1. S
A
F
UV
G RVO
1

2. 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.
2

3. 3

4. Week 2
Copy out the text below and fill in the gaps using the anagrams underneath.
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 ________!
Use the anagrams (words jumbled up) to fill in the missing gaps.
leexpam catf tfcsa ncnota
klycu oopiinn oeralsnp ecors
FACTS OPINIONS
4

5. David Beckham is Mr Hitchen thinks The referee was Arsenal are the best
a footballer. that Beckham is totally unfair team in the world.
overpaid and over during the match.
rated!!!
The final score was The FA cup is a Spurs were Tottenham won by
nil – nil. prize in a football fortunate to beat four goals to three.
competition. West Ham.
David Ginola has The last match at In 1966 England England did not
done a shampoo Wembley stadium were lucky to beat win Euro 2000.
advertisement. was disappointing. Germany 4-2.
Wimbledon will be The England
relegated. 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.
5

6. 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." I'm disappointed
not to get the
Evenly contested elusive win,
because we need
Neither team really deserved to take all three points in an that - particularly
evenly contested match. at home
West Ham had good long-range efforts from Michael Carrick
and Frederic Kanoute in the first-half, and their appeals for Jim Smith
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.
6

7. 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.
I just came in at
The following thirty minutes were more notable for a series
half-time and
of fouls from both sides than impressive football. slagged them off. I
was really
But West Ham stepped up a gear in the final eight minutes disappointed - we
of the half and imposed themselves on the match. are so much better
than that
Momentum dips
First Carrick hit a powerful drive from 25 yards out that Harry Redknapp
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. Sinclair attacks Derby's
defence
TASK:
a) Highlight all the facts and opinions.
b) Use one colour for facts
c) Use one colour for opinions.
7

8. 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.
8

9. 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)
9

10. 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.
___________________________________________________________
10