English – IGCSE (0500)

PAPER-1 (Shorts):
• Summary (15M)
• Writer’s Effect (15M)
PAPER-1 (Extended Only):
• Journal
• Interview/Podcast
• Formal Report
• Newspaper Report
PAPER-1/2 (Directed & Extended): [Discursive, Argumentative, Persuasive]
• Speech
• Letter
• Article
PAPER-2 (Composition):
• Narrative Writing

Extras to know.

• Strong Vocabs
• Perfect Punctuation
• Simple, Compound & Complex Sentences
• Strong Language Oriented Brain & Thinking Skills.
 Summary Writing (15M) 100-120 Words.

• Identify main, relevant points, write them in your OWN WORDS and
organized way.
• Title not required; Write one line intro; conclusion not compulsory (avoid if
possible).
• Pretend you had read story long time ago, and then write it down. Short
and simple. Understandable by a 3rd grade kid.
• Get readers attention, he should know the whole plot of story by reading
your summary.
• Nice, cool, and easy words. Synonyms
• Scientific, Geographic terms are okay, Adjectives & descriptions not okay.
• Clear & main points only. Specific Figs & stats not very imp. Succinct.
• Info that answers the main question
• Don’t cross word limit. No less; no more; exact.
• Don’t give opinions. Summarize what ha been asked. Don’t lift phrases
from text.
• Group similar ideas together.
• Simplify and fit into: Beginning, Middle, End. Extra Info is big NO.
• Read question correctly. They ask to summarize two ideas. Highlight what
you are asked to summarize. 4-5 Points per question asked.
• 10M: Content; 5M: Quality;

• Writing style: Punctuation, Spelling. Formal, Objective and Third Person

POV. Complex Sentences. Connectives (Discourse Markers).
 Writer’s Effect (15M) 200-300 Words.

Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2
Overall Effect Overall Effect

1 2 3 1 2 3

Each Paragraph Point Should Contain:

• Overall Effect
• 1 Meaning
• 2 Analytical Comments
• 150 Words each
• Extra (Only if Imp)

Points:
• include choices you could best explain.
• precise meaning in context, so that reader could relate with the text.
• Use synonymous words. Give it a little total dramatic effect.
• Write the effect you felt when read extend ideas & explanation fully.
• Avoid general comment & same explanation for one example.
• Zoom in Technique to evaluate adjectives and for specific catchy words.
• Pick phrases rather than words. Embed Quotes “x”. 4-5 Words Max.
• Primary Focus (Imagery): onomatopoeia, figure of speech, adjectives,
adverbs, vocabs, sensory details, punctuation
• Is Humour/irony/sarcasm/foreshadowing used?
• Sentence Types: Simple, Compound, Complex, Imperative.
• Tell what part you liked: adjectives, verbs, adverbs, noun.
• Before finding anything, look for the effect you experience as a reader.
• Feelings of Character, setting if story, effect of the language.
 • Chronology
• Use: “The Writer begins by describing”
• The writer’s use of Dynamic verbs
• Negative Dictation

Analytical Verbs:
• Suggest
• Highlights
• Shows
• Convey
• Emphasises
• Articulates
• Connotes
• Depicts
• Explores
• Suggests
• Justifies
• Persuades
• Provokes
• Implies
• Evokes
 Journal Writing (Extended) 250-350 Words.

• Use Day & Dates Compulsory

• DIFFERENT from Diary Writing
• At least 3 Day & Dates
• Use Indicators (Today, Yesterday, in a few hours, later, now, noon, night)
• Personal Pronouns (Me, My, I)
• Short & Informative
• Past Tense & Facts
• Personal Response (e.g.: “I wound what it would be like for me”)
• Express your feelings Explicitly & Implicitly
• Try not to make it sound like you are talking to friend. The journal is
written so somebody else can find it in a few year’s time & learn all about
you. Your entry should be understood by anyone.
• Allows to share thoughts & feelings.
• First Person
• Chronological Approach
• Usually, Informal
• Language is Creative & Colloquial (e.g.: don’t chicken out OR You’re nuts
OR Go bananas OR gonna, wanna, gotta, ain’t, gimmie, lemme.
Stylish Features:
• Chatty/Informal.
• Appropriate fillers for authenticity (well, I mean, so)
• Hyperbole
• Humour/Sarcasm
• Idioms
• Rhetorical Questions
• Repetition
• Emotive Language
 Interview (Extended) 250-350 Words.

