Strategies for IGCSE English Language Paper - Tips and Guidelines
This detailed guide provides strategies and tips for tackling the IGCSE English Language Paper effectively. It includes advice on time management, question analysis, and writing techniques to maximize your score. The guide breaks down each section and offers insights to help you excel in your exam.
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BEFORE YOU START This is a 2 hour 15 minute paper and you will need every minute of it! Watch the This is a 2 hour 15 minute paper and you will need every minute of it! Watch the clock! clock! Try to answer every question Try to answer every question The last question is worth 1/3 of the total marks. The last question is worth 1/3 of the total marks. In the exam, the answers are written on the paper In the exam, the answers are written on the paper the available space suggests the imagined length of response. imagined length of response. the available space suggests the You can pick up marks for quality of written communication You can pick up marks for quality of written communication take time to proof read. read. take time to proof The Paper is in 3 parts and I will address it in that manner in the following slides. The Paper is in 3 parts and I will address it in that manner in the following slides. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
ON PERFORMANCE J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION A Make a note of the start time and put the time you aim to complete each section at the top of the paper as you begin. Based on an unseen non Based on an unseen non- -fiction text. This passage is around 50 fiction text. This passage is around 50- -60 lines long. You are advised to spend 45 minutes on this section. You are advised to spend 45 minutes on this section. The first two or three questions check your understanding of the passage. These will The first two or three questions check your understanding of the passage. These will be worth 8 marks in total. Often you will be asked to write be worth 8 marks in total. Often you will be asked to write IN YOUR OWN WORDS do so! do so! The final question should be an analysis of the way in which the passage is written The final question should be an analysis of the way in which the passage is written how does the writer how does the writer The final question is worth 12 marks. The final question is worth 12 marks. Thus divide your time carefully here. Allow 5 minutes reading time and then ensure Thus divide your time carefully here. Allow 5 minutes reading time and then ensure that you do not spend more than 15 that you do not spend more than 15- -20 minutes on Q 1&2. Allow the longer time 20 minutes on Q 1&2. Allow the longer time for the final question. for the final question. Feel free to use your answers to the first questions in the answer for the final Feel free to use your answers to the first questions in the answer for the final question. question. 60 lines long. IN YOUR OWN WORDS J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
A COMMENT ABOUT % 1. 1. Section A is worth 20 marks of the 60 Section A is worth 20 marks of the 60 33% of the paper. 33% of the paper. 2. 2. The first questions worth 8 marks make up 13 % of the marks available in the The first questions worth 8 marks make up 13 % of the marks available in the paper paper 3. 3. The paper is worth 70% of the whole IGCSE mark The paper is worth 70% of the whole IGCSE mark 4. 4. These questions are worth 9.333% of the marks available for your IGCSE These questions are worth 9.333% of the marks available for your IGCSE 5. 5. The same (give or take) as a single piece of English Language Coursework The same (give or take) as a single piece of English Language Coursework You do the maths! You do the maths! J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION A, FINAL QUESTION This is the first mini essay This is the first mini essay There will be bullet points There will be bullet points use them and ensure each one is given a paragraph to use them and ensure each one is given a paragraph to itself. itself. Use PEE/PEARL throughout Use PEE/PEARL throughout every point needs evidence and explanation every point needs evidence and explanation go to word level! word level! go to Always try to use evidence drawn from the whole passage. Always try to use evidence drawn from the whole passage. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION A TIPS READING: Read Q1 before you read the passage, then make your first reading with the question in your mind. Allow longer for final question be sure to quote and analyse Q2 needs reference to the text, but no explanation Annotate the passage as you read it. There is 1 mark for each point in Q 1, up to 4 marks aim to make 5 points and do not try to explain/give evidence short, clear sentences J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION B Based on ANTHOLOGY A Based on ANTHOLOGY A one passage. As at June 2015, the four passages as yet one passage. As at June 2015, the four passages as yet unexamined are: Climate change facts, climate change web page, Passage to unexamined are: Climate change facts, climate change web page, Passage to Africa and VOID. Africa and VOID. 2 questions 2 questions 1 is an analysis of the writing of the passage 1 is an analysis of the writing of the passage 1 is a TRANSACTIONAL piece based on a theme of the passage 1 is a TRANSACTIONAL piece based on a theme of the passage you should spend time thinking about these themes. time thinking about these themes. you should spend Both are worth 10 marks. Both are worth 10 marks. 45 minutes for this section 45 minutes for this section 20 20 mins mins for Q4 and 25 for Q5 seems about right. for Q4 and 25 for Q5 seems about right. