Written By: Deana Chang
Introduction
As many of you are aware, achieving high scores in the IGCSE program can be relatively straightforward, provided you adhere to a specific criteria, accustomed to the repetitive mark scheme. This approach often results in receiving a report card adorned with A and A* grades; however, when it comes to English Foreign Language (FLE) Paper 2, which involves narrative or descriptive writing, many individuals find it a challenging aspect of the course. Due to its subjectivity, there isn't a readily apparent, step-by-step guide or a comprehensive mark scheme available for students to follow. Drawing from my personal experience of transitioning from a B to an A* in the initial semester of IGCSE English, I want to provide a few tips and present a sample of my own interpretation of the paper. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that while these suggestions may have varying degrees of applicability for different individuals, they proved highly effective for me. With that in mind, I hope they can greatly benefit you too.
Tips
Grammar
Speaking from personal experience, I used to struggle with grammar, particularly with tenses. I often found myself inadvertently mixing present and past tenses in my writing. To address this, I developed a habit of not only correcting my own grammar but also others. For instance, when I text my friends or family, it has become second nature for me to use the appropriate tense.
Vocabulary
A robust vocabulary is pivotal when it comes to excelling in descriptive writing. What the IGCSE assessors seek in a descriptive essay is the adept incorporation of more advanced vocabulary into your prose, your capacity to convey emotions without explicitly using certain terms. Rather than stating that 'he's upset and melancholy', they prefer expressions like 'His gaze fixated on the raindrops tracing their journey down the glass; his shoulders drooped as though bearing the weight of the universe. An audible sigh escaped his lips, an unspoken reflection of the turmoil within.' My recommendation here is to employ a broader array of literary devices, as they can significantly facilitate achieving the desired outcome. This all can be easier to achieve with a broader vocabulary list.
Read other sample essays
From my perspective, this was the most impactful strategy. Cambridge typically provides A* exemplary essays for students to review, and numerous A* achievers have shared their essays online. I used to list down all the impressive phrases and sentences, and repeatedly revisit them to grasp the essence of what I should strive for in my writing.
Here are a few links that may be beneficial to you:
My Own Take on Descriptive Writing
The View From the Other Side
The box was confined, cramped, with just enough room for my stretched-out legs. The ponderous bank of greying clouds fell over my shoulder as if hauling a thick, white coat of watercolor, cloaking and obscuring the flaming orb. I submerged into the perpetual dreadful darkness.
The chaotic wreck of blankets is in an endless tug of war with no arranged order, no rhythm, no consistent patterns, like a storm, a raging storm. They entangled my legs like a tendril vine, suffocating every cell of my body. The walls are now the muggy earth with serrated, knife-edged bushes scattered, and mosses shrouding the damp dirt, entombing all the colors that once brought me to life.
The window now has reddish-brown stains smeared over the once-gilded frames. The rain clouds overcast the stretched-out sky, perhaps there was a rainbow on the other side. Or perhaps a majestic ball of fire thrones over the cerulean sky on the other side.
Perhaps, on the other side, each night the sky would not be a sea of obsidians, spiders, and tar, but with luminous petals of silver and diamond, freckling the sky. The magnificent star awaits to strike for its next appearance, bringing celestial bliss to the moon, Earth, and stars with its power and beauty, allowing the world to see the allure of nature: dragonflies and butterflies with their wings a blur of colors—roses, tulips, violets, lavenders, and honey, gold—all the beguiling charms of the world.
The sky will be torn with brilliant blue, and the bejeweled blazing ball of honey and marigold will rise once more, shooting out luminous tangerine hues, sparkling the crystal-clear streams, gushing down the juniper-filled valleys. It is a ribbon of silver, unobtainable. A field filled with emeralds shimmering intensely. The landscape—incomprehensible—dotted with scarlet-roofed houses, the American dream, unfathomable to me and the box.
But in this box, it's just me, hemmed in by towering mountains on all sides. The box, made of mud and thatch, is now a prison, a narrow world that has cut me off from the vastness of the world beyond. The silky, smooth collusion of skyburst gradually sank into the calm of the night, leaving behind a lingering glow. As tiny shards of light illuminated the mud-covered walls of the box, the shadows lengthened across the valley. The box is now a crystallized forest with pines sharp as needles, engulfing me like a million bullets frozen in time, right before they pelt and penetrate my skin like a violent tattoo. Perhaps the other side will haunt me for the rest of my life, somewhere beyond the narrow confines of this box.
Conclusion
In conclusion I've shared several strategies that have proven effective in my own experience. However, it is important to recognize that each individual may have a unique approach to studying, and what has worked for me might not necessarily align with your preferences or methods. Remember that the journey to success is personal, and I encourage you to adapt and tailor these tips to suit your own learning style. Best of luck on your IGCSE English journey!
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