Consists of Host and Interviewee. Convo about a topic from text, their experience, etc.

Points:

• 3 Questions will be asked.

• USE OWN WORDS.
• Repose to all questions appropriately.
• 15M Content; 10M Writing;
• Have context to text.
• Speaker’s name on left side followed by a colon (:).
• Have a little intro and outro and mid convo.
• Use of interjections, connectives.
• Expert Language (Language related to field). & Conversational Language & Informal.
• Punctuations. ( … | ! | ? )
• Add options and face expressions in brackets for e.g.: (smiles), (laughs), (makes xyz face), (interrupting).
• Chatty; Personal Pronouns; Purpose Style; Vary Sentence Structure; Feeling & Opinion words;

15M Content Score:

• The response reveals a thorough evaluation and analysis of the text.

• Developed ideas are sustained and well related to the text.
• A wide range of ideas is applied.
• There is supporting detail throughout, which is well integrated into the response, contributing to a strong
sense of purpose and approach.
• All three bullets are well covered.
• A consistent and convincing voice is used.

10M Quality Writing:

• Effective register for audience and purpose.

• The language of the response sounds convincing and consistently appropriate.
• Ideas are firmly expressed in a wide range of effective and/or interesting language.
• Structure and sequence are sound throughout.
• Spelling, punctuation, and grammar almost always accurate.

Phrases for Agreeing Phrases for Disagreeing Phrases for emphasis

I’m afraid I agree with you. I’d say the exact opposite. Certainly
That’s for sure. I’m afraid I disagree. I want your listeners to be in no
doubt.
That’s so true. No, I am not so sure about that. Let me be clear about this.
Exactly! That’s not always the case. Let me tell you.
No doubt about it. That’s not always true. Purely and simply.
I must side with you on this one. Not necessarily.

Interjections:

• oh • oops • Ciao
• wow • duh • Eureka
• well • Ugh • phew
• umm • Aye
• Ouch • Woah
 Formal Report Writing (Extended) 250-350 Words

Functions:
• Serve as a record of something which has been observed or investigated.
• Highlight problems and offer solutions so an appraisal of sorts.
Parts:
• Overview (Establish the purpose of the report and the achievement by carrying out
the investigation)
• Body (highlight the problems found during investigation)
• Solutions (Conclusions with solutions to tackle problem you have found)
Points:
• Suitable Subheadings to structure work.
• Voice & Style: No figurative language. Very direct, formal, and interesting to listen to.
Factual Piece.
• Third Person & Objective Viewpoint.

Newspaper Report (Extended) 250-300 Words

Points:
• Headline Short & Snappy (Extremely Important)
• 1st Sentence: Sum up the whole story
• Report in third person and past tense
• Split it into paragraphs.
• Objective & Formal & No Regular Language
• Technical Terms
• Quotations from witnesses & Reported Speech (same thing but without quotations)

Reporting Verbs:
• Believe
• Claim
• Expect
• Know
• Hope
• Report
• Understand
 Discursive, Argumentative, Persuasive (Directed) &
Other Stuff
All the Points:
• Structure; Content; Checklist (Most Important)
• Understanding Explicit & implicit meanings is very important.

• The chronology where reading is important:

Read -> Understand -> Select -> Apply -> Develop -> Analyze (Pros/Cons) -> Evaluate -
> Write

• Read a lot of Mark Scheme & Inserts.

