Metro East Education Department

Grades 4-7 English HL and FAL

Transactional Writing

A Response to Frequently Asked Questions

For questions or queries contact:

MEED English Subject Advisor: Karen Woodward
Contact Number: 0726106493
[email protected]

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Table of Contents
DOCUMENT RATIONALE ....................................................................................................................... 3
1. WHAT ARE TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS? ............................................................................................. 3
2. THE WRITING PROCESS FOR TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS ................................................................... 3
3. LANGUAGE, STYLE AND EDITING OF TRANSACTIONAL TEXT TYPES ............................................. 4
4. FORMAL AND INFORMAL WRITING STYLES .................................................................................... 5
5. USEFUL REVISING AND EDITING CHECKLISTS ................................................................................ 5
6. PERSUASIVE DEVICES ..................................................................................................................... 6
7. TERM 1 - 4 TRANSACTIONAL WRITING TEXT TYPES GRADES 4-6 ................................................... 7
8. TERM 1 - 4 TRANSACTIONAL WRITING TEXT TYPES GRADE 7......................................................... 8
9. GRADES 7 HL AND FAL LENGTH OF TEXTS ..................................................................................... 8
10. EXAMPLES OF LONGER AND SHORTER TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS ................................................... 9
11. LENGTH OF TEXTS TO BE PRODUCED BY LEARNERS ...................................................................... 9

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DOCUMENT RATIONALE

Dear Metro East English Teachers

The purpose of this document is to respond to frequently asked questions pertaining to the
transactional writing assessment. It is not a supplementary guideline for transactional writing,
but rather a resource developed using information from the CAPS documents and amended
Annual Teaching Plans (ATP) to address teachers’ FAQ.

Should you require detailed information pertaining to the different text type requirements and
features as well as mark allocations, please consult the CAPS document and the ATPs.

English HL CAPS document Grades 4-6, p. 32 English HL CAPS document Grades 7-9, p. 48
English FAL CAPS document Grades 4-6, p. 30 English FAL CAPS document Grades 7-9, p. 48

1. WHAT ARE TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS?

A transactional text is a written exchange of information or a written record of

communication between people. This type of writing has a specific purpose and format,
such as conducting business or sharing news.

2. THE WRITING PROCESS FOR TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS

There are six main steps for writing transactional texts. Keep in mind that the writing process for
longer and shorter transactional texts could be slightly different, depending on the text type.
Advertisements and posters include a lot of visual details; therefore, learners will plan the lay-
out during the draft process and add the detail to the final draft.

Step 4:
Step 3: Step 6:
Step 1: Step 2: Write a Step 5: Write
Read the Choose Plan draft of
Edit your your
instructions your your your text
draft. final
carefully. topic. topic. and revise
draft.
it.

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 3. LANGUAGE, STYLE AND EDITING OF TRANSACTIONAL TEXT TYPES

HINTS:

 Think about the purpose and audience of the transactional text type you have
selected before you start planning. This will determine or guide the register you use
in your text.
 Check your grammar, spelling and punctuation and ensure that it is correct.
 Check that you have used a variety of words and that you have used synonyms to
improve your writing.
 Show where and how you have revised and edited your draft.

purpose audience register

The intended goal or reason The specific group of people The style or level of formality
for writing, such as to inform, who will read or receive the in writing, which can vary
persuade, or entertain. written text, often considered based on the situation and
when deciding how to write audience, ranging from
and what to include. formal to informal.

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4. FORMAL AND INFORMAL WRITING STYLES
There are important differences between formal and informal writing. It becomes evident in the
vocabulary and writing style learners use.

5. USEFUL REVISING AND EDITING CHECKLISTS

It is important to teach learners to revise (make their writing sound better) and edit (make their
writing look better). When teaching revision and editing, the following checklist can be
considered.

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6. PERSUASIVE DEVICES
Persuasive devices can be used in various types of transactional writing to achieve different goals.

Here are some examples:

Formal letters of complaint: Persuasive devices can be used to convince a company or
organisation to address an issue or provide compensation. Emotive language, details of the
problem and a call to action are often included.

