IGCSE English Language Discursive Writing: A Complete Guide
IGCSE English Language, as administered by CAIE, is designed to challenge First Language speakers to think and write for a variety of purposes. This includes Paper 2 of the exam, which consists of a Composition section, and a Directed Writing section.
In the latter, candidates are asked to ‘use, develop and evaluate’ information contained within the stimulus material(s) and compose a discursive, argumentative, or persuasive speech, letter, or article.
Here, we’ll discuss discursive writing within Directed Writing task, as well as the expectations facing candidates, and ideas of how to approach the work.
Discursive Writing in the CAIE Exam
When under exam pressure, it can be difficult to determine the difference between discursive writing and other types of directed writing outlined on the CAIE syllabus. Discursive writing is primarily informational and provides the reader with a variety of arguments without trying to force the reader to come to a specific conclusion.
While discursive responses can make the writer’s stance explicit, the focus must be on the variety of perspectives at play. The challenge for CAIE candidates is to integrate rhetorical devices into their response effectively, while never forgetting that their primary purpose should be to explore opinions on the relevant issue.
The style of discursive writing should be:
Clear, concise
Analytical, rather than emotional
Reasoned and evidence-based
What the CAIE Is Assessing
Between the Directed Writing and Composition sections of the exam, Paper 2 of CAIE’s English Language IGCSE is worth 80 marks. Each section is worth 40 marks, with 5 marks available for the 1(a) question, and 35 for 1(b).
1(a) is a relatively short response to demonstrate student understanding of the stimulus material(s), requiring candidates to show analytical and explanatory skills in their response (Reading Assessment Objectives 3 and 4).
Meanwhile, 1(b) is a 250-350 word response that is discursive/argumentative/persuasive in nature. The candidate’s response is expected to be thoroughly developed and planned, with 10 marks allocated for the Reading Assessment Objectives, and 25 marks for the Writing AOs.
Writing AO (25 marks):
W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 organise and structure facts, ideas and opinions for deliberate effect
W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context
W4 use language appropriate to purpose and to engage the audience
W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
This clearly indicates that examiners are expecting candidates to place the focus on developing their written response, rather than on the response to the stimulus texts (which are worth comparatively little).
How to Approach the Directed Writing Task Under Exam Conditions
It can be tricky for students to know how to spend their time during the Discursive Writing task, especially when in the exam hall itself.
Paper 2’s two hour runtime and two sections clearly indicate that candidates should spend 1 hour on each section (Directed Writing and Composition, respectively). However, even beyond that candidates must contend with one or two stimulus text(s), and a question split between parts (a) and (b).
The 5 marks available for 1(a) suggests that students shouldn’t spend too much time on it: a 5 minute response is appropriate. This allows them to save most of their time for the 35 mark task, 1(b).
Students should factor in time for reading the stimulus text(s), as well as planning and proofreading. In a discursive response, it is important to ensure that the arguments are convincingly balanced, so spending slightly more time on the planning can be beneficial. We’d recommend spending between 5-8 minutes on the plan for a discursive response, which still leaves plenty of time to write and proofread your answer.
Also, candidates should make sure that they have thoroughly understood both texts before commencing their 1(b) response. Although ‘only’ worth 10 marks, that might make the difference between an A or an A*.
How to Build a Discursive Essay
Discursive essays are much like any other analytical essay. They require an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
The introduction requires a hook, contextual information and a clear thesis detailing your approach to the task.
Meanwhile, the body of the response must incorporate evidence from the text(s). For a high-scoring discursive response, candidates must include a balanced discussion of arguments and issues surrounding the subject.
While candidates undertaking a discursive essay are not required to have a persuasive conclusion, they nevertheless need to include a concluding paragraph. This should aim to summarise the previous points, as well as indicate the relative persuasiveness of the arguments. Using the concluding paragraph to discuss how these arguments can be applied in everyday life can be a useful way to ensure that the candidate is not simply repeating the introduction.
IGCSE Discursive Writing Example
Below you will find an extract from a strong response to a discursive writing prompt, “Write an article for young people outlining a range of positions on the use of phones in schools”. Pay attention to the candidate’s balancing of arguments.
When it comes to the link between adolescent mental health and access to smartphones in schools, the evidence is hotly debated. Education charities posit that smartphones are little more than a distraction for students, and it is easy to understand this point of view. How often in the last week have you checked your phone out of habit, or boredom, or simply because it was there? How often did it interrupt your concentration? These are reasonable arguments. However, we should also take into account the social aspect of school. As many organisations note, schools develop academic skills, to be sure, but they also exist to develop teenage social adaptability and, whatever else you think about phones, they are at the centre of most adolescent social scenes in the 2020s.
As you can see, the student has extracted relevant information from both stimulus texts, summarising them and then developing the arguments through applying rhetorical flourishes. There’s also roughly equal weight given to the arguments, without any obvious indicators of the candidate’s position on the issue. All of this is indicative of a high-scoring discursive response.
Hone Your Discursive Writing With a BartyED IGCSE English Tutor
The discursive writing task for IGCSE English Language can be tricky, as candidates need to bear in mind a multitude of assessment objectives and requirements. That’s why if you’re struggling with the task, you should reach out for help.
BartyED’s team of IGCSE English Language tutors allow students to hone their discursive writing skills through individualised one-to-one lessons. From full-length practices, to targeted writing sprints and structured exercises, our sessions are designed to build the skills needed to excel on the Directed Writing task.
If you’d like to learn more about how BartyED can help you make significant progress in Discursive Writing, reach out to us via phone, email, WhatsApp, or via the form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The approach to writing a discursive essay is very similar to any other. First, candidates must read their stimulus text(s) and annotate them appropriately for key information. Then, they must formulate a plan that prioritises clearly balanced arguments that demonstrate a variety of perspectives. The essay should include an introduction, 2-3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Finally, candidates should proofread their response before the end of the exam.
-
CAIE’s IGCSE English - First Language syllabus is quite clear that the discursive writing task can include a variety of text types. These include a speech, an article, a report, or a letter. Candidates who are thoroughly prepared must be ready to respond to any text type. What distinguishes discursive writing from argumentative or persuasive writing is the approach—discursive responses should be balanced, and not try to lead the reader to a conclusion.
Double-click to edit...