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Critical Writing

The document outlines the structure and requirements for AICE English Language Papers 1 and 2, detailing the types of questions and writing tasks involved. It emphasizes the importance of critical writing, audience awareness, and effective lexical choices in crafting reviews. Additionally, it provides guidance on organizing content and includes sample prompts for writing reviews.

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13 views14 pages

Critical Writing

The document outlines the structure and requirements for AICE English Language Papers 1 and 2, detailing the types of questions and writing tasks involved. It emphasizes the importance of critical writing, audience awareness, and effective lexical choices in crafting reviews. Additionally, it provides guidance on organizing content and includes sample prompts for writing reviews.

Uploaded by

170395
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing Critically

Paper 2, Part B
Review and Critique
•Paper 1 is the Reading test and includes 2
questions.
• Question 1 includes 2 parts (25 points)
• 1A = Direct Response: Read a text in one
form and then create a piece of writing in a
different form but using the same topic as
What do our Papers what you were asked to read.
for • 1B = Comparative Analysis: You will
analyze your writing you just created AND the
AICE English writing of the text you read for form,
Language look like? language and structure comparing what
techniques each writer used to effectively
create their style of writing.
• Question 2 is a text Analysis where you read a
text and then analyze it for form, language and
structure (25 points)
Paper 1 will be 2 hours and 15 minutes long and
you will write 3 separate pieces of writing during this time.
•Paper 2 is the writing test and includes 2 questions.
• Question 1 includes 2 parts (25 points total)
• 1A = Short writing: Create a piece of writing in
the form the prompt asks you write. This is a
400-word text and requires you to use some
creative skills.
What do our Papers • 1B = Reflection Writing: You will analyze your
for writing you just created for form, language and
structure highlighting the techniques you used
AICE English to create the style of writing from the prompt.
Language look like? • The Second Question has a choice of 1 of 3
questions given (Questions 2, 3 OR 4). You get to
choose between a prompt that is
imaginative/descriptive, argumentative/discursive
OR Review/Critique. This is 600 to 900 words
long.
Paper 2 will be 2 hours long and
you will write 3 separate pieces of writing during this time.
Developing a Critical
response or review…
• When choosing this style prompt on your
Paper 2, Part B (Questions 2, 3 or 4),
you must first consider what the prompt is
asking you to do:
• What you are being asked to review
• Where your review will appear
• Who the audience for the review will be.
• Once you know these things, you will need
to generate your own ideas for your
review, although you can of course base it
on something you already know (shows
you’ve watched for example)
How do you write critically?
• Critical Writing – such as film, book or restaurant reviews – offers
opinions and personal responses for consumers from a position of
professional expertise.
• When writing critically – that is a review or critical essay – you should:
• Evaluate
• “Her new song will without a doubt top the charts!”
• Make judgements
• “The lyrics speak to the listener’s heart, creating feelings that bring
them back to the first time they ever fell in love”
• Offer recommendations:
• “ You should listen to this song when wanting to feel nostalgic”
Read the the restaurant
review in your notes page
Looking at a (text 5).
Restaurant
Review… What are your observations?
Highlight five features that
you notice about the form,
language and structure of
this review.
• Opinions
• Comparisons to other works in the field
• Field specific lexis
Key Elements • Evaluative comments
of Review • Summary and selected details
Writing • Recommendations (‘if you like…’,
‘recommended for fans of…’)
• Rating/score (not always included,
depends on context)
Read the movie review for Thor: Ragnarok (text
6) paying attention to what makes this text
“sound” like a review (its form characteristics if
Thor Review: you will)

Where are the


This review is not a straightforward review, but
characteristics?
it is a good example of critical writing.
(This is from a blog
post) After reading it (from your notes page), find
evidence of the “Key Elements” in the previous
slide annotating what you see that shows these
elements. What makes it fulfill the purpose of
critical writing?
Furthermore…Audience is key…
• An awareness of audience is essential in good critical writing.
Making recommendations is one of the key elements of a
review, and that of course requires an understanding of the
audience.
• A review needs a clear awareness of an appropriate address to
the audience.
• This should be reflected in the position the writer takes in the
text by including them in what you are saying with phrases like:
• “If, like me…” (from the Thor review)
• “If you can’t cope…” (restaurant review)
Lexical Choices to create
a strong review…
What style writing should you use to create an effective review? Remember this
is an evaluative text, so your choice of lexis is important!.
• Use adjectives and adjective phrases that demonstrate judgment or
imply assessment of the item/product/service etc. being reviewed against
others in the field.
• Key Lexical choices also include:
• Comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs: ‘sharper visual
effects than…’, ‘the wittiest dialogue’
• Adverbs of degree: ‘well’, ‘very’
• Comment clauses: ‘in my opinion’, ‘as far as I’m concerned’
• Conditional clauses: ‘if you enjoyed…’, ‘if you’re a fan of…’.
…Broadway has found a new star in
Adding some this glittering production…

Pizzazz.. …the plot twist in the final chapter was


While it is evaluative and you are writing so obvious they might as well have put a
as a professional, there is also a lot of sign up in 100-foot-high letters
room for creative use of language. Look announcing it at the start…
at these snippets
…a surprisingly smooth drive, even
1. What is being reviewed over the pock-marked country roads
in each case? round here…
2. What words or phrases
tell you what their
viewpoint is? …the dip was a crisp, acidic delight to
3. What language choices complement the fiery beef platter…
stand out is these
snippets?
Organizing your content…
• While there is never a set exact formula for structuring your review
(as it may depend on the context and the product or experience
you are reviewing) the below broad structure is good one to
consider: (Remember there are most definitely paragraphs in
reviews!)
Overview ------ summary ---- details ----
recommendations

Begin with a very brief overview, followed by an expanded summary to


contextualize what you are reviewing (perhaps comparing it to others). Details
belong in the middle of a review, and this is where most of your evaluative detail
should appear. Conclude with your recommendations towards your audience. (Who
would it suit?)
A sequel to a successful superhero/action
fil has just been released. Write a review
of the film for a magazine for film fans of
Some all ages. One review should be positive;
one negative (write 350-450 words each)
sample A new live music show on television for
prompts teenagers and young adults has recently
been launched. Write a review of the
you could show, which will be published in our
school newsletter. Write 600-900 words.
see on an
Last summer, you did a two-week course
exam to learn a range of water sports. You
decide to write a review of the course,
which will be published on an activity
holiday website. Write between 600 and
900 words
Your turn…
• Complete the following chart for one of the topics below:
• A book you read recently
• A game you played or watched (video or board)
• An electronics item (phone, laptop or watch)
• A snack food or beauty item
One sentence overview:

Broader summary

Detail 1

Detail 2

Detail 3

Recommendation(s)

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