IGCSE First Language English Paper 2: Section A, Directed Writing

Overview

• Section A: Directed Writing
• Section B: Composition (narrative or description)
• Both sections worth 40 marks each
• Spend 1 hour on each section

Time Management for Directed Writing

• 10 minutes: Reading and Planning
• 45 minutes: Writing
• 5 minutes: Proofreading

Focus of the Lesson

• Reading skills
• Writing skills

Topic Introduction

• Use of pictures to guess the topic: Green Shopping
• Green Shopping: Making environmentally friendly choices in purchasing

Directed Writing Question

• Write an article for school/college magazine titled "Small Change, Big Difference"
• Evaluate views from texts on environmental impact
• Provide own views based on texts

Text Analysis

Text A: "Green Shopping Won't Save the Planet"

• Explicit Ideas
  • Shopping as individual action
  • Real change through collective action and legislation
  • Criticism of "lazy environmentalism"
  • Shopping as inadequate compared to scale of environmental issues

Text B: "Giving up Hope Won't Save the Planet"

• Explicit Ideas
  • Environmental damage and need for sustainable living
  • Importance of individual and local actions
  • Promotion of projects like Roots and Shoots

Evaluation

• Counter-Arguments to Text A

  • Both individual and collective actions necessary
  • Accumulated small differences can lead to big change
  • Governments and companies are made of individuals

• Evaluation of Text B

  • Emphasizes need for hope and action
  • Encourages school-level projects and education for lasting change

Writing Skills for Directed Writing

• Structure

  • Organize paragraphs by argument/theme, not text order
  • Use own words, avoid copying from texts

• Tone and Style

  • Semi-formal and lively
  • Appropriate register for a school magazine
  • Avoid slang, use proper English

VORPF Analysis for Writing

• Voice: Student
• Audience: Other students, teachers, parents
• Register: Semi-formal, lively
• Purpose: To inform and persuade
• Format: School magazine article

Cambridge Examiner Expectations

• High marks for probing, evaluative responses
• Low marks for mere summarization

Exemplar Analysis

• Strong use of explicit ideas and evaluations
• Appropriate register and engaging tone

Key Takeaways

• Group paragraphs by argument/theme
• Avoid chronological order of texts
• Always challenge ideas, do not merely summarize
• Be mindful of tone and register
• Use VORPF to guide writing style
• Include explicit details from both texts

Conclusion

• Critical thinking and effective writing strategies are key for success in Directed Writing.