Directed writing and discursive essays - English Language A Level Study Notes
Overview
Imagine you're trying to convince your parents to let you have a pet, or explaining to your friend why a certain video game is the best. That's what directed writing and discursive essays are all about in English Language! They teach you how to write clearly, persuasively, and thoughtfully for different situations and audiences. This isn't just about passing an exam; it's about becoming a master communicator. Whether you're writing an email to a teacher, a complaint about a faulty product, or even a post on social media, the skills you learn here will make your message powerful and effective. We'll break down how to tackle these writing tasks, making sure you know exactly what to do to get your ideas across, no matter who you're writing for or what you're trying to achieve.
What Is This? (The Simple Version)
Think of Directed Writing like being an actor who has to play a specific role. You're given a character (like a headteacher, a newspaper editor, or a concerned citizen) and a script (what you need to write about and why). Your job is to write exactly as that character would, for a specific audience (who they are writing to) and for a specific purpose (why they are writing).
For example, if you're asked to write a letter as a headteacher to parents about a new school uniform policy, you wouldn't use slang or informal language. You'd be formal, clear, and explain the reasons behind the policy, just like a real headteacher would.
Discursive Essays, on the other hand, are like being a judge in a debate. You're given a topic with different sides (like 'Should homework be banned?' or 'Is social media good for teenagers?'). Your job isn't to pick a side and argue for it fiercely, but to explore both or multiple sides of the argument fairly and thoughtfully. You look at the 'for' points, the 'against' points, and then offer a balanced conclusion, showing you understand the complexity of the issue. It's about showing you can think deeply and consider different perspectives, like a balanced discussion.
Real-World Example
Let's imagine your local council (like the people who run your town) wants to build a new skate park. They ask for opinions from the community.
Directed Writing Example: You might be asked to write a letter to the local newspaper (that's your form) as a concerned parent (that's your role) arguing against the skate park being built near a quiet residential area (that's your purpose and audience). You'd have to use language that a concerned parent would use, perhaps mentioning noise, safety, or traffic, and making sure your tone (the feeling of your writing) is appropriate for a newspaper letter.
Discursive Essay Example: Separately, you might be given the essay title: 'The benefits and drawbacks of building new recreational facilities in urban areas.' Here, you wouldn't just argue for or against the skate park. You'd discuss the benefits of recreational facilities in general (like promoting health, providing youth activities), and then the drawbacks (like noise pollution, cost, potential for anti-social behaviour), perhaps using the skate park as one example among many. You'd explore both sides fairly before coming to a reasoned conclusion about the overall issue.
How It Works (Step by Step)
Here's how to approach these tasks, like following a recipe to bake a perfect cake: 1. **Understand the Prompt:** Read the question carefully. Underline or highlight the **form** (e.g., letter, speech, article), **audience** (e.g., parents, council, general public), **purpose** (e.g., persuade, in...
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Key Concepts
- Directed Writing: Writing in a specific style, for a specific audience and purpose, as if you are a particular person or character.
- Discursive Essay: An essay that explores different sides of an argument or topic in a balanced and thoughtful way, without taking a strong stance.
- Form: The type of writing you are asked to produce, such as a letter, speech, article, or report.
- Audience: The person or group of people you are writing for, which influences your language and tone.
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Exam Tips
- →Always read the question at least twice, highlighting the **FARP** (Form, Audience, Role, Purpose) for directed writing, and the core debate for discursive essays.
- →Before writing, spend 5-10 minutes planning your structure and key points; this saves time and improves clarity.
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