1.

2 Produce formal writing
• Writing process

The writing process is a series of steps you need to follow in order to complete the task in
the examination:

1. Understand the task

2. Brainstorm ideas
3. Organise ideas
4. Write an essay
5. Edit and proofread

• Formal language

• Sentence structure

• Paragraphing and linking ideas

• Proofreading

1.3 Read, study, and show understanding of 
extended written text(s)
• Plot

The plot is the order of events in a text. You need a detailed knowledge of important
events so you can select appropriate and specific examples and quotations to use in your
answer.
Key points to study:

1. The beginning and end – list important points such as how characters are
introduced and developed, any repetition of key sentences or ideas.

2. A turning point – is a moment in the text where a character changes because they
were faced with an important decision. Note when this happened, what lead up to
the turning point and what the result was.

3. The crisis and resolution – is the problem(s) and the solution(s) a character(s) has
to face. Note when this happened and how it was solved.

4. The ending – list important points such as how the characters have changed and
developed throughout the text. Does the story have a linear plot (beginning,
middle, and end) or is it cyclical (begins and ends at the same point). Note how
the beginning and end are similar and/or different

• Setting

The setting is where and when the text takes place. Often there are several important
settings within your text. Think about where the main action takes place by describing the
country, region, city, town, village, or building. Think about when the main action takes
 place by describing the time period or era, political, economic, and/or historical situation.
All this gives the reader an understanding of how the setting is like a backdrop influencing
the events, characters, atmosphere, and themes of a text by highlighting certain beliefs
and values of that society.
Key points to study:

• Select 1–3 important settings from the text and answer the following questions:

1. How and why the setting changes in the text?

2. How does the setting influence a character's feelings and actions?
3. Describe the mood and atmosphere of the setting.

• Character

The characters are the people and personalities in a text that tell the story and 'act out'
the problems and interactions in a text. Characters are important because it is through
their words, actions, and reactions that the reader understands different emotional and
personal experiences. Key elements which can bring about change in characters are
relationships with other characters, conflict of ideas or personalities, and time. It is
through the characters that we come to understand the themes.
Key points to study:
1. Major character – describe their physical and personal qualities, any
strengths and weaknesses, how they deal with an important issue, and
their relationships with other characters.

• Theme

The theme of a text is the message the author is trying to get across to the reader
throughout the text. It can be the reason for writing the text so they can teach the reader
an important lesson about life. There may be one main theme and several related minor
themes in a text
Key points to study:

1. What are the themes your text presents?

2. Who is involved with these themes?

3. What have the characters learned from dealing with this theme?

4. What have you the reader/audience learnt from reading the text?

Ways to study theme:

• Grid – to summarise the link between character and theme as shown below.

Theme Character that Quotation Lesson learnt by

identified shows this theme showing theme character and/or reader