DESCRIPTIVE ONLINE NARRATIVE ONLINE

WORKSHOP: WORKSHOP:
SUN. 13TH APRIL SUN. 20TH APRIL
4.30-6.30 4.30-6.30
IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
 QUICK REMINDERS… IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

1. Paper 2 Qu. 1/Directed Writing is compulsory.

2. There are no alternative options/choices: everyone does the identical

task.

3. You may need to write a letter, speech or article.

4. There are 2 bullet points to respond to.

5. You will have to read one or two texts.

6. This task carries 40 marks/25% of your total First Language English

grade.

7. You need to write 250-350 words.

8. You should try to complete the task in around 45 mins. max. to allow
sufficient time for your composition and checking…
 QUESTION 1 DW AOs IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

AO1 Reading AO 2 Writing

 Show that you understand the explicit  Write convincingly to convey real and
(more obvious) meanings communicated in imagined experience, thoughts and feelings
a particular text
 Sequence and connect the ideas and
 Show that you can recognise hints and opinions effectively within your written
suggestions in a text to understand the response to interest and influence your
implicit (more subtle) meanings and reader
attitudes
 Use a range of appropriate vocabulary and
 Evaluate and analyse the facts, ideas and sentence structures within each written
opinions you read by using, explaining and response
developing them (and referring to
supporting evidence from the text where it  Vary your writing to suit the purpose,
is appropriate) audience and form of the task
Paper 2 DW skills focus not required in Paper 1
ER:  Write accurately, avoiding errors of spelling,
punctuation [see extra slides at the end of
• Evaluating Discursive the presentation] and grammar
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

SEE THE END OF THE

PRESENTATION/RESOURCES FOR:
GENERAL TIPS! PUNCTUATION
GUIDE
ERROR
CHECKLIST
VOCABULARY
BANKS
EXEMPLARS
 From the Examiners: Paper 2 Directed Writing Key IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Tips
 This is a genre transformation* question: 1/2
show awareness of style characteristics,
persona**, and audience. Put yourself into role, and address your audience directly. Yours
should read differently to the original and sound convincing.

 Try to use as much of the passages as possible, (explicit and implicit detail) as the vast
majority will be relevant to the response but you will have to change the way you express it*.

 Use the wording of the question to structure your response but don’t get tangled up in
explain vs evaluate vs give your opinion vs…!!! [I’ll explain!] WATCH OUT! EACH TEXT MAY
HAVE SOME POINTS RELEVANT
 Do not write as yourself unless you are specifically told to do so**.
TO THE OPPOSING VIEWPOINT!
 There will be one, or almost certainly two texts, perhaps in different genres e.g. a letter
and a dialogue presenting opposing viewpoints. The task requires you to evaluate
information from both sides so you must not ignore one of them: make two lists of points before
you start: are they balanced? [Examiners will use A and B, or pros and cons, to identify points
and to assess the balance of the two]. IMPORTANT: while you need to present a balanced
awareness of both sides, you can display your opinion/bias from the beginning if
appropriate [see Cambridge exemplar].
ANOTHER ‘WATCH OUT’! IF BOTH TEXTS SEEM TO SUPPORT THE SUBJECT [e.g. the benefits of music], SEARCH FOR THE
ISSUE!
SO WHAT ARE THE TWO SIDES? IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

MUSIC MATTERS

QU: “The best ways to inspire young

people to become involved in music.”
MAGAZINE ARTICLE STRUCTURE? IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

MUSIC MATTERS

QU: “The best ways to inspire young

people to become involved in music.”

FORBUT
LETTERS AND SPEECHES,
YOU MUST A BIASED,
MENTION AND PERSUASIVE
DEVELOP APPROACH
POINTS ON MAY
THE OTHER BE MUCH
SIDE, MORE
EVEN IF
BEWARE THE POTENTIAL PITFALL OF A PERSUASIVE APPROACH IN ANY OF THE 3 GENRES!
CONVINCING…
REBUTTING/MINIMALISING THEIR IMPORTANCE/OUTWEIGHING THEM WITH YOUR ARGUMENTS.
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

From the Examiners: Paper 2 Directed Writing Key

Tips 2/2
 The opening needs to clearly introduce the situation, your involvement and purpose of
the task, and will be rewarded if it puts the reader in the picture. [BUT KEEP IT SHORT! 3
SENTENCES MAX!]

