Learner Resource 7

Sample plan

Use the plan below to help you structure a response to the sample writing task.

Write a speech for the parents of your school in which you argue that all students should spend a year working or travelling before they decide whether or not to apply to university.

In your speech you should:

·  explain why students would benefit from working or travelling

·  give some examples to support your argument

·  convince your audience that students should wait and experience life before university.

PLAN:

Introduction:

Topic sentence: University is an important time in a young person’s life, but often the pressure of studying for a degree can be very intense.

Paragraph 1: Other countries = exciting, different places with different traditions, weather, culture.

Topic sentence: Travelling broadens the mind and allows us to see how other cultures live.

Paragraph 2: Independence – get jobs when abroad, manage finances and making travel plans, where to eat and sleep.

Topic sentence: In addition, when young people travel they are able to develop real independence.

Paragraph 3: Statistics of students who have succeeded – got great degrees – after travelling – quote from a student.

Topic sentence: It is a proven fact that students who take time out to travel before university settle better to their studies once they return to them.

Paragraph 4: Address concerns – how it doesn’t have to cost too much – can work abroad and stay in youth hostels / cheap accommodation, exchange programmes with other students can save money on hotel costs.

Topic sentence: Furthermore, travelling doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Version 1 2 © OCR 2017

Developing extended writing skills

Paragraph 5: Unsafe – mention support groups / organisations which provide help to those abroad, training courses before they go, mobile technology allowing people to keep in constant touch.

Topic sentence: Another concern is that travelling is not safe for young people, however this is simply not the case.

Conclusion:

Topic Sentence: All in all, being able to travel prior to university affords students many benefits.

Version 1 2 © OCR 2017

Developing extended writing skills