WALT: Understand how to approach the paper 2 directed writing task

Do it now: What is directed writing?

Discuss with your partner?
Starter: What does the question look
like and what is the mark scheme?
Main task: Five step guided directed
writing.
Discussion: What questions or
concerns do you still have about
directed writing?

Printing instructions:
Slide 14 – writing scaffold (1 per
student)
Directed writing example paper (1 per
student).
Directed writing example insert (1 per
student)
Discuss with your partner:
What is directed writing?
 Directed writing: literally this
means you have to write in the
direction guided by the examiner.
You will be given one or two texts
and you need to use these to guide
your writing.
 Friday, July 25, 2025

WALT: Understand how to approach the paper 2 directed

writing task
 Starter
IGCSE First Language English CIE 0500 – paper 2

You should spend no more than one hour on this question

The directed writing task will be in section A of language paper 2. You will
need to read one or two texts and then complete a writing task in
response to this.

The task is worth 40 marks: 25 of these are for the quality of your writing
and 15 are for the content.
 Starter
What does the mark scheme look like?
Writing – 25 marks
 Starter
What does the mark scheme look like?
Reading – 15 marks

Key words:

Evaluate: Weigh up the

pros and cons of
something to make a
judgement.

Assimilate: Fully
understand

Therefore, the 15 marks

for reading will be
awarded for your full
understanding and your
ability to weigh up the
pros and cons of ideas.
 1
Step one: examine the question
1. First, write down the PAF (Purpose, Audience and Format) of what they are asking you to write.
2. Then highlight the line that tells you what to evaluate so that you are focused when you are
reading.

Example question:
1) PAF for this question
Read Text A (a website extract about uniform and dress codes) and Text B (a
letter from a headteacher about the uniform policy.) Purpose: To discuss the
issue of uniform and
Imagine you are a pupil in a school with no uniform.
persuade others of my
Write an article for the school paper giving your views on whether or not the opinion.
school should have its own uniform.
Audience: School students
In your article you should: and teachers.
• Evaluate the views give in both texts about school uniform.
• Give your own views, based on what you have read, about whether a school
Format: Article
uniform would benefit students and teachers.

Base your article on what you have read in both texts, but be careful to use your 2) Evaluate
own words. Address both of the bullet points. This question asks you to
evaluate the views on
Begin your article: “For generations, people have felt strongly about the issue of school uniform.
school uniform…”

Write about 250-350 words.

 1
Step two: Close reading of the text/s

• Read the first text and highlight/annotate the main points it makes
about school uniforms. Remember that you are looking for explicit and
implicit meaning (this means that you will need to use your inference
skills).

• Think about what they have said – do you agree or disagree? Think
about the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments and annotate
your thoughts in a separate colour.

• Repeat this step if there is a second text.

 1
Step three: Plan your answer
• Now you need to consider the format of your answer (whether it is a letter,
article or speech) to help you to plan and structure your work.

• Have the format in mind whilst using the structure below to plan your answer.

Planning for an article about school uniform

Short ‘hook’ paragraph: 2-3 For example: when you think about x, you might
sentences that makes it clear think... However, have you considered that…?
what you are discussing.
Paragraph one - evaluation Find three points from the first text and either give
opposing arguments or add to them.
Paragraph two - evaluation Find three points from the second text and either
give opposing arguments or add to them.
Paragraph three - persuasion Overall what do you think. Include some
persuasive devices such as the rule of three,
rhetorical question, direct address.
Short closing paragraph – 1-2 Call to action – what do you want the audience to
sentences do?
 1
Step four: write your answer
Remember the following success criteria:
• Use accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar with specific vocabulary.
• Show that you understand the purpose, audience and format of what you
are writing.
• Evaluate the ideas from both texts.
Planning for an article about school uniform

Short ‘hook’ paragraph: 2-3 For example: when you think about x, you might
sentences that makes it clear think... However, have you considered that…?
what you are discussing.
Paragraph one - evaluation Find three points from the first text and either give
opposing arguments or add to them.

Paragraph two - evaluation Find three points from the second text and either
give opposing arguments or add to them.
Paragraph three - persuasion Overall what do you think. Include some
persuasive devices such as the rule of three,
rhetorical question, direct address.
Short closing paragraph – 1-2 Call to action – what do you want the audience to
sentences do?
 1
Step five: Proofread your work

Remember, 25 marks are for your writing so accuracy is very important.

Read your answer slowly and correct and spelling, punctuation or

grammar errors.
 Class discussion

What questions or concerns do you still have about

directed writing?
 Revision sheet for directed writing

Short ‘hook’ For example: when you think about x, you Example:
paragraph: 2-3 might think... However, have you considered When you think about school uniform, you
sentences that…? might think: it helps everyone to look the
same, it reduces bullying and it saves parents
money. However, have you ever considered
that it might be stifling the creativity of
students?

Paragraph one Find three points from the first text and either School uniforms do x; however,
- evaluation give opposing arguments or add to them.

Paragraph two Find three points from the second text and Similary/In contrast, others believe “x”;
- evaluation either give opposing arguments or add to them. furthermore… However…

Paragraph Overall what do you think. Include some School uniform is vital to schools because…
three - persuasive devices such as the rule of three, Can you risk your children’s education for the
persuasion rhetorical question, direct address. sake of them wearing their own clothes?
Etc…

Short closing Call to action – what do you want the audience Ultimately, the most important thing is… Now
paragraph – 1- to do? you need to…
2 sentences