English language exam question...help!!

[Rufusthebewilderedreindeer]

Ds2 has the 2nd part of his English language mock tomorrow

We've just been discussing what he has to do and we mentioned letter writing

I said that years ago i saw a childs letter and he didnt have his address or the person he was writing to address

Ds2 said they have only been taught to put his address, and the date

Is that right? obviously dh and i being old were taught to put both addresss but obviously things change!

So the question is does ds2 have to put both the addresses on during his exam...

Ours are laid out in their planner pages at the back, is yours? They are usually full of info.

Informal letter just your address and date at top right.

Formal letter your address and date at top right, the recipient's address on the left above Dear Sir/Madam.

Meant to say they use "GASPS" for informal letters

G - greeting
A anecdote
S situation
P purpose
S sign off

Well the letter needs to be addressed to someone, so yes, include an address, lower left hand side (where it will fit into a window envelope).

Look at any correspondence you have received recently, and you'll see where your address goes.

But, yes, maybe if it's an informal letter, you'd just put your own address and write their address on the outside of the envelope.

I wonder do kids use GASPS for emails/snapchats lol.

Thanks for the replies

Yes i was taught many years ago that a formal letter was address top right, date under...their address below on the left and dear whatever under that...spaced out obviously

I suppose i didnt think of an informal letter, i suppose its because i dont often write them

I just wondered what the process was on GCSE language exam as he was only told this today...he may have just misunderstood or only heard the informal bit

Will take a look at his planner though

Oh and ill mention the GASPS bit too, that sounds good

English teacher here...

Informal letter would just about be ok with just the sender's address and date at top right. Formal letter def needs moth, exactly as you've described. Though there is a theoretical chance of an informal letter appearing on the paper, it's pretty unlikely - exam boards want to see formal tone and vocabulary and they don't see enough of this if they set an inf letter.

He just said he's looked on bbc bitesize...and that makes no mention of it

? who writes informal letters these days?

Oh thanks keirat, thats very helpful having that confirmation

Though ds1 partner (trainee english teacher) has just said they only get marked on the content

So im none the wiser

I just dont want him to lose any stupid marks if you see what i mean

mums

Exactly what dh just said

Not just content. They have to demonstrate understanding of purpose, audience and form - and appropriate layouts are part of ticking the form box, I reckon.

Very helpful again

I cant see that he would lose any points if he used both addresses any way...

They get marked on content, organisation, form, register (and whether their language fits an audience or purpose). They get marked for vocabulary, language, punctuation and spelling too.

Thanks maisy

I think he has started showing an interest in improving his grade a little too late for these mocks

Im passing all this info on to him, he is beginning to look a little hunted