Writing: Understanding the Questions

The First Glance…

Before you jump into planning and writing, take a deep breath and read the question through carefully. Twice.

This will ensure you don’t misunderstand the question and waste time in the exam.

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Circle or underline some key words, focusing on what the question is asking you to do. 

• Are you being asked to take a particular aim with your work? Use a particular tone or emotion?

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The wording might be specific and tell you exactly what format to use in your writing…

• Think about what features are associated with the format. For example, an article would need a heading and a report would use formal language.

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Annotating can be a useful way to note your thoughts after reading through the question – check out our annotation page for more info!

Keywords In The Question

 

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A Letter:

You can give your opinion more freely here and use persuasive techniques to convince the reader of your point depending on the topic. 

• Emotive language, either positive or negative, can be used if the aim is to persuade.
• You can use personal pronouns, either giving your opinion: ‘I thought the play was mind-numbing’, or talking directly to the reader: ‘Don’t waste your hard earned money on this’.
• If the audience is not known, you will need to adapt your formality to suit the purpose.
• Remember to include a sender and recipient address and an appropriate greeting and sign-off.

What is the Question Asking You?

In your writing exam the question will be shorter, so paying attention to what it is asking you to do is important.

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The question might focus on a particular emotion or feeling, like the feeling of being free or finding a new place. 

Or, it might focus on a specific format, for example asking you to write an article for the local newspaper, or a letter to your local MP.

Marks For Each Question

The writing section is 40 marks for each paper, and both AO points are assessed within it.

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• In Paper 1, Question 5 is 40 marks, with 24 marks for AO5, content and organisation and 16 marks for AO6, technical accuracy. You have a choice of two questions – you only have to answer one though!

 

• In Paper 2, Question 5 is 40 marks, with 24 marks for AO5, content and organisation and 16 marks for AO6, technical accuracy. You do not pick a format.