## **Learning Outcomes**

After working through this article, you will confidently write in Standard English, maintain clarity in every sentence, and remove unnecessary words without losing meaning (AO6). You will be able to identify and correct non-standard forms, eliminate wordiness and vague language, and produce writing that is precise, direct, and appropriate for formal transactional tasks. These skills directly affect your AO6 mark in Paper 2 Section B.

## **AQA GCSE English Language 8700 Syllabus**

For AQA GCSE English Language 8700, this article helps you:

- Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for clarity, purpose, and effect (AO6 — 16 marks)
- Write in Standard English with accurate grammar and appropriate register (AO6)
- Demonstrate control of expression by selecting precise words and eliminating unnecessary language (AO6)
- Support the coherence and persuasiveness of your argument through clear, focused writing (AO5/AO6)

## **Test Your Knowledge**

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. What is Standard English, and why is it required in formal transactional writing?
2. True or false: Using complex vocabulary always improves clarity.
3. Rewrite this sentence more concisely: "In my personal opinion, I believe that the government should, at this present moment in time, take action."
4. What is the risk of using slang or dialect in a letter to an authority figure?

## **Introduction**

AO6 awards up to 16 marks for technical accuracy in Paper 2 Section B. While grammar and punctuation are the most visible aspects of accuracy, clarity and concision are equally important. Writing that is clear and concise demonstrates control — one of the key descriptors at Level 4 of the mark scheme.

Standard English is the expected register for almost all transactional writing tasks. It avoids slang, dialect, and colloquial language, using the formal conventions of grammar and vocabulary that are understood across all English-speaking contexts. Writing clearly means that every sentence has one main idea expressed without ambiguity. Writing concisely means using the fewest words necessary to convey that idea effectively.

> **Key Term: Standard English**
> The formal, widely accepted variety of English used in education, published writing, and professional communication. It follows established rules of grammar and avoids regional dialect, slang, and colloquial forms.
>
> **Key Term: clarity**
> The quality of being easy to understand. Clear writing uses precise vocabulary, unambiguous sentence structure, and logical organisation so the reader never has to re-read a sentence.
>
> **Key Term: concision**
> Expressing an idea in the fewest effective words, without unnecessary repetition, filler phrases, or redundancy. Concise writing is not short writing — it is efficient writing.

## Writing in Standard English (AO6)

Standard English is the baseline expectation for transactional writing. Non-standard forms — including slang, text speak, regional dialect, and colloquialisms — are inappropriate in formal tasks and will be penalised under AO6.

Common non-standard forms to avoid:

- _Slang_: "kids" (use "children"), "loads of" (use "many" or "a significant number"), "stuff" (use "issues" or "matters")
- _Dialect features_: "we was" (use "we were"), "them books" (use "those books"), "ain't" (use "is not" or "are not")
- _Colloquialisms_: "sort it out" (use "resolve the issue"), "a bit rubbish" (use "inadequate" or "unsatisfactory")
- _Contractions in formal writing_: "don't" (use "do not"), "can't" (use "cannot"), "won't" (use "will not")

Standard English does not mean complicated English. The goal is correct, clear, and formal — not artificially complex.

### **Worked Example 1.1**

A student writes in a letter to a council official: "Loads of people round here are proper fed up with the state of the park. It's been left to go to rack and ruin and nobody seems to care."

> **Answer (corrected version):**
>
> "A significant number of local residents are deeply frustrated by the deteriorating condition of the park. It has been neglected for years, and there appears to be no plan for its restoration."
>
> The original uses non-standard forms: 'loads of' (informal quantifier), 'round here' (colloquial), 'proper fed up' (dialect intensifier), and 'rack and ruin' (idiomatic cliché). The corrected version maintains the same meaning and strength of feeling but uses Standard English throughout. 'Deeply frustrated' replaces 'proper fed up' without losing emotional weight, and 'a significant number of local residents' is precise where 'loads of people' is vague.