 ‘Sign-post’ between points/paragraphs e.g. ‘Yet another reason to support this proposal is…’
to sound complete and cohesive: [rather than a formulaic response to bullet points.]

 Stay firmly rooted in the text, evidencing what you say from it in an adapted way, but extend
beyond it as long as it is still consistent with the reading material.

 Ensure you ‘evaluate’: you will have to decide which of the options is better and present
reasons why you have formed this opinion and justify it. BY THE END IS YOUR READER CLEAR OF
YOUR STANCE*?

 The aim of the response is likely to be persuasive, and paragraphs should be linked
appropriately for the structure of a progressive argument. Stay consistent in terms of style and
voice and keep the purpose in mind. Use a range of persuasive devices and language, and stay
(appropriately) formal, whatever the task.
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

 TEXT TYPE
 AUDIENCE
 PURPOSE
 STYLE

Star Tip: Ensure you consider the original

writer’s attitude/motivations
WHAT ADVICE HAVE YOU BEEN GIVEN? IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

WHAT OTHER
STRUCTURE OFOPTIONS DO
RESPONSE:
YOU HAVE?
INTRODUCTION ER
TT
LE
IDENTIFY AND
EXPLAIN... ART
IC L
E
views/
EVALUATE THE
arguments/
OPTIONS EC H
P E
opinions
which is
S

best?/why?
CONCLUDE/
[justify/provide
SO YOUR PARAGRAPHS MAY APPEAR LIKE THIS IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
INSTEAD…
PARAGRAPHING:
POINT
EXPLANATION/EVIDENCE
facts/examples/opinions/sufficiently
explained & developed opposing
points
EVALUATION
your assessment with justification
[PARAPHRASED RE-STATEMENT LINK
BACK TO POINT]
REVISION AND PREDICTION IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
REMINDER!
IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
 LANGUAGE OF RESPONSES IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

II am writing in regards to...I am here today to...Recently there has

INTRODUCTION been considerable discussion about the issue/matter of...

It has come to my attention/ I have heard about/understand

IDENTIFY AND that.../Many people...It is a commonly held opinion/belief that...The
advantages of...are...There are clearly advantages/positives to...One
EXPLAIN... point in their favour is.../On the other hand...An opposing opinion
is...Others would/might say.../ On the flip side.../But the opposing

views/ camp would say...

XXX are depicted as...., and while respecting that this isn’t always
arguments/ the case, overall, I would agree that.../The view that...are ...is widely
EVALUATE THE held and generally justified due to.../I agree that there are

opinions
OPTIONS
instances /cases where...
I consider the fact that...to be reasonable grounds to say that...There
is adequate justification in my view to agree/propose that...
XXX is depicted as....However, this view somewhat underestimates/
which is overlooks/assumes...Although claims of...are generally accurate, there
are instances where...The view that....may be somewhat superficial:

best?/why? for example, there are instances /cases where...Though....,closer

consideration needs to taken of the fact that.../There is inadequate
justification for...in my view and I would propose that...
[justify/provide I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the above...I do hope you
CONCLUDE/WRAP
evidence] will take my views on board...I thank you for your time...So there you
have it...
SIGNPOSTING LANGUAGE FOR SPEECHES IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
 VARY YOUR SENTENCE STRUCTURES! IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

SENTENCE
EXTENSION
[COMMA+ -ING]
TRIPLET
School
School
When councils
councils
you can
can
consider be be
allof very
motivate,
of
of very
the great
build
great
above, benefit:
benefit,
it is
Empowering,councils, according
inclusive and to some head
democratic,
STACCATO OPENING they give
confidence,
giving
clear students
andcause
students
that School a a voice,
invest
real voice
Councils bring
students in
can together
more
the
be running
of great allof
teachers,
school can
councils have more
agenerallydivision
meaningful than
role to
stakeholders
heavily
their in
places
benefit to and
their
of
the are
learning.
learning.
pupils and school focused on
collaboration.
play andchange.
contribution to make.
positive
management alike.
EMBEDDED CLAUSE

HLP [; : -]

SUBORDINATION
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

SENTENCE EXTENSION School councils can be of very great benefit, giving students
[COMMA+ -ING] a real voice in the running of their places of learning.

