Writing Skills Flashcards

What is the purpose of planning before writing an extended piece?

Answer: To organise ideas and ensure the writing has structure

Planning helps organise ideas logically, ensures the writing has a clear structure with a beginning, middle and end, and prevents the writer from going off topic.

Which of these is an example of emotive language?

Answer: Innocent children are suffering needlessly.

Emotive language is designed to create an emotional response. Words like 'innocent', 'suffering', and 'needlessly' are chosen to make the reader feel sympathy and outrage.

In persuasive writing, what is a 'counter-argument'?

Answer: Acknowledging the opposing view before explaining why your view is stronger

A counter-argument acknowledges what someone who disagrees might say, then explains why your own argument is still stronger. This makes your writing more balanced and convincing.

Which of these is the best example of 'show, not tell' writing?

Answer: Her hands trembled and her breath came in short, shallow gasps.

'Show, not tell' means describing physical signs and actions rather than simply stating the emotion. Trembling hands and shallow gasps SHOW fear without using the word 'scared'.

What is the correct order for paragraphs in a balanced argument?

Answer: Introduction, arguments for, arguments against, conclusion

A balanced argument follows a logical structure: introduction (introduce the topic), arguments for, arguments against, then conclusion (weigh up both sides).

Why might a writer use a rhetorical question?

Answer: To make the reader think and engage with the argument

Rhetorical questions are not asked to get an answer — they are used to make the reader think about the point being made and engage with the argument.