Key Definitions

• Language means the type of words you use

  • Eg: formal, informal, poetic, descriptive

• Tone refers to the mood/feel of your writing

  • Eg: polite, friendly, sarcastic, positive, calm, etc

• Structure refers to the way you present your writing

  • Eg: Paragraphs, Bullet points, full sentences, etc

• Audience refers to the reader

  • Eg: an individual in the case of a text message or a group of people in the case of an article/blog

• Purpose refers to the reason for the writing

  • Eg: To entertain, to share information, to advise

Audience, Purpose, and Form

Audience

Who is going to read your writing?

All writing has a targeted audience- from emails to speeches. The intended audience is the readers you expect to engage with the text. In the case of direct messages, the audience is 1-2 people. So the language and style of the writing will change accordingly.

Meanwhile, in other texts like newspapers or blogs, you would have a broader audience and the writing will change accordingly. You might consider the following things about your reader before writing such as: 

• Age, gender, culture, hobbies, political leanings, etc.

Knowing your audience allows you to choose language and style in a way that appeals to them, ensuring a strong influence from the piece.

Purpose

What will your writing “do”?

The purpose of writing is the reason for writing.

There could be many reasons. For instance:

• Share information

• Entertainment

• Review a movie or book

• Product advertisement

Form

Form refers to how and where a piece of writing will appear. This depends upon the audience and the purpose. The form influences the language, tone, and structure.

Eg:

• Email 

  • Formal, has a subject that concludes the content

• Novel

  •  Follows a narrative, includes imaginary characters, includes chapters

• Newspaper articles 

  • Bold headline, divided into short paras, reports an event

• Recipe

  • Includes list, uses simple language, gives clear instructions

Writing Fiction

What is Fiction?

• Fiction is the writer’s imagination. It might have emotional truth or be inspired by reality but the writing is set in a different world and is not inherently factual.

• Fiction tends to use more descriptive language.

• Examples: Poetry, plays, novels, short stories.

• An engaging opening in a story or novel is crucial as it serves several key purposes such as:

• Grabbing the Reader's Attention: The first paragraph should immediately pique the reader's curiosity and make them want to continue reading.

• Creating Intrigue: It should raise questions or present elements that invite readers to explore further. In the example from "The Hunger Games," we are intrigued by the character Prim and the concept of “The Day of the Reaping.

• Setting the Tone: The opening sets the mood and atmosphere for the entire story, giving readers an initial sense of what to expect.

• Establishing Setting and Characters: It can provide hints about the story's setting, characters, and their circumstances, as demonstrated in "The Hunger Games" with details about the family's living conditions.

Structure of a Fiction Text

In addition to the engaging opening, stories often follow a five-stage story arc, whether in fiction or nonfiction. This structure helps guide the narrative and engage the reader through the stages:

1. Exposition: This is where the story begins, and it should engage the reader by setting the scene and introducing key elements. It is the foundation upon which the rest of the story is built.

2. Rising Action: Here, tension and conflict are gradually built up, drawing the reader deeper into the narrative and making them emotionally invested.

3. Climax (Turning Point): This is the most dramatic and pivotal part of the story. It's the moment of highest tension and usually where the central conflict reaches its peak.

4. Falling Action: After the climax, the story transitions into showing the consequences and aftermath of the climax. This part allows for reflection and understanding of the impact of the story's events.

5. Resolution: Finally, the story is concluded, and loose ends are tied up. Readers get a sense of closure, and the narrative reaches its natural endpoint.

By following this five-stage story arc and crafting a compelling opening, writers can engage their readers and take them on a captivating journey through their story or novel.

Writing Non-Fiction

• Writing non-fiction requires a structured approach and effective use of language to convey factual information, opinions, or insights.

• Here's a guide on how to write non-fiction with a clear structure and appropriate language:

1. Determine Your Purpose and Audience:Define the purpose of your non-fiction piece. Are you informing, persuading, analysing, or sharing personal experiences?

2. Understand your target audience, this will influence your tone and style

3. Research and Gather Information: Conduct thorough research to collect accurate and reliable information. Use credible sources and cite them properly to support your content.