TRIPLET School councils can motivate, build confidence, and invest

students more heavily in their learning.

STACCATO OPENING Empowering, inclusive and democratic, school councils have

a meaningful role to play and contribution to make.

EMBEDDED CLAUSE School councils, according to some head teachers, can

cause more division than collaboration.

HLP [; : -] School councils can be of very great benefit: they give

students a voice, bring together all stakeholders and are
generally focused on positive change.
SUBORDINATION
When you consider all of the above, it is clear that School
Councils can be of great benefit to the pupils and school
management alike.
A
BERIPE FOREST! IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

PERSUASIVE...
A RIPE
No-one FOREST
needs to jump out of an IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

EXAMPLES
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important life-skill of risk-taking..

 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Section A/Qu. 1: Letter: Teens and Screens

EVALUATE then GIVE YOUR Overall VIEWS/OPINIONS:

Discursive/Argumentative/Persuasive
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Paper 2 [formal] Letter Key Tips

 adopt a voice/be clear of who the recipient is and your purpose of writing/what they will
already know and your relationship
 stay reasonably formal whoever you are writing to
 start with the topic of the letter/[who you are if a formal letter]/reason for writing it
 give any necessary background information, arguments and factual details
 add opinion/requests or suggestions for future action as detailed in the task
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Paper 2 Sample Letter

Dear Digital Trends,
I, as a father, am writing to you to express my views on your recent article: ‘Are screens
Dear Digitalour
scrambling Trends
kids’Inbrains?’
the lightbeing
of theparticularly
increasing concerned
prevalence by
of technology gadgets,
the fact that debates
the average have
teen in the
been stirredaround
UK spends up about
6.5 the benefits
hours and
daily on drawbacks
their screens of
asscreens
detailedtoon
young people. Research has
your website.
found that the average teens in the UK spend around 6.5 hours daily on their screens.
I certainly believe that prolonged time on their devices is detrimental to teenagers nowadays.
Being constantly on the Internet will not only have a negative impact on young people physically
but also mentally, causing a sedentary lifestyle that in the long run will lead to diseases like obesity
and even eyesight problems; inevitably, sleep will be disrupted as well. Due to the fact that it is an
era of technology, a mass of information can be found online at our fingertips, including
inappropriate content and violent games. As adolescents’ brains have not fully developed, it is
evident that this sensitive content has the potential to give rise to anxiety and behavioural
aggression. Unequivocally, these underlying issues will have a negative influence on their decision
making and impulse control.
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Paper 2 Sample Letter

On the other hand, technology has brought a wealth of benefits as well: young people may
spend a large portion of their time on their devices, but it is a source of entertainment,
communication and knowledge for them. Social media has been a superb platform for people to
interact virtually – a way to connect and strengthen friendships. Additionally, there are numerous
sites that provide educational content that teenagers can benefit from immensely with tutorials
and self-learn videos easing the process of learning. Many youths balance this with spending their
screen time on games as a form of relaxation, which will mitigate the stress in their lives.
As far as I am concerned, the suggestion to limit the screen time of teenagers to two hours a day
is utterly unfeasible; it is widely known that in this digital age, young adults utilise their gadgets
for a multitude of benefits: from school and friends to entertainment. To a certain extent, it may be
true that devices have led many young people away from a healthy lifestyle; however, the screen
alone shouldn’t be blamed. At the end of the day, it is an individual’s choice whether to exercise
and stay fit. Moreover, suggesting apps that block unsuitable content is also unviable due to the
fact that the Internet is borderless and much of what it contains cannot be blocked. Therefore, I
am adamant that we as parents must educate our children in self-control from a young age
because as they grow older, it will be extremely difficult to do so. On the whole, given the reasons
highlighted above, while screen time may seem overall detrimental to adolescents, the choice
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

2
Section A/Qu. 1: Article PAP
ER

INCLUDE A
TITLE/Use the
sentence stem if
it is provided, but
the new format
exam may/may
not offer these...
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Paper 2 Article Key Tips

 adopt a convincing journalistic voice “It has been stated by some interested parties
that...”
 be clear and formal: your audience could probably be anyone
 achieve the purpose of the task: are you discussing or being argumentative: trying to
persuade*?
 Start with a ‘hook’
 give any necessary background and factual details/arguments drawn from the
text/transformed for your intended purpose, evaluating and developing as you go
 *add opinion/evaluation as detailed in the task
 end in an engaging way
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Paper 2 Sample Article

Do we need art?

