TRANSACTIONAL WRITING

What is it?
Texts that deal with facts, opinions and the real world are usually described as non-fiction.
Transactional writing is non-fiction writing that intends to communicate information between
individuals or groups.

Non-fiction texts include (amongst others): letters

emails
magazine articles speeches
travel writing
obituaries
autobiography
reference books
Different text types, or forms of non-fiction have particular conventions. These are the typical or expected
features of a form and include structure, language and tone. For example, a newspaper article usually has a
headline, uses formal language and takes a serious tone. A political speech usually addresses the audience
directly, includes persuasive language and often has a rousing tone.

With all writing tasks it is important to consider:

◦ the conventions of the form
PLUS
◦ your intended audience (reader)
◦ the purpose of your writing
◦ Your reader might be one particular person, as with an email or letter. Or it might be a broader group of people,
as with an article or speech.
◦ Having a clear purpose will allow you to select language best suited to your task. For example, if your purpose
is to entertain, your tone might be light-hearted. If your purpose is to persuade, you might include rhetorical
devices.
WRITING A SPEECH
 Paired Reading
Here is an extract from a speech given by
Barack Obama.

1. Who is the intended audience?

2. What is the purpose?

3. What techniques have been used to make the

purpose clear?
We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves but to all
prosperity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so will
betray our children and future generations. Some  may still deny the overwhelming judgement
of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, crippling drought or
powerful storms. A path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes
difficult, but America cannot resist this transition.  We must lead it! We cannot concede to other
nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries; we must claim its promise.
That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure. You and I as
citizens have the power to set this country’s course. You and I as citizens have the obligation to
shape the debates of our time not only with the votes, we cast but with the voices we lift in
defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideas. Will you join us?
◦ the audience is American citizens
◦ the purpose is to convince people to take responsibility for acting on climate change
◦ note the repeated use of the personal pronoun ‘we’ within the opening paragraph to engage the
listeners
◦ he deals with objections using the phrase ‘Some may still deny’ suggesting that the opposition are in a
minority ‘some’ and that their position is unsteady ‘may’
◦ in the second paragraph, Obama uses the highly emotive language ‘devastating’, ‘crippling’ and
‘powerful’ to influence his listeners and to highlight the negative impact that climate change has had on
America
◦ Obama then ends on a powerful message, using 'we' and 'our' to suggest to the audience that they are all
together and he is working with them
◦ he uses forceful language and imperatives in the repeated ‘We must’
◦ he finishes with a rhetorical question, calling the audience to take action
 Persuasive device Definition Example

A question that is not meant to be answered but Wouldn’t you feel happier if you could
Rhetorical question
rather to make the reader think. wear what you wanted to school?

School uniforms are uncomfortable, itchy

Rule of three
and worst of all, bland.
Many students are forced to suffer the
indignity of wearing clothes that do not
Emotive language Language that shows emotions
match their personal style for the
duration of their school careers.
Some people might say that uniforms
Handling objections
save time, however…

Hyperbole Exaggeration Millions of school children every year…

Anecdote Personal story or experience One girl in a school in Dartford claims…

Using ‘us’ or ‘you’ to make the audience feel We all know how unimaginative school
Inclusive pronouns
engaged. uniforms are…
 Persuasive device Definition Example

A question posed to an audience, to which the

Wouldn’t you feel happier if you could
Rhetorical question speaker predicts the answer and gains support
wear what you wanted to school?
from the audience by asking.

Grouping words or ideas in threes makes them School uniforms are uncomfortable, itchy
Rule of three
memorable and persuasive. and worst of all, bland.
Many students are forced to suffer the
indignity of wearing clothes that do not
Emotive language Language that appeals to the emotions.
match their personal style for the
duration of their school careers.
Consider what your opposition might say and Some people might say that uniforms
Handling objections
deal with it before they do. save time, however…

Hyperbole Using exaggeration for effect. Millions of school children every year…

Using real life examples to support your

Anecdote One girl in a school in Dartford claims…
argument.
Using ‘we’, ‘I’, ‘you’ to make your audience We all know how unimaginative school
Personal pronouns
feel included. uniforms are…
 Listen to this short clip from Legally Blonde. In the clip, Ell Woods is giving a
speech to her graduating class.

On our very first day at Harvard, a very wise Professor quoted Aristotle: "The law is
reason free from passion." Well, no offense to Aristotle, but in my three years at Harvard
I have come to find that passion is a key ingredient to the study and practice of law --
and of life. It is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take
our next steps into the world, remembering that first impressions are not always correct.
You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith
in yourself.
On our very first day at Harvard, a very wise
Professor quoted Aristotle: "The law is
reason free from passion." Well, no offense Recap - can you find…
to Aristotle, but in my three years at Harvard
I have come to find that passion is a key • Inclusive pronouns
ingredient to the study and practice of law -- • List of three
and of life. It is with passion, courage of • Emotive language
conviction, and strong sense of self that we
take our next steps into the world, New persuasive techniques:
remembering that first impressions are not
always correct. You must always have faith • Repetition
in people. And most importantly, you must • Imperatives
always have faith in yourself. • Referring to words of others
Key Features of a speech:

A speech often follows a three part structure:

◦ a highly engaging and motivational opening
◦ a well-structured argument with several main points that include objection handling
◦ a dynamic and memorable conclusion

◦ A speech should be clear, coherent and should maintain a consistent point of view. The language you use will
vary depending on your audience. In a speech to a professional audience, such as a business pitch or a talk to
headteachers, formal language is more appropriate.

◦ The purpose of a speech is often to convince listeners of a particular point of view. Language is typically
persuasive.
Group Challenge
Find some examples of famous speeches online. Once you have read or listened to a few,
choose one that you think is particularly powerful.

Deconstruct your speech by identifying the following things:

• Who is the intended audience?
• What is the purpose of the speech?
• What techniques are used?
Pick out powerful techniques and deconstruct the language used by explaining the effect on
the listener.

Create a presentation to share your speech and your findings with the rest of the class.