1. IGCSE Language Paper 3 Composition
Sunday, 13 January 2019

2. FORMAT:
ALWAYS: a choice of 2 each of Argument/Discursive, Description, Narrative.
1 essay written of about 400 words.
1 hour for this part of the paper – 10 minutes at least for planning
25 marks.

3. Assessment:
W 1 Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 Order and present facts, ideas and opinions
W3 Understand and use a range of appropriate vocabulary
W4 Use language and register appropriate to audience and context
W5 Make accurate and effective use of paragraphs, grammatical structures, sentences, punctuation and
spelling

4. Assessment (cont…) Core Extended All candidates should:
In addition to what is required in the Core, candidates
• Show some sense of audience
• Express thoughts, feelings and opinions
following the Extended curriculum should:
in order to interest, inform or convince the
• Use imaginative and varied vocabulary
reader
• Demonstrate a sophisticated use of vocabulary
• Demonstrate adequate control of vocabulary,
• Write accurate complex sentences
syntax and grammar
• Show a clear sense of audience
• Exercise care over punctuation and spelling
and structures
• Write accurate simple sentences
• Demonstrate accuracy in punctuation and spelling
• Attempt a variety of sentence structures
• Recognise the need for paragraphing
• Write in well-constructed paragraphs
• Use appropriate vocabulary
• Employ varied sentence structures
• Show a wider and more varied sense of different
styles to interest, inform or convince the reader

5. Argue/Discursive
You will be expected to use your imagination and general knowledge.
PLAN
Table of key ideas and suggested content
Argument: points should “balance” for and against.
Structure is vital – plan carefully and ensure each point is given a clear paragraph – use topic sentences for clarity.

6. DESCRIBE NO STORYLINE, ever!
Simply describe the scene as you imagine it. Use strong verbs, adjectives and adverbs.
Perspective and senses, keep it organised.
Present description in full – remember that similes are really useful, but keep them relevant.
Description is a single moment in time, described from a single viewpoint, though you can turn your head!

7. Narrate Structure again vital – molehill!
Beginning, middle, end: Status quo, development, crisis, development, status quo.
Keep it simple – few characters and a straight forward story line – PLAN IN DETAIL. A simple plot is easier to write and clearer to mark.
Remember to describe and to set up setting and atmosphere – use description to develop your writing.