• Choose appropriate language properly.
• Use a verity of styles to try out. Be on the safe side to score in IGCSE’s.
• Do not use any cuss words, or anything related to sex.
• Love Stories are okay until the point of moral.
• Don’t write anything about any sensitive topics like religion & politic whatsoever.
• Write practical stuff which are believable or write stories which are believable not sth
for example about Dragons, Zombies and Faries (very less chance of achieving marks)
• Use the variety of vocab and speeches, etc. to diversify language and always keep the
type of style of the writing.
 Speech (Extended & Directed) 250-300 Words.
Points:

• Address the audience.

• Range of Vocabs (Ambitious & Precise Ones)
• Variety of different sentence structures (Simple, Compound & Complex)
• Connecters/Interjections
• Humour/Colloquial Language/Informal/Formal
• Repetition of sentence starters (I, You, We, Us, etc)
• Figures of Speech
• Refrain (We all can; Yess, we can!)
• First Person
• Extended Metaphor (Metaphor for multiple sentence/paras)
• Use of Antithesis (Sentence with direct opposition) e.g.: “We are caught in a war wanting peace”.
• Dramatic Effect overall to Persuade.
• Ultimatum & Finality (No one is guarded, this is the only way)
• Short Sentences.
• Last Paragraph should be Co-Opting: (Ask audience to join/involve)
• Appropriate Closing

For Writing:

• Highly effective style capable of conveying subtle meaning.

• Carefully structured for benefit of the reader.
• Wide range of sophisticated vocabulary precisely used.
• Highly effective register for audience and purpose.
• Spelling, punctuation, and grammar almost always accurate.

For Reading:

• Successfully evaluates ideas and opinions, both explicit and implicit.

• Assimilates ideas from the text to give a developed, sophisticated response.

ARIPEFOREST: PERFECT:

Alliteration/Allusions Personal Anecdote

Repetition Emotive Language

Imperative Rhetorical Questions

Personal Anecdotes/Pronouns Facts/Statistics

Emotive Language Exaggeration/Hyperboles

Facts Comparison/Contrast

Opinions Tone of Voice/Rule of 3

Rhetorical Questions

Exaggeration

Statistics

Triplets
 Letter (Extended & Directed) 250-300 Words.

Formal:

• No colloquial language
• Very precise & strong & succinct vocabulary
• Use a formal and polite tone throughout the letter.
• Discuss the problems asked.
• Use the beginning they have asked OR choose appropriate formal beginning “(respected/dear) [name],”
• Then on a new paragraph explain in brief about why you are writing letter.
• Paragraphing is important for different points.
• Ending should be appropriate: Yours [sth], Name.
• Dates/Day are not important.
• Collect main points together.
• Highlight key words.
• Be very direct about it.
• Rhetorical Questions
• Spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Stay in Focus and state main points only.
• OWN WORDS & DON’T CROSS WORD LIMIT
• Connectives; Facts & Statistics;
• Opinions
• Complex Sentence
• Audience & Purpose
• Name: Yours Sincerely; Sir/Madam/Sth Else: Yours Faithfully;
• Ask them; NOT tell them;

Informal:

• Chatty Style but also no Text Speak; More Relaxed Tone overall; Friendly Tone;
• Rhetorical Questions
• Idioms
• Colloquial Language
• Emotive Language
• Humour
• No shortened words; shortened abbreviations; (like: wanna, gonna)
• Begin the letter with a friendly opening, such as "Hi [Name]," or "Dear [Name],"
• Clearly state the purpose of the letter in the first paragraph.
• Use a conversational and casual language throughout the letter. Feel free to use slang or informal language
as long as it is appropriate for the audience and situation.
• Paragraphs; Word Limit;
• Don’t use professional and business settings.
• End the letter with a closing such as "See you soon," or "Take care,"
Reading:

• The response reveals a thorough evaluation and analysis of the text.

