Remember:
You must show the examiner that you fully understand the manner in which meaning is constructed by language. You are expected to define your own audience and the purpose for which your work is intended. Whether you have chosen an addition to an existing work of literature, a parody, or an advertising campaign, you will be expected to explain your language choices in the context of your work such as assuming the correct register and vocabulary.
YOu will be marked on the appropriateness of language in relation to the task. A rationale must accompany the work and will be included in the word count. This rationale demonstrates to the examiner the depth of your understanding by placing the work in context.
'Written tasks are designed to demonstrate students’ ability to produce or critically reproduce types of work studied in the course. Students are expected to be able to state the audience for their work and the purpose for which it was produced and, in doing this, they then must use the language appropriate to the task. This could take the form of mimicking the style of a writer from one of the works studied, or producing a piece of work for an intended purpose such as a letter of appeal. Students must be aware of the contexts in which the work was produced, both historical and cultural'.
Written Task for Standard Level
Written task 1 asks that you imitate a writing style or construct a specific type of text. You get a lot of freedom here but because of this you also need to be wary!
Be Wary!
• The written task is not an essay writing assignment. Often 'opinion columns' and 'blogs' end up sounding like essays.
• The context of the text should be very clear. If you write an opinion column, ask yourself how it is characteristic of an opinion column from a specific newspaper or magazine. (Remember the Nury Vittachi columns that we looked at). Who does it target?
• The content of the task must be related to course content. For example, a brochure warning against the health dangers of bulimia, does not reflect course work that explored the role of advertising in shaping young women's sense of beauty.
Focus!
Text type - If you write a speech, your speech should look and sound like a speech. If you write a letter to the editor, it should look and sound like a letter to the editor. In other words, each type of text has its own set of stylistic and structural conventions. Ask yourself what characteristics define the type of text you plan to write. (The Language A: Language and Literature guide suggests we study a range of text types. 'Deconstructing texts', as we call it, is one way of exploring the structural conventions of various text types. In this section we ask ourselves: "What kinds of features contribute to the text's structure?")
Primary source - Your written task should be rooted in a primary source. If you are writing about a literary work for Part 3 or 4, the poem, novel or play is the primary source. Your task should reflect your understanding of it. For the non-literary parts of the syllabus, be sure you comment on a primary text. If you looked at the representation of women in advertising, comment on an actual ad. If you looked at a political campaign, focus on one ad, website or poster.
Secondary source - Since the written task is not an essay, you are not asked to give your personal opinion on a subject matter or literary text. Instead, you are expected to be knowledgeable on the subject matter or the literary text. Even the best opinion columns inform readers to a great extent. You want to prove to the examiner that you have understood the course work and you have done your homework! This can also be achieved through the rationale, where applicable terms and concepts can be explained. Find secondary sources that comment on the texts you have worked on. For example, if you read an article about John Fowles and existentialism, this may inspire you to write a missing chapter to his novel, The Collector. If you explored women in advertising, you will want to find some statistics or articles on the effects of these ads on women.
What it is not...
A creative writing assignment
The written task is not the opportunity to write a fantastical short story, a hypothetical play script or a cryptic poem. If you want to write a new ending to a novel or a missing chapter, it has to be in the spirit of the author’s intentions. WT1 is not solely the product of your imagination.
Out of context
It is not enough to state in your rationale, “I’m writing a opinion column about advertising.” In which magazine or newspaper does your column appear? Is it in the style of a particular columnist?
A persuasive essay
The written task is not a test of your opinion. This is not your chance to vent your frustrations about a particular topic that you feel passionate about.
A summary
Examiners are not interested in reading the summary of a text that you read. This is not a ‘book report’.
What it is....
A type of text
Instead, you have to show that you have understood a ‘text type’. Each text has structural conventions. For example, if you write a speech, it has to have rhetorical devices that are characteristic of speech writing. Be sure that the text type lends itself well to the content you are writing about. Study a few examples of the text type that you want to write.
In context
Place your written task in a context. For example, if you want to write an opinion column about advertising, write about a particular ad campaign that has received attention in the news. Imitate the style of a famous columnist. What would he/she say in response to a topic?
An understanding of course work
Instead, the written task is a test of the course work. How will you demonstrate your understanding of language and/or literature? Is your written task rooted in a particular text?
An interpretation
There should be some evidence of critical thinking. For example, writing a letter from one character to another provides you the chance to show that you’ve understood the work thoroughly.
The Basics
· 800-1000 words for the Written Task
· A rationale of 200-300 words, explaining the decision making process behind the task. The rationale should offer the examiner the necessary background information for a good understanding of the task.
· Written tasks may be done at home or in school under teacher guidance. I will not prescribe a type of task for you but I will facilitate the process and guide you towards successful ideas. I can offer general feedback but the work must be your own.
Here is the criteria:
Criterion A - Rationale - 2 marks
It is essential that students include a rationale before the actual task. The rationale must be no fewer than 200 words and no longer than 300 words. The rationale should shed light on the thought process behind the task. Furthermore, it should explain how the task aims to meet one or more learning outcomes of the syllabus.
Remember: If the word count of the rationale exceeds 300 words, 1 mark will be deducted.
Criterion B - Task and content - 8 marks
The content of a task should lend itself well to the type of text that one chooses. The task should demonstrate an understanding of the course work and topics studied. Finally, there should be evidence that the student has understood the conventions of writing a particular text type.
Criterion C - Organisation - 5 marks
Each type of text has a different structure. Nevertheless, all types of texts have conventions and organizing principles. Students must organize their tasks effectively and appropriately. There must be a sense of coherence.
Criterion D - Language and style - 5 marks
The language of the task must be appropriate to the nature of the task. This means that students use an appropriate and effective register and style. Whatever the nature of the task, ideas must be communicated effectively.
Examples of an SL Written Assignment with Examiner's Response
w1.docx | |
File Size: | 322 kb |
File Type: | docx |
TASKS:
You could submit an opinion column or a speech for your written task so let's work on the skills needed for this.
Read through the worksheets below and then submit the tasks. Ask me if you are unsure or have any questions.
You could submit an opinion column or a speech for your written task so let's work on the skills needed for this.
Read through the worksheets below and then submit the tasks. Ask me if you are unsure or have any questions.
opinion_columns.docx | |
File Size: | 100 kb |
File Type: | docx |
speech.docx | |
File Size: | 99 kb |
File Type: | docx |