English - First Language (US) - 0524 CIE

The Coursework Portfolio (Component 3)

Overview

The Coursework Portfolio is the school-assessed route through the writing side of First Language English. Instead of sitting Paper 2 in an exam hall, you build a folder of three pieces of your own writing over time, drafting and redrafting each one with feedback before it is finished. It is worth the same 80 marks as Paper 2, and it rewards the same skills: writing for a purpose and audience, organising ideas, and controlling vocabulary, sentences and accuracy. The difference is that you have time to plan, polish and improve, which is both the opportunity and the discipline of coursework.

This guide explains what the portfolio is, the three assignments and the different kinds of writing they require, how drafting and redrafting actually work, the reading you must show in one assignment, and how to reference texts honestly. You will see a model plan and model writing for each assignment type, plus the habits that turn a competent first draft into a high-scoring final piece.

Objectives

  1. Understand the requirements of the coursework portfolio and its three assignments.
  2. Produce informative, discursive/argumentative and descriptive/narrative writing for the portfolio.
  3. Draft, redraft and reference appropriately to meet the coursework criteria.

Lesson Note

Coursework looks easier than an exam because there is no clock in the room, but the standard is exactly the same and the marks are real. The portfolio is worth 80 marks, the whole of the writing component, and it is moderated, so a school cannot simply award generous marks. What coursework gives you is time, and time is only an advantage if you use it to draft, get feedback, and redraft. A portfolio of rushed first drafts wastes the chief benefit of the route. The students who do best treat each assignment as a project with stages, not a single sitting.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on The Coursework Portfolio (Component 3). Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. How many assignments make up the Coursework Portfolio, and what is the total mark? A. Two assignments, 60 marks B. Three assignments, 80 marks C. Four assignments, 100 marks D. One assignment, 40 marks Answer: B
  2. Roughly how long should each portfolio assignment be? A. 200 to 300 words B. 500 to 800 words C. 1500 to 2000 words D. 1000 to 1200 words Answer: B
  3. Which is the best use of the redrafting stage? A. Copying more material from the source B. Adding length to reach the word count C. Improving structure, vocabulary, sentence variety and accuracy after feedback D. Changing the topic entirely Answer: C
  4. One portfolio assignment must do which of the following? A. Be written in an exam hall B. Respond to a text or texts, so the portfolio shows reading C. Be exactly 1000 words D. Be a poem Answer: B
  5. Which kinds of writing should the three assignments cover between them? A. Three narratives B. Discuss/argue/persuade; descriptive or narrative; and a response to a text C. Three poems D. Three summaries Answer: B

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
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Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

Want to practice mock questions on The Coursework Portfolio (Component 3)? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.

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