• Developed ideas are sustained and well related to the text.
• A wide range of ideas is applied.
• There is supporting detail throughout, which is well integrated into the response, contributing to a strong
sense of purpose and approach.
• All three bullets are well covered.
• A consistent and convincing voice is used.
• Successfully evaluates ideas and opinions, both explicit and implicit.
• Assimilates ideas from the text to give a developed, sophisticated response.

Writing:

Highly effective style capable of conveying subtle meaning.

Carefully structured for benefit of the reader.

Wide range of sophisticated vocabulary precisely/ effective and/or interesting language/

Highly effective register for audience and purpose.

Spelling, punctuation, and grammar almost always accurate.

The language of the response sounds convincing and consistently appropriate.

Structure and sequence are sound throughout.

 Article (Extended & Directed) 250-300 Words.

Format:
Headline:

• Ask it as a rhetorical questions including the main keywords, Maximum 6-7 Words, At the centre.

Opening Paragraph:

• sets if you dis/agree. Do not start with: (In this article I will write about…).
• The first paragraph should state it sth like this:
(There are many people who believe travelling is damaging, expensive and a foolish waste of time what is the
point of travelling when we can watch it on YouTube Clips and channels, however, I disagree. I think travelling
is enriching, powerful and a necessity for all of us.)
• It provides facts, entertaining and engaging. (Also has Rule of Three)
• Effective opening focused on task and audience. Varied and precisely used vocabulary and sentence
structures.

Subheading:

• Mini Headline; It should give an idea about the next paragraph.

• Can/not be a rhetorical question.
• It should be left aligned at around 4-5 Words.
• First subheading should be about your arguments. It should be direct with clear understanding.
• Engaging. Better Skimming.

Your Arguments:

• Combine Ideas and divide them in 3 Paragraphs accordingly with their respective subheadings.
• Chronology is the key.
• Not only arguments but all types of similar ideas should be combined in a particular paragraph.
• Very Important to INCLUDE: Anecdotes (Short, Not/Personal, About your/someone’s specific experience. To
support argument), Statistic (if given use, or can make believe one. Statistic is just not numbers, do not
confuse), Examples.
• This is to colour your arguments to make it more convincing for the readers.

Counterpoints:

• In your paragraphs there should be a little ounce of acknowledgement to the counterpoints.

• There is should be some amount of consideration.
• It should include the subheading which disagrees with your ideology for engagement.
• For example: if you support travelling then subheading should be: (Travel is threatening, isn’t it?).
• 3-4 Points of counterpoints.
• Don’t give them so much important that it may seem that you are taking their side, just show it and state is
as simple points.
• Can use a statistic.
• Close the paragraph with: (even with the consideration of this perspective I still think [your point] is
immensely essential/[better].)

Conclusion:

• Start by (In conclusion, OR That being said, [your main argument] but [beware])
• Example: In conclusion, buying new technology can be brilliant but we aware of the financial and security
implications.
Points:
• Primary Purpose: Inform; Secondary Purpose: Entertain; Overall Purpose: Engagement.
• The vocabulary should be formal and precise yet intriguing. The style can be informal. (Mostly depends on
the question, need to identify)
• Should not be Boring at all.
• Should have that dramatic effect of Articles.
• Dramatic Opening to hook the reader.
• Talk to the audience. Tell them or ask them directly.
• Rhetorical Questions
• Persuading
• Statistic
• Readers should find it relatable. Give this a slight touch.
• Figures of Speech (But don’t use this overly)
• Address the main key as something else. For example: (TikTok: Chinese App | Taylor Swift: The Wildest
Dreams Singer)
• Repetition
• Do not lift phrases from the text, rather try to produce your own ideas and opinions.
• Do not cross the word limit whatsoever.
• Should not go out of Focus of the main idea and point.
• Why? When? What? Where? Who? How?
• Causes, Reasons, Details, Facts.
• Expert Opinion & Questions.
• Allusions
 Narrative Writing 350-450 Words.

