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    Transactional Writing Help Sheet

    Uploaded by

    anneke
    This document provides guidelines for different types of transactional writing, including editorials, letters, blogs, newspaper articles, newspaper columns, and emails. It notes that transactional writing should be creative but factual, follow prescribed formats, use formal register without contractions or slang, include paragraphs and varied sentence structures. The guidelines specify the key elements and styles required for each type, such as the use of persuasive language in editorials or a conversational tone for blogs. Register depends on the purpose and audience, ranging from formal to informal.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Transactional Writing Help Sheet

    Uploaded by

    anneke
    358 views2 pages
    This document provides guidelines for different types of transactional writing, including editorials, letters, blogs, newspaper articles, newspaper columns, and emails. It notes that transactional writing should be creative but factual, follow prescribed formats, use formal register without contractions or slang, include paragraphs and varied sentence structures. The guidelines specify the key elements and styles required for each type, such as the use of persuasive language in editorials or a conversational tone for blogs. Register depends on the purpose and audience, ranging from formal to informal.

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    5. Transactional Writing Help Sheet

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    This document provides guidelines for different types of transactional writing, including editorials, letters, blogs, newspaper articles, newspaper columns, and emails. It notes that transactional writing should be creative but factual, follow prescribed formats, use formal register without contractions or slang, include paragraphs and varied sentence structures. The guidelines specify the key elements and styles required for each type, such as the use of persuasive language in editorials or a conversational tone for blogs. Register depends on the purpose and audience, ranging from formal to informal.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    358 views2 pages

    Transactional Writing Help Sheet

    Uploaded by

    anneke
    This document provides guidelines for different types of transactional writing, including editorials, letters, blogs, newspaper articles, newspaper columns, and emails. It notes that transactional writing should be creative but factual, follow prescribed formats, use formal register without contractions or slang, include paragraphs and varied sentence structures. The guidelines specify the key elements and styles required for each type, such as the use of persuasive language in editorials or a conversational tone for blogs. Register depends on the purpose and audience, ranging from formal to informal.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    English Home Language

    Pupil Help Sheet

    Transactional Writing
    Rules for All Transactional Writing:
    • Transactional Writing is creative writing. Be creative, but do not alter facts of
    texts.
    • Adhere to prescribed format of the various Transactional pieces.
    • Register – formal. Do not use contractions or slang.
    • Use paragraphs.
    • Use effective punctuation – it helps to create tone, register and meaning within
    the piece.
    • Use varied sentence structures for effect.
    • Include transition / linking phrases throughout.
    • Remember your audience and the purpose you are writing for, as this affects
    the tone of the piece.
    • No word count ( approximately 250 – 300)
    1. Editorial
    • An editorial is designed to analyse or comment on a current issue in the news
    and to provoke controversial debate and discussion.
    • Powerful and eye-catching headline.
    • The introductory paragraph introduces and summaries the editor’s standpoint
    on the issue.
    • The body consists of strong arguments or evidence that supports this point of
    view.
    • Language to be appropriate to audience.
    • The tone is serious and has a slightly impersonal stance, but provides the
    Editor’s opinion on the issue.
    • Transition / Linking words – firstly, lastly, in conjunction with, consequently...
    • The conclusion sums up the argument and may make some
    recommendations.
    • Register - formal
    2 Letters – Formal, Application.
    • Format – each letter style is different.
    • Introduction, Body and Conclusion – pay special attention to the
    recommendation in the conclusion.
    • Know when to use: Yours faithfully, (Dear Sir); Yours sincerely, (Dear Mr
    Smith)
    • Write your name at the end of the letter (even if you have signed it).
    • Register is formal (regardless!).
    • Tone – make sure it is appropriate to the context of the letter, otherwise you
    are penalised in the marking.

    Letter of Application
    • Introduce yourself and mention the position you are applying for.
    • Match your skills and experiences with the skills and experiences required for
    the position.
    • Encourage them to read you attached CV and invite you for an interview.

    1
    3. Blog
    A blog is an on-line personal journal
    • Date and Title.
    • Remember that a blog is a conversation. Try to write the way you speak.
    Avoid jargon and clichés.
    • Author of the blog.
    • You can add a comment box – the comment needs to respond to a point
    mentioned in the blog.
    • Do not use contractions, even though it is personal and how you speak.
    • Always consider your audience.
    • Register – informal / colloquial.
    • Be creative.

    5 Newspaper Article
    • Headline, date, by-line
    • Journalist
    • Register – formal
    • Factual
    • Writing for a Tabloid Newspaper (eg: The Sun) is “sensationalist”, so should
    be subjective and make use of emotive language.
    • Writing for a Broadsheet (eg: Mail & Guardian) is objective and factual.
    • Should include relevant interviews.

    6 Newspaper Column
    • A Newspaper Column is a regular piece that appears in the Newspaper by the
    same columnist.
    • It is an opinion piece and can be on anything, no matter how trivial the issue
    may be – an example: Barry Ronge in The Sunday Times.
    • Writing a column requires clarity of thought, the ability to communicate a
    message clearly and simply, and an engaging style.
    • There must not be too many ideas (two or three will usually suffice), but plenty
    of opinions; the bland, obvious or fence-sitting must be ruthlessly expunged.
    • Columns are there to get a reaction - agreement, disagreement, amusement,
    enlightenment.
    • The column must sustain its theme, building towards a climax or "pay-off" line.
    If it wanders the reader will wander off.
    • Include discursive writing techniques -
    o Persuasive or argumentative?
    o Formal
    o Present tense
    o Rhetoric
    o Emotive Language
    o Topic sentences
    o Linking phrases

    7 E-mails
    • Always include a subject line.
    • Include a date.
    • E-mails need to be brief and polite.
    • Include your name and contact details at end of e-mail.
    • Register – Depends on purpose of e-mail (but no contractions).
    • Include a salutation and correct form of leave-taking.

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