Non-Fiction Writing

Challenges
Short Writing Tasks To Help You Master Voice &
Tone
You visit your old high
school hoping to relive
your childhood
memories, only to find
out it was closed
down years ago. You
decide to explore the
grounds anyway.

Write a journal entry

detailing your
experience.
 Writing Task 1: Journal
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
week:
the following
words: • Emotive Language
Precarious:
• Short Sentence
(adjective) • Rhetorical Question
Not securely held or Aim to…
in position; • Repetition • Use an appropriate voice throughout
dangerously likely to • Vary your vocabulary choices
fall or collapse. • Semicolon
• Vary your sentence structures
• Use consistent tense
Perturbed
• Use paragraphs
(adjective)
• Spell accurately
feeling anxiety
or
concern;
unsettled.
12th October 2021
Magic Ingredients
Today was a really strange day. A really strange day. I just had to put
pen to paper, so here goes! I promised myself that I’d revisit my old you need to include
school. It sounds stupid, but I wanted to see if it brought back any
memories, both good and bad. Unfortunately, things didn’t go this week:
exactly to plan. My school no longer existed. Well, the exterior, to
some degree, still existed, but it had clearly shut down a long Emotive Language
time ago. When I saw it in its current state, I felt an immediate
sinking feeling. A feeling of regret. It is still playing on my mind as I
write this. Why did I leave it so long? But, I didn’t want to turn
Short Sentence
back, so I decided to do something senseless…perhaps dangerous. I
entered my old school. It was an eerie sight; debris carpeted the Rhetori
floor, and a few old light fixtures hung precariously from the ceiling.
I momentarily convinced myself that I could hear gleeful children cal
talking about the magical books they were reading. I convinced
myself that where I was standing was still the place that had once Question
brought me so much happiness. I convinced myself that my school
was exactly the way I remembered it. But, everything had changed. Repetition
There was no laughter, no joy, no magic. Nothing. It was a lonely
sight, and I was left shrouded in misery. I felt perturbed by the
changes; it was an assault to my senses. So, yes, today really was a Semicolon
strange day. I don’t know what to make of it all.
Don’t forget to use
all of the magic
ingredients, and
the two words
from the
vocabulary
challenge.
You’ve just downloaded
TikTok to see what all
the hype is all about.
You are not
impressed.

Write an informal letter

to your friend giving
your thoughts and
feelings.
 Writing Task 2: Informal Letter
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
week:
the following
words: • Emotive Language
Insufferable:
• Short Sentence
(adjective) • Rhetorical Question
having or showing Aim to…
unbearable • Repetition • Use an appropriate voice throughout
arrogance or • Vary your vocabulary choices
conceit. • Semicolon
• Vary your sentence structures
• Hyperbole • Use consistent tense
Tedious
• Use paragraphs
(adjective) • Idioms • Spell accurately
too long, slow, or
dull; tiresome or
monotonous.
Dear Rob, Magic Ingredients
I hope all is well down your end. I know it’s been a while since you need to include
my last letter, but you know how life is at the moment. You’ll
be happy to know that I finally got around to downloading this week:
TikTok. Yes, after months of you nagging me, it finally
happened. The unthinkable happened. Unfortunately, it didn’t
Emotive Language
last long on my home screen. How can I put this? It was like Short Sentence
watching paint dry or having to endure the dissonant tones of
Justin Bieber! What do you actually find ‘fun’ about this Rhetori
tedious app? I did try giving it a go, but it was nauseating. The
worst thing of all was that I had the misfortune of coming cal
across this one ‘TikToker’ called Bella Poarch. She had millions
of followers – yes, millions of followers. And, do you want to Question
know her ‘talent’? Well, I’m not exactly sure myself, but it Repetition
would seem that she had mastered the art of head-bobbing to
a bunch of random tracks. I found her utterly insufferable; I
truly felt like a piece of my soul had left me. I really did. At Semicolon
least, I gave it a go… I think I’ll stick to cat memes!
Hyperbole
Don’t forget to use
all of the magic
ingredients, and
the two words
from the
vocabulary
challenge.
You’ve just finished High
School, and you have
been asked to deliver a
speech to GCSE
students.

