This document provides guidance on completing the writing section of an English exam, which consists of two non-fiction writing tasks worth 16 and 24 marks respectively. It outlines the timing, structure, and content of the tasks, and offers tips for planning, developing ideas, using language effectively, and structuring writing to achieve a high grade. Key points include spending 25 minutes on the shorter task and 35 minutes on the longer one, aiming for 3-4 paragraphs on the first and 5-6 on the second. Advice is given on creating topic sentences, linking paragraphs, openings, endings, using similes, metaphors, emotive language and statistics.

2. All about writing
Your guide to getting the best grade
on the writing paper

3. Section B of your English exam will assess your
WRITING SKILLS
You will be asked to complete:
•Two non fiction writing tasks – the first task is shorter and is
worth 16 marks; the second is longer and is worth 24 marks
•You will have an hour to complete this section, and must answer
both questions
•You should aim to spend around 25 minutes on the shorter
writing task and 35 minutes on the longer writing task. This
should include 5 minutes to check your work once you have
completed each task

4. The tasks
• The first writing task will ask you to produce a short non fiction text for example, a
letter or an email.
• The second writing task will ask you to produce a longer non fiction text, for
example, an article for a magazine or newspaper. This might involve writing to argue
or persuade
• Usually the audience of the text will be mentioned in the task, for example, ‘write an
email to a friend to let them know about…’. If an audience is not given, you will be
writing for an examiner
The following slide will show you an example from January 2011

5. The exam paper – Section B
Section B: Writing
Answer both questions in this section.
You are advised to spend about one hour on this section.
You are advised to spend about 25 minutes on question 6.
You are advised to spend about 35 minutes on question 7.
6. Write a letter to your head teacher explaining how to improve your school or college.
Remember to:
•Write a letter
•Explain the things that would make your school or college better. (16 marks)
7. 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 (24 marks)

6. Guide to
planning your
writing

7. PLAN YOUR WRITING
Timing:
Shorter writing task
• Ideally, you want to spend around 25 minutes on the shorter writing
task, including around 5 minutes to plan and check your work
• The examiner will expect your writing to be around 3 – 4 paragraphs
Longer writing task
• Spend around 35 minutes, including at least 5 – 10 minutes to plan
and check your work
• You should aim for around 5 – 6 paragraphs which is approximately
two sides if you have average sized handwriting

8. TRY:
Find the PAF in the following examination questions.
Write a letter to your school magazine which argues for or
against homework being set at Key Stage 4.
Write a review for a teen website about a film or TV
programme you have seen recently.
Write a report for your local newspaper which offers advice on
how to provide more facilities for teenagers.
Write an article for a teen magazine persuading young people
to stop smoking.

9. Developing your ideas
Look at this example plan:
Intro – Formal – Dear Mr or Ms …… state briefly why you are writing to them, that you feel
school needs to change. State that you have a number of suggestions.
Para 1 – If school needs to change something fundamental like uniform and school rules explain
how to change and the impact on school.
Para 2 – Explain improvements to sporting facilities and equipment. Why important.
Para 3 – Explain improvements you would like to see to canteen food. Why important.
Para 4 – Explain improvements to lessons. More text books, better computers, more teachers,
more interesting lessons? Explain what you’d like to see and why.
Conclusion – Summarise your main points and thank your head teacher for reading. Can you think
of a final sentence to push him or her into understanding why your changes are so important?

10. Basic skills to
improve your
writing

11. Structuring your writing
Here are some handy hints:
•Start each new paragraph with a topic sentence. Topic sentences introduce your
paragraph. They let the reader know what to expect.
•Link your paragraphs using connectives – words or phrases that show your reader how
your ideas link and work together. Here are some different kinds of connectives:
• Time order: At first, Then, Later
• Logical order: Therefore, Consequently, As a result
• Contrast: On the other hand, In contrast
• Simple ordering of ideas: Firstly, Secondly, Finally
• Development of ideas: Because of this, Also, Moreover, What is more, In addition

12. How to use
language to get
higher marks

13. This section is all about how to use
language creatively. An examiner will
see hundreds of examination papers.
How can you get yours to stand out?
Try to remember and use some of the
following tips in your writing. They will
help you gain a higher mark. You know
it makes sense!

14. How to write an effective opening?
The job of an opening is to grab the reader’s attention. You must hook the reader straight away
and force them to continue reading.
Here are some ways to do this:
Fiction (For use in your controlled assessment)
Keep it really simple – the fewer words the better
Let me tell you what happened.
If you are writing fiction, try introducing your character
Sarah zipped up her coat and walked into the blizzard.
Be shocking
Crash! She felt the shards of metal pierce her leg like hot knives.
For non fiction
Start with a quotation (real or 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….

15. How to write an effective ending
The conclusion is the ending to your writing – it is the impression
that you will leave the reader with. For a non fiction essay you need
to summarise (not just repeat) your main points and provide a final
perspective on the topic. Try and use anecdotes, or 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.

16. Try using these devices even in non fiction
What is a simile?
A simile is a comparison of two things using like or as
The frost sparkled like diamonds on the pavement
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a comparison of two things where one thing is another
The boxer’s iron fist crashed into the opponent
What is emotive language?
Emotive language is any language that makes people feel emotional i.e. anger, sympathy
etc..
There are many valid reasons why cosmetics should not be tested on animals. This
hurtful industry causes unimaginable agony to these innocent animals. Would you condone
experiments conducted on your own child?
Don’t forget that you can use statistics, even if you have made them up yourself!

17. Finally!!
Top tips for exam success:
1.Read widely and for pleasure.
2.Read non-fiction and fiction.
3.Listen carefully in class. Your teacher is an expert and wants you to gain
the highest grade possible.
4.Try completing as many practice papers as possible at home. This gives
you a feel for the timings and the sort of questions you will be asked.
5.Try and extend your vocabulary. Reading will help with this.
6.Make a list of your weaknesses – is it spelling, apostrophes, planning
etc. and work on them.
7.Get a good night’s sleep before the exam.
8.Ensure you have at least two black / blue pens.
You can do it!!

18. Either Or
2 GCSEs 1 GCSE
ENGLISH ENGLISH
+ ENGLISH
LANGUAGE LITERATURE
Written paper = 40% Written paper = 75% Written paper = 40%
Controlled Controlled Controlled
Assessment 60% Assessment 25% Assessment 60%