IGCSE English Formats (For Question 1)

News Report Basic Structure

Catchy Headline (normally given by the examiner) Paragraph 1 Body Paragraphs Closing Paragraph

Interview Format

Interviewer: Question Interviewee: Answer (long and detailed)

Report Basic Structure

Introduction Paragraphs 2-4 Ending

Report Format

Introduction be clear about the main event (use who, what, where, when) Paragraphs 2-4 give details about what happened facts and statistics use topic sentences and sub-headings use eyewitnesses and quotes Ending finish with some points for improvement or your suggested action for any similar events (things that went well, recommendations to prevent further problems)

Formal Letter Basic Structure

Sender's Address Date Recipient's Address Salutation (Dear :) Body Closing Paragraph Sign-off Signature

Additional Tips for Speech

first person; use "we" to include the audience formal spoken presentation directly address the audience clear topic sentences with separate points and ideas for each paragraph don't need speech marks (' ') use informal language, shorter sentences, and questions to keep interest varied punctuation and sentences

Additional Tips for Journal

focus more on the external, objective and factual (diaries are more emotional and show more thoughts and feelings of the character) first person, personal record clear paragraphs with topic sentences clear sense of writer's personality explain their feelings show changing emotions focus on key moments and incidents time connectives varied punctuation and sentences

Additional Tips for Interview

interviewee should have more talking than interviewer one should only ask, the other should only answer use the questions on the exam stage directions in brackets varied punctuation Script Form (Mom: Dad: ) language should suit character and display an appropriate clear sense of voice if one character is dominant try to show that in the dialogue

Additional Tips for Report

make points in clear separate paragraphs with topic sentences use time connectives (earlier, later that day) events should be in chronological order be objective; no emotive language or exaggeration high formal diction facts and statistics varied punctuation and sentence length

Additional Tips for Formal Letter

Block Format: left aligned (no indenting) space after each paragraph Stay on task Note your tone Ambitious Vocabulary Varied punctuation and sentence length

Journal Entry Basic Structure

Date Paragraphs

News Report Format

Headline Paragraph 1: describe the main events (who what where when) Body Paragraphs: chronological order of events factual and unbiased use quotes paragraph each new point time connectives Closing Paragraph: prediction of future

Formal Letter Body and Closing Paragraph Formats

Paragraph 1: Introduction general aim and minimum information only (eg: to complain, apply, request, disagree and what you are responding to) Paragraph 2: Details of Situation give previous history of the event or your experience/background state what happened exactly give specifics (names, dates, facts, details) Paragraph 3: Further Development further support your claim or request summarize current situation/why you should be given consideration use anecdotes (eg: other problems during stay, how well you fulfill requirements) Paragraph 4: Future Action restate the main point state what you want to happen request action on part of the receiver be firm but polite

Magazine Article Basic Structure

Topic Background Discussion Prediction Conclusion

Magazine Article Format

Topic: introduce the issue (discursive writing) Background: Past history so readers know the necessary facts and why the article was written Discussion: back to current situation discuss and give different view points use details and examples with quotes compare with past or similar topics alternate views must be given equal weight Prediction: future developments/predicted outcome of situation Conclusion: neat conclusion use either ironic reference/humorous comment OR evaluation of viewpoints OR reference back to beginning OR quote

Additional Tips for Magazine Article

clear view point (opinion) use first person ("I") varied sentences types and punctuation explore ideas deeply title should explain the topic descriptive detail interview and quotes clear paragraphs and topic sentences

Additional Tips for News Report

use expert and witness comments don't use first person ("I") use mostly past tense (except for the title and the final paragraph)