Formal Writing

Key tips

• Use examples of formal writing to model your work on.
• Understand the focus of the task and who you are writing for by underlining the keywords.
• Plan your time wisely – don't spend all your time deciding on a topic.Write about something you are familiar with and have an opinion about.
• Plan your writing carefully so it has a clear introduction, middle, and conclusion.
• Indicate a new paragraph by leaving a blank line or indenting the first line of the new paragraph.
• Have a series of 4–5 paragraphs discussing the main point. Use a clear structure for each paragraph of your essay.
• Include and incorporate reliable statistics, facts, examples, and opinions.
• Use formal language and tone throughout.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary and language features accurately and appropriately.
• Use rhetorical questions and/or minor sentences as a special feature rather than in every paragraph.
• Read your writing 'aloud in your head' at least once. Listen for any weak or inappropriate words, informal language, run-on sentences, or punctuation errors.
• You will not be allowed to use a dictionary in the examination so use words you know how to spell.
• Check that you have used the correct spelling of a word that may sound like another (there/their/they're, here/hear/hare).
• Check each new sentence starts with a capital letter.
• Read from a range media such as newspapers, magazines, television, and radio to keep up to date with current issues and opinions to help your writing.

Choose ONE of the topics 1–10.

Present a written argument that explores this topic.

Imagine that your essay will be published in a book that explains young people’s views to an adult audience. You may present more than one viewpoint, or you may focus on one particular point of view. You may argue for or against the topic. Use page 4 to map or plan your ideas on this topic. Begin your essay on page 5, and write the number of the topic 1–10 at the top of the page. Explain your ideas. Support the ideas with examples. Write an essay of AT LEAST 250 words.

TOPICS  (Choose ONE)

1.       Success in sport is all about winning.

2.       Country living is good for young people.

3.       Watching television is making New Zealand / Aotearoa an unhealthy nation.

4.       We should value our senior citizens / kaumātua more highly.

5.       Every school student should learn a second language.

6.       School is the best place to make mistakes.

7.       Young people should do more to help in their local community.   

8.       Saving the world’s environment is a lost cause.

9.       People under 18 are too irresponsible to be allowed to drive.

10.     Teenagers need protecting from violent images in television, films and games.