Answers and Discussion
- Why is it so important to follow the instructions for Task 2?
It is very important to read the instructions carefully. There are various ways in which you might be asked to respond to the topic statement e.g. by providing general factual information, outlining and/or presenting a solution, justifying an opinion, evaluating evidence and ideas. The instructions tell you exactly what kind of response is required.
It is not sufficient simply to react to the topic statement. If you do this and fail to follow the instructions and answer the question(s) you will lose marks under the assessment criteria of Task Response. Answers must be comprehensive and fully relevant to meet the assessment criteria.
One instruction is to write ‘at least 250 words’. This is very important as answers that have fewer than 250 words will not adequately address all the points required in the answer.
- Why is it useful to write a plan before starting to write your answer to Task 2?
Planning (including brainstorming) helps ensure that the writing contains enough ideas to cover all the required points, and that the ideas are relevant and presented in a logical order. It is much easier to think about these planning matters before you start writing.
- Why is it necessary to provide examples or evidence in your answer?
You provide examples or evidence to back up your arguments. This helps make the arguments stronger and so, more persuasive. This is important in discursive writing as this kind of writing is about presenting and defending arguments as you can see from this sample exam topic:
It is generally accepted that families are not as close as they used to be.Why has this change happened and what could be done to bring families closer together?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- How can you structure your answer clearly?
To structure writing clearly it is essential to make good use of paragraphing, topic sentences, conjunctions and signalling phrases.
Signalling phrases can play a large role in discursive writing. They show the reader the function of what is being written and the direction that the writer intends the argument to go in. In this way they help to make the piece of writing both more cohesive and more coherent. Some examples of signalling phrases in discursive writing are:
The first point I would like to make
For example
To summarise the arguments so far
In conclusion
The evidence suggests that
Clearly structured ideas are easier for a reader to make sense of. When reading discursive writing, readers expect and look for a clear and logical development of ideas. If that logic is not there, it makes the text less coherent and therefore less easy to understand.
- What is the purpose of editing?
Many candidates do not edit their work or do not like to. However, editing is invaluable in helping to produce writing that communicates well. When candidates are busy writing, they are generally focussing on their ideas and how to express them. They do not focus on points such as accuracy of language or cohesion. Editing gives them the opportunity to focus on these points, i.e. editing is very much part of the writing process and not just an extra.
