Written task 1

Persepolis: Written Task 1

Written Task

This written task allows you to choose an imaginative way

of exploring an aspect of the material studied in Part 3 of
the course. It must show a critical engagement with an
aspect of Persepolis.

The task, not including the rationale, must be 800–1,000

words in length. The rationale should be 200–300 words
in length. If the word limit is exceeded, the assessment of
the combined task and rationale will be based on the first
1,300 words.

A formal essay is not an acceptable text type for Written

Task 1.

Rationale
In the rationale you must explain:
• How the content of the task is linked to your chosen text
• How the task is intended to explore particular aspects of the novel
• The nature of the task chosen
• Information about audience, purpose and the context in which the task is set

The rationale should not only include knowledge about your chosen text, but also about the formal
conventions of the text type produced and how they relate to the aims of the task.

You must acknowledge all sources used in a Works Cited page.

You may include illustrations in support of your work where this is appropriate. These must always be
electronically embedded, not separately reproduced and physically attached. Written tasks
submitted for assessment must be word-processed and the electronic files must not exceed a
maximum size, including any images, of 2 MB.

Examples of written tasks for Part 3

The following examples of written tasks are intended for guidance only and are neither exhaustive
nor compulsory.
 A diary entry written by a tourist after visiting Tehran
 Interview with one of the characters
 A newspaper article examining the causes of an incident in the text
 Retelling an event from a different point of view
 The interior monologue of a character in the novel
 An extra chapter in the book
 An alternate ending to the novel
 A magazine article on an aspect of either woman’s society
 A deathbed confession from one of the characters
 A newspaper editorial on an issue raised in the novel
 A pastiche of the author’s style using another character or person
 An exploration of a theme, motif or symbol taken from the novel in a vignette or short story


Adapted from Brotherton, K Written task for A Handmaid’s Tale taken from the OCC.
 Written task 1

Topic Proposal
 What type of creative task do you intend to do?
 What aspects or elements of the work(s) do you intend to focus on?
 How do you intend to explore these aspects or elements?
 What knowledge and understanding of the text do you hope to show through this creative
response?

What the Written Task is and is not:

What it is not What it is

A creative writing assignment A type of text

WT1 is not the opportunity to write a
fantastical short story, a hypothetical play
script or a cryptic poem. If you want to write
a new ending to a novel or a missing chapter,
it has to be in the spirit of the author’s
intentions. WT1 is not solely the product of
your imagination.
Instead, you have to show that you have understood
a ‘text type’. Each text has structural conventions. For
example, if you write a speech, it has to have
rhetorical devices that are characteristic of speech
writing. Be sure that the text type lends itself well to
the content you are writing about. Study a few
examples of the text type that you want to write.

Out of context In context

It is not enough to state in your rationale,
“I’m writing a opinion column about
advertising.” In which magazine or
newspaper does your column appear? Is it in
the style of a particular columnist?
Place your WT1 in a context. For example, if you
want to write an opinion column about advertising,
write about a particular ad campaign that has
received attention in the news. Imitate the style of a
famous columnist. What would he/she say in
response to a topic?

A persuasive essay An understanding of course work

WT1 is not a test of your opinion. This is not Instead, WT1 is a test of the course work. How will
your chance to vent your frustrations about you demonstrate your understanding of language
a particular topic that you feel passionate and/or literature? Is your written task rooted in a
about. particular text?

A summary
Examiners are not interested in reading the
summary of a text that you read. This is not a
‘book report’.
An interpretation
There should be some evidence of critical thinking.
For example, writing a letter from one character to
another provides you the chance to show that you’ve
understood the work thoroughly.

Adapted from Brotherton, K Written task for A Handmaid’s Tale taken from the OCC.
Written task 1

Written Task 1 Proposal Form

Persepolis

Name: ________________________________________

Please complete the proposal form below after you have completed your style model annotation.

What form of writing will

your imaginative response
take?

Why have you chosen this

text type?

What are the key

characteristics of the type
of writing that you intend
to emulate?

From whose point of view

will the piece be written
and why?

Who is your intended

audience?

Adapted from Brotherton, K Written task for A Handmaid’s Tale taken from the OCC.
Written task 1

What is the intended

purpose of your response?

What is the context of

your piece of writing? You
need to consider the
social, cultural and
historical setting of your
response.

What understandings
about the text(s) and the
topic do you want to
communicate in your
piece?

You must consider:

 What the text is
about
 Its context
 The language used
 The images used
 How the text
connects to your
chosen novel

Approved:  Not Approved: 

Signature of teacher: ________________________________________

Feedback:

Adapted from Brotherton, K Written task for A Handmaid’s Tale taken from the OCC.