igcse creative writing coursework mark scheme

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Unleashing your creativity: story structures for top-scoring igcse narrative writing.

igcse creative writing coursework mark scheme

As IGCSE students, you’re on a quest to master the art of narrative writing, and I’m here to be your trusted guide.

Today, we’ll explore the fascinating world of story structures that will help you craft captivating, engaging, and top-scoring narrative pieces. So, buckle up and get ready to unleash your creativity and embark on a journey to the land of A+ narratives!

We’ll start first with our recommendations for narrative structures that you can try out in your writing (more specific and targeted blog posts, examples, and templates will follow in the coming weeks), and also provide examples that take place in some books that you can consider reading; they are mostly classics.

While they won’t demonstrate the entirety of each one of these narrative structures in full, they will provide some valuable insight into what to look for and also provide examples that you can reference if you have the interest (and the time!) to pursue some reading. 🙂

In the final section, we will justify these recommendations with specific reference to the mark scheme.

Do know also that it is possible to combine this narrative structures with one another and that you most likely will do so as you utilise the techniques that you learn in this post in order to deal with the unseen prompts that you will encounter on the exam and write stories at large 🙂

Sounds good? Let’s go! 🚀

Narrative Structures

The Classic Three-Act Structure: Tried and True

The three-act structure is like a reliable old friend, always there to guide you through the world of storytelling. This classic approach divides your narrative into three parts: the setup, confrontation, and resolution. By establishing a strong beginning, middle, and end, you’ll create a well-balanced and engaging story that is sure to impress your IGCSE examiners.

“Once upon a time in a faraway land, there lived a young girl named Cinderella who was forced to work as a servant for her wicked stepmother and stepsisters.” – Cinderella, Charles Perrault.

This opening line from the classic fairytale of Cinderella sets the stage for a story that follows the three-act structure. The first act introduces the characters and the central conflict, the second act chronicles Cinderella’s struggles and her magical night at the ball, and the third act brings about resolution and a happy ending as she marries the prince.

Note however that the Three-Act Structure does not necessarily entail a happy ending – it is just a framework for setting up your story, and definitely can and should be used in conjunction with some of the other narrative structures as well as intelligent discernment in order for you to construct a piece that will impress and wow your examiners! Thank you to Ms. Rani CK for discussing this with me 🙂

The Hero’s Journey: Embrace the Adventure

The Hero’s Journey, inspired by Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, is a story structure that revolves around a protagonist’s transformative adventure. Your hero (or heroine) will face trials, overcome obstacles, and ultimately return as a changed person. By incorporating this powerful structure into your narrative writing, you’ll create a compelling and dynamic story that captures the essence of human experience and captivates your readers (and examiners).

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” – The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s opening line in The Hobbit introduces the protagonist, Bilbo Baggins, and marks the beginning of his Hero’s Journey. Throughout the story, Bilbo leaves his comfortable home, faces various trials and adventures alongside a group of dwarves, and ultimately returns transformed, having discovered his inner courage and resourcefulness.

In Medias Res: Start with a Bang

Dive headfirst into the action by employing the “in medias res” (Latin for “in the midst of things”) story structure. This technique drops your reader right into the heart of the action, creating an immediate sense of intrigue and excitement. By starting with a gripping event, you’ll pique your reader’s curiosity and encourage them to keep reading as you gradually reveal the backstory and context. This bold approach will show your IGCSE examiners that you’re a fearless and innovative storyteller.

“Someone must have slandered Josef K., for one morning, without having done anything truly wrong, he was arrested.” – The Trial, Franz Kafka.

Franz Kafka’s The Trial starts in medias res, as the protagonist Josef K. is arrested without any prior explanation. This opening plunges the reader right into the action and establishes a sense of immediacy and confusion, setting the stage for a narrative that will gradually reveal the circumstances and consequences of this arrest.

Nonlinear Narrative: Play with Time

Who says stories need to follow a chronological order? By experimenting with a nonlinear narrative, you’ll weave a tale that jumps between different time periods, creating an intricate and thought-provoking story. This structure requires skillful planning to ensure your reader can follow the story’s progression, but when executed well, it can lead to a captivating and memorable piece that will undoubtedly impress your IGCSE examiners.

