Overview
This lecture is a comprehensive guide for IGCSE First Language English Paper 2 (Writing Paper), covering exam structure, timing, mark schemes, and detailed strategies for directed writing, descriptive writing, and narrative writing.
Exam Structure & Timing
- Paper 2 is a 2-hour handwritten exam, worth 80 marks and 50% of the total grade.
- Section A: Directed Writing (40 marks), all students answer; Section B: Composition (40 marks), choice of narrative or description.
- Recommended timing: 1 hour on each section, with suggested time splits for planning, writing, and proofreading.
- Grade boundaries from Summer 2023: A=55/80, B=49/80, C=43/80.
Section A: Directed Writing
- Involves responding to two texts with differing viewpoints, usually argumentative or persuasive.
- Tasks may include writing a letter, article, or speech to a specific audience and purpose.
- Evaluation means identifying weaknesses or implicit biases in arguments and offering counterarguments.
- Most marks come from supporting the viewpoint Cambridge wants; find and challenge points from the opposing text.
- Reference explicit details from both texts; evaluation = counterargument to a specific point.
- Structure writing clearly, use paragraphs grouped by argument, and maintain appropriate register (voice, audience, purpose, format).
Section B: Descriptive Writing
- Description is like a photograph: no plot or events, mainly observation and atmosphere.
- Use a five-paragraph structure: zoom out, zoom in, change perspective, contrasting detail, emotional ending (circular structure).
- Avoid narrative features; focus on depth and development of imagery, and logical flow from one paragraph to the next.
- Create original, detailed, atmospheric scenes with precise vocabulary.
Section B: Narrative Writing
- Narrative is like a film: requires a well-defined plot, climax, characters, and setting.
- Use planning time to develop original ideas, interesting settings, and flawed, unique characters.
- Structure: Introduction (character, setting, motivation), inciting incident, rising tension, climax, (optional) resolution.
- Prepare ahead with reusable characters and settings to adapt to prompts.
- Dialogue: new speaker = new paragraph, correct punctuation, descriptive tags.
Writing Skills & General Advice
- Always use your own words; do not copy from source texts.
- Maintain a (semi-)formal register appropriate to the audience and task.
- Proofread for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and tense consistency.
- Avoid clichés and generic scenarios; originality is rewarded.
- Group paragraphs by logical themes and argument, not by the order of the source texts.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Evaluation — Judging the strengths/weaknesses of arguments and providing counterarguments.
- Register — The level of formality and tone in your writing, based on audience and purpose.
- Explicit details — Direct, clear facts or statements from the texts.
- Circular structure — Starting and ending with the same or related image/idea for unity.
- Climax — The most exciting or intense part of a narrative.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying Cambridge’s preferred perspective from past directed writing questions.
- Download additional resources, PowerPoint, and quizzes from the to.co website.
- Prepare original characters, settings, similes, and metaphors for narrative writing.
- Review descriptive and narrative writing lessons for more detail.
- Always plan, write, and proofread within recommended time frames.