Formal Writing

What is Formal Writing?

•Formal writing can be:•A letter to the editor•A formal essay•A newspaper article•A film or book review•A report

The purpose…

•The purpose of formal writing is to express an opinion on an issue or to inform. It also lets other people know what you are thinking and can stimulate debate.

The rules!

•No slang or colloquial expressions•No contractions e.g it’s should be it is•Spelling must be perfect•Use correct punctuation•Write in the 3rd person e.g. he, she, they•Don’t use the 1st person e.g I think…

Features of Formal writing

•Formal writing is written using formal language – as if you were speaking to the Queen, not your mates!

Year 9: Keepin’ it REAL

•Rhetorical question - a question that does not require an answer but just some thought.

•Examples - quotes or the description of an event which supports what you are writing about.

•Anecdotes - stories or a personal experience that illustrates the point you are making.

•Listing - a list of numbers or items.

Topics: choose 1• Our parents are our role models.• We are all responsible for a clean and green

environment.• The media influences how we think we should

look.• Fast food is bad for your health.• Manaaki Orewa has improved Orewa College.• Religion is no longer relevant.• New Zealand needs a new capital city.• Why we should be proud to be New Zealanders.

Research questions•Once you have chosen your topic, write

down 3-5 questions about your topic that you would like to find answers for.

•Your questions should be open ended.For example: What kinds of things should our parents be

role modeling to their children? Or What are some of the actions we could take

to make our environment clean and green?

Researching the answers

•Once you have your questions written, you need to research the answers.

•You can use computers, ask your family, or get books/newspapers/magazines from the library.

•We will be going to the computer lab for 1 period only!

Topic School uniforms are necessary.

Brainstorm

Why?

Essay Structure

•Introduction•Paragraph 1•Para 2•Para 3•Conclusion

Paragraph Structure

•Statement•Example•eXplanation•Your response

Complete the chart: Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2

Paragraph 3Statement-Main idea

Example- What is an example from real life that supports the point you are making?

Explanation-How does this example prove the point you are making?

Your response- Why is this important?What can we learn from it?

IntroductionYour introduction should state whether

you agree/disagree with the topic and include all of your statement sentences. For example, I disagree with the statement that cellphones have become addictive because…

ConclusionYour conclusion should:•answer the question•include your 3 main points( statement

sentences)•a summary of what we can learn/ what

was important or significant.

The End