### **Exam Warning**

> Do not confuse formal register with complex vocabulary. Using words you do not fully understand often leads to incorrect usage, which costs AO6 marks. Choose precise words you are confident with rather than reaching for impressive-sounding alternatives.

## Achieving Clarity in Transactional Writing (AO6)

Clear writing ensures the reader understands your argument on the first reading. Confusion costs marks because the examiner cannot give credit for a point they cannot follow.

Three principles of clarity:

- _One idea per sentence_ — if a sentence contains two separate points, split it into two sentences
- _Precise vocabulary_ — choose the word that says exactly what you mean, not an approximate synonym
- _Unambiguous reference_ — every pronoun ("this," "it," "they") must clearly refer to a specific noun

Active voice is usually clearer than passive voice because it identifies who is doing what. "The council rejected the proposal" is clearer than "The proposal was rejected" because the reader immediately knows who acted.

### **Worked Example 1.2**

A student writes: "They need to do something about it because it is getting worse and if they do not then it will affect everyone and people will be unhappy."

> **Answer (corrected version):**
>
> "The council must address the rising levels of air pollution in the town centre. If no action is taken, public health will deteriorate, and residents will lose confidence in local governance."
>
> The original sentence has three clarity problems: vague pronouns ('they,' 'it,' 'everyone'), a run-on structure that chains ideas with 'and,' and no specific subject or detail. The corrected version names the actor ('the council'), specifies the problem ('air pollution'), and separates the consequence into a clear conditional sentence. Every noun is precise, every pronoun has a clear referent, and the sentence structure guides the reader logically from problem to consequence.

## Writing with Concision (AO6)

Concise writing removes words that add no new information. This is not about making your answer shorter — it is about making every word earn its place. Wordy writing wastes time, dilutes your argument, and makes it harder for the examiner to find your key points.

Common filler phrases to eliminate:

- "In my personal opinion" → "I believe" (or simply state the point)
- "Due to the fact that" → "because"
- "At this present moment in time" → "currently" or "now"
- "The reason why is because" → "because"
- "In order to" → "to"
- "It is important to note that" → remove entirely and state the point directly

Concision also means avoiding unnecessary repetition. If you have made a point, do not rephrase it in the next sentence. Move on to your next argument.

### **Worked Example 1.3**

A student writes: "In my personal opinion, I honestly believe that the school should, without a shadow of a doubt, invest more money into the facilities because, at the end of the day, it is the students who will benefit from this investment in the long run."

> **Answer (corrected version):**
>
> "The school should invest in its facilities because students will benefit directly."
>
> The original sentence is 42 words. The corrected version is 12 words and conveys the same meaning. The filler phrases 'in my personal opinion,' 'I honestly believe,' 'without a shadow of a doubt,' 'at the end of the day,' and 'in the long run' add no new information. Removing them makes the argument sharper and more confident. Concise writing sounds more authoritative because it trusts the reader to understand the point without over-explanation.

### **Revision Tip**

> After writing your answer, re-read each sentence and ask: can I say this in fewer words without losing meaning? Cross out any phrase that does not add new information. This habit improves both clarity and concision and can be practised in under two minutes.

## **Summary**

Standard English, clarity, and concision are the foundations of strong AO6 performance. Standard English ensures your writing is appropriate for the audience and task. Clarity ensures the reader can follow your argument without confusion. Concision ensures every word earns its place, making your writing sharper and more persuasive. Together, these three skills demonstrate the control and accuracy that the mark scheme rewards at the highest levels.

## **Key Point Checklist**

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- Write consistently in Standard English, avoiding slang, dialect, and colloquial forms
- Achieve clarity by using one idea per sentence, precise vocabulary, and unambiguous pronoun reference
- Prefer active voice for directness and clarity
- Eliminate filler phrases and unnecessary repetition to write concisely
- Understand that concision strengthens argument by making key points more prominent

## **Key Terms and Concepts**

- standard English
- clarity
- concision
- register
- formal register
- active voice
- passive voice
- filler phrase
- pronoun reference


Style and technical accuracy (transactional writing) - Standard English, clarity, and concision