English Language (4EA1)
Topic 2 of 3Pearson EdExcel

Writing Skills

Narrative, descriptive, and argumentative writing techniques

Types of writing:

  • Narrative: Tells a story. Has characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution. First or third person.
  • Descriptive: Creates a vivid picture using sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).
  • Argumentative/Persuasive: Presents a point of view. Uses facts, logic, rhetorical devices.
  • Informative: Explains facts clearly and objectively.

    • DAFOREST — persuasive techniques:

  • Direct address ("you"), Anecdote, Facts and statistics, Opinion, Rhethorical questions, Expert opinion, Statistics, Three (rule of three)

    • Structure for persuasive writing:

  • Hook (rhetorical question or shocking statistic)
  • State your position
  • 2-3 arguments with evidence
  • Counter-argument + refutation
  • Conclusion with call to action

    • Descriptive techniques:

  • Simile/Metaphor: Create comparisons
  • Personification: Give human qualities to non-human things
  • Sensory language: Engage all five senses
  • Varied sentence structure: Short sentences for impact. Longer, flowing sentences for description.

    • Paragraphing: Each paragraph = one main idea. PEEL/PEE structure.

    Key Points to Remember

    • 1Narrative tells a story; descriptive paints a picture; persuasive argues a point
    • 2DAFOREST: key persuasive techniques
    • 3Vary sentence length: short for impact, long for description
    • 4Each paragraph = one main idea with evidence

    Pakistan Example

    Writing a Letter to Dawn Newspaper — EdExcel English in Real Life

    Dawn is Pakistan's most respected English newspaper. Writing a persuasive letter to Dawn about traffic congestion in Lahore: Hook: 'Every morning, 2.1 million Lahoris lose an average of 47 minutes to gridlock.' State position. Use expert quotes (Punjab transport minister). Rule of three: 'We lose time, productivity, and our sanity.' Counter-argument: 'Some say Metro Bus solved it — but it serves only one corridor.' Conclusion: call for congestion charging. This is EdExcel writing in a real Pakistani context.

    Quick Revision Infographic

    English Language — Quick Revision

    Writing Skills

    Key Concepts

    1Narrative tells a story; descriptive paints a picture; persuasive argues a point
    2DAFOREST: key persuasive techniques
    3Vary sentence length: short for impact, long for description
    4Each paragraph = one main idea with evidence

    Formulas to Know

    ach paragraph = one main idea with evidence
    Pakistan Example

    Writing a Letter to Dawn Newspaper — EdExcel English in Real Life

    Dawn is Pakistan's most respected English newspaper. Writing a persuasive letter to Dawn about traffic congestion in Lahore: Hook: 'Every morning, 2.1 million Lahoris lose an average of 47 minutes to gridlock.' State position. Use expert quotes (Punjab transport minister). Rule of three: 'We lose time, productivity, and our sanity.' Counter-argument: 'Some say Metro Bus solved it — but it serves only one corridor.' Conclusion: call for congestion charging. This is EdExcel writing in a real Pakistani context.

    SeekhoAsaan.com — Free RevisionWriting Skills Infographic

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