IGCSE English Writing Notes.
These notes cover the major writing skills needed for English Language examinations,
especially:
• Directed writing
• Narrative writing
• Descriptive writing
• Speech writing
• Article writing
• Letter writing
• Report writing
• Summary writing
They are useful for both:
• Cambridge Assessment International Education
• Pearson Edexcel
1. What Examiners Look For
IGCSE writing is marked using these main areas:
Skill What it Means
Content Relevant and interesting ideas
Organization Clear paragraphs and structure
Vocabulary Strong and varied word choice
Grammar Correct sentence structures
Accuracy Correct punctuation and spelling
Style Appropriate tone and audience awareness
2. The Writing Process
Good writing follows 5 steps:
PLAN → DRAFT → DEVELOP → EDIT → PROOFREAD
,3. Types of Writing in IGCSE
Type Purpose
Narrative Tell a story
Descriptive Describe vividly
Argumentative Persuade
Discursive Discuss both sides
Informative Explain clearly
Directed writing Write for a specific purpose
4. Narrative Writing
What Is Narrative Writing?
Narrative writing tells a story.
You may be asked:
• Continue a story
• Write from a title
• Write from a picture
• Create an original narrative
5. Structure of Narrative Writing
A strong story usually follows:
Introduction
↓
Rising Action
↓
Climax
↓
Falling Action
↓
Resolution
6. Illustration of Story Structure
, Example Story Mountain
CLIMAX
/\
/ \
/ \
/ \
INTRODUCTION --/ \-- RESOLUTION
7. Features of Good Narrative Writing
A. Strong Opening
Bad:
It was a normal day.
Better:
The scream shattered the silence of the midnight streets.
B. Characterization
Show personality through:
• Actions
• Dialogue
• Appearance
• Thoughts
Example
Instead of:
John was nervous.
Write:
John’s hands trembled as he reached for the door handle.
These notes cover the major writing skills needed for English Language examinations,
especially:
• Directed writing
• Narrative writing
• Descriptive writing
• Speech writing
• Article writing
• Letter writing
• Report writing
• Summary writing
They are useful for both:
• Cambridge Assessment International Education
• Pearson Edexcel
1. What Examiners Look For
IGCSE writing is marked using these main areas:
Skill What it Means
Content Relevant and interesting ideas
Organization Clear paragraphs and structure
Vocabulary Strong and varied word choice
Grammar Correct sentence structures
Accuracy Correct punctuation and spelling
Style Appropriate tone and audience awareness
2. The Writing Process
Good writing follows 5 steps:
PLAN → DRAFT → DEVELOP → EDIT → PROOFREAD
,3. Types of Writing in IGCSE
Type Purpose
Narrative Tell a story
Descriptive Describe vividly
Argumentative Persuade
Discursive Discuss both sides
Informative Explain clearly
Directed writing Write for a specific purpose
4. Narrative Writing
What Is Narrative Writing?
Narrative writing tells a story.
You may be asked:
• Continue a story
• Write from a title
• Write from a picture
• Create an original narrative
5. Structure of Narrative Writing
A strong story usually follows:
Introduction
↓
Rising Action
↓
Climax
↓
Falling Action
↓
Resolution
6. Illustration of Story Structure
, Example Story Mountain
CLIMAX
/\
/ \
/ \
/ \
INTRODUCTION --/ \-- RESOLUTION
7. Features of Good Narrative Writing
A. Strong Opening
Bad:
It was a normal day.
Better:
The scream shattered the silence of the midnight streets.
B. Characterization
Show personality through:
• Actions
• Dialogue
• Appearance
• Thoughts
Example
Instead of:
John was nervous.
Write:
John’s hands trembled as he reached for the door handle.
