Organising information and ideas - CCEA

The material on this page is designed to help you with revision and preparation for your CCEA GCSE English Language exams. It applies to Unit 1, Section A: Writing for purpose and audience.

• Unit 1 is assessed by a written exam, worth 30% of your final mark
• There is one task in Section A of the Unