Writing
Writing
The Writing domain asks you to produce clear, organised text for a purpose and audience: a narrative, a description, an informal letter, a formal letter or notice, and a short report. Markers look for a clear plan, one idea per paragraph, linking words, accurate sentences, and correct spelling and punctuation. Content matters, but so does control.
Core rules and concepts
- Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that states its job. Follow with evidence, examples, or explanation.
- Use cohesive devices accurately: however signals contrast; therefore signals result; for example introduces illustration; meanwhile signals time.
- Match register to audience. A letter to a friend can use contractions; a letter to the head teacher should use full forms and a polite tone.
- Keep tense consistent. Narratives usually use past tense; explanations may use present tense.
- Edit in passes: first for ideas and order, then sentences, then spelling and punctuation.
Worked example
Weak: "The trip was good. We went to the beach. It was fun. We ate food." Revision: "Our class trip to the beach was memorable for three reasons. First, we arrived early, so we had the sand almost to ourselves. After swimming, we shared a picnic under the trees. The day ended with tired but happy students." Reasoning: the revision adds a topic sentence, orders events with first/after, and replaces vague "good/fun" with specific detail. It keeps the same facts but gives the reader a clear focus.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing a story when the task asks for a letter, or ignoring the audience.
- Starting a new paragraph for every sentence, or writing one block with no paragraphs.
- Comma splices: "We arrived, we swam." Use a full stop or "and".
- Sudden tense shifts from past to present in the same narrative.