Getting the right mix of colloquial and advanced vocabulary in your informal writing.

1. Getting the right mix of colloquial and advanced vocabulary in your informal writing. • Lesson Objective: • To write an A/A* piece of informal writing. • Outcomes: • I can create the right tone with a wide range of appropriate vocabulary. • I can accurately use embedded clauses and simple sentences to give a conversational tone. • My opinions are well supported with anecdote or examples.

2. Starter Activity: Adding embedded clauses. • Adding an embedded subordinate clause can help give your writing a conversational tone. • The favourite thing I like to do is spend a lazy afternoon fishing. • The favourite thing, well almost my favourite thing unless you count eating chocolate, is to spend a lazy afternoon fishing. • Add an embedded subordinate clause to these sentences. • One night I was night fishing and managed to catch a bat when I was casting. • The school bus was late for the third time this week. • I never imagined that the repulsive little blighter would wake me up in the middle of the night.

3. Write informally about a past-time you enjoy. One of things I like to do is go fishing. I like the peace and tranquillity of the river and the feeling of the fight with a carp. When time permits, I try and get out on a Sunday evening when all the children are asleep and the wife is tucked up with a book. When I arrive on the bank, I like to survey the different swims, perhaps have a chat to one or two other fishermen and see what they have caught or what bait they are using. Any little tip to help catch the big one! Task: What do we think of this opening. Think about: Purpose of the task, sentence structure, textual features, tone, developing of ideas, vocabulary.

4. Ahhh, nothing quite beats the inimitable fight with a monster carp that has languished in the depths of a fifty year old gravel pit. The excitement, the wonder, the pain; it’s a feeling that is tough to match. Fishing has been a huge part of my life for over twenty years and people, normally friends, ask me: ‘Why do you bother?’ or, ‘Isn’t it boring?’. I often take a moment to explain the thrill and the adventure of a fishing trip, but nine times of ten my enthusiastic reply is rebuffed with a: ‘Rather you than me!’ I have often asked for my friends to come and join me, see for yourselves I have proclaimed, but, the same reticent replies of: ‘I will check my diary’ or, ‘It’s not my thing,’ abruptly end any further conversation on the matter. In fact, if I were to put their reaction into context, you would get the same reception if you were to ask a teacher for a cigarette. It’s not happening. Task: What do we think of this opening. Think about: Purpose of the task, sentence structure, textual features, tone, developing of ideas, vocabulary.

5. Task: Write informally about a past time you enjoy. Contrition: to be sorry for, feel remorse: Incongruous: inconsistent, out of place, out of character: Inimitable: defying imitation, matchless, incomparable: Juxtaposition: a contrast of two objects side by side, Plethora: excess, overabundance. Proffer: offer or proposal Recompense: repay, compensate: Reticent: reserved in style, restrained, reluctant:. Terse: concise or brief - abrupt, curt: Unabashed: unapologetic, confident, unembarrassed: Success Criteria: *Use of embedded clauses to help give a conversational tone. *A range of colloquial and advanced vocabulary *Well developed ideas, use humour, a simile for sarcasm. *Above all – your personal voice must shine through!

6. Getting the right mix of colloquial and advanced vocabulary in your informal writing. • Lesson Objective: • To write an A/A* piece of informal writing. • Outcomes: • I can create the right tone with a wide range of appropriate vocabulary. • I can accurately use embedded clauses and simple sentence to give a conversational tone. • My opinions are well supported with anecdote or examples.