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION B ANTHOLOGY Q 4 must focus on writer's techniques and should refer closely to the text quote and explain at word level. You should recognise the passage so don t spend too long reading it. 20 mins includes reading time Answer only the question which is actually asked! Underline the key words in the question J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION B CREATIVE The format is vital ensure you revise the key features of each format and use them. Thou shalt SLAP! Subject Language Audience Purpose (There is a PPt on the VLE and my blog ) Creative writing should be imaginative, but try to use real events VARIETY of language and punctuation Accuracy of grammar and spelling Paragraphs! J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION C 1 question 1 question 20 marks 20 marks 45 minutes advised 45 minutes advised 33% of the total marks for the paper 33% of the total marks for the paper do not leave too little time. do not leave too little time. 23% of your 23% of your entire entire IGCSE. (more than both written IGCSE. (more than both written courseworks courseworks!) !) The question requires you to write either to Inform, explain or describe. You MUST The question requires you to write either to Inform, explain or describe. You MUST respond with the correct triplet. Check the material on the VLE/blog/notes if you respond with the correct triplet. Check the material on the VLE/blog/notes if you have forgotten. have forgotten. About 7/20 marks are available for quality of written expression. About 7/20 marks are available for quality of written expression. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
SECTION C Read the question and ensure that you respond to it closely do not just write . Your PLAN should focus your thoughts. Check the triplet and make it clear in your opening sentence. A 10 minute plan should be enough! Stick to topics that you do have knowledge of wild invention rarely convinces TRAPPERS J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
IN YOUR OWN WORDS The question is testing comprehension of the passage or of a theme/thread. The question is testing comprehension of the passage or of a theme/thread. Do not quote and definitely do not engage in PEARL type analysis. Do not quote and definitely do not engage in PEARL type analysis. Make a quick list of the key points mad Make a quick list of the key points mad ein thread. thread. ein the passage or relating to the question the passage or relating to the question IN your own words paraphrase this closely and remember to check how many marks IN your own words paraphrase this closely and remember to check how many marks are available. Roughly 1 mark for each new point made. are available. Roughly 1 mark for each new point made. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
CREATIVE WRITING Always to Explain, Inform, Describe. Always to Explain, Inform, Describe. Remember this and do not allow yourselves to become too persuasive or obsessed by Remember this and do not allow yourselves to become too persuasive or obsessed by narrative. This is rarely likely to be write a story about . narrative. This is rarely likely to be write a story about . Newspaper Article, review, letter, magazine article, report, speech, interview Newspaper Article, review, letter, magazine article, report, speech, interview Most are in the Anthology section A and you should use this as your model. The exception Most are in the Anthology section A and you should use this as your model. The exception is the Report, the speech and the letter. I have not seen webpage as a task, but it is is the Report, the speech and the letter. I have not seen webpage as a task, but it is possible. possible. REMEMBER to show that you are hitting the task straight on by beginning and ending in the REMEMBER to show that you are hitting the task straight on by beginning and ending in the prescribed manner: Dear , Good morning , Last night , on the 30 prescribed manner: Dear , Good morning , Last night , on the 30th thMay Remember also to adopt the correct tone for the prescribed audience Remember also to adopt the correct tone for the prescribed audience a letter to an MP (Dear Sir) is much more formal than a speech to your classmates (Hi! Or Good Morning (Dear Sir) is much more formal than a speech to your classmates (Hi! Or Good Morning Year 11 ) Year 11 ) SLAP SLAP May a letter to an MP J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
STRUCTURE: Always remember to paragraph and to organise your writing clearly. Always remember to paragraph and to organise your writing clearly. The first paragraph of any piece should let the audience know what is being The first paragraph of any piece should let the audience know what is being discussed in the writing. USE the indicator (inform, explain, describe) at this discussed in the writing. USE the indicator (inform, explain, describe) at this point. It should be short and not develop the contents. point. It should be short and not develop the contents. Then I would expect three or four paragraphs of well considered content. YOU MUST Then I would expect three or four paragraphs of well considered content. YOU MUST PLAN carefully and make sure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and PLAN carefully and make sure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and focuses on that topic. focuses on that topic. REMEMBER that marks are awarded for variety of expression and punctuation for REMEMBER that marks are awarded for variety of expression and punctuation for effect. If in doubt make a CHECK LIST. effect. If in doubt make a CHECK LIST. TRAPPERS and Direct Speech along with a full range of punctuation: ? . , ; : () ! TRAPPERS and Direct Speech along with a full range of punctuation: ? . , ; : () ! should be enough! should be enough! J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
INFORM, EXPLAIN, DESCRIBE Most Edexcel tasks require a mixture of the three. Most Edexcel tasks require a mixture of the three. Inform: tell it like it is. Clear and straightforward. Inform: tell it like it is. Clear and straightforward. Explain: Add detail and extra information to let the reader see your thought process Explain: Add detail and extra information to let the reader see your thought process Describe: Begin to engage with senses and create images to help to convey your Describe: Begin to engage with senses and create images to help to convey your point. point. ABOVE ALL: ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED, NOT YOUR VERSION OF IT! ABOVE ALL: ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED, NOT YOUR VERSION OF IT! 1/3 of the marks are awarded for SPAG: Take care and proof read thoroughly 1/3 of the marks are awarded for SPAG: Take care and proof read thoroughly allow time for this and take it seriously. 6/20 could be a whole grade! time for this and take it seriously. 6/20 could be a whole grade! allow J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
