under, write in full** eg 'ten'
 * **Avoid addressing the reader as 'you'** especially if you are dealing with a teen issue. You are addressing readers of a print publication, many of whom will be adults and therefore it is not appropriate to write, for example, 'When you ask your parents if you can go to a party...' It is highly unlikely that a twenty five year old will need his/her parent's permission to go to a party. Instead write, 'When a teenager asks his/her parents if they can go to a party...' In this case, use... a person, an adult, a child instead of 'you'.

Notice how formal and also how varied the language is. This student has made careful word choices to ensure that they maintain the interest of the reader. Notice also, how well the student has structured their essay and explained their points, giving specific examples. =Choosing a topic= You can expect to find topics related to the following areas: education, sport, teen health or health issues related to technology and exercise, technology, science (e.g. cloning), the environment, parents and families and a range of teen issues. Always choose a topic which you know something about or have some interest in. You can choose to agree or disagree with the topic. e.g Technology is making us lazy. You can argue that technology is not making us lazy. or.. The best education happens outside the classroom, you could argue that the best education does not happen outside the classroom.
 * NEW EXEMPLAR:** [[image:http://c1.wikicdn.com/i/mime/32/application/msword.png width="32" height="32" link="http://level1english-rlhs.wikispaces.com/file/view/Alcohol+and+youth+are+a+dangerous+mix+%28E%29.doc"]] [|Alcohol and youth are a dangerous mix (E).doc]

Here **are questions from the 2005 exam** to give you an idea of the type of topics you may get. [|2005 Formal Writing topics.doc] [|90053-exm-08.pdf] Note that, as with literature essays, you should use the same order of points in the body of the letter to the editor, as in the introduction. The structure is similar to an essay. Each body paragraph should have a clear 'statement sentence' which succinctly states the point you are making to support your point of view on the topic. Follow: P**EER** Point, Expand (explain what you mean by your statement) E (Give a specific example to prove your point) and, state the Relevance of the example to the point you began with. Here also you can show the relevance to the overall topic and your stance on the topic, remembering that with the Relevance you are linking the topic of your paragraph to the topic of the essay.