Area of StudyPaper 1 – Section II:Imaginative Writing

1. Compose your own text which shows ideas and attitudes about belonging and not belonging

2. Use the language forms and features that you have identified in your prescribed and chosen texts

3. Be original! (ie: write with your own style!)h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o m

Examination Rubric…

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o mSection II15 marksAttempt Question 2Allow about 40 minutes for this sectionAnswer the question in a SEPARATE writing booklet. Extra writing booklets are available.

In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

______________________________________________________________________________ express understanding of belonging in the context of your

studies organise, develop and express ideas using language

appropriate to audience, purpose and context_____________________________________________________________________________

• express understanding of belonging in the context of your studies

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o m0Show clear understanding of :1. ideas, 2. attitudes, 3. beliefs about belonging and not belonging, by “representing” 4. Social ideas, attitudes and beliefs5. Cultural ideas attitudes and beliefs6. Historical / location ideas attitudes and beliefsof individuals – groups – communities – places and events

“representing” Social ideas, attitudes and beliefsCultural ideas attitudes and beliefsHistorical / location ideas attitudes and beliefsof individuals – groups – communities – places and events

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o m0 DON’T describe ideas about belonging0 DON’T write a recount about “belonging” and “not belonging”0 DON’T use essay-style analytical language / words (which you

would use in Paper 1 Section III)

0 DO “show” the ideas about belonging (dialogue / language style / metaphors / similes / personification… )

0 DO “show” the character’s and their respective attitudes to belonging0 DO write in the text type set by the exam. 0 DO USE LANGUAGE – STRUCTURES – FORMS which achieve the

purpose set by the exam0 DO USE LANGUAGE – STRUCTURES – FORMS which will work for the

audience set by the exam

Notes from the Board of Studies marking centre - 2010

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o mSection IIQuestion 2Candidates presented responses in a variety of forms, though narrative was the dominant choice.

In better responses: 0 candidates used language appropriate to their chosen form of imaginative

writing. 0 They explored the challenges of belonging and not belonging with insight,

complexity and/or subtlety. 0 These responses displayed originality and artistry and the mechanics of

language were applied skilfully.

In sound responses, candidates tended to be more literal in their use of one of the quotations. They tended to be predictable, linear or clichéd in their examination of the challenges of belonging and not belonging. In these responses, the mechanics of language was controlled and writing structure was appropriate to form.

Weaker responses tended to lack structural direction, were simplistic and inconsistent in their exploration of the challenges of belonging and not belonging. These responses lacked credibility, with limited appropriateness to audience and/or purpose. Flawed mechanics of language were usually a feature of these responses.

Paper 1 Section II – 2010 exam

Question 2 (15 marks)Select ONE of the quotations as the opening for a piece of imaginative writing that explores the challenges of belonging and not belonging.

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‘I am outside the door.’OR

‘We want to believe this is how it was . . .’OR

‘I felt expelled and exiled . . .’

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“Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in

the atmosphere of rejection.”

“When someone prizes us just as we are, he or she confirms our existence.”

Drawing on the ideas in ONE of these quotations, write an imaginative piece that celebrates the ways relationships contribute to a sense of belonging.

Question 2 (15 marks)

Paper 1 Section II – 2009 exam

write an imaginative piece…

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o m0An imaginative piece can be in your choice of:

0 Feature article0 Script0 Newspaper article0 Short story0 Journal entry(s)0 Diary0 Narrative0 Motivational Speech

(if you are given a choice…) Choose the text-type that you know best…

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o m0 If you’re best at formal and factual writing – try a feature

article or a newspaper article 0 If you’re best at short stories and narratives – make sure you

develop character and attitudes in a way that grabs (and holds) the readers’ attention

0 If you prefer informal, conversational writing – try a blog… a journal… a diary… an email “conversation”… etc.

0Whichever text-type you choose – focus on developing and maintaining the “tone” of voice which is most suitable for that particular text-type.

Short story?

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o m0Have a clear theme. What is the story about? That doesn't mean what is the plot line? It means… what is the underlying message or statement behind the words. Get this right and your story will have more importance in the minds of your readers.

0A good short story covers a very short time span. It may be one single event that becomes a “life-changing” moment in the life of the character

0Don't have too many characters. Have only enough characters to show the theme. Two contrasting characters will do the trick.

0 Make every word count. There is no room for wordy explanations in a short story. If each word is not working towards putting across the theme, delete it.

0Focus… on developing your theme – your main character – and resolving a conflict / issue / problem

Show vivid imagery in short stories…

h t t p : / / c o o l s t u f f s c h o o l . c o m0 Use specific, concrete details / names: An example from Upon a Mystic Tide:

“Sitting in her old, red rocker, Miss Hattie turned on the large, antique radio behind her. Big band era music drifted through the kitchen, and she softly hummed along with it. Her head bowed, she studied the embroidery in her lap. She was sewing the Seascape Inn logo onto a new batch of crisp, white napkins.”

In this example, the specific and concrete details are: the red rocker, the large, antique radio, embroidering napkins, the big band music and humming.

0 More specific and concrete details… 0Don't write tree. Write oak. 0Don't write emotion. Write fear or sorrow, guilt or shame. 0Don't write dog. Write Doberman, or Yorkie.0Don't write chair. Write rocker.

0 Write cinematically. Write vivid images that create pictures in the reader's mind just like the scenes you see in a film

Stay tuned…

0More tips in the next chapter of…

Area of StudyPaper 1 – Section II:Imaginative Writing

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