Guide to Writer's Effect for IGCSE

Oct 6, 2024

IGCSE Success: Writer's Effect Questions Guide

Basics of Writer's Effect Questions

  • Assessed on the ability to identify powerful words, phrases, and images.
    • Focus on similes, personification, metaphors, onomatopoeia, etc.
  • Suggested word count: 200-300 words.
    • It's okay to write more if focused.
  • Spend 30 minutes on this question.
    • Analyze three quotations per paragraph.
  • Explore explicit and implicit ideas.
    • Explicit: What the words mean in context.
    • Implicit: Deeper meanings of the words, phrases, or images.
  • Question worth 15 reading marks.
    • No marks for writing style, but clarity and coherence are important.

Structure for Response

  1. Establish the overall effect of the language.
  2. Identify and describe the first image/quotation.
  3. Explain the explicit meaning.
  4. Analyze for implicit meaning.
  5. Repeat the steps for the second and third images.

Model Response Structure

  • Color-coded for clarity:
    • Red: Topic sentence
    • Blue: Quotation
    • Purple: Explicit meaning
    • Orange: Zoom in (analysis)
  • Ten-step structure for writing responses.

Example Responses

First Text: "The New Job"

  • Paragraph focus on metaphorical "violent turn".
  • Edgar's dominance and assertiveness highlighted.

Second Text: "The Lost Cave"

  • Imagery of battle with ivy, suggesting secrets behind it.
  • Exploration of claustrophobia and mystery in the cave.

Third Text: "The Violinist"

  • Personification of the violin, creating a whimsical and enticing character.
  • Analysis of audience anticipation and orchestra preparation.

Tips for Success

  • Pay attention to paragraph references and context.
  • Include explicit and implicit meaning in analysis.
  • Use a formulaic approach to ensure all points are covered.
  • Embed quotations smoothly where possible.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement and well wishes for upcoming exams.
  • Keep refining analysis skills and structuring responses well.
  • Thank you for watching and engaging with the content.

By applying these strategies and understanding the structure, students can better tackle the writer's effect questions and achieve success in their exams.