Paper 2 Directed Writing And Composition: A Full Guide

Paper 2 is the writing exam. In two hours you answer two questions: one directed-writing task that everyone does, and one composition of your choice, either descriptive or narrative. There is no body of facts to revise here. What is being marked is how well you can shape ideas for a reader, organise them, and write with accurate, varied, well-chosen language. That is a craft, and like any craft it rewards a writer who knows exactly what the task wants before the pen moves.

This guide takes you through both sections. You will see the exact mark splits (Section A gives 15 marks for content and 25 for the quality of writing; Section B gives 16 for content and structure and 24 for style and accuracy), what each task expects, the difference between describing and narrating that examiners watch for, a timing plan, a model directed-writing approach and a model plan for each composition type. Get the architecture clear and you will spend the exam writing well rather than guessing what is wanted.