Write a speech
addressing some of
the pressures young
people face today in
schools.
 Writing Task 3: Speech
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
week:
the following
words: • Simile
Perpetual:
• Anaphora
(adjective) • Rhetorical Question
Occurring repeatedly; Aim to…
so frequent as to • Opinion • Use an appropriate voice throughout
seem endless and • Vary your vocabulary choices
uninterrupted • Personal Pronouns
• Vary your sentence structures
• Use consistent tense
Startling
• Use paragraphs
(adjective)
• Spell accurately
Very
surprising,
astonishing, or
remarkable
I want to talk to you all today about school. Yes, school. Those Magic Ingredients
five years of compulsory education that, at times, can seem like
a perpetual battlefield. What is your experience of school? For you need to include
some of you, simply thinking about school may well send
shivers down your spine; for others, it may evoke feelings of this week:
joy and happiness. When family, friends, and older relatives tell
you that the teenage years are 'the best years of your life, Simile
enjoy them, enjoy the freedom.' I'll bet that many of you in
that situation inwardly cringe. School can be a tough five years Anaphora
for many reasons, and the most startling thing of all is that
adults don't seem to realise the pressure of being in the Rhetori
transition stage of our lives. Then, of course, there are added
pressures like social media that they didn't have way back cal
then, or if they did, it was not as prominent in their lives as it
is for us. Fitting in is critical and social media is part of fitting Question
in. Then there is bullying and fear of being picked on or not Opinion
picked out for sports. Not getting the grades and exam stress
make it impossible to 'enjoy the freedom’! So, do I think
school is tougher than ever? Absolutely! Personal Pronouns
Don’t forget to use
all of the magic
ingredients, and
the two words
from the
vocabulary
challenge.
You’re a cat lover,
but you are certainly
not a lover of Cat
Cafes!

Write a formal letter to

the editor of your local
newspaper to address
your concerns about
their increased
popularity.
 Writing Task 4: Formal Letter
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
week:
the following
words: • Connectives
Outcry
• Opinion
(noun) • Complex Sentences
A strong expression Aim to…
of public disapproval • Declaratives • Use an appropriate voice throughout
or anger. • Vary your vocabulary choices
• Vary your sentence structures
Proliferation
• Use consistent tense
(noun)
• Use paragraphs
To cause to increase
• Spell accurately
in number or extent
Dear Editor,
Magic Ingredients
There has recently been a national outcry with regards to an influx of ‘Cat
Cafes’ sweeping the nation. Many people are calling for an outright ban to you need to include
prevent the proliferation of this terrible fad. Whilst I understand that ‘Cat
Cafes’ are by no means a new trend, I am incredibly worried for the well- this week:
being of the animals themselves and obvious hygiene issues.
Firstly, when there is a culture of continuing awareness around food hygiene, Connectives
having cats in a cafe seems like an odd choice. Cats are known for walking
all over the counter, tables, and wherever they feel like it. Their faeces carry
toxoplasmosis, which can make those with compromised immunity unwell and Opinion
even cause blindness, hearing loss, and mental disability in children. No one
likes finding hair in their food; with cats wandering all over the cafe, you are
likely to find cat hair in your food or drink.
Complex
Moreover, some cat welfare organisations do not agree with the phenomenon. Senten
The leading cat charity in the UK, The Cats Protection League, says that the
changing population of people and being shut in cat cafes are not suitable
spaces for cats. They also say that even more so than dogs, cats need
ces
stability. Others also raise concerns that cats could find high numbers of
unfamiliar people wanting to pet them stressful. Cats are known to feign Declaratives
sleep whilst, in reality, feeling stressed and hyper-vigilant to the strangers
around them.
Don’t forget to use
all of the magic
ingredients, and
the two words
from the
vocabulary
challenge.
Man assaulted and
has his two beloved
Chihuahuas stolen!