Points:

• Write down personal experience. Take ordinary story and make it interesting.
• Don’t write too much fiction. Like: Zombies, Witches, and supernatural bullshit.
• No cussing or reference to any sexual activity.
• Love Stories are okay. They can be affectionate.
• Believable Stories (e.g.: Lil Bro got lost in the mall OR Our Trip in the Woods)
• Chronology Story Mountain:

Climax [When Problem reaches at critical point]

Rising Action [Leading Events] Falling Action [Character solves problem]

Beginning [Background] Resolution [end]

• The intimating moments leading up to climax should be filled with stomach butterfly orders and descriptions.
• Ending is as important as the beginning & don’t use a stupid ending like: “I woke up and it was dream”.
NEVER.
• Unexpected & realistic ending have great meaning.
• Use the best of characters, plot, conflict, & POV. [Features of Narrative]
• Don’t include a lot of characters. Characters should be convincing.
• Use Dialogues with quotations, but the punctuation should be very accurate.
• Create the ambience/atmosphere.
• Imagery (Looks), Sensory (Feel, Taste, Smell) & descriptions (further details).
• Accuracy! More important than the content itself. Punctuation, Spelling, Grammar. Be Alert for this one.
• Ambitious Vocabulary & variety of different sentence structure.
• Avoid using overly colourful language which ends up ridiculous, too much & senseless. It will make it
descriptive.
• If First Person Narrative, don’t overuse ‘I’.
• Start Sentences with adverbs, or -ing sentences starter, or an adjective (more on that later)
• Complex, engaging & effective.
• Structure is secure, well balanced, & carefully managed for deliberate effect.
• Well defined, developed ideas create convincing overall picture with variety of focus.
• Clear, Well Defined, Strongly Developed, Description, Effective Climax, Convincing Details.
• Figures of Speech will give you perks.
 • Well-chosen vocabulary
• Consistency
• Use of Paragraphs, and Title (if required)
• Particular & Precise Vocabulary (e.g.: The weight of the responsibility felt like an immense, crushing force,
pressing down upon my shoulders with the force of eight thousand pounds.)
• Instantly Engaging
• Clear & focused rather than being too descriptive.
• Main Focus should be story not object.
• Usage of onomatopoeia: (Ouch! Aargh! Boom! Splash!)
• Indirect/Embedded Characterization
• 2-3 Major Characters | minimum 1 supporting character.
• Strong Adjectives
• Profound Sentences (Creepy/Horror Stories Only)
• Coloured Descriptions (e.g.: The shimmering ruby red skies at dawn were a breathtaking sight to behold.)
• Emotive Elements (e.g.: fear, anger, worry, sorrow, etc)
• Minimal Reference to Myths or Folklore
• Rule of THREE
• Sound Vocabs (e.g.: muttered)
• Connection between beginning and end
• Punctuation like (ellipses: …)
• Pronouns, Conjugations & connectives.
• Zoom Lens; Detailed Descriptions.
• Chronology.
• Avoid cliff hangers, even if want to use it, use it like the characters participated in the falling actions and
solution and only the results were unknows (sth like Sacred Games)
• Do not change the tenses.
• Use all 5 senses.
• Show, not tell;

Content and Structure (16M)

• Content is complex, engaging, and effective.
• Structure is secure, well balanced, and carefully managed for deliberate effect.
• The plot is well-defined and strongly developed with features of fiction writing such as description,
characterisation and effective climax, and convincing details.

