Enlightened Educators

Webinar 8

Rules of Directed Writing

Ms Naghma Shaikh
 Attempting the Directed Writing
Question
First and foremost, the question should be read carefully.
The most important tip to impart to the students is that they must identify the
genre and text type.
This is half the battle won as once this is in place they will know which features
and conventions are to be included in the answer.
 PAFTV
P = Purpose (of the writing)
A = Audience (the intended readership)
F = Format (the structure or the form of the writing)
T = Tone (the register – not just the formality or informality but the specific tone)
V = Voice (from whose viewpoint/perspective – as in the personality of the
writer)

It is V (Voice) which is most neglected and the real cause of low marks for this
question due to the V being incorrectly identified and applied, or even ignored.
At times even when it is correctly identified and used, it may not be sustained
throughout the answer. Students must be trained to use an authentic voice in their
writing.
 Lower Secondary Checkpoint
In the Primary and Lower Secondary Checkpoint Papers (both P1 and P2)
Paper 1 is non fiction based whereas Paper 2 is the fiction paper.
In these papers though the writing exercise has some commonality with the
Reading Passages (theme wise or topic related) the DW is more of an own
original composition to be attempted by the student.
 Lower Secondary Checkpoint
Brainstorming and planning has to be done in the planning box which can be in
the form of paragraph wise points or any graphic organiser such as a mind map
or flow chart can be used depending on what connects with the student.
Space is given to write the plan.
30 minutes to be spent on this question in both papers.
Minimum number of lines for good marks: 20

Deconstructing and Interpreting the Directed Writing Question is a Key Element

for success. The demands of the question are many and should be understood by
the student.
 LSC Paper 1 Question
Some people think that it is irresponsible to do dangerous or risky activities.
Other people think that these activities are exciting and great experiences to
have. What do you think?
Write an essay giving your opinion.
You could include some of the following:
• examples of risky activities
• what can go wrong
• how people benefit from them.
 LSC Paper 2 Question
Write about a time when you met someone new who made a strong impression
on you.
You could consider:
• Where were you?
• Who did you meet?
• Were you alone or with other people?
• Why did the person make a strong impression on you?
 IGCSE FLE
First Language English
In the IGCSE ESL Papers (P1 and 2)
Paper 1 has DW based on a stimulus passage that is fiction based.
The DW in Paper 2 is based on a non fiction text.
The question clearly specifies the number of content points to be gleaned from
the passage and instructions are given about the genre/text type they have to be
used. Thus making this a transformational exercise. The text type of the answer
is different from the text type of the stimulus passage/s.
 IGCSE FLE
First Language English
The number of points for DW at IGCSE should be gleaned from the text as per
the marks in the question for content (1 mark = 1 point).
Generally we instruct students to pick up 1 or 2 more points than required so as
to be on the safe side.

Once the question is read then the passage has to be read carefully and the
relevant points should be marked by underlining and/or highlighting (this can be
done in the insert but not on the question paper where only underlining is
permitted with a pencil or the same pen being used to write the exam).
 IGCSE FLE
First Language English
Deconstructing and Interpreting the Directed Writing Question is a Key Element
for success. The demands of the question are many and should be understood by
the student.

Rereading the text (after doing the style analysis/writer’s effects questions) is
expected.
 FLE Paper 1 Question
Imagine you are Adam. After reading your diaries, you write a letter to your parents reflecting on your
time in medicine and your decision to quit:
In your letter you should explain:
• why you went to medical school and what medical training was like
• the challenges involved in working on the wards as a junior doctor and how you felt about the job at
the time
• why you felt you had to give up and your feelings as you look back now.
Write the words of the letter.
Base your letter on what you have read in Text C, but be careful to use your own words. Address each of
the three bullets.
Write about 250 to 350 words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 10 marks for the quality of
your writing.
 FLE Paper 2 Question
Write a magazine article for young people about how far they should keep up
with the latest technologies. In your article you should:
• evaluate the views and attitudes people have towards new technology
• give your own views, based on what you have read.
Base your article on what you have read in both texts, but be careful to use your
own words. Address both of the bullet points.
Begin your article with a suitable headline.
Write about 250 to 350 words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 25
marks for the quality of your writing.
 IGCSE ESL
English as a Second Language
The Directed Writing questions are standalone questions which may or may not
be related to the stimulus passages for the comprehensions, note making and
summary writing.
ESL Paper 2 – Exercise 5
ESL Paper 2 – Exercise 6
 AS Level English Language
The DW is based on both fiction and non fiction stimulus passages in Paper 1 and (from 2021
onwards) a reflective writing question in P2.
Paper 1
The questions are based either on the material of the passages (so the content – 6 to 8 points – has to
be transformed into another text type, different from the stimulus passage)
or on
the language and style of the given passage (so the students’ answers have to emulate the language and
style of the writer and include 6 to 8 language and style features). There is also a more challenging
version of DW in which the student has to write a short piece based on the writer’s style or on the
content of the passage and then compare the 2 texts – the writer’s and the student’s.
The word limit is specified and has to be adhered to if one wishes to get the best marks.
Paper 2
The reflective piece has to be written by the candidate and then analysed. A self analysis of one’s own
work.
 Questions for 2020
Type A – Content based
Imagine you are one of the lawyer’s other clients and have witnessed the events in the
extract. You decide to write a diary entry reflecting on those events.
Basing your writing closely on the material of the original extract, and using 120 to 150
of your own words, write a section of your diary entry. [10]

Type B – Language and Style Based

Imagine you are the writer of the original text. You have been asked to write a review
of another new product for the same website.
Basing your writing closely on the language and style of the original text, and using
120 to 150 of your own words, write a section of the review. [10]
 Questions from 2021 Onwards
Paper 1 Passage 1
Read the following text, which is an advertisement for a luxury apartment called Pembroke, in
Cape Town, South Africa.
(a) Imagine you have recently stayed at the apartment. Write the text for a review of the
apartment, which will be posted on the Real Deal holiday review website. Use 150–200 words.
[10]
(b) Compare your review with the advertisement, analysing form, structure and language. [15]

Paper 1 Passage 2
Read the following text, which is an article from an Australian food website about a successful
pastry chef called Helen Goh. Analyse the text, focusing on form, structure and language. [25]
 Questions from 2021 Onwards
Paper 2
Question 1
Shorter Writing and Reflective Commentary
Your headteacher has asked you to produce a leaflet called Leaving Home. The
leaflet will be aimed at older teenagers who are going to live in another town or
city to go to university.
(a) Write the text for the leaflet, using no more than 400 words. In your writing,
give advice and guidance on how to manage living away from your family for the
first time. [15]
(b) Write a reflective commentary on your text, explaining how your linguistic
choices contribute to fulfilling the task set by your headteacher. [10]
 Questions from 2021 Onwards
Paper 2
Question 1
Shorter Writing and Reflective Commentary
Once the question is read then the passage has to be read carefully and the
relevant points should be marked by underlining and/or highlighting (this can be
done in the insert but not on the question paper where only underlining is
permitted with a pencil or the same pen being used to write the exam).
 AS Level EGP
English General Paper
In the EGP Paper 1 only one essay has to be written. The Command words
are to be understood.

In Paper 2 there are 2 types of Comprehension Passages – one based on

logical reasoning and the second is a prose passage.
The questions are to be read carefully and unpacked accordingly.
Thank you!