Q5

• Section A:

  • You are given two sources presenting viewpoints on a topic or theme
  • Answer questions on how the writers present those viewpoints
• Section B:

  • Builds on Section A
  • You present your own personal viewpoint on a controversial statement
• Typical question example:

  • "School uniform is the number one most important factor in ensuring that students behave well and achieve academic success at school"
  • Write a letter to your head teacher arguing for or against the abolition of school uniform
• Historically, 3 out of 4 past live papers have given the choice of agreeing or disagreeing with the statement

  • Sometimes, you may be asked to explain your view on a topic instead of agreeing or disagreeing
• Form of writing:

  • Minimum expectations for each form of writing
  • Features to include for a letter: address, date, formal mode of address, appropriate sign off (e.g., yours sincerely, yours faithfully)
• Forms you might be asked to write in include: letter, article, text for a leaflet, speech, or essay
• Specific purpose for your work could be: explain, instruct, advise, argue, or persuade
• Audience:

  • Key skill for high marks is to write a highly plausible answer with convincing ideas
  • Example: "Write a letter to your parents in which you persuade them to let you go on holiday with a friend this summer"
  • Thinking about the audience is crucial for convincing arguments
• Structure:

  • Less successful answers have separate ideas with no sequencing
  • Better answers present a well-structured line of argument
  • Consider using a cyclical structure or beginning simply and developing more complex ideas
• Technical accuracy:

  • 16 marks awarded for technical accuracy
  • Check your work as you write and at the end to ensure accuracy