Section B: Imaginative Writing (Edexcel GCSE English Language)

In Section B of Paper 1 you have one task to complete and you are assessed on your imaginative writing.

The following guide to Section B: Imaginative Writing includes:

• Imaginative writing overview

• How to approach the task

• Exam tips

Imaginative writing overview

In Section B you will be given a choice of two writing tasks, both linked by theme to the reading extract. In addition, one of the tasks includes two images that you can use to help you generate ideas for your writing. Your response can either draw on one of the images, or neither of them.

There are five levels to the AO5 and AO6 mark scheme for this task, and at the highest level you are expected to:

It is important that you understand what you are being asked to do in this section. You are usually asked to:

"Write about a time when…”

There is no set text type — the response can be narrative, descriptive or a monologue, but you should use appropriate techniques for creative writing, such as imagery and language techniques. You should use a voice that attempts to make the piece interesting and believable for the chosen audience, and you should consider what effects you are trying to create through your choice of vocabulary.

The two task choices are separated into Question 5 and Question 6. Question 6 usually offers two images which you can choose to draw on for your response (but you don’t have to). There will be a deliberate thematic link between the two possible tasks in Section B and the reading extract used in Section A. This is intended to encourage you and give you some ideas.

How to approach the task

Let’s take a look at the Section B tasks taken from the June 2023 exam paper:

You have 45 minutes to complete this task. This is broken down into:

• 10 minutes to plan

• 30 minutes to write

• 5 minutes to re-read and correct

You will need to choose a title quickly to allow time for proper planning. Choose the option you have the clearest initial idea about, and stick with this.

Following these steps will give you a strategy for answering this question effectively:

1. Read both of the tasks carefully and look at the images:

   • Highlight which one you have a strong idea for

2. Spend ten minutes planning your writing:

   • Plot out your story

   • Plan your characters: who they are, what they represent and how you will convey this

   • Decide on your narrative perspective — first or third person

   • You should aim to write 2–3 sides of A4 (average-sized handwriting)

3. Write down some reminders of figurative language or literary techniques to include in order to add interest and detail to your writing

4. Tick off the elements of your plan as you write

5. Make sure you leave five minutes at the end to re-read your response to check for sense and obvious errors

Exam tips

• Your writing should have clear organisation and structure, with an introduction, a clear progression of ideas and an ending

• When you are writing, always think about your reader: how do you want them to react at different parts of your writing? Choose the best words, phrases or techniques available to you to achieve those effects

• Demonstrate your ability to shape a narrative, including moments of tension or drama

• Use characterisation to create believable protagonists and characters

• Do not just “tell” a series of events, or just describe one of the images

• Do not over-complicate your language unnecessarily:

  • Do not underestimate the power of simple words and sentences to create powerful effects

• Engage your reader with your introduction:

  • Start at your story’s main setting, not on the journey or build up

  • Ensure all of the words you choose contribute to the overall atmosphere and effect you want to create

• Do not confuse tenses in a paragraph:

  • If you use flashback, ensure you have written in the past tense

  • If you use present tense verbs for effect, then make sure you do this consistently

• Limit your use of dialogue, if using it at all:

  • Only use dialogue if it drives forward the plot and you are able to punctuate it correctly

• Vary your sentence and paragraph lengths to keep the style and tone dynamic

• As you begin to write, know where you will end. This will help you construct a cohesive and coherent piece of writing

• Take care throughout with spelling and punctuation accuracy

• Try to be ambitious, creative and original

• Always respond to the tasks set, not something that you have pre-prepared:

  • You will not be penalised for using familiar stories or ideas in your writing, but cliches or over-familiar techniques will not make your writing interesting and engaging