English Language Non-Fiction Section B

GCSE English Lanuage Exam Section B: WRITING

You should spend 60 minutes on this section

25 minutes on Question 5

35 minutes on Question 6

Both questions are compulsary: there is no choice

Identify the GAP (genre, audience, purpose) of each task and write appropriately to task

Plan your work carefully - think about the structure

Write about 2 sides of A4 for each (REMEMBER TO PARAGRAPH 3-5 paragraphs per side of A4)

Q5:  This will ask you to write to explain, describe

Writing to Describe/Explain:

• Explanations have analysis in them so you need to break down all the details of what you have to explain into the main componants, put them in order and then expore the effectos of each part
• Your writing needs to be authoritative in tone, have a balanced view point and be objective
• Use a clear paragraph structure
• Develop your ideas , building layers to interest the reader
• Create a clear picture using small but interesting details
• Use a range of sentence structures
• Use a variey of punctuation
• Ensure your spelling is accurate
• Use a variety of interesting vocabulary
• Use a variey of advervbs and adjectives
• Use a range of imagery through figurative language
• Include a wide range of detail
• Use sensory description

Q6: This question will ask you to write to argue or persuade

Writing to persuade:

• Alliteration
• Facts/figures
• Opinion - include your own and other peoples opinions
• Rhetorial question - use rhetoric to create emphasis and effect
• Exaggerate - use exaggeration and hyperbole to emphasis your point of view and use EMOTIVE language (appeal to the reader's feelings/emtions)
• Second person narrative - address the reader   'You' and use imperative verbs such as 'act now', 'listen'
• The rule of three - and repetition
• Plan to write 3-5 paragraphs per side of A4
• A new point and persuasive technique in each paragraph
• Use a mix of short and long sentences
• Aim to start and finish paragraphs with a short sentence

Writing to argue:

• Start with your thesis:  It is a well know fact that ...
• Balanced sentences
• Use counter argument ie Many people may have been led to believe that...: however, recent statistics show...
• Formal language
• Opinions and specifica examples
• Range and variety of points
• Listing
• Hyperbole
• Emotive language
• Syllogistic argument (if, but, then - remember Coy Mistress)