English GCSE Final tips

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All about writing

• Your guide to getting the best grade on the writing paper

• Two non-fiction tasks – the first task is shorter and worth 16 marks; the second is longer and is worth 24 marks

• Spend an hour on this section – 25 minutes on Q5 and 35 minutes on Q6

When you first open the paper

• Find a spot that you can scribble down a list of all the techniques in DAFOREST and PERRIER – You will be finding these terms in Question 4 but actually using them yourself on the writing section.

Writing tasks – Find the GAP of each

• Before you start writing, jot down the GAP of each• GENRE – What is it you are being asked to write? Next to this,

write down anything you know about writing for that genre.• Formality meter:Formal --- Letter --- Newspaper article --- Magazine article --- Blog/Website articleEg. G: Magazine article (informal, chatty, sometimes uses subheadings to split up sections, mention phrases like “regular readers/subscribers” etc.)G: Blog article – very informal, links to websites, has a easy to understand title at the top, mention phrases like “Regular blog readers will know…”

Writing tasks – Find the GAP of each

• AUDIENCE – Who is it for? You will likely be told this in the question

• Eg. Write a magazine article about the advantages of using public transport “for young people”

• How can you show the examiner that you’ve thought this through? Refer to things that young people will know, reference things they will get eg. “It’s not like you can rely on your parents and pocket money forever”

Writing tasks – Find the GAP of each

• PURPOSE – What is the point? What does the task ask you to do?

• It’s always a verb:• DESCRIBE• EXPLAIN• INFORM• ARGUE• PERSUADE

• Write the text for a leaflet to persuade young people in your area to take part in an event for charity. The leaflet should be about:The sponsored event of your choice

• Which charity the event is for• Why young people should support the charity• Remember to:

Write a leaflet• Use language and techniques to help you persuade

5

6

Find the GAP in the following questions

1. Write a letter to your school magazine which argues for or against homework being set at Key Stage 4.

2. Write a review for a teen website about a film or TV programme you have seen recently

3. Write a report for your local newspaper which offers advice on how to provide more facilities for teenagers

4. Write an article for a teen magazine persuading young people to stop smoking.

Structuring your writing

• Handy hints:• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. Topic

sentences introduce your paragraph. They let the reader know what to expect.

• Link your paragraphs using connectives• Time order: At first, Then, Later• Logical order: Therefore, Consequently, As a result• Contrast: On the other hand, In contrast• Simple ordering: Firstly, Secondly, Finally• Developing: Because of this, Also, Moreover, In addition

How to use language to get

higher marks

Writing an effective opener

• For non-fiction:• Try starting with your anecdote: This is Brian.

Every day is a struggle for him because he suffers from…

• Start with a quotation (can be made up)• 63% of 16 year olds don’t take enough exercise• A rhetorical question• Schools to close? Teachers to resign? This is not

some vision of the future – it is happening now…

Effective endings• Ending is the last chance to convince the examiner you

are worthy of more marks!• Summarise but don’t repeat your main points• Try and use anecdotes, humour or statistics to conclude.• If you take anything from this speech, I want you to

remember that school uniform is unnecessary, it is ugly and most parents can ill afford it. Why does this school persist in making us students suffer in this way? 97% of students and 87% of parents think that students in Year 10 and 11 should be given the choice to decide what they wear. Do the right thing. You know it makes sense.

Question 6 practice• Write the text for a leaflet to persuade young

people in your area to take part in an event for charity. The leaflet should be about:

• The sponsored event of your choice• Which charity the event is for• Why young people should support the charity• Remember to:

Write a leaflet• Use language and techniques to help you

persuade