Question 1 Directed Writing Skills: SPaG (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language)

Question 1 Directed Writing Skills: SPaG

As you are mainly being assessed on your writing skills, Assessment Objective W5 tests you on your ability to make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. One of the key things the examiners look for is the use of a range of different sentence forms in your writing, which will naturally lead to a greater range of punctuation which the examiners can then reward. However, getting the basics right and consistency are key. Leaving five minutes to proof-read your work when you have finished writing is therefore really important, as it is easy to make silly mistakes in the pressure of an exam situation.

Sentence demarcation

Sentence demarcation means that you have started your sentences with a capital letter and ended them correctly, using either a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark. This sounds simple enough, but comma-splicing and run-on sentences are some of the most common errors made in terms of technical accuracy in the exam, so it is important to review that you know exactly when a sentence finishes and how to indicate that it has finished.

Sentences end with three types of punctuation:

• A full stop (for a statement)

• A question mark (for a direct question)

• An exclamation mark (to indicate surprise, shock, anger or happiness)

All sentences must begin with a capital letter.

Have a look at the example below. Sentence demarcation is absent, so consider how much harder it is to make sense of what has been written:

Now compare the example above with the example below, which uses the correct sentence demarcations:

The more sophisticated and complex your sentences, the more important accurate sentence demarcation is. Varying the length of your sentences will create a more dynamic rhythm to your writing.

Range of punctuation

For the highest marks, you need to use a wide range of punctuation accurately and purposefully to achieve specific effects. This means that you make conscious choices about the type of punctuation you are using in your writing, and why you are using it. However, it is worth remembering that using apostrophes, semi-colons and colons accurately just a few times is preferable to using them indiscriminately and incorrectly. It is also very important to know how to punctuate dialogue accurately if you choose to use it in a piece of creative writing; if you are not sure of the rules of punctuating direct speech, then avoid it!

The bottom tier of the punctuation pyramid below shows the range of punctuation you should be aiming to use:

Below you will find a brief explanation of colons and semi-colons and their uses:

Colons:

Colons can introduce lists, quotes or long explanations. They can be used in an article, for example, to introduce a list of tips if you are giving advice. They can also be used before a direct quote (one you may have made up from an “expert”).

For example:

The media officer for London Zoo advised: “We take the protection and welfare of our animals extremely seriously. Any reported concerns regarding the health of our animals would be acted upon immediately.”

Semicolons:

Semicolons can be used to connect two related sentences instead of a full stop or a conjunction. They are therefore a good way of adding variety to your writing.

For example:

Most celebrities in today’s culture do very little except promote themselves tirelessly; they do no actual work and rely on social media to do the work for them.

They can also be used instead of commas when separating items in a very long or wordy list.

Range of sentence forms

Using a range of sentence forms means that you deliberately consider how your sentences create a tone of voice. For example, short sentences can indicate tension or urgency, especially if they are written in the imperative form. Long, complex sentences can sound quite formal, but too many of them can be monotonous and difficult to read.

Below you will find some of the ways you can vary your sentences:

Standard English and secure grammar

Standard English is accepted as the “correct” form of English, used in formal writing. It follows grammatical rules such as subject-verb agreement and the correct use of verb tenses. Non-standard English often contains slang and is used in more informal situations. This does not mean that you cannot use colloquial language in your writing, especially in an article or speech, but this will be determined by the task and topic.

It is worth noting that mistakes with sentence agreement (subject-verb agreement) and the inconsistent use of tense are frequently flagged by examiners as being an issue in exams. Therefore, it is important that you:

• Use plurals correctly

• Maintain a consistent use of tense:

  • If you are writing in the past tense, ensure that this is consistent throughout your writing

  • If you do change from past to present tense, it should be done purposefully and for effect

• Ensure you are using apostrophes correctly, especially to show possession