3. ESSAYS An essay is an extended piece of writing, in which a writer expresses his/ her p the topic given. of view on The length of texts ranges from: * 200-250 words for English Second Additional Language: 250 — 300 words for English First Additional Language: and, = 400 — 450 words for English Home Language. ‘An essay should have an introduction, body and conclusion. A brief explanation of each follows: ‘+ Introduction The introduction should catch the reader's attention, define the topic and briefly tell the reader what the essay will be addressing. * Body The body comprises the full content of the essay. The body must be divided into paragraphs, each of which must pursue a specific idea to the end. The writer must address all the ideas he or she wanted to address, Keeping to the topic. + Conclusion The conclusion is the ending, the rounding-off of the presentation. This should tie up all that was presented by the writer, a parting shot that justifies the writer's point of view. As this is the end, the writer must not bring in new information. Learners must be taught how to write - and must write - the following kinds of essays: 3.1 Narrative essay Annarrative essay tells a story or tells of a past event. It can be written from any perspective. Example topics: * We were having a wonderful time. There was good food, good music and good company. Suddenly there was an earth-shaking crash. Write about the incident. The best story my grandfather told me. Consider the following when writing a narrative essay: The story must have a strong story line and be convincing even if itis fiction, Annarrative essay is usually written in the past tense. The introductory paragraph should capture the reader's attention. ‘A good story often has a point to make. ‘An unusually interesting ending gives a story the final touch. The reader's interest must be maintained until the end. The style, rhetorical devices. and action must ensure sustained interest. © A successful narrative vividly highlights sensory details such as sight, sound, taste, smell and tactile sensations * Anarrative essay often has a strong descriptive element3.2 Descriptive essay Ina descriptive essay, the writer describes something to allow the reader to experience the topic being described as vividly as possible. Someone or something can be described. Example topics: ©The dentist's waiting room. Describe your feelings and impressions. © Describe a stormy night. Consider the following when writing a descriptive essay. * The writer should create a picture in words. Words and expressions are chosen carefully to achieve the desired effect. ‘* Images of sight, sound, hearing, taste and touch can be used to make the description vivid ‘* Figures of speech are used in original ways * Learners should ideally have experience of the topic. It is very difficult to describe something without having firsthand knowledge. 3.3. Expository essay Expository writing communicates ideas or information in a logical way. This is a factual essay in which the writer explains ideas or gives facts in a systematic way. An expository essay is well researched and ideas are supported by facts and figures. Example topics: More than a thousand people are killed in road accidents during the December holiday. How can this camage on our roads be stopped? * Discuss how you would go about collecting funds for the matric farewell party Consider the following when writing an expository essay: A thorough understanding of the topic is required. * Good research is vital as statements have to be supported by facts. * As the reader may not have a specialised understanding of the topic, the writer should Clarify any concepts which may be unfamiliar. Ideas must be organised logically and take the reader from the known to the unknown, * Anexpository essay is generally written in the present tense.3.4 Argumentative essay In an argumentative essay, the writer has a specific opinion or viewpoint and argues to defend or motivate his or her position. The opinion of the writer should be clear throughout. This is a subjective essay in which the writer tries to convince the reader to share his or her point of view. Examples topics: * Television kills creativity. Do you agree? © The future of South Africa depends on foreign investment. Give your views. Consider the following when writing an argumentative essay: * The essay should start with the writer's view of the topic in an original and striking way. * The writer should give a range of arguments to support and substantiate his or her view. * The writer focuses on points for OR against a statement. * Anargumentative essay can be subjective and strong opinions are expressed. A variety of rhetorical devices and persuasive techniques should be used. * The language used is emotive and can be emotional but should not be rude. * The conclusion should be a strong, clear and convincing statement of the writer's opinion, 3.5 Discursive essay A discursive essay is objective and aims to give a balanced view of both sides of an argument. The writer considers various aspects of the topic under discussion and presents opposing views impartially. The writer may come to a particular conclusion at the end of the essay but the arguments for and against must be well balanced and clearly analysed in the course of the essay, Example topics: * Write an essay in which you give arguments for and against abortion. * Learners should be able to choose their own prescribed books for literature. Discuss this statement looking at both sides of the argument. Consider the following when writing a discursive essay: * The writer should understand and be able to reflect both sides of the argument in an impartial and well informed way. * The writing must be lucid, rational and objective. Calm, well-reasoned and well- supported statements