Coursework Overview (Edexcel IGCSE English Language)
Coursework Overview
Component 3 (coursework) can be offered as an alternative to Paper 2 and consists of two, non-examined assignments, which are set internally (either by your teacher or in collaboration with your teacher).
In the following guide you will find:
- What is Component 3?
- What skills are being assessed
- Suggested titles
Component 3 in a nutshell
What is Component 3?
For the coursework component, you are required to write two assignments, which may be devised by your teachers or self-generated. One of the assignments tests reading, and the other tests writing, as follows:
| Assignment | What you are asked to do | Marks | Suggested word limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment A: Poetry and Prose Texts | - Select three texts from Part 2 of the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology - You must choose at least one poetry text and one prose text - Write a response to these texts that covers both AO1 and AO2 - Note that this revised format is for first assessment in May/June 2024 | 30 marks | 1,200 words |
| Assignment B: Imaginative Witing | - Write a piece of imaginative writing based on a selected topic - Its purpose should be to narrate, describe or entertain - The piece of writing could be a story, a description or a continuation of one of the texts studied in the Anthology | 30 marks | 700 words |
What skills are being assessed?
To be successful in Component 3, you should read selections from a range of high-quality, challenging poetry or prose fiction, and use what you have learned about the writers’ craft to inspire and influence your own imaginative writing.
The assessment objectives for Component 3 are:
| Assessment objective | What this means | |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment A | AO1: read and understand three texts from Part 2 of the Anthology, selecting and interpreting information, ideas and perspectives | - Show that you understand the obvious meanings and suggestions communicated in a text - Select and use relevant and appropriate information from a text to answer the questions - Interpret meanings in a text in your own words |
| AO2: understand and analyse how writers use linguistic and structural devices to achieve their effects in three texts from Part 2 of the Anthology | - Explore how writers use language to achieve particular effects - Explore how writers structure their writing in order to achieve particular effects - Show your understanding of the whole extract, supporting your points with close textual references and brief quotations | |
| Assignment B | AO4: communicate effectively and imaginatively, adapting form, tone and register of writing for specific purposes and audiences | - Write clearly, concisely and with maturity and flair - Follow the conventions of a particular form - Adapt your use of language and tone to suit the purpose and intended audience |
| AO5: write clearly, using a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, with appropriate paragraphing and accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation | - Use a wide range of sophisticated vocabulary and vary your sentences - Structure your writing fluently and appropriately - Write with technical accuracy |
Suggested titles
The titles of your assignments could be generated by you, or by your teachers. They must allow you to cover each of the assessment objectives being tested in each assignment.
Assignment A: Poetry and Prose
Your assignment title must allow you to explore both AO1 and AO2. Assignments could take the following format:
| Discuss how the writers use language and structure to present loss and suffering in ‘Disabled’, ‘Out, Out—’ and The Necklace. In your response you should: - Discuss the ideas and perspectives of the writers about loss and suffering - Discuss how the writers use language and structure to achieve their effects - Include textual references to illustrate the points you make |
|---|
Assignment B: Imaginative Writing
Your assignment must allow you to explore both AO4 and AO5. Assignments could take the following formats:
| The Visitor |
|---|
| A Frightening Experience |
| My Most Embarrassing Moment |
| “During the night the wind rose.” Write your own imaginative and descriptive piece that begins with these words. |
| “I’ve left Auror and that leaving of my home was hard and bitter, but my time is coming.” After reading ‘Significant Cigarettes’, write what you imagine might be the next episode in Lev’s story. |
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