Individual texts are also provided in each section in this area, together with videos to help you with analysing the texts.
Some non-fiction texts also have a video on the IGCSEFlix page, which can help with understanding the images and story in the text a little better. Keep checking this page, as it will continue to be updated.
For your Non-Fiction and Transactional Writing Paper, there are 6 questions that you need to answer. Here is a guide to each of the questions:
Questions 1-3 refer to an UNSEEN text.
Question 1 is always a finding words/phrases task. For example, From lines 1-4, find two words or phrases that describe... Question 1 is always worth 2 marks.
Question 2 asks you to paraphrase a section of lines. For example, Look again at lines 7-18. In your own words, explain what the writer thinks and feels about what he sees. Question 2 is always worth 4 marks.
Question 3 asks you to describe something from a section of text. For example, From lines 31-45, describe how and why the writer...You may support your points with brief quotations. Question 3 is always worth 5 marks.
Question 4 refers to a text from your ANTHOLOGY. It always asks "How does the writer". For example, How does the writer use language and structure to interest and engage the reader? You should support your answer with close reference to the extract, including brief quotations. Question 4 is always worth 12 marks.
Question 5 is a comparison of the UNSEEN text and the ANTHOLOGY text. For example, Compare how the writers present their ideas and perspectives about their experiences. Support your answer with detailed examples from both texts, including brief quotations. Question 5 is always worth 22 marks.
You then have a choice between Question 6 or Question 7, which are both transactional writing tasks. For more detail on this part of the exam, check out the transactional writing page.
Questions 1-3 do not require any analysis at all. Analysis is for questions 4 and 5. You are completely wasting your time if you analyse the language and structure in questions 1-3.
For question 1, make sure your words or phrases that you choose are related to what you are being asked. Don't copy out large sections of the text either. Remember it should just be a word or short phrase.
For question 2, try to get at least four points. Make sure you are looking at the section that it is asking you to look at.
For question 3, again try to get at least five points. Don't just copy out quotes and think that is a description. The whole point of this question is testing your ability to describe something. Use quotes to support your description, not the other way round.
For question 4, do not just write down everything you know about the anthology text in question. Make sure you read the question carefully and analyse what it is asking you to analyse. Follow the Point --> Evidence --> Analysis structure. Make sure you have enough points but, more importantly, make sure you have a variety of language points and structural points.Â
For question 5, take your time to go through each text and pick out both clear and less obvious comparisons between the two. Make the focus of each of your paragraphs clear. You might want to use the following COMPARES acronym if you're feeling stuck for ideas:
Content - What is each text about? What themes are covered?
Organisation - What is the structure of each text?
Methods - What language and structural techniques are used in each text?
Purpose - Why was each text written?
Audience - Is there a particular intended audience for each text?
Register - Is the style formal or informal?
Effect on the reader - Does it have a particular message for the reader?
Style/tone - Think about the feeling that each texts wants to convey.
It's absolutely fine to comment on differences as well as similarities, as long as the focus of each paragraph is consistent. For example, you might have a paragraph where you focus on how metaphors are used differently across the two texts and have slightly different effects.
For tips on transactional writing, click the link below.