Structure of Non-Fiction Writing:

• Introduction:

  • Begin with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader's attention.

  • Present the main topic or thesis statement.

  • Provide an overview of what the reader can expect in the rest of the piece.

• Body:

  • Organise the body of your non-fiction piece logically.

  • Use headings, subheadings, or sections to break up the content for clarity.

  • Present evidence, examples, and supporting details for each point or argument.

  • Transition smoothly between sections to maintain a coherent flow.

  • Analyse and interpret the information, drawing connections and providing context.

• Conclusion:

  • Summarise the main points or arguments presented in the body.

  • Restate the thesis or main message.

  • Offer a concluding thought, call to action, or reflection on the significance of the content.

Language of Non-Fiction Writing:

•  Clarity:

  • Use clear and straightforward language to convey information.

  • Avoid jargon or overly complex vocabulary unless your audience is familiar with it.

• Tone:

  • Adapt your tone to match the nature of your non-fiction piece. For formal content, maintain a professional tone. For personal essays or narratives, be more conversational.

• Objective Language:

  • Present facts objectively and avoid excessive personal bias.

  • Use data and evidence to support your claims.

• Rhetorical Devices:

  • Employ devices like analogies, metaphors, and similes to make your writing more engaging and memorable.

• Transitions:

  • Use transitional words and phrases to guide readers through your content smoothly.

• Conciseness:

  • Eliminate unnecessary words and sentences to make your writing more concise. 

• Precision:

  • Use precise language to convey ideas accurately. Avoid vague or ambiguous statements.

• Active Voice:

  • Prefer the active voice for clarity and directness. 

• Citations and References:

  • Cite your sources properly to give credit and establish credibility.

• Proofreading:

  • Thoroughly proofread your work for grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors. 

• Feedback:

  • Seek feedback from peers or editors to improve the quality of your non-fiction writing.

Remember that non-fiction writing should inform, educate, or persuade while maintaining factual accuracy. The structure and language should serve these goals and ensure that your readers can follow and appreciate your content.

Planning

• Purpose of a plan:

  • Helps you focus on content.

  • Organises ideas and structure.

  • Finding the right planning method:

Methods of Planning:

•  Mindmap:

  • Visual representation of ideas.

  • Useful for brainstorming and making connections.

•  Bullet Points:

  • Simple, concise list of key points or ideas.

  • Quick and easy way to outline content.

• Flow Chart:

  • Visual diagram showing the sequence of ideas or events.

  • Useful for processes, procedures, or timelines.

• Table:

  • Organised grid with rows and columns.

  • Ideal for comparing information, creating lists, or structuring data.

Using language effectively

Descriptive Language and Literary Techniques:

• Descriptive language enhances reader engagement and elicits emotional responses.

• It helps readers visualise characters and places within a story.

Some Literary Techniques for Vivid Descriptions:

•  Simile:

  • Compare one thing with another using 'as' or 'like.'

    • Example: "The trees stood as tall as towers."

•  Metaphor:

  • Uses an image or idea to represent something else.

    • Example: "The circus was a magnet for the children."

•  Personification:

  • Attributes human feelings to an object.

    • Example: "The sun smiled at the hills, ready to begin a new day."

•  Onomatopoeia:

  • Words that sound like the noises they represent.

    • Example: "The autumn leaves and twigs cracked and crunched underfoot."

•  Alliteration:

  • Repetition of a consonant sound in a series of words.

    • Example: "The seahorse spiralled, seeking safety and solace”

•  Assonance:

  • Repetition of a vowel sound in a series of words.

    • Example: "He sneezed and wheezed, and could hardly breathe."

•  Oxymoron:

  • A phrase combining two contradictory terms.

    • Example: "There was a deafening silence."

• Antithesis:

  • Puts two opposite ideas together to highlight contrasts.

    • Example: "That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." (Neil Armstrong)

• Parenthesis:

  • A phrase that adds extra detail.

    • Example: "Jess, who was fifteen, loved her English lessons."