Challenges of acing Imaginative Writing in IGCSE English Language

Imaginative Writing is often seen as an easier section in the IGCSE English Language exams, but it is often neglected in the classroom. Effective imaginative writing, just like essay writing and analysis, requires a clear plan and structure and powerful use of creative writing techniques. While most IGCSE English students understand basic techniques such as similes and metaphors, more complex techniques like juxtaposition, personification and irony are important. Getting the right mark in the imaginative writing assessment requires candidates to produce a thorough and thoughtful response to the stimulus and can be harder than you think.

Weaker IGCSE English response

Let’s take a look at a sample exam prompt:

“You return to your old school, to find it abandoned.”

Here is an example of what some IGCSE students might produce for this imaginative writing task:

The school was huge. I stared at its empty front as I walked towards it and through the gates. I pushed open the big doors and made my way into the reception. It was filled with papers, mess and dust. The piles of paper looked like old parchment in a forgotten castle. I could smell stale coffee and the dust as I crept through the corridor, not wanting to make a sound.

Why is this response considered weak for IGCSE English?

What this response is missing:

Though there is some use of basic linguistic techniques such as simile and sensory imagery, and structural devices such as short sentences, these will have to be considerably more sophisticated for top marks in imaginative writing.
The narrative lacks inner monologue and has no indication of depth of setting and connection to history and subject matter.
The sentence structure is mostly repetitive with ‘I’ starting lots of sentences, indicating that the writer struggles with sentence structure.

Improved IGCSE Imaginative Writing response

Now consider this alternative imaginative writing response:

The grand, old, Victorian façade gazed down at me as I tottered, shrinking before it. It was both imposing and inspiring. It reminded me of times past, the ring of the school bell and the chatter of children chasing memories down the halls. The prodigious double doors creaked open as I pushed my way through into the reception foyer. Stacks of office paper spilled over the edge of the reception desk and seemed crammed haphazardly into drawers beside a trophy cabinet long since last locked. The dim gleam of an old trophy whispered of glories gone, and of students long since signing their names on their final exam papers. A waft of burnt coffee, dry and earthy, seemed to crawl, tingling up my nose. As quietly as a mouse, I crept through the deserted corridor, the paintings of old headmasters and mistresses gazing at my intrusion disapprovingly.

Why is this response stronger?

How this response succeeds:

This response to the imaginative writing task uses a wide and effective variety of creative writing techniques, both linguistic and structural (including the use of a varied vocabulary and evocative verbs).
There is an emerging connection to the subject matter and history for the character outside of the story, including some characterisation: “as quietly as a mouse, I crept”.
There is a variety of sentence structures with little repetition unless for effect, such as through alliteration which works well in imaginative writing.

In summary, the Imaginative Writing section of IGCSE English Language is not the cakewalk that it is often made out to be, but it is not impenetrable either. Filling a well-structured response with a variety of sentence structures and creative writing techniques will get you the marks you need for brilliance in the IGCSE exam. To find out more about BartyED’s expert IGCSE English Tutors and their mentoring for imaginative writing excellence, contact us today. You can also check out our website for more information on IGCSE English Language tutoring programmes here.