In a recent conversation about the role of art in society and in school, a number of
perspectives to be considered were raised on opposing sides. On one side, it is
considered that art is an essential channel for self-expression and can help develop
creativity, emotional intelligence and, in fact, contribute to well-being. On the other
is the contention that art is simply a waste of time, and that students are far better
to focus on more respected and relevant subjects that will ultimately help them
secure places at prestigious universities...
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

2
Section A/Qu. 1: Speech PAP
ER

EVALUATE then GIVE YOUR Overall VIEWS/OPINIONS:

Discursive/Argumentative/Persuasive
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Paper 2 Speech Key Tips

 adopt a voice/be clear on who your audience is and your purpose of presenting/what they will
already know and your relationship
 stay reasonably formal whoever you are addressing
 start with stating who you are/the topic or goal of the speech, trying to engage with a hook
 give any necessary background and factual details/arguments drawn from the text/transformed
for your intended purpose, evaluating and developing as you go
 add opinion/requests or suggestions for future action as detailed in the task
 end with an appropriate sign off
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

R 2
E
PAP
Sample Speech Part 1
Thank you for coming to listen to me today. I am standing here as a fellow student to share
with you about the idea of us having a greater voice in school.
First and foremost, many people have been doing away with the idea of school
councils- viewing them as merely superficial. For instance, some school managers nowadays
assert that they are the only ones in the best position to decide on the running of the
schools for which they are accountable. Hence, the existence of school councils is utterly
inappropriate - students have little experience in comparison with adults in important
decision-making. Moreover, councils can even impact detrimentally on the students: wasting
time and endeavor, which will adversely impact their studies. Therefore, school councils
may be exacerbating issues, instead of ameliorating them.
However, on the other side, others may mention human rights, meaning everyone
has the right to speak up which is what a school council should be about- allowing students
to be involved in the management of their schools. Through this, they can also take up
responsibility for resolving difficult issues whilst developing a range of crucial social skills.
Thus, the attitudes of students, attendance, and results will change positively through their
participation in school councils because of the motivation they have from speaking up.
Although we students are young, we must never underestimate our ability to enhance our
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

R 2
Sample Speech Part 2 PAP
E

From my standpoint, I strongly support the establishment of a school council in our school;
although students may expend effort in it, there should be one to ensure the running of our
school is just, acknowledging students’ constructive viewpoints which is the hallmark, after all,
of a superior centre of learning. Students can forge genuine change if they are listened to. We
can only develop the necessary skills to be taken seriously if we are given the opportunity to do
so. Rather than negatively influence our education, being on the school council can ensure we
leave this establishment as rounded individuals. School life will matter to us more if we feel that
we matter to the school

In conclusion, I strongly encourage everyone to support the idea of a school council as you can
see the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I fervently hope that this school council can
be run successfully for the benefit of all stakeholders who surely share the ultimate goal of a
better and brighter future for generations to come. Thank you.
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

R 2
E
Level descriptor: writing PAP

Level descriptor: reading

 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Over to you...!
IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

SAMPLE EXAMINER COMMENTS:

 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

NEED MORE HELP?

REVIEW TODAY’S PRESENTATION AND EXTRA

RESOURCES YOU WILL BE SENT
COMPLETE ONE OF THE GIVEN DW TASKS AND
EMAIL/PASS IT TO ME
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

EXTRA RESOURCES FOR REVISION...

 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

USE COMMAS CORRECTLY...

For lists: Some of these issues include size, cost
and availability.
To separate clauses in complex sentences: If you
examine the advantages closely, it is impossible
to deny the value of wind farms.
Discourse markers: Before we realise it, we could
be faced with the serious issue of widespread
hunger.
Before and within direct speech: Professor Taylor
sighed, “ We have one planet, and when it is
IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

AVOID COMMA SPLICING ! CAMBRIDGE PENALISES

IT HEAVILY!
Extreme sports can be highly dangerous, many people are killed or
seriously injured
Instead....use every year.
a full-stop...

