Exam Information
How long is Paper 2?
2 hours
What is question 1a asking you to do?
Write a short text in response to a prompt.
What is section b asking you to do?
Write an extended creative writing piece in response to the prompt you select.
What does language refer to?
The words that make the text unique or contributes to the voice of the writer, the mood or tone of the piece, or specifically affects the audience.
Examples: Diction, imagery, rhetorical devices, literary devices, etc.
What is topic of the following prompt and what should you focus on?
Write a descriptive piece about a lake early in the morning. In your writing, focus on color, light and movement to help your reader imagine the scene. Write between 600 and 900 words.
The topic is a lake early in the morning and I should focus on color light and movement.
How does Paper 2 differ from Paper 1?
Paper 1 is reading and lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes, while Paper 2 is just writing and is only 2 hours.
What is the word count for question 1a?
No more than 400 words.
What is the word count for section b?
600-900 words
What does genre refer to?
The different types of texts.
Examples: advertisement, blog, letter, leaflet, etc.
Who is the audience for the following prompt?
You are going to take part in a debate at school about the pros and cons of children keeping pets. Your headteacher has asked you to open the debate by giving a speech on the topic. Write the text for your speech, discussing both points of view and giving your opinion. Write between 600 and 900 words.
Students and teachers at your school.
How many different prompts will you have to respond to for Paper 2?
Three: Question 1a, Question 1b, and Section b.
What is question 1b asking you to do?
Write a reflective commentary in which you explain how you made specific choices regarding form, structure, and language to achieve the requirements of question 1(a).
What are the three types of prompts you can choose from in section b?
Descriptive/narrative, argumentative/discursive, or a review.
What does structure refer to?
It is how the text is organized and ordered.
Examples: Mood shifts, tone shifts, point of view, verb tense, syntax, etc.
What type of text is the following prompt asking you to write?
You are going to take part in a debate at school about the pros and cons of children keeping pets. Your headteacher has asked you to open the debate by giving a speech on the topic. Write the text for your speech, discussing both points of view and giving your opinion. Write between 600 and 900 words
Discursive/argumentative speech.
What day is the Paper 2 exam?
Monday, May 5th
What is the word count for question 1b?
200-500 words.
Regardless of which prompt you select, you should make intentional choices with regard to what three things?
Form, structure, and language.
What does form refer to?
Anything that makes the text whatever genre it is.
Examples: Titles, headings, pictures, paragraphs, etc.
What is the purpose of the following prompt?
You and your friends are currently volunteering at an important international sporting event that is taking place in your country. You have decided to write a blog about your experience.
1a. Write the text for your blog entry, using no more than 400 words. In your writing, create a sense of enthusiasm for the event, and encourage others to volunteer at future events too.
To create a sense of enthusiasm for the event, and encourage others to volunteer at future events too.