Transactional

Writing
Lesson 1
Different writing forms
What is transactional writing?
A transaction is an exchange of goods between a buyer and a seller.

Transactional writing is an exchange of information between a reader

and a writer.

It seeks to inform, educate, explain, argue, persuade, advise readers.

Why is transactional writing important for me?
Transactional writing is what you are required to do in Section B of your
IGCSE English Language exam.

It is worth 45 marks and 50% of the paper. It will make or break your
result!

We recommend you start your exam paper with transactional writing

for this reason.
What forms can transactional writing
take?
The transactional forms in the IGCSE English Language paper tend to
take one of four forms:

Newspaper article
Letter
Speech
Guide book
Assessment criteria: no.1
Appropriate use of form, tone and register. (L3)

Effective use of form, tone and register. (L4)

Making the form of
writing clear
 Newspaper Letter Speech Guidebook
Heading Address  Title
 Short paragraphs –
Heading
Date Pictures and
Sub- Short first one sentence captions
heading/s paragraphs (either
paragraph using imperatives or Introductory
Quotes from Dear….. anaphora) paragraph
the article Yours sincerely /  Mixture pgh lengths Sub-headings
faithfully plus  First person and sections that
Photo name  Time reference, tackle different
Caption of First person ‘Today’
 Bullet points –
aspects
the photo anaphora Quotations
Paragraphin  Sub-headings
 Direct address to
g the audience
The importance of homework mock up
Newspaper article Letter

Speech Guidebook
Transactional
Writing
Lesson 2
Engaging your audience
Effective use of form,
tone and register (L4)
‘There is no point in travelling when you can see everything and learn
about places on television and the internet.’

Write an article for a magazine giving your views on this statement.

Your article may include:
• The advantages and disadvantages of travel
• The advantages and disadvantages of learning about places on
television and the internet
• Any other points you wish to make
Today’s technique

Anecdote

versus

Flip anecdote
Begin with the worst
case scenario
‘There is no
point in
travelling  What would a world be like if no-
when you can one travelled anywhere?
see everything  What would your world be like if
and learn
about places you never travelled anywhere?
on television
and the
internet.’
 Imagine a world
Feedback
 Imagine a world where no one travels
Feedback anywhere.

A world in which people follow the same

Experiences routine day in, day out, where their
Different cultures experiences and perspectives on the
Close-minded world are confined to the four walls of
Limited view / perspective their own home and they are faced with
on the world. visions of themselves, alone.
Facts – understanding and
truths A world of monotony.
Experience to change A world of greyness.
perspective of how you see A world of ignorance.
things
End with the utopia
‘There is no
point in
travelling  What would a world be like
when you can people, including yourself,
see everything travelled the world?
and learn
about places
on television
and the
internet.’
 Now imagine a world
Feedback
 Now imagine a world where everyday
the possibilities of adventure lie ahead.
Feedback
People excited to culturally embrace
Culturally enriched other communities; launch themselves
Experiences out of their comfort zone to experience
Open-mindedness other cultures and enrich their lives with
Broader perspective the lives of others.
Job opportunities
A world exposed to knowledge.
Educated
A world exposed to culture.
More inclusive A world exposed to life.

Are your bags packed?

 Now you have a go at crafting your own anecdote /
flip anecdote.
‘Schools and colleges have a duty to ensure Anecdote – what would a
their students keep fit.’ school / college where there
was no attempt to ensure
You have been asked to give a speech in which students are fit look like?
you express your views on this statement.
• Your speech may include:
• Who should have responsibility for the fitness
Flip anecdote – what would a
of students school / college where all
• Whether extra time for physical education students were fit look like?
should be found in schools and colleges
• Any other points you wish to make
 Transactional
Writing
Lesson 3
Another way of engaging the audience from the outset
Question:
A newspaper has published a report stating that all young
people should do two hours of unpaid voluntary work a
week.
Write a letter to the Editor of the newspaper giving your
views on the subject.

