Speech Model Answer (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Language)

You have been asked to give a talk to your class about your hobby or special interest to try to encourage others to get involved.

Write what you would say in your talk.                                                     

[20]

Task: Write a speech to your class about a hobby and set out why they should try it

What? 

A speech

Who? 

Your class

Why? 

To inform, entertain and persuade

Introduction

Set out argument: hobbies can help relieve stress

Point 1

What are hobbies?

Give context as to why people don’t always have hobbies in the modern world

Point 2

My hobby

Personal anecdote about own hobby

Point 3

Benefits of hobbies

Set out the mental and physical advantages of hobbies

Conclusion

Call the audience to action

AO5: Communication and organisation

11–12 marks

• The writing shows sophisticated understanding of the purpose and format of the task

• The writing shows sustained awareness of the reader/intended audience

• The appropriate register is confidently adapted to purpose and audience

• The content is ambitious, pertinent and sophisticated

• Ideas are convincingly developed and supported by a range of relevant details

• There is sophistication in the shape and structure of the writing

• Communication has ambition and sophistication

AO6: Vocabulary, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation

8 marks

• There is appropriate and effective variation of sentence structures

• Virtually all sentence construction is controlled and accurate

• A range of punctuation is used confidently and accurately

• Virtually all spelling, including that of complex irregular words, is correct

• Control of tense and agreement is totally secure

• A wide range of appropriate, ambitious vocabulary is used to create effect or convey precise meaning

My fellow classmates: how often have you heard yourself say, “I haven’t got time”? This seems to be the mantra for 21st-century living. Life is crazy: school, friendships, socialising, exercising, part-time jobs — it’s a wonder we fit it all in! Having a specific hobby or special interest seems to be increasingly out of fashion, but as life gets more stressful, maybe it’s time we got back into the habit of having a hobby. [Marking comment]

Having a hobby or interest seemed to be commonplace for earlier generations. Crafting, sports, cooking or baking or being outdoors and spending quality time doing these things was a part of life, but the pressures and the busy nature of modern-day life seem to have taken over. In addition, our more technologically advanced world means that we have instant access to a wealth of information and entertainment literally at our fingertips. It seems our hobbies these days consist of scrolling on our phones or being glued to our gaming chairs. Every age has its pressures and specific challenges, but I would argue that having a specific hobby or interest is as important now as it has ever been, in terms of our mental and physical health and emotional well-being. [Marking comment]

For me, after a particularly lazy January sat on the sofa doing nothing in particular, I decided to embark on my own journey of getting back into the habit of having a hobby. [Marking comment] I used to play netball at primary school, but stopped when I became a teenager, probably because I just couldn’t be bothered. But my school started to ask for new volunteers for the netball league which played on Saturdays, and I thought, “why not?” Even though I didn’t really feel like it, my mum drove me to my first practice and, to my surprise, I really enjoyed it! Everyone was friendly, welcoming and, crucially for me, didn’t put too much pressure on me. It felt good to be out in the fresh air and back on court, trying to improve my game, and I’ve kept it up! I now play most Saturdays, and don’t feel so guilty if I spend the rest of the afternoon on the internet. [Marking comment]

Taking up a sport seems the obvious choice, and there is no doubt that being outside is beneficial to your health, but this does not mean you need to go out and join the first running club you see. Just making time for regular walks in nature can help decrease anxiety levels and feelings of stress. We all know that regular access to green spaces has been linked to lower instances of depression and improved concentration and attention. Fishing, hiking, mountain biking, geo-caching, orienteering, or even rambling can all become something to be passionate about. Anything creative can also help to reduce stress, and several studies have shown that hobbies such as art, writing and music can even prevent stress in the first place — really important when it comes to exam time! Hobbies can also help people socialise, bringing like-minded individuals together, which can have a further positive impact on our mental well-being. But above all, having a hobby or interest helps to reduce screen time and is, well, fun! [Marking comment]

So, whether it’s gardening, sewing, go-karting or ice-skating, finding a hobby or interest that you find fun, relaxing and rewarding can have real physical and mental benefits for you and for your loved ones. The good thing about the internet is that it has never been easier to find a club or a hobby to try, so why not try one today? [Marking comment]