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This is a short exercise to help you practise for writing

descriptively in any exam.

FIRST: Think back to an event from your childhood, which

really sticks out in your memory. It might be your first day at

school? Make a list of the first 5 things that come to mind when

you remember it. These could be people, places, colours,

objects, smells, sounds, emotions etc.

THEN: Quickly write down :

-3 colours you remember about that event

-3 sounds you remember about that event

-3 smells you remember about that event

-3 feelings you remember about the scene – angry, sad, happy,

lonely, etc.

EXTENSION TASK: – Write three similes or metaphors to

describe something from your memory – eg, a person, an object,

a feeling.

A simile is when you compare something to something else

using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’– eg, ‘running like the wind’ ‘red

as a rose’. A metaphor is a comparison without the words ‘as’

or ‘like’ – eg, the moon is a golf ball in the sky.

THEN: Try to remember a person who was involved – it might

be a friend, or someone from your family. Write down as many

things as you can that you remember about them – these might

be colours they were wearing, how they talked, what they

looked like etc.

NOW: Write about the event from your memory. Use the notes

you’ve made to describe things in detail. Try to create a sense of

atmosphere. REMEMBER PARAGRAPHS.

Make sure you get all the important details in, so the piece

makes sense.

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Week 2

Copy out the text below and fill in the gaps using the anagrams underneath.

Use the anagrams (words jumbled up) to fill in the missing gaps.

leexpam catf tfcsa ncnota

klycu oopiinn oeralsnp ecors

FACTS OPINIONS

It is important to distinguish ______ from opinions. A fact is

something that is true and _______ be disputed. An _________ is

someone’s _________beliefs in something.

An _________ of a _______ might be that Manchester United won 3-

0. An example of an opinion might be that Manchester United were

________ to ________!

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David Beckham is

a footballer.

Mr Hitchen thinks

that Beckham is

overpaid and over

rated!!!

The referee was

totally unfair

during the match.

Arsenal are the best

team in the world.

The final score was

nil – nil.

The FA cup is a

prize in a football

competition.

Spurs were

fortunate to beat

West Ham.

Tottenham won by

four goals to three.

David Ginola has

done a shampoo

advertisement.

The last match at

Wembley stadium

was disappointing.

In 1966 England

were lucky to beat

Germany 4-2.

England did not

win Euro 2000.

Wimbledon will be

relegated.

The England

manager’s job has

an enormous

amount or pressure.

Place these facts and opinions in the correct column in the table on the page

opposite.

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Monday, 6 November, 2000, 22:17 GMT Week 3

Derby and West Ham share points

West Ham's Kanoute (l) challenges Johnson Derby 0 -0 West Ham

Chances were at a premium at Pride Park as struggling Derby and West Ham

drew in a frustrating game.

Managers Jim Smith and Harry Redknapp were pleased that their sides kept rare clean sheets, but disappointed that they were both so poor in attack.

Derby boss Smith said: "I'm disappointed not to get the elusive win, because we need that - particularly at home.

"We defended very well and the keeper had a very good game. We had a couple

of half chances which we could have done better with.

But he said the performance would lift his players. "The lads in there are quite buoyant about the fact we've had a solid performance," he said.

Redknapp echoed similar sentiments. "We didn't pass the ball tonight. We are

capable of playing better going forward and I wouldn't blame the rain," he said.

"I just came in at half-time and slagged them off. I was

really disappointed - we are so much better than that."

Evenly contested

Neither team really deserved to take all three points in an

evenly contested match.

West Ham had good long-range efforts from Michael Carrick

and Frederic Kanoute in the first-half, and their appeals for

a late penalty were turned down after Paolo Di Canio went

down under a Schnoor challenge.

Bottom-placed Derby, who are still looking for their first Premiership win of the

season, had less clear-cut chances, but makeshift striker Rory Delap twice went close.

I'm disappointed not to get the elusive win,

because we need that - particularly

at home

Jim Smith

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He had his first chance after just nine minutes, when Seth Johnson put him through with a perceptive pass from half-way.

Delap evaded Rio Ferdinand, but completed a first-time

volley high over the crossbar.

The following thirty minutes were more notable for a series

of fouls from both sides than impressive football.

But West Ham stepped up a gear in the final eight minutes of the half and imposed themselves on the match.

Momentum dips

First Carrick hit a powerful drive from 25 yards out that Poom pushed away.

Then Kanoute put in a cross from the right and Ferdinand rose unchallenged at the far post to power a header that Poom knocked wide of goal.

Kanoute then fashioned a chance of his own, hitting a venomous long-range shot

that was athletically tipped over by Derby's Estonian keeper.

But disappointingly, this late momentum was not carried into the second-half.

Carrick did have a half-volley effort from 30 yards that Poom comfortably saved,

and Lampard cracked a shot from outside the area that bounced in front of the keeper, but these were rare chances.

The Hammers had an excellent chance to break the

deadlock after 73 minutes. Kanoute broke down the right

and fed Di Canio, who hit his pass marginally too far

ahead of unmarked substitute Diawara.

Ferdinand then stooped to head a speculative pass back to

Shaka Hislop, got negligible contact and hit the ball

against chasing Delap when he tried to clear. He was

relieved to see the ball fall to safety.

And then, in the dying moments, Di Canio went down in

derby's area under a challenge from Schnoor, but Durkin turned his appeals down.

TASK:

a) Highlight all the facts and opinions. b) Use one colour for facts c) Use one colour for opinions.

I just came in at half-time and

slagged them off. I was really disappointed - we

are so much better than that

Harry Redknapp

Sinclair attacks Derby's defence

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Week 4

Writing to Explain

Friends sometimes play an important part in people’s lives. Explain what

part they play in your life, and explain how important friends are to you.

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Week 5

Imagine you are a television presenter. Write a script/speech for a programme

where you persuade the viewers that your choice of person should be made

Celebrity of the Year.

Complete the planning sheet below to help you write your final version:

Don’t forget persuasive devices:

rhetorical Questions

facts and figures

repetition etc.

Introduce the topic (Who is your Celebrity….Where will the viewers know them

from?)

Discuss why the celebrity is a good choice.

What have they done to deserve the reward? (charity work, films, etc)

What will this mean for the celebrity? How can they help the public etc?

Why should the viewers vote for your celebrity? (any other comments to round

off)

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Week 6

Writing to Persuade

1. Imagine that you are a television presenter. Write a script for a

programme where you persuade the viewers that your choice of

person should be made Celebrity of the Year.

___________________________________________________________