As a group table, construct an anecdote vs flipped anecdote,

opening and closing paragraph
 Another way in to transactional writing

Q: “The internet causes more harm than

good. It is the worst invention in human
history.” Write an article for Parliament in
which you argue for or against this
statement.
Structure
• Reference to a recent news event (doesn’t have to be real
but should be realistic!)
• A rhetorical question or a statistic
• An emotive statement of intent/call for action
The news has been dominated this week by Reference to a
the tragic death of Molly Russell, the 14 year
old girl who killed herself after being exposed
recent news event
to a series of images promoting self harm (doesn’t have to be
and suicide on Instagram. Her father has said real but should be
that Instagram killed his daughter. He, like realistic!)
over 60% of parents we surveyed, monitored
his daughter’s social media use closely. He A rhetorical
thought he knew what his daughter was question or a
accessing. But how much do we really know statistic
about what our children are looking at when An emotive
they are in their rooms, staring at their
phones? This tragedy is the alarm call we all statement of
need to hear, the alarm that should wake us intent/call for
up to the danger of mankind’s greatest action
invention: the internet.
 Reference to a
Question 7: recent news event
‘Homework has no value. Some students get it done (doesn’t have to be
for them; some don’t do it at all. Students should be real but should be
relaxing in their free time.’ realistic!)
Write an article for a newspaper in which you A rhetorical
explain your point of view on this statement. question or a
statistic
An emotive
statement of
intent/call for
action
Transactional
Writing
Lesson 4
SADOC – planning for a response
Recap: Reference to a
recent news event
(doesn’t have to be
Question 7: real but should be
‘Homework has no value. Some students get it done realistic!)
for them; some don’t do it at all. Students should be A rhetorical
relaxing in their free time.’
question or a
Write an article for a newspaper in which you
explain your point of view on this statement. statistic
An emotive
statement of
intent/call for
action
The opening is just the beginning…

A secure realization of the writing task according to the writer’s

purpose and the expectations / requirements of the intended reader is
shown. (L4)

which means that your middle has to have meat!

Introducing SADOC to help you plan a response
S Spider leg What is the main idea you wish to convey?
A Add detail How will you develop this idea? What details
could you add?
D Device What devices will you use to engage with your
reader?
O Order Where will this appear within your writing?
Where does it fit in the order of your piece?
C Connective or What connective or adverbial could you use to
adverbial start this section of writing?
Modelled example
Creating your own SADOC
Transactional
Writing
Lesson 5
Creating a voice
You have 10 minutes to create a
SADOC plan in response to this
question.

S – spider leg – three main ideas

A – add detail – how could you

develop the main idea in three
different ways?

D – device – what devices could

you use within the paragraph?
(anecdote, fact, opinion, rhetorical
question, repetition, emotive
words, statistics, tricolons etc)

O – order – what order will these

paragraphs be in (best – first and
last)

C – connective – what connective

or adverbial are you going to use to
start the paragraph off?
Transform it…
Look at the paragraph below.

Participating in dangerous sports or dangerous activities can lead to serious injuries. Every year
55% of patients admitted into hospitals are admitted as a result of injuring themselves whilst
completing a sporting activity. These injuries range from cuts and bruises, to fractures and
breaks to something more serious, including fatalities. Giles McWright, a snowboarding
enthusiast, stated: ‘Last year I ended up in hospital with a broken leg after falling whilst skiing.
My leg hasn’t been right since. Who knows when I will be able to ski again?’ Injuries like this
are all too common and something needs to be done to ensure the safety of people – whether
it is a banning of a particular sport or stricter safety measures put in place. Action should be
taken now!

If you were an examiner, what would you reward in this paragraph?

What band would you give it?
Now choose one of your ideas to
turn into a paragraph of writing.
BUT…
Communication is perceptive and subtle
Task is sharply focused on purpose and the
expectations / requirements of the intended reader
Sophisticated use of form, tone and register

0.01% of students meet this criteria.

How would your piece of writing change if you wrote from the perspective of
one of these three people?
Transform it…
Look at the paragraph below.

Participating in dangerous sports or dangerous activities can lead to serious injuries. Every
year 55% of patients admitted into hospitals are admitted as a result of injuring themselves
whilst completing a sporting activity. These injuries range from cuts and bruises, to fractures
and breaks to something more serious, including fatalities. Giles McWright, a snowboarding
enthusiast, stated: ‘Last year I ended up in hospital with a broken leg after falling whilst
skiing. My leg hasn’t been right since. Who knows when I will be able to ski again?’ Injuries
like this are all too common and something needs to be done to ensure the safety of people
– whether it is a banning of a particular sport or stricter safety measures put in place. Action
should be taken now!

How would this paragraph be different in it is was written from the perspective of a mother?
Or a sports fanatic? Or someone who has been injured whilst doing a dangerous sport?
As a mother,

As a sports fanatic,

As someone who has suffered injuries whilst climbing,