1. A guide to Paper 1: EDEXCEL IGCSE English language
Thursday, 20 September 2018
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

2. Before you start
This is a 2 hour 15 minute paper and you will need every minute of it! Watch the clock! Try to answer every question –The last question is worth 1/3 of the total marks. In the exam, the answers are written on the paper – the available space suggests the imagined length of response. You can pick up marks for “quality of written communication” – take time to proof read. The Paper is in 3 parts and I will address it in that manner in the following slides.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

3. On performance
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

4. Make a note of the start time and put the time you aim to complete each section at the top of the paper as you begin.
SECTION A
Based on an unseen non-fiction text. This passage is around lines long. You are advised to spend 45 minutes on this section. The first two or three questions check your understanding of the passage. These will be worth 8 marks in total. Often you will be asked to write IN YOUR OWN WORDS – do so! The final question should be an analysis of the way in which the passage is written – “how does the writer…” The final question is worth 12 marks. Thus divide your time carefully here. Allow 5 minutes reading time and then ensure that you do not spend more than minutes on Q 1&2. Allow the longer time for the final question. Feel free to use your answers to the first questions in the answer for the final question.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

5. A comment about % You do the maths!
Section A is worth 20 marks of the 60 – 33% of the paper.
The first questions worth 8 marks make up 13 % of the marks available in the paper
The paper is worth 70% of the whole IGCSE mark
These questions are worth 9.333% of the marks available for your IGCSE
The same (give or take) as a single piece of English Language Coursework…
You do the maths!
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

6. Section A, final question
This is the first mini essay There will be bullet points – use them and ensure each one is given a paragraph to itself. Use PEE/PEARL throughout – every point needs evidence and explanation – go to word level! Always try to use evidence drawn from the whole passage.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

7. Section A tips READING:
Read Q1 before you read the passage, then make your first reading with the question in your mind.
Allow longer for final question – be sure to quote and analyse…
Q2 needs reference to the text, but no explanation
Annotate the passage as you read it.
There is 1 mark for each point in Q 1, up to 4 marks – aim to make 5 points and do not try to explain/give evidence – short, clear sentences
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

8. SECTION B
Based on ANTHOLOGY A – one passage. As at June 2015, the four passages as yet unexamined are: Climate change facts, climate change web page, Passage to Africa and VOID. 2 questions 1 is an analysis of the writing of the passage 1 is a TRANSACTIONAL piece based on a theme of the passage – you should spend time thinking about these themes. Both are worth 10 marks. 45 minutes for this section – 20 mins for Q4 and 25 for Q5 seems about right.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

9. Try to use the whole passage
Section B Anthology
Q 4 must focus on writer's techniques and should “refer closely” to the text – quote and explain at word level.
You should recognise the passage so don’t spend too long reading it. 20 mins includes reading time
Answer only the question which is actually asked! Underline the key words in the question
Try to use the whole passage
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

10. The format is vital – ensure you revise the key features of each format and use them.
SECTION B Creative
Thou shalt SLAP!
Subject
Language
Audience
Purpose
(There is a PPt on the VLE and my blog…)
Creative writing should be imaginative, but try to use “real” events
VARIETY of language and punctuation
Accuracy of grammar and spelling
Paragraphs!
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

11. Section C
1 question – 20 marks 45 minutes advised 33% of the total marks for the paper – do not leave too little time. 23% of your entire IGCSE. (more than both written courseworks!) The question requires you to write either to Inform, explain or describe. You MUST respond with the correct triplet. Check the material on the VLE/blog/notes if you have forgotten. About 7/20 marks are available for quality of written expression.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

12. Read the question and ensure that you respond to it closely – do not “just write”.
Your PLAN should focus your thoughts.
Section C
Check the triplet and make it clear in your opening sentence.
A 10 minute plan should be enough!
Stick to topics that you do have knowledge of –wild invention rarely convinces
Aim for a strong opening
Structure for beginning, middle and conclusion
TRAPPERS
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

13. In Your Own words
The question is testing comprehension of the passage or of a theme/thread. Do not quote and definitely do not engage in PEARL type analysis. Make a quick list of the key points mad ein the passage or relating to the question thread. IN your own words paraphrase this closely and remember to check how many marks are available. Roughly 1 mark for each new point made.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