Extreme sports can be highly dangerous. Many people are killed or

seriously injured
...join with every year.
a connective...

Extreme sports can be highly dangerous therefore many people are killed or
seriously injured every year.
...use other punctuation [: ; -]...

Extreme sports can be highly dangerous: many people are killed or

seriously injured every year.
..or form a complex sentence with ,
VERB+ING
Extreme sports can be highly dangerous, resulting in many people
being killed or seriously injured every year.
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Not sure about semi-colons?

 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Not sure about colons/dashes?

1. There are several advantages to having a school council: they give students a voice,
pre-empt issues , and generate ideas to support the school improvement plan.

2. It is by far the best option: no other form of social media offers such a user-friendly
platform.
Dashes can be used in the same way but are a little more informal
/emphatic :
If humankind doesn’t address these problems soon, there can be only one
outcome- death of the entire planet.
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Not used to caring about punctuation?

 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

General Paper 2 Tips Pg 1/3

 • Do not write rough drafts.
 • Take two different coloured highlighters into the exam.
 • Regulate your time/ keep an eye on it throughout
 • Underline the key words in every question, and then use them to note TAPS and write a quick
plan.
 • Before you start writing, decide how formal the task is and adopt an appropriate tone: do not
use slang or jargon or non-sentences: expect to have to write in a reasonably formal style whoever
your audience is and whatever the task. [Even a letter to a relative will be someone distant or older,
such as an uncle whom you haven’t met recently, and a report to your fellow students will be official or
for publication in the school magazine. It is essential to remember who you are [adopt a ‘voice’ if
you aren’t given one] and who your audience is and to address them directly as ‘you’.
 • Write towards the upper limit but don’t repeat yourself and maintain quality: answers which are
shorter or longer will be self-penalising. But...do not waste time counting words : check
accuracy, improve content and expression instead

 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

General Paper 2 Tips Pg 2/3

 • Make your beginnings and endings strong
 • Form some complex sentences [e.g. with subordination: As...When...Despite...While...] to achieve a
formal style, give concision, precision, variety and maturity but don’t over-complicate things if
your English is weak: accuracy is very important
 • Avoid ‘comma-splicing’: it is penalised heavily in this exam, as it shows an inability to understand
what a sentence is and how the building blocks of language work.
 • Detail, detail, detail: every one of your exam answers will benefit from use of supporting detail,
either textual, factual or creative.
 • Avoid repeating either ideas (which spoil the effect of the first time you used them) or language
(which gives the impression that your command of grammar is limited or your vocabulary restricted).
 • Copying and lifting of whole phrases should be avoided as it gives no evidence of understanding and
will therefore not be credited: you must paraphrase.
 • Try to work out the meaning of any unfamiliar words from: context/any related word you
know/breaking it down to work it out
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

General Paper 2 Tips Pg 3/3

 Don’t ramble; the longer the piece of writing the more likely there are to be mistakes in it and
the more time you would have to allow for checking and correcting. Say it once and then move
on.
 Keep up your concentration/quality to the bitter end!
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

IN THE EXAM...Checking stage:

Tip 1: ensure you have completed all tasks for

both papers [5 sections for Paper 1/2 tasks for
paper2]. TURN EVERY PAGE OF YOUR QUESTION
PAPER OVER!!!
• Check through your answer, as if you are the audience/examiner, to
make sure it can be clearly read and understood. Use carats (^) or
asterisks (*) to add extra material above the line or at the end of the
piece.
• Do not be afraid to make NEAT corrections, using a line through the
word(s) and making a clear substitution above or with an asterisk below.
 IGCSE PAPER 2 WORKSHOP

Tip 2: practice staged checking OF each task

when you have completely finished
Prioritise your weaknesses and check the whole
task for them one at a time:
 Tense  lack of variety of punctuation: use hlp [; :
 is & are, was & were -]
 Plurals  comma splicing: use full-stops and HLP
 repetition of vocab.  Lifting directly from the text: paraphrase
 repetition of openers even if you can only do so with simple
 Repetition of structures: use concision language
devices  Register: no ‘kids’! Check formality