“All this happened, more or less.” – Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five is a prime example of a nonlinear narrative. The novel tells the story of Billy Pilgrim, who becomes “unstuck in time” and experiences events from his life in a disjointed order. This opening line acknowledges the narrative’s unconventional structure, as the story will jump back and forth in time to explore Billy’s life, war experiences, and encounters with extraterrestrial beings.

Frame Narrative: Stories within Stories

Unleash the full power of your storytelling abilities with a frame narrative. This structure involves a story within a story, where an outer narrative “frames” an inner one. By employing this sophisticated technique, you’ll create depth and layers to your writing, offering your reader multiple perspectives and a rich, immersive experience.

“You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings.” – Frankenstein, Mary Shelley.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a frame narrative, as it begins with a series of letters from Captain Walton to his sister, chronicling his Arctic expedition. The story of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation is relayed to Walton, who then recounts the tale to his sister through the letters. This structure adds layers of depth and multiple perspectives to the narrative, enriching the overall storytelling experience.

Why do these work?

In this section, we’ll delve into how each of the story structures we’ve discussed can help students achieve top marks in their IGCSE narrative writing, specifically addressing the marking criteria for content, structure, and style.

The Classic Three-Act Structure

Content and Structure (W1 & W2): The three-act structure’s clear beginning, middle, and end ensures that your narrative is well-balanced and organized. By establishing a strong setup, confrontation, and resolution, you can create complex, engaging, and effective content, satisfying the requirements for the highest marks.

Style and Accuracy (W3 & W4): A well-executed three-act structure also allows for precise vocabulary and varied sentence structures, as well as a consistent, well-chosen register that aligns with the context of the story. These elements contribute to a high-scoring narrative in terms of style and accuracy.

The Hero’s Journey

Content and Structure (W1 & W2): The Hero’s Journey offers a strongly developed plot that features character development, trials, and a satisfying climax. This story structure enables you to create engaging, complex, and effective content that demonstrates a deliberate and well-managed narrative flow.

Style and Accuracy (W3 & W4): The adventurous nature of the Hero’s Journey allows for the use of precise, well-chosen vocabulary and varied sentence structures. The story’s context also lends itself to an appropriate and consistent register, further contributing to a high-scoring narrative.

In Medias Res

Content and Structure (W1 & W2): By starting your narrative in the midst of action, you immediately create engaging, complex, and effective content. The suspenseful nature of this structure requires careful management, which, when done successfully, demonstrates a secure and well-balanced narrative flow.

Style and Accuracy (W3 & W4): In medias res encourages you to use precise vocabulary and varied sentence structures to convey the excitement and tension of the story. The structure also allows for a consistent, well-chosen register that aligns with the high-stakes context, ultimately contributing to a top-scoring narrative.

Nonlinear Narrative

Content and Structure (W1 & W2): A nonlinear narrative enables you to create complex, engaging, and effective content by challenging traditional storytelling conventions. Skillful planning is required to maintain a well-balanced and carefully managed narrative flow, which, when executed well, will satisfy the highest marks’ requirements.

Style and Accuracy (W3 & W4): The intricate nature of a nonlinear narrative demands precise vocabulary and a range of sentence structures to convey the story’s progression effectively. By demonstrating a consistent, well-chosen register suitable for the context, you’ll create a high-scoring narrative in terms of style and accuracy.

Frame Narrative

Content and Structure (W1 & W2): A frame narrative provides depth and layers to your writing, allowing you to create complex, engaging, and effective content. This sophisticated structure requires careful management to ensure a secure, well-balanced, and deliberate narrative flow, satisfying the top marks’ requirements.

Style and Accuracy (W3 & W4): The multiple perspectives offered by a frame narrative enable the use of precise, well-chosen vocabulary and varied sentence structures. A consistent and appropriate register that aligns with the story’s context further contributes to a top-scoring narrative in terms of style and accuracy.

By carefully applying these story structures to your narrative writing, you can address the mark scheme’s criteria for content, structure, and style, putting you on the path to achieving the highest possible grades in your IGCSE narrative writing exam.