14. CREATIVE WRITING
Always to Explain, Inform, Describe. Remember this and do not allow yourselves to become too persuasive or obsessed by narrative. This is rarely likely to be “write a story about…”. Newspaper Article, review, letter, magazine article, report, speech, interview… Most are in the Anthology section A and you should use this as your model. The exception is the Report, the speech and the letter. I have not seen “webpage” as a task, but it is possible. REMEMBER to show that you are hitting the task straight on by beginning and ending in the prescribed manner: “Dear…”, “Good morning…”, “Last night…”, “on the 30th May…” Remember also to adopt the correct tone for the prescribed audience – a letter to an MP (Dear Sir) is much more formal than a speech to your classmates (Hi! Or Good Morning Year 11…) SLAP…
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

15. Structure:
Always remember to paragraph and to organise your writing clearly. The first paragraph of any piece should let the audience know what is being discussed in the writing. USE the indicator (inform, explain, describe) at this point. It should be short and not develop the contents. Then I would expect three or four paragraphs of well considered content. YOU MUST PLAN carefully and make sure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and focuses on that topic. REMEMBER that marks are awarded for variety of expression and punctuation for effect. If in doubt make a CHECK LIST. TRAPPERS and Direct Speech along with a full range of punctuation: ? . , ; : () … “” ! – should be enough!
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

16. INFORM, Explain, describe
Most Edexcel tasks require a mixture of the three. Inform: tell it like it is. Clear and straightforward. Explain: Add detail and extra information to let the reader see your thought process Describe: Begin to engage with senses and create images to help to convey your point. ABOVE ALL: ANSWER THE QUESTION ASKED, NOT YOUR VERSION OF IT! 1/3 of the marks are awarded for SPAG: Take care and proof read thoroughly – allow time for this and take it seriously. 6/20 could be a whole grade!
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

17. Advice and reminders:
Top Trumps: see the blog post and use this handy guide to the key elements of each passage. TRAPPERS: review the techniques and engage your brain – 3 words do not always make a strong Triplet or Tricolon EMOTIVE LANGUAGE: Choose carefully – avoid the word “very” or “extremely” and choose a better word to convey emotion – enraged, terrified, exploded into action, charged, swung around, crept… Use short sentences for effect - A one word answer to a rhetorical question for example: “Does anyone consider such a policy to be beneficial? No! Not a soul, from the 100 sixteen year olds I asked, seemed to find this policy to be a good idea.”
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

18. Useful places
My blog: JLS youtube channel: wZYtY5ccPAckZpQ the playlist Edexcel Anthology A… Slow writing: the best place to practice finding variety in your writing… the public area of the Edexcel website. NEWSPAPERS! They contain every type of writing you might be called upon to reproduce.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

19. Finally
GOOD LUCK This is available on the blog for you To read, and I have put other posts with it - and links to other blog posts. Enjoy!
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

20. Explain how Anne describes her relationship with her mother.
Anne Frank passage: June 2014 Read the passage and quickly work out what Anne is saying about the relationship. On the next page there are the suggested resonses from the mark scheme. Not ethat there is little or no reward for quotation.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015

21. From the mark scheme
Examiners should reward the identification and explanation of aspects of their relationship. Candidates may refer to some of the following points:  Anne finds her mother extremely annoying and infuriating  they clash frequently  it is characterised by her mother speaking to her in an unkind and hurtful manner  Anne believes her mother’s looks are scornful  Anne feels that her mother blames her for certain things  Anne feels wounded  Anne is upset and she cries when she is alone in bed, suggesting a lack of closeness with her mother  Anne resents any suggestion that her mother should feel sorry for her, or that she is humoured by her in a knowing way  Anne feels that her mother is siding with the other adults against her “Everyone thinks…”  Anne’s mother has set standards of behaviour and does not expect to be spoken to like that by her daughter and tells her so  mother ignores Anne for days before forgetting about the incident and treating her the same as everyone else does, suggesting that she is pragmatic about their relationship and does not harbour grudges for too long, or she emotionally punishes her.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2015