ADVICE AND REMINDERS: Top Trumps: see the blog post and use this handy guide to the key elements of each Top Trumps: see the blog post and use this handy guide to the key elements of each passage. passage. TRAPPERS: review the techniques and engage your brain TRAPPERS: review the techniques and engage your brain 3 words do not always make a strong Triplet or make a strong Triplet or Tricolon Tricolon 3 words do not always EMOTIVE LANGUAGE: Choose carefully EMOTIVE LANGUAGE: Choose carefully avoid the word very or extremely and choose a better word to convey emotion choose a better word to convey emotion enraged, terrified, exploded into action, charged, swung around, crept charged, swung around, crept avoid the word very or extremely and enraged, terrified, exploded into action, Use short sentences for effect Use short sentences for effect - - A one word answer to a rhetorical question for A one word answer to a rhetorical question for example: example: Does anyone consider such a policy to be beneficial? No! Not a soul, from the 100 Does anyone consider such a policy to be beneficial? No! Not a soul, from the 100 sixteen year olds I asked, seemed to find this policy to be a good idea. sixteen year olds I asked, seemed to find this policy to be a good idea. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
USEFUL PLACES My blog: My blog: http://jwpblog.wordpress.com/ http://jwpblog.wordpress.com/ JLS JLS youtube youtube channel: wZYtY5ccPAckZpQ wZYtY5ccPAckZpQ the playlist Edexcel Anthology A the playlist Edexcel Anthology A channel: https:// https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3LxoT www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3LxoT- - Slow writing: Slow writing: http:// to practice finding variety in your writing to practice finding variety in your writing http://www.triptico.co.uk/media/temp/slowWriting.html www.triptico.co.uk/media/temp/slowWriting.html the best place the best place http://www.edexcel.com/quals/igcse/int http://www.edexcel.com/quals/igcse/int- -gcse11/eng public area of the public area of the Edexcel website. Edexcel website. gcse11/eng- -langa/Pages/default.aspx langa/Pages/default.aspx the the NEWSPAPERS! They contain every type of writing you might be called upon to NEWSPAPERS! They contain every type of writing you might be called upon to reproduce. reproduce. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
FINALLY GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK This is available on the blog for you To read, and I have put other posts with it This is available on the blog for you To read, and I have put other posts with it - - and links to other blog posts. links to other blog posts. and Enjoy! Enjoy! J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
EXPLAIN HOW ANNE DESCRIBES HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER MOTHER. Anne Frank passage: June 2014 Anne Frank passage: June 2014 Read the passage and quickly work out what Anne is Read the passage and quickly work out what Anne is saying about the saying about the relationship. relationship. On the next page there are the suggested resonses from the mark scheme. Not ethat On the next page there are the suggested resonses from the mark scheme. Not ethat there is little or no reward for quotation. there is little or no reward for quotation. J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
FROM THE MARK SCHEME Examiners should reward the identification and explanation Examiners should reward the identification and explanation Anne resents any suggestion that her mother Anne resents any suggestion that her mother of aspects of their relationship. Candidates may refer to of aspects of their relationship. Candidates may refer to should feel sorry for her, or that she is humoured should feel sorry for her, or that she is humoured some of the following points: some of the following points: by her in a knowing way by her in a knowing way Anne finds her mother extremely annoying and Anne finds her mother extremely annoying and Anne feels that her mother is siding with the Anne feels that her mother is siding with the infuriating infuriating other adults against her Everyone thinks other adults against her Everyone thinks they clash frequently they clash frequently Anne s mother has set standards of behaviour Anne s mother has set standards of behaviour it is characterised by her mother speaking to her it is characterised by her mother speaking to her and does not expect to be spoken to like that by and does not expect to be spoken to like that by in an unkind and hurtful manner in an unkind and hurtful manner her daughter and tells her so her daughter and tells her so Anne believes her mother s looks are scornful Anne believes her mother s looks are scornful mother ignores Anne for days before forgetting mother ignores Anne for days before forgetting Anne feels that her mother blames her for Anne feels that her mother blames her for about the incident and treating her the same as about the incident and treating her the same as certain things certain things everyone else does, suggesting that she is everyone else does, suggesting that she is Anne feels wounded Anne feels wounded pragmatic about their relationship and does not pragmatic about their relationship and does not Anne is upset and she cries when she is alone in Anne is upset and she cries when she is alone in harbour grudges for too long, or she emotionally harbour grudges for too long, or she emotionally bed, suggesting a lack of closeness with her bed, suggesting a lack of closeness with her punishes her. punishes her. mother mother J ON AT HAN PEEL J L S 2 0 1 5