should be made. * The tone should be unemotional and convincing without being condescending. * The writer may give an indication of his or her opinion at the end of the essay but this should only be done in conclusion.4, TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS ‘Transactional writing texts are either a response or an initiation of a response. As implied, these are ‘transaction texts’ - a friendly letter of appreciation will possible yield a response, as much as a speech will get the audience won over or yelling in disagreement. Transactional texts are divided into Longer and Shorter texts. The kinds of texts are listed and explained below: 4.1 LONGER TRANSACTIONAL TEXTS: The length of texts ranges from: 80 — 100 words for English Second Additional Language: 120 — 150 words for English First Additional Language; and, * 180 - 200 words for English Home Language. Official/ Formal letter There are different kinds of formal letters, e.g. a letter of application, a letter to the editor of a newspaper, a letter of complaint, etc. While the letters may set different requirements for the writer, the following are applicable to all of them: * Style The formal letters must be written in direct, simple English. The writer must keep in mind that the intended audience should understand what is communicated for the results/ response to be positive. The letter should be > clear and straightforward — the recipient must not be left wondering at what you are trying to communicate; > concise and to the point; and > logical. © Structure v Alllletters should have an introduction, a body and a conclusion There must be two addresses, the writer's and the recipient's; A formal salutation ~ Dear Sir, Dear Mrs Bukoy, etc. - follows the recipient's address; A title or subject line follows the salutation. This is a one-line summary of the letter and should be underlined; The language register must be formal > The conclusion must also be formal — Yours faithfully — followed by the writer's surname and initials. vv v ty + Issues to avoid Slang and colloquial languag > Contractions, abbreviations and acronyms: > Unsubstantiated accusations, threats that cannot be carried out, emotional language, sarcasm, clichés, etc.Dialogue A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. It is a record of the exchanges as they occur, directly from the speaker's point of view. When writing a dialogue; write the names of the characters on the left side of the page; use a colon after the name of the character who is speaking: use a new line to indicate each new speaker, advice to characters (or readers) on how to speak or present the action must be given in brackets before the words are spoken; sketch a scenario before you start writing. See example below. (Siphon and Thembyo have not completed a task given to them by their teacher. They are contemplating bunking the class.) Siphon: Good morning Thembyo? Thembyo: (wearing a frown) There is nothing good about this morning my friend. | hope Siphon: If itis about the writing task we are expected to submit today, then you are not ‘Thembyo: (with a twinkle in his eyes) You know what? Siphon: | do not have to know anything. | know what that look means. Thembyo: Do you know me that much? My friend, you know what they say about Siphon: Just why did I choose you for a friend. You have more tricks up your sleeve than ‘Thembyo: Ok ‘Mr Morals’. Let us see what Lisbeth, with whom you are so smitten, will Siphon: When is the English period again? | think | have spoken enough English today to ‘Thembyo: (with a victorious smile) And | thought | was the devil? Siphon: Do you have to rub it in? Thembyo: (with a grin on his face) By the way, you better have a good reason for our Siphon: (resignedly) | should have courted the devil himself. yours is better. alone. desperate measures. Why don't we bunk the English period. We can cook a better story to explain our absence than to sit in class and be told the failures we are. the devil himself. Bunk classes? My answer is an emphatic no. ! made my bed, so, | must lie in it think of you after the dressing down you will receive in class. miss out today's. missing the class for the teacher tomorrow. Otherwise, Lisbeth4.2.10 Writing an email In this world of technology, electronic communication is fast replacing the traditional letter writing of the past. An electronic mail (email) is posted from one computer to another, with the support of the internet. The following components characterise an email: ‘+ The recipient's address — which, in most cases, is the recipient's name and the server point, as well as the country in which the server point is based. For example, lethaboj (name) @ gmail. (server) za (country) * CC: these may be the recipients whose attention is called to the email. These recipients could not be expected to do anything but note that some form of ‘communication took place. For example, a supervisor may CC (copy) the manager an emailed invitation to a meeting. This copy could come in handy when there are disputes later. © Subject: This is a summary of the content of the email + Message + Sender's name. NB: The sender's address reflects automatically when the email is received. The sender may choose to provide other contact details at the end. This is called a signature. TO; javar@yathoo.co.za CC: benadex@lantic.ora.za: suffo@yahoo uk SUBJECT: Outstanding reports MESSAGE! Dear All You are reminded to submit all the outstanding reports by no later than Friday, 29 May 2010. A mid-term report template will be sent to you hereafter to facilitate uniformity. You are advised to consult Mr Foxtrot i you encounter any problem with the template Mr. Mayambela is congratulated for purchasing a car, while Ms Brown is wished a fruitful journey on her study tour to Zimbabwe, Kind regards Solumzi Yam