Write a newspaper
report detailing the
breaking news.
 Writing Task 5: Newspaper Report
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
week:
the following
words: • Embedded Clause
Allegedly
• Journalistic Phrases
(adverb)
Used to convey that
• Direct Speech
Aim to…
something is claimed to • Reported Speech • Use an appropriate voice throughout
be the case or have
taken place, although • Catchy Headline • Vary your vocabulary choices
there is no proof. • Vary your sentence structures
• Use consistent tense
Corroborate
• Use paragraphs
(noun)
To confirm or give • Spell accurately
support to (a statement,
theory, or finding).
 Barking Mad Thief Steals Two Pet Chihuahuas
Magic Ingredients
A British man was arrested yesterday after he reportedly assaulted a local
man before breaking into his home and stealing his two pet chihuahuas you need to include
from his home in London.
this week:
Police arrested a 37-year-old man at his house and is believed to have been
charged him with theft and assault. The man, who was not named in the
police report, is said to be awaiting trial for the crimes.
Embedded Clause
According to the report, 39-year-old James A. Roberts, filed a complaint shortly Journali
after the altercation, claiming that he was attacked before having his pets
stolen. stic
An investigation of the disturbance found that the unnamed man had
allegedly begun violently hitting Roberts outside of his home in order to Phrases
gain access to his home.
Direct Speech
After checking CCTV footage, police discovered that a man had entered
Roberts’ home at about 5:30pm. Shortly after, the man was seen leaving the
scene with a large carrier.
‘After a lengthy investigation, we were able to corroborate Roberts’ Reported Speech
version of events,’ police said.
Roberts commented that he was glad to have his two chihuahuas back. Catchy Headline
The police are asking people to be extra vigilant as dog crimes are
on the increase.
Don’t forget to use
all of the magic
ingredients, and
the two words
from the
vocabulary
challenge.
You have been asked to
visit a school to assess
their extracurricular
program, looking at
what is working and
what needs improving.

Write a formal report

detailing your
findings.
 Writing Task 6: Formal Report
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
the following week:
words: • Title & Subheadings
Ascertain • Connectives
(Verb)
Find (something) out • Complex Sentences
for certain; make sure Aim to…
of
• Bullet points • Use an appropriate voice throughout
• Vary your vocabulary choices
Adequate • Vary your sentence structures
(Adjective) • Use consistent tense
Satisfactory or
• Use paragraphs
acceptable in quality or
quantity. • Spell accurately
14th October 2021
Report: Extracurricular program at The School of YouTube Magic Ingredients
Overview
The report found that the extracurricular program currently implemented at The School of YouTube
you need to include
was deemed adequate in all areas observed. A number of inspections were carried across the
whole week to ascertain the quality of provision available for students after school. The report will
this week:
include several strengths identified and conclude with steps the school needs to action in order to
strengthen its extracurricular program. Title &
Academic provision
The academic provision currently provided at The School of YouTube is presently adequate. There Subheadi
are a number of small classes run after school to help students who are struggling
academically. Whilst it was agreed that the provision in these classes was generally good, the
academic provision for subjects outside of the core subjects was limited. During the classes
ngs
Connectives
observed, students seemed engaged and the content was purposeful and often engaging.

Sport clubs

Complex
There are a number of clubs available for students to join, depending on their interests. The
choice is varied, and most of the clubs seemed well organised. Most of the clubs across the
week had a healthy number of students partaking, and students clearly enjoyed the activities
observed. However, it was noted that some of the equipment used needed replacing, particularly
the goalposts used for the school’s football club. Senten
Summary and recommendations
Overall, the report found that The School of YouTube is currently providing opportunities for its
ces
students to partake in various extracurricular activities. Students get a lot out of many of the
clubs on offer. Bullet points
To improve, The School of YouTube should:
• ensure that there is a broader range of academic sessions available after school.
• replace old equipment routinely.
Don’t forget to use
all of the magic
ingredients, and
the two words
from the
vocabulary
challenge.
You have been asked to
take part in an
interview about the
importance of not
losing hope.

