Welcome to Structuring Longer Pieces of Writing
In Paper 2, Section B, you are asked to produce a piece of extended writing between 600 and 900 words. While that might sound like a lot, the secret to success isn't just writing more; it’s about structure. Think of structure as the "skeleton" of your writing—it holds everything together and makes sure your ideas move in the right direction.
In this chapter, we will explore how to organize your thoughts for the three main types of writing you might choose in the exam: Imaginative/Descriptive, Discursive/Argumentative, and Review/Critical writing. Let’s dive in!
1. Why Structure Matters for Extended Writing
When you write a shorter piece (like the 400-word task in Section A), you can sometimes get away with a simple plan. However, for a 600–900 word response, a lack of structure leads to "drifting"—where the writer loses focus or repeats themselves. A strong structure helps you:
• Meet the AO2 requirement to write effectively and appropriately.
• Ensure your ideas are coherent (they make sense together).
• Keep your reader engaged from the first word to the last.
Quick Tip: Always spend 5–10 minutes planning your structure before you start writing. It will actually save you time in the long run!
2. Structuring Imaginative and Descriptive Writing
When you are telling a story or describing a scene, you want to take your reader on a journey. You don't want to just list events; you want to build tension and emotion.
The Narrative Arc: Freytag’s Pyramid
A classic way to structure a story is Freytag’s Pyramid. It consists of five parts:
1. Exposition: Setting the scene and introducing characters.
2. Rising Action: A series of events that build tension or introduce a conflict.
3. Climax: The turning point or the moment of highest tension.
4. Falling Action: The fallout from the climax; things begin to resolve.
5. Resolution (Denouement): The final outcome or a closing thought.
Structural Effects: Withholding Information
To keep a story "engaging" (as required by the syllabus), you can use the technique of withholding key information. For example, you might describe a character’s fear without revealing what they are looking at until the very end. This creates suspense and encourages the reader to keep reading.
Key Takeaway: For imaginative writing, don't just "start" and "end." Use a model like Freytag’s Pyramid to give your story a satisfying shape.
3. Structuring Discursive and Argumentative Writing
In a discursive or argumentative piece, your goal is to explore an issue or persuade the reader. You need a structure that allows you to look at different sides of an issue fairly.
The Dialectical Structure
A common and effective approach is the dialectical structure. You can think of it like a mathematical balance:
\(Thesis (Point A) + Antithesis (Point B) = Synthesis (Conclusion)\)
• Thesis: Presenting the initial argument or "one side" of the story.
• Antithesis: Presenting the opposing view or "the other side."
• Synthesis: Bringing both sides together to reach a reasoned conclusion.
Juxtaposing Counterarguments
To make your argument stronger, try juxtaposing (placing side-by-side) a counterargument immediately after a point. For example, you might write a paragraph about the benefits of technology, followed immediately by a paragraph about its drawbacks. This shows the examiner you are thinking critically about the topic.
Key Takeaway: Use a dialectical approach to ensure your writing is "discursive" (exploring different ideas) rather than just a one-sided list.
4. Structuring Review and Critical Writing
When writing a review (of a film, book, or event), your structure needs to provide both information and opinion in a logical order.
The Recommended Flow
The syllabus suggests a structure based on introductory, summary, and evaluative sections:
1. Introduction: Define what you are reviewing and give your overall "hook."
2. Summary: Briefly explain the content (e.g., the plot of a movie or the purpose of a product). Warning: Keep this brief! Don't spend 800 words just retelling the story.
3. Evaluation: This is the most important part. Use evidentiary logic to explain why something was good or bad. "Evidence" here means specific examples from the text or event you are reviewing.
Quick Tip: In critical writing, your evaluative lexis (words like superb, lackluster, innovative, derivative) should be woven into your structure to maintain a consistent tone.
5. Organizing Paragraphs
The "bricks" that build your structure are your paragraphs. Even in a long 900-word piece, every paragraph should have a clear purpose.
• Topic Sentences: The first sentence of each paragraph should act as a signpost, telling the reader what that specific paragraph is about.
• Connectives and Discourse Markers: Use words like Furthermore, However, Consequently, or In contrast to link your paragraphs together. This creates internal coherence—the "glue" that keeps your long piece of writing from falling apart.
Note: For more details on these linking words, see the chapter on "Paragraphing, cohesion and discourse markers."
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
The "Wall of Text": Writing 900 words without clear paragraph breaks. This makes it very hard for the examiner to follow your structure.
Losing the Brief: Forgetting who your audience is halfway through. If you are writing a review for a teen magazine, your structure should stay lively and fast-paced until the end.
Running Out of Steam: Writing a great first 300 words and then rushing the final 600. Using a structure like Freytag’s Pyramid or Dialectical Structure ensures you have a plan for the whole word count.
Chapter Summary
1. Planning is Essential: For 600–900 words, you need a roadmap.
2. Choose Your Model: Use Freytag’s Pyramid for stories, Dialectical Structure for arguments, and Intro/Summary/Evaluation for reviews.
3. Use Signposts: Topic sentences and discourse markers help the reader navigate your writing.
4. Stay Consistent: Ensure your structure matches your purpose, audience, and form from start to finish.