Conclusion: Your Path to Narrative Greatness

Remember, aspiring storytellers, the key to crafting an outstanding narrative piece lies in your choice of story structure and your ability to execute it masterfully. By exploring these various structures and aligning them with the highest IGCSE grade requirements, you’ll be well on your way to creating captivating, engaging, and top-scoring narratives.

So, go forth and weave your tales, for the world of narrative writing awaits! May your pen be mighty, your imagination boundless, and your stories unforgettable. With dedication, creativity, and a little guidance from these story structures, you’ll soon be the author of narratives that will not only impress your IGCSE examiners but also leave a lasting impact on all who read them.

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Edexcel English Language A iGCSE (4EA1/02) – Imaginative Writing Past Exam Questions

Li-ling Ooi Education , English Language , Learning , Resources 0

We have collated the imaginative writing questions from past year papers and listed them here. If you are taking the Edexcel English Language specification A (4EA1/02) for your iGCSE, and need more practice for this part of the paper, you have come to the right place.

Imaginative Writing is in Paper 2 Section B. Answer one question out of three given prompts. You are advised to spend 45 minutes on this task. The total marks for this section is 30.

The assessment objectives tested in this section are:

AO4 communicate effectively and imaginatively, adapting form, tone and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences

AO5 write clearly, using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with appropriate paragraphing and accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Table of Contents

Exam Paper Format
Anthologies Exam Questions Analysis
Poetry and Prose Text Past Exam Questions
Transactional Writing Past Exam Questions
Imaginative Writing Past Exam Questions

Imaginative Writing Questions Extracted from Past Year Papers (2014 – current)

Current syllabus (4ea1/01) answer one question..

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, made something. Your response could be real or imagined.

Your response will be marked for the accurate and appropriate use of vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Write a story with the title ‘My Greatest Memory’.

Look at the images provided. Write a story that begins ‘The festival was crowded that night’.

Your response could be real or imagined. You may wish to base your response on one of the images.

June 2022 Resit

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, had time away from school. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘A Lucky Escape’.

OR Look at the images provided. Write a story that ends ‘It looked so different at night’.

January 2022

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, had to be brave. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘Everything Had Changed’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided.

Write a story that begins ‘It was an unusual gift’.

January 2022 Resit

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, had an exciting experience. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘The Dark City’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story that starts ‘Was it really him?’

November 2021

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, felt proud. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘The Hidden Book’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story that begins ‘It was like a dream’.

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, needed help. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘The Accident’. Your response could be real or imagined.

OR Look at the images provided.

Write a story that begins ‘I was too excited to sleep’.

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, went on a long journey. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘A New Start’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story that begins ‘I tried to see what he was reading.’

June 2020 R

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, made an important decision. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘A Future World’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story that starts ‘I laughed out loud’.

January 2020

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, saw something surprising. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘The Meeting’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story that starts ‘Suddenly, without warning, there was a power cut.’

January 2020 R

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, did something by mistake.

Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘The Promise’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided. Write a story that ends ‘I’m glad I decided to help.’

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, visited a new place.

Write a story with the title ‘The Storm’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided. Write a story that ends ‘I decided to get on with it.’

Your response will be marked for the accurate and appropriate use of vocabulary, spelling, punctuation.

June 2019 R

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, met an important person. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘The Painting’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided. Write a story that starts ‘Everywhere was silent.’

JANUARY 2019

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, challenged an unfair situation. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘Bitter, Twisted Lies’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided. Write a story that begins ‘It was a new day …’.

January 2019 R

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, felt lonely. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘The Deception’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided. Write a story that begins ‘They found a diary… ’.

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, enjoyed success. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘A Surprise Visitor’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided (below). Write a story that begins ‘I did not have time for this’.

June 2018 R

Write about a time when you, or someone you know, felt disappointed. Your response could be real or imagined.

Write a story with the title ‘Lost’. Your response could be real or imagined.

Look at the images provided. Write a story that ends ‘He heard the door slam.’

Old Syllabus. Answer ONE question.

January 2018.

Write on one of the following: EITHER

(a) You have been asked to give to give a talk to a group of teenagers about a person who has made life better for others. This could be someone you know personally or someone who is well-known. Write the text of your talk.