Write an interview
response to the
broadcaster’s
question.
 Writing Task 7: Interview
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
week:
the following
words: • Rhetorical Question
Epitome
• Rule of three
(noun)
a person or thing that is
• Semicolon
Aim to…
a perfect example of a • Repetition • Use an appropriate voice throughout
particular quality or
type. • Vary your vocabulary choices
• Vary your sentence structures
Fortitude • Use consistent tense
(noun)
• Use paragraphs
Courage in pain
or adversity • Spell accurately
So, can you tell me about why hope is so important to you?
Magic Ingredients
When I was asked to be interviewed about the importance of not losing hope, an
immediate thought; a memory that was three years old came to mind. The
you need to include
memory of a beautiful young girl called Jess. Jess had a form of childhood cancer this week:
called Neuroblastoma. There is no known certain cure. Jess was diagnosed at the
age of three. Due to the tenacity of her family, especially the strength of her Rhetori
mother and grandma, Jess never gave up hope. Hope for a cure, hope for a
reprieve, and hope for more days to do all the exciting and mundane things she
cal
planned to do. Jess is a perfect example of the importance of not losing hope. Question
She lived her life to the full, to the best of her ability; she inspired others and
exceeded the medical team's expectations. Wouldn’t you agree that Jess Rule of three
embodies hope?
Jess called her lump “Boring Boris," and she was determined to beat him; she
Semicolon
remains the epitome of the importance of not losing hope. Jess' attitude and
fortitude helped her family not dwell on her illness. They continually had a lot Repetition
of fun and inspired many other people. Whenever Jess was too unwell to do
much, her family would rally, remaining upbeat and hopeful, following her lead.
They would use those times planning the next adventure for Jess and make
precious memories. Now, that’s what I consider the true definition of hope.
You’ve been asked
to write an article
based around the
idea of leaving
one’s comfort
zone.

Write an engaging
magazine article
giving your thoughts
and feelings.
 Writing Task 8: Article
Vocabulary Challenge Magic Ingredients you
need to include this
You need to use
week:
the following
words: • Personal Pronouns
Audacious:
• Rule of three
(adjective) • Rhetorical Question
Showing a Aim to…
willingness to take • Imperative • Use an appropriate voice throughout
surprisingly bold • Vary your vocabulary choices
risks. • Semicolon
• Vary your sentence structures
• Emotive Language • Use consistent tense
Thrive
• Use paragraphs
(verb)
• Spell accurately
To grow and
develop strongly.
 Life Starts Outside of Your Comfort Magic Ingredients
Zone! you need to include
What does it mean to step outside of your comfort zone? Think this week:
about it for a moment, and don’t turn the page just yet!
Fundamentally, it means trying something different, something that is
not part of your regular, safe routine. We all have our own comfort Personal Pronouns
zone; it's safe and familiar, the habits we follow. Choosing to step
outside of our comfort zone is the decision to try something new, Rule of three
often something audacious. By stepping outside of what is
comfortable and safe, you give yourself the opportunity to truly
thrive. It’s frequently a transformative experience.
Rhetori
We all have different personalities; each of us is unique. Some people
would shrug and say, why not step outside a comfort zone? Doing cal
things that are different, possibly dangerous, but undoubtedly
unfamiliar makes life exciting and fun. Others will cringe at the Question
thought of leaving the familiar, comfortable safety blanket. Change
terrifies them; doing something new is abhorrent to those who like Imperative
to feel safe and secure.
Still, there is another tribe, probably the one that fits most people.
They love their comfort zone but realize testing themselves by Semicolon
stepping outside of routines, and the familiar helps them grow,
builds their personality, and gives them new perspectives.
Emotive Language
Don’t forget to use
all of the magic
ingredients, and
the two words
from the
vocabulary
challenge.