Style and accuracy (24M)

• Precise, well-chosen vocabulary and varied sentence structures, chosen for effect.
• Consistent well-chosen register suitable for the context.
• Spelling, punctuation, and grammar almost always accurate.
 IGCSE Vocabulary & Phrases
• Grotesquely: Ugly/Distorted • Famished: Hungry
Manner • Lush: green grass
• Superlative: Originator • Menacing: threatening
• Cacophonous: harsh mixture of • Sinuous: too many curves and turns
sound • Regal: Impressive
• Euphony: Pleasing to the ear • Vexed: annoyed
• Abundant/Ample: present in huge • Slander: to speak bad about
quantity someone
• Armature: not professional • Fatigue: tired
• Brusque: abrupt to point of • Azure: Blue
rudeness • Glaucous: Crystal Colour
• Cognizant: having knowledge. • Sinister: evil
• Underplayed Anxiety: Scared • Sonorous: sharp ringing sound
person but does not show in body • Eerie: strange spooky
language. • Ominous: feeling of sth bad will
• Suspiciously Silence: Feeling of sth happen
being wrong. • Banal: lack of originality
• Noble Beast: rescued in a time of • Candid: truthful; frank;
need. • Lavender: Purple/Violet;
• Lying on bed of nails: • Flourish: grow well
Painful/Dangerous • Jubilant: feeling of happiness
• Presious Possession: sth with no
monetary value but extremely • Solitude: state of being alone
precious to you personally. • Distil: short down to the important part
• Inevitable: unavoidable • Equanimity: calm in hard situation
• Euphoria: feeling of intense • Enigmatic: hard to understand
happiness • Trepidation: Anxiety
• Tenacity: determination to pursue a • Vernacular: language spoken by
goal people in particular region
• Exorbitant: overpriced • Perplexed/bewildered: confused.
• Pensive: deep in thought • Alleviate: relive
• Elusive: difficult to catch • Versatile: many uses
• Serendipity: occurrence of nice • Herculean: great strength and effort
events by chance • Vivacious: attractively energetic
• Luminous: emitting light female
 Narrative Sentence Starters
• It was a sunny day when...
• I remember the first time I...
• Suddenly, I heard a loud noise...
• As I walked down the street...
• My heart was racing as...
• The room was silent except for...
• The sound of his laughter filled the room...
• I never expected that...
• She stood there, motionless...
• I was lost in thought when...
• The smell of freshly baked cookies...
• The wind was howling as...
• My hands were shaking as I...
• The sound of waves crashing against the shore...
• I was caught off guard when...
• The room was filled with an eerie silence...
• I felt a sense of dread as...
• The colours of the sunset were breath taking...
• My feet were rooted to the ground as...
• The moon was shining brightly...
• The sound of birds chirping...
• The stars twinkled above me...
• My mind was racing as I...
• The clouds were dark and ominous...
• I took a deep breath as...
• The laughter of children filled the air...
• My heart sank as...
• The ground trembled beneath my feet...
• I felt a rush of adrenaline as...
• The fire crackled in the fireplace...
 Coordinating Conjugations
For And Nor But Or Yet So

Connectors
• However • In spite of
• On the other hand • In conclusion
• In contrast • Besides
• Unlike • Furthermore
• Despite • Moreover
• Although • On top of that
• Nevertheless • In order to
• Even so • For Instance
• On the contrary • Personally
• Therefore • To be honest
• Thus • As far as I am concerned
• Hence • In general
• As a result of • Essentially
• Consequently • Basically
• Finally • In particular
• At the first side • Above all
• First of all • Significantly
• In the first place • Notably
• Lastly • Furthermore
• Regardless • In addition to
 Sentence Structures
• Simple: One independent clause
e.g.: The prisoner swiftly escaped.
• Compound: Two independent clause connected by conjugation
e.g.: I won’t do it nor will he.
• Complex: One dependant clause and one independent clause can be separated by comma
e.g.: Although my friends begged me, I chose not to go the reunion.

Formal Vocabulary

• Commence: Begin
• Utilize: Use
• Subsequently: Afterwards
• Implement: Put into effect
• Comprehend: Understand
• Adequate: Sufficient
• Embark: Start
• Irrespective: Regardless
• Approximate: Nearly
• Consequence: Result
• Incentive: Encouragement
• Validate: Confirm
• Prevalent: Common
• Perceive: See
• Conclusive: Final
• Regulate: Control
• Persist: Continue
• Obligatory: Required
• Fostered: Encouraged.