Paper 2 Section B

English Paper 2 Section B: Writing to describe

You will have a choice of 4 different questions. Each will ask you to write in a different style- inform, explain, describe and explain then describe. At NLL Cornwallis we prepare students to writing to describe

Please do not be swayed into answering the other questions as it is much trickier to score high marks on them!

Stick to the time limit of just 45 minutes on this section which includes creating a brief plan and using time at the end to check your punctuation, vocabulary and paragraphs.

Marks are given in two lots- out of 18 for what you write THEN out of 9 for how you write

What you write (out of 18)

Ideas and points are made subtly as well as obviously
Paragraphs are linked to one another
Ways of adding emphasis are used (i.e. one line paragraph)
Vocabulary choices are effective and varied
The purpose of the writing is clear
The tone of writing is appropriate for the audience

How you write (out of 9)

Lots of different sentences starters and lengths are used
Posh punctuation is used properly (; : ... etc)
All spellings are accurate

Write down all your ideas in a grid- what you could see/smell/hear/touch/taste.

See	Hear	Smell	Touch	Taste
sand	music	chips	breeze	ice cream
pier	shouting	sea	warmth	gritty sand
seagulls	waves	candyfloss	soft sand	sun cream

Then choose 5 or 6 things to write about. Each one will become one paragraph of writing.

If you have time then scribble down 10 clever sounding words that you could use in your writing.

As you write think

Make sure you use plenty of adjectives about 5 per paragraph. Why not try arranging them in groups of three, or employ some alliteration, if you are feeling really creative then rhyming adjectives could be used.

If you don't use them you may struggle to get a D grade. If you can try to link one paragraph to the nest using a particular word or image. If you are aiming for a A or A* try to use a one sentence paragraph for emphasis.

Use similes, metaphors and personification when you can. Try to invent some of your own, although tried and tested ones are just as good (brave as a lion, hot like the sun etc)

Always refer to the smells, sounds, tastes, textures and sights all around you in the place you are describing. This will add to your sense of description and help you create a powerful account.

Do not allow yourself to wander away from the place you are describing or tell a story about why you are there- you will loose valuable marks if you do.

Leave time to go back through and check your work. At the very least check that you have used paragraphs, punctuation and posh words

A model answer will use paragraphs clearly ,vary sentence lengths, vary sentence openings, use full stops and capital letters ,include semi colons, colons or ellipsis and include at least 10-15 words clever words.