How to Write a Guide (Edexcel IGCSE English Language A)

Question 6 or 7 will ask you to write for a specific purpose and in a specific format. It is important to use the correct conventions of the format and directly focus your writing to its purpose, as the mark scheme rewards adapting tone, style and register for different forms, purposes and audiences. 

This means: 

• The tone (the sound of the writer’s “voice”) is appropriate and convincing 

• The register (vocabulary and phrasing) is appropriately formal or informal, and suitable for the purpose

• The style of the writing (sentence structure and overall structure) is dynamic and effective 

The following guide will detail how to structure your response in the style of a guide. It is divided into:

• Key features of a guide

• Guide structure

Key features of a guide

A guide is actually a type of article and includes information, advice and often some elements of persuasion. It is important to note that the Edexcel mark scheme makes clear that, while you should use some stylistic conventions of a guide, such as a heading or sub-headings, you should not include features of layout like pictures or columns. You are being asked to write the text of the guide, organising and structuring your ideas in a logical and coherent way.

Some of the key features of a guide include:

Because a guide is intended for publication, it is important to use Standard English and to vary your sentence and paragraph lengths to keep your audience engaged.

Guide structure

As this is an extended writing question, and you should allocate 45 minutes to complete it. Spend about 5 minutes planning your answer, 35 minutes writing and 5 minutes at the end to re-read to check for any obvious errors.

To plan a range of points, you can:

• Mind-map or write a list of points and techniques to use:

  • It can also be helpful to number your ideas to structure your answer in a specific order

  • It is important to use the bullet points given to you in the task to structure your response

• Your guide should start with a brief introduction

• Your guide should then be divided into 2–3 sub-headings:

  • Develop separate ideas or points in each paragraph under each sub-heading

  • Each sub-heading should have 2–3 separate points underneath it

  • Ensure you have developed each point or idea thoroughly before moving on

• Finish with a concluding paragraph:

  • This could indicate where your reader can find further information, advice or guidance, or could even include suggestions or recommendations

Below is an example of how you might structure a guide for young people about why they should exercise:

1. Start with an informative heading: “Is exercise actually good for young people?”

2. Write a brief introduction:

   1. This is your opportunity to engage the reader, so use inclusive language and some facts

   2. For example: “Many of us fall out of love with exercise due to poor experiences of P.E. at school.”

3. Use the bullet points given to you in the task to structure your guide:

   1. These can become your sub-headings

   2. For example: “The physical benefits of exercise”, “Positive impact on mental health” and “Types of exercise”

4. Provide information, facts and statistics to develop each point under each sub-heading

5. Use specific examples or a personal anecdote (depending on the subject-matter)

6. Finish with a conclusion indicating where the reader could go for further information, including suggestions for how P.E. at school can make more positive contributions

Rеmеmbеr that to produce an effective response, you should aim to develop your points carefully in each paragraph, using language features and techniques to highlight ideas and emphasise your points. 

You can find a full worked example on our Guide Model Answer page.