Functional Writing – Leaving Certificate Higher Level | Paper 1 Question B

A comprehensive, classroom-ready PowerPoint for teaching Functional Writing for Leaving Certificate Higher Level English.

This detailed 57-slide resource provides structured guidance for Paper 1, Question B. It is informed by the genres, skills and writing demands found in past Leaving Certificate examination questions.

Students are guided through the process of identifying the required form, audience, purpose, content and register before planning and composing an effective response.

Genres covered include:

• Speeches and talks
• Magazine and newspaper articles
• Formal letters and emails
• Reports and proposals
• Blog posts and online writing
• Interviews and personal accounts

The resource includes:

• Detailed explanations of each writing genre
• Essential conventions and structural guidance
• PCLM marking guidance
• Exam-style practice questions
• Step-by-step planning frameworks
• Six extended model answers
• Analysis of effective writing techniques
• Common mistakes and improvement strategies
• Editing and proofreading checklists
• Classroom discussion and rewriting activities
• Peer-assessment prompts

Each extended model answer is presented across four readable slides, allowing teachers to examine how a strong 50-mark response is developed from its opening through to its conclusion. The accompanying craft notes highlight effective choices relating to structure, audience, register, language and purpose.

This resource can be used to teach functional writing as a complete unit, introduce Question B to a new class or revise Paper 1 with Sixth Year students before the examination.

The PowerPoint is fully editable and ready to use, helping to reduce planning time while providing students with clear, practical and exam-focused guidance.