Summary
Highlights
The composing section is an extended genre-specific writing task on Paper 1, testing students on their ability to write in one or more of the five language genres: narration, information, aesthetic, persuasion, and argument. This year, it's particularly important, accounting for 37% of the overall English grade. Students choose one task from seven options, and it's recommended to dedicate over 90 minutes to this section, aiming for at least five pages of writing.
Short stories require writing in the genre of narration. The 'SCPN' formula (Setting, Character, Plot, Narrative writing) is crucial for success. Setting involves conveying a clear sense of time and place, often specific to the question, but it's advised to use familiar, realistic settings. Characters are the 'lifeblood' of the story; keep the count small (1-3) and avoid over-description, using subtle suggestion instead. Plot follows the 'rule of three' (beginning, middle, end), with a clear introduction, a believable climax, and a definite ending. Narrative writing emphasizes 'show, don't tell,' using descriptive details and building up the story rather than revealing everything at once.
The personal essay requires personal reflection and must be written from a personal point of view. It's an extended reflection, detailing memories, impacts, and influences on the writer. The style and tone should be informal, authentic, and genuine, allowing the examiner to get a sense of the writer's personality. It's crucial to demonstrate reflection and growth, showing what was learned and gained from the experience described. Examples from past papers (2019-2020) illustrate typical prompts, encouraging students to consult these for revision.
Speech writing engages with genres of persuasion and/or argument. Students need to differentiate between argumentative speeches (for or against a motion) and address-style speeches (delivering a talk). The key is effective communication; connect with the audience, understand the appropriate register (tone and style) for the context, and grab attention powerfully. Techniques like starting with silence or a statistic, using the 'I' and 'we' pronouns, rhetorical questions, facts, figures, anecdotes, and the 'rule of three' (FOREST mnemonic: Alliteration, Facts, Opinions, Rhetorical questions, Emotive language, Statistics, Three) are vital. The basic structure involves stating the topic and viewpoint, explaining it, providing evidence, and concluding by reinforcing the point.
For the composing section, aiming for at least 75% is crucial to give yourself 'wiggle room' for achieving a H1 overall, given its increased weighting. While not impossible to get a H1 without scoring extremely high in composing, it will require exceptionally high marks in other sections. Students are encouraged to use past exam papers, review available resources, and attend future Saturday sessions for other subjects.