Section B Skills: SPaG (Edexcel IGCSE English Language A)

The writing task in Section B awards up to 18 marks for your ability to write clearly, using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with appropriate paragraphing and accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation

One of the key things the examiners are looking for is a range of different sentence forms in your writing, which will naturally lead to a greater range of punctuation which the examiners can reward. However, getting the basics right and consistency are key. Leaving five minutes to proofread your work when you have finished writing is therefore really important, as it is easy to make silly mistakes under the pressure of an exam.

The following guide contains sections on:

• Sentence demarcation

• Range of punctuation

• Range of sentence forms

• Standard English and secure grammar

• Accurate spelling and ambitious vocabulary

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.

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

Students often find it difficult to know when to use colons and semi-colons correctly, so we have included a brief explanation of both below:

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.”

Semi-colons:

Semi-colons 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

Here, the mark scheme states “for effect”, which means that you have to deliberately consider how your sentence structure and form 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.

Some of the ways you can vary your sentences include:

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
  

Accurate spelling and ambitious vocabulary

You are rewarded for the use of ambitious vocabulary. However, your use of ambitious vocabulary should be appropriate and precise; do not use a more sophisticated word just because you think it “sounds” better if you are not 100 percent sure of its meaning. 

You are also awarded for your ability to spell complex words correctly. This should not dissuade you from attempting to use more sophisticated vocabulary even if you are unsure of the spelling, as you will still be rewarded for attempting them.