Advertisements: Advertisements use persuasive devices to convince consumers to buy a product

or service. This may include appealing to emotions, highlighting benefits, using endorsements or
testimonials, and creating a sense of urgency.

Requests: In letters requesting something, such as a donation or permission to do something,

persuasive devices are used to make a compelling case. This may include explaining the
importance of the request, providing supporting information, and expressing gratitude in
advance.

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Learners from grades 4-7 will be formally assessed in transactional writing during term 2 and 4. The transactional writing can be completed before the controlled
test and examination. When selecting a transactional text type to assess, it must be a text type that was taught. Teachers may select any text type taught from
term 1 – term 4, but it is recommended that learners are assessed in more recently taught or revised work. Please refer to length of texts when setting your
assessment.

7. TERM 1 - 4 TRANSACTIONAL WRITING TEXT TYPES GRADES 4-6

GRADE Grade 4 HL AND FAL Grade 5 HL AND FAL Grade 6 HL AND FAL

Term 1
Transactional text types Advertisement; Writes Writes an information text; Writes Writes a summary of the
instructions; e.g. How to make a book review/ summary; Writes newspaper article; Writes a
a cup of tea; Designs a poster a newspaper article; Writes persuasive text, e.g., a speech
advertising an event instructions, e.g., how to with visuals/ advertisement;
make a sandwich Writes a friendly letter/ diary
entry related to the short story;
Writes a dialogue
Term 2
Transactional text types Writes an information text, e.g., a Writes a weather report; Writes a Writes an instructional text, e.g.,
weather chart; Dialogue: Writes play script/ dialogue; Writes a on how to make a cup of tea;
an interview report Writes an information text, e.g.,
a weather chart

Term 3

Transactional text types Writes an advertisement Writes an advertisement Writes a dialogue/ short play
script; Writes a cartoon/ comic
strip

Term 4

Transactional text types Writes a dialogue; Writes a Writes a report; Writes an Writes a summary of an
summary of a newspaper report information text instructional text

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 8. TERM 1 - 4 TRANSACTIONAL WRITING TEXT TYPES GRADE 7

GRADE Grade 7 HL AND FAL

Term 1

Transactional text types Review on a short story; formal letter

Term 2

Transactional text types Create advertisement/ poster/ television news presentation (Select one); Instructional text such as
how to use a tool or an instrument, prepare food, repair faults, etc.; Book review/ formal letter to
author/ publisher); Filling out of forms/ questionnaires

Term 3

Transactional text types Drama: Longer texts, e.g. dialogue/ written interview; Summary/ presentation notes for the oral
component of the project; Infographic poster/ tweets;

Term 4

Transactional text types Giving directions; Notice/ agenda and minutes; Email/diary entry/flyer

9. GRADES 7 HL AND FAL LENGTH OF TEXTS

Grade 7 HL Grade 7 FAL
Longer transactional texts: 120- 140 words Longer transactional texts: 110 -120 words
Shorter texts: 80 – 90 words Shorter texts: 70 - 80 words

ASSESSMENT Transactional Writing: two short or one long for 10 marks

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 10. EXAMPLES OF LONGER AND SHORTER TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS

Longer Transactional Texts for Grade 7 HL and FAL Shorter Transactional Texts for Grade 7 HL and FAL
HL: Longer transactional texts: 120-140 words HL: Shorter texts: 80 - 90 words
FAL: Longer transactional texts: 110 -120 words FAL: Shorter texts: 70 - 80 words
Review on a short story Advertisement
Formal letter Poster
Book review Television news presentation
Notice, agenda and minutes Notice
Dialogue (drama or interview) Diary entry (depending on the word count)
Interview Flyer
Newspaper article Instructional text (depending on the word count)
Diary entry (depending on the word count) Questionnaires/forms
Email (depending on the word count) Email (depending on the word count)
Instructional text (depending on the word count) Infographic poster
Tweets
Giving directions (depending on the word count)

11. LENGTH OF TEXTS TO BE PRODUCED BY LEARNERS

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