english paper 1 notes

English Paper 1 [70 marks] Just little things I like to take note of ( ง •̀ ゝ •́) ง (taken from the SEAB website) component marks weightage Section A: Editing Candidates identify and edit grammatical errors in a short written text. 10 35% Section B: Situational Writing Candidates write 250–350 words on a given situation which will involve viewing a visual text Section C: Continuous Writing Candidates write 350–500 words on one of four topics set. 30 30 Section B and C overview - Situational Writing 1. Emails (to note) 2. Speeches 3. Articles/Magazines 4. Blogs 5. Formal/ Informal format - Continuous Writing 1. Argumentative 2. Discursive 3. Descriptive 4. Personal Recount 5. Narrative

Situational writing - Identify PAC (purpose, audience, context) - Format is generally the same, with only a few differences between informal and formal letters, and extra details (only if question requires depending on question type) - Follow the pointers given with the question paper and split into 6 points - Consistent support of points with information given - To note : 1. Emails : - If question requires, remember the CC (email subject) - ‘Re:’ only used in reference to previous replies 2. Speeches: - Remember to address audience throughout your speech - Write in 1st person 3. Article - OPENING : ‘By [writer’s full name] - Remember to add commentary 4. Blog - Include date of blog post being made

Formal letter/email Intro Dear [recipient’s full name + honorifics], I am [full name], the [state position + organisation]. I am writing this letter to [state purpose]. (formal) Body Your 6 points in PEEL format Conclusion [restate purpose + summarise points]. Thank you for your time and attention Yours Faithfully/Sincerely, [full name of writer] Informal letter/email Intro Dear [recipient’s name] How have you been? I’m writing to [state purpose]. Body Your 6 points in PEEL format Conclusion [restate purpose]. Thank you! Sincerely, [writer’s name]

Section C : continuous writing [30 marks] argumentative - Requires a distinct stance (support/do not support question topic) - Usually opinion-based Examples of argumentative questions : - [insert statement]. How far do you agree? - Do you agree/disagree that… - Should…[insert statement] (e.g. Should children be fully banned from playing video games?) Format [argumentative/discursive] intro Hook Thesis Statement (your stance) - Link stance to your hook - E.g. “it is with this notion that…” Roadmap - summarise the 4 points that will be in your body paragraphs - Remember to make distinct points (don't have points that are too similar) - Link to question - Link back to the main topic of the question and what it’s asking for Body paragraph 1 : Supporting - Can loosely follow the PEEL format - Point 1 & 2 - Always link back to main ideas of the question Body paragraph 2 : Not supporting - Point 3 [Point 3 and 4 if discursive] - Contradictory to your stance - Phrase as cons that don’t override your original stance - E.g. “with [supporting point] in mind, it is worth noting that [point that goes against supporting stance]” Conclusion - Summarise points from body paragraph - Evaluate both sides to reinforce your stance (why you’ve made this stance) - Link back to question to reinforce idea

Discursive - Balanced opinion - BOTH sides (support/against) must be shown - Overal neutral stance - Similar format to argumentative, but different ways of conclusion Examples - “What are some advantages and disadvantages of…” - “...What are your views?” (e.g. The world would be a very dull place without music’ What are your views?) conclusions discursive Argumentative - Summarise points from body paragraph (both pros and cons) - Evaluate the validity of both sides - Give an open-ended ending (to prevent indirectly showing a stance = NOT ANSWERING THE QN) - E.g. rhetorical questions - Restate stance - Summarise points from body paragraph - Evaluate both sides to reinforce your stance (why you’ve made this stance) - Link back to question to reinforce your stance Descriptive essays - Detail-heavy - Similar to narrative writing - Main aim is to “immerse” the reader - Make use of the 5 senses Examples - “Describe…” (e.g. Describe a place that means a great deal to you. Why is it so important?) Personal recount/Narrative - Similar to descriptive - Detail a character development/lesson learnt with accordance to what the question is asking for - Utilise flashbacks or interesting hooks - Simply write an interesting story tbh… Examples - “[Statement]. Write about a time where this happened.” - “Write about a time when…” (e.g. “It was the proudest moment.” Write about a time when you felt like this.)