Overview of the Written Task 1

All students of English A Language and Literature must complete at least two written tasks based on the different parts of their course. The WT1 is not an essay: it is an imaginative exploration of a linguistic or cultural element studied in class, using a carefully-chosen text-type to accomplish this. What follows is a basic introduction to this assignment.

The basics

The task, not including the rationale, must be 800–1,000 words in length.

The rationale should be 200–300 words in length.

The task

The Written Task 1 is your chance to choose an imaginative way of exploring an aspect of the material studied in your course. It must show a critical engagement with an aspect of a text or a topic. Please note: A formal essay is not an acceptable text type for any Written Task 1.

The content of each task must relate to a different part of the course. Therefore, at least one task must relate to part 1 or part 2, and at least one task must be based on a literary text from part 3 or part 4. Students at HL will be required to produce, in addition to this, at least one other type of written task, the WT2, which is an essay.

Once you have decided on an area of study and a particular title, you are free to produce any text type that is appropriate to the task. Below is an example, a written task discussing the representation of an aspect of gender from part 2, written as a newspaper editorial. Another example might be an imagined journal entry from a character in one of the novels studied.

Course section	Topic	Text type	Learning outcomes:	Title of Written Task
Pt 2	Stereotypes - the representation of gender in advertisements for household goods.	Newspaper editorial	Political and ideological influence of the media. The way mass mediause language andimage to inform, persuadeor entertain	“Mother, Wife, Career Woman and Maid—What is a Woman’s Work?”

The rationale

The rationale is not included in the word count (800–1,000 words) for the written task and should be 200–300 words in length. Text titles and topics must be clearly stated here.

In your rationale you must explain:

• how the content of the task is linked to a particular part of the course (something from class?)
• how the task is intended to explore particular aspects of the course (see the learning outcome!) 
• the nature of the task chosen 
• information about audience, purpose and the varying contexts in which the task is set. 

For example, the rationale above would identify the newspaper’s stance and the way language is used to present an opinion.

Your rationale should not only include knowledge about the text or topic studied, but also about the formal conventions of the text type produced and how they relate to the aims of the task. See some examples of the rationale.

Remember to acknowledge all sources used!

Examples of possible Written Task 1:

• A newspaper article in which are shown the dangers of stereotyping particular social groups. 

• An additional episode that takes place before the beginning of a novel and provides context for the opening sequence.

• A letter from one fictional character to another, which reveals a change in the relationship between the two characters.

• An opinion column that emphasizes the pervasiveness of advertising and how certain brands are promoted for the purpose of raising company profits.

• A short story exploring a minor character’s view of the main action of a literary text

• A public information document explaining the effects of new legislation on a community

• A diary entry or blog in which a character from a work of fiction reveals his or her true feelings about another character or any aspects of the action of a literary text.

• An episode from a literary text rewritten to place the action in another setting.

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