What SHOULD You Include in a Letter / Article / Leaflet / Essay / Speech? (AQA Forms of Writing)

The video discusses the requirements for different writing forms in AQA English Language Paper 2, Question 5, clarifying what features are essential for each form based on AQA's guidelines. The speaker recommends using all aspects of each form rather than just the minimum.

For a letter, the minimum requirement is an indication of sender and recipient (e.g., 'Dear Sir/Madam') and the use of paragraphs. A more detailed approach includes sender's address, date, recipient's address, formal salutation, fluently sequenced paragraphs, and an appropriate closing (e.g., 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully').

An article minimally requires a simple title and paragraphs. A more detailed article should include a catchy headline, a strapline to summarize the content, and subheadings to break up the text. The speaker emphasizes that incorporating these full features for an article is straightforward.

For a leaflet, the minimum is a simple title and writing broken into paragraphs or sections. More detailed features include organizational devices like subheadings, boxes, or bullet points, along with clear-cut, fluently sequenced paragraphs and a concise title.

A speech minimally needs a simple address to an audience (e.g., 'Good morning ladies and gentlemen') and a final address ('Thank you for listening'), with the content broken into sections. A more detailed speech includes rhetorical indicators throughout to show continuous engagement with the audience.

Essays, a familiar format, require at a minimum a simple introduction and conclusion, and paragraphs. For a more detailed and effective essay, students should aim for a convincing introduction and conclusion, with all ideas logically linked within paragraphs.

While AQA advises a minimum set of requirements for each writing form, the speaker strongly suggests going beyond these minimums and utilizing the full form to ensure clarity and effectiveness in communication.