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Writer's pictureLanguages on a Plate

Strategising for Success: 6 Essential Questions to Prepare for the IGCSE Writing Paper

Updated: Sep 16

When preparing for the IGCSE Writing Paper, planning is essential, especially for the long writing question. A well-structured response can make a huge difference in achieving higher marks.


While my other documents go into detail on how to plan for the writing component, here are 6 key questions that every pupil should ask themselves before beginning their response. These questions will help ensure that their writing is not only clear and relevant but also meets the exam's linguistic demands.


Originally published 2nd October 2023, moved to our blog on the 4th of September 2024.


1. Do I understand the question and its demands properly?


This may seem like a basic point, but each year, candidates misunderstand what the question is asking. For example, a bullet point such as, “How will you plan your next holiday?”, requires detailed explanations about the planning process, not just the destination. Addressing specifics such as researching options, booking accommodation, and setting up an itinerary will show a deeper understanding of the question.


It's also essential to recognise which bullet points refer to different time frames (past, present, future) and which refer directly to opinions, as each writing task will require these elements. Additionally, if the task is an email or letter, pupils should follow the correct format (e.g., using "Dear X" and "Yours sincerely").


Finally, make sure that for the short writing question, pupils correctly interpret the title provided (and not focus solely on the words in the boxes). Misunderstanding the title could result in a response that's irrelevant to the task, which will ultimately cost marks.



2. Have I covered each bullet point or key word properly in my plan?


This is especially crucial for the long writing question. Pupils should ensure that their plan thoroughly addresses the content required by each bullet point, aligning responses with the correct time frame. I advise candidates to plan at least three examples of correctly conjugated verbs in the appropriate tenses for each bullet point.


Additionally, evenly distributing content across all bullet points helps maintain a logical sequence and avoids digression, both of which are crucial in scoring high for coherence and consistency.


3. Do I know topic-specific vocabulary for the question?


Using topic-specific vocabulary is a straightforward way to elevate the quality of a response. By incorporating vocabulary relevant to the task, the response not only becomes more focused but also gains sophistication. For example, when discussing "where I live", basic vocabulary like "parque" and "bonito" might seem acceptable, but more advanced terms such as "ayuntamiento", "red de transporte", or "construir" will lead to a more impressive and contextually appropriate response. The more varied the language, the more marks for lexical range.


4. Have I demonstrated secure use of at least 3 tenses?


Pupils should aim to demonstrate secure use of past, present, and future tenses. I recommend three correctly conjugated verbs per main tense for each bullet point in the plan. It is normally great to include complex or irregular verbs (such as pretérito grave or stem-changing verbs) too, and use different people as this helps with the notion of "secure use" and demonstrates linguistic dexterity.



5. Do my ideas flow in a logical sequence?


The flow of ideas should be well-linked and easy to follow. More often than not, the exam board will provide the bullet points in one of the following orders:

  • Present, Past, Future (with opinion in between)

  • Past, Present, Future (with opinion in between)


I typically encourage pupils to structure their responses in these conventional ways. However, if the bullet points are presented in a different order, it’s worth considering that the exam board may be prompting pupils to explore content in that specific sequence.


Regardless of how the response is structured, it’s important that ideas are logically connected and that the content flows naturally.


6. Have I planned to demonstrate the breadth of my linguistic knowledge?


The final touch in the the planning process: embellishing the language included and making it more floral. 

I've deliberately made this the final point in the checklist as it's easy to add to the plan once core linguistic content has been implemented. It's fairly easy to include if candidates learn complex set phrases/chunked language. Moreover, high-ability candidates often know how to manipulate the language themselves, but forget to demonstrate it, so by having it on the checklist, it should prevent them from forgetting to include it.


Bonus: Have I planned to signpost key language in my response?


Signposting is more than just a catchphrase; it's a strategy to clarify one's intentions and demonstrate logical progression. Starting each paragraph with a signpost, often a time reference, helps guide the narrative and ensures the response stays aligned with the required content.


I hope you’ve found these tips useful!


Don't forget, you can gain access to any of our Spanish IGCSE writing documents through a subscription that includes Spanish Step 4. Alternatively, you could purchase a bundled package (see below).




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