(b) The magazine is publishing A series of articles called ‘where I live’. Write your contribution, exploring what you like or dislike about your local area.

(a) ‘Cities are dangerous, dirty and crowded places. Why would anyone want to live there?’

Give your views, arguing either for or against this statement.

(b) Your Community Improvement Group has decided to put up a new building to benefit your local area.

Write a letter persuading the Group to accept your ideas about uses for the new building.

June 2017 R

(a) ‘Let’s make our world a better place!’

You have been asked to give a talk to a group of young people on this topic. Write the text of your talk.

(b) ‘A Hard Choice I Had To Make.’

A website is collecting contributions from people who have had to make difficult choices.

Write your contribution.

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Edexcel English Literature IGCSE (4ET1/01) Paper 1 – Past Exam Questions – Unseen Poetry

Edexcel english literature igcse (4et1/01) paper 1 – past exam questions – anthology poetry – comparison, edexcel english literature igcse (4et1/01) paper 1 – modern prose past exam questions – to kill a mockingbird, harper lee, edexcel english literature igcse (4et1/01) paper 1 – modern prose past exam questions – of mice and men, john steinbeck, edexcel english literature igcse (4et1/01) paper 1 – modern prose past exam questions – the whale rider, witi ihimaera, edexcel english literature igcse (4et1/01) paper 1 – modern prose past exam questions – the joy luck club, amy tan, edexcel english literature igcse (4et1/01) paper 1 – modern prose past exam questions – things fall apart, china achebe, edexcel english literature igcse (4et1/01) paper 2 – heritage texts past exam questions – romeo and juliet, william shakespeare, share your thoughts cancel reply.

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Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Imaginative Writing Unit

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Unit of work

Last updated

30 December 2023

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This scheme of work contains everything you need to teach Imaginative Writing at IGCSE and will save you hours of preparation! It is focused on Paper 3 coursework, but can easily be adapted for Paper 2 exam preparation. It includes 24 lessons and is fully resourced with lesson PowerPoints, short stories and extracts, IWB interactive resources, quizzes, writing checklists and activities to exploit drama. Each lesson targets a different area of the mark scheme for the students to master.

Lesson 1: An introduction into imaginative writing Lesson 2: How to structure a story using a story mountain Lesson 3: How to write an effective opening Lesson 4: Using connectives Lesson 5: Creating characters with depth Lesson 6: Writing about a party Lesson 7: Focus on punctuation in ‘The Hero’ Lesson 8: Avoiding cliche in “The 100% perfect girl” Lesson 9: Using dialogue Lesson 10: Multiple narrative voices in “Not My Best Side” Lesson 11: Writing a story using a unique voice Lesson 12: Structure in ‘The Fugitive’ Lesson 13: A Day in the Life of a Nobody Lesson 14: Writing a personal response Lesson 15: Creating titles Lesson 16: Expanding and planning Lesson 17: Topic sentences Lesson 18: Openings and endings Lesson 19: Endings Lesson 20: Narratives and dialogue Lesson 21: Opening lines Lesson 22: Creating a sense of place Lesson 23: Show don’t tell Lesson 24: Narrative Tenses in The Beach

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DavidJonesGeography

I thought this unit was really useful and easy to follow. Takes you through the process step by step.

alexdavis1977

Thanks for the feedback David. I’m glad you liked it!

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

GeorginaWatkins

Extremely overpriced considering how underdeveloped these 'lessons' are.

Hi Georgina. I'm sorry the scheme of work did not meet your expectations. There are 25 lessons in the unit, that costs about 60p a lesson, so I don't think it's overpriced. For AO4 it covers: how to structure a story, how to write an opening, how to create characters, an exemplar to mark, how to avoid cliche, how to use dialogue, how to create an original voice, how to write effective endings, how to create a sense of place and advice on how to show, not tell. For AO5 it covers: connectives, punctuation, vocabulary, topic sentences and narrative tenses. So I personally think it's pretty comprehensive. However, if you are not satisfied please feel free to contact the TES for a refund. Furthermore, for my own curiosity could you please let me know what you were expecting to find in an Imaginative Writing unit of work and where you feel I have fallen short. Thanks.

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