Standard English: Maintain consistent use of Standard English throughout the article, adhering to grammatical rules. This demonstrates a high level of linguistic control and professionalism.
Vocabulary: Employ a range of complex and sophisticated vocabulary that is both appropriate and precise for the context. Avoid overusing 'wow' words if their meaning is not fully understood, as this can make writing sound contrived.
Sentence Structure: Vary the length and type of sentences (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex) to create a dynamic rhythm and enhance reader engagement. This strategic variation can emphasize important points and provide detail.
Persuasive Techniques: Integrate various rhetorical devices judiciously to strengthen your argument. Examples include direct address ('you', 'we', 'us') to build rapport, rhetorical questions to engage thought, emotive language to evoke emotion (without being aggressive), triplets for emphasis, and imperatives for calls to action.
Time Management: Allocate approximately 10 minutes for planning before writing and 5 minutes at the end for careful proofreading. This ensures both content quality and technical accuracy are addressed.
Clarity of Argument: Clearly state your opinion in the introduction and sustain this viewpoint consistently throughout the article. Avoid arguments that are unclear, rambling, or that switch between agreeing and disagreeing with the statement.
Appropriate Tone: Adopt an assured and confident tone that is persuasive without being aggressive or overly emotional. Readers respond better to balanced and reasoned arguments.
Technical Accuracy (AO6): Pay close attention to spelling, punctuation, and grammar, as these contribute significantly to your AO6 marks. Purposefully use a range of punctuation, including colons and semi-colons, and vary sentence forms for effect.
Content (AO5): Focus on constructing a convincing argument rather than demonstrating factual knowledge of the topic. It is acceptable to invent plausible facts, statistics, or anecdotes to support your points, as long as they are realistic.
Avoid Common Errors: Do not repeat the same points across multiple paragraphs, as each should develop a new idea. Avoid opening phrases like 'This article is about...' and remember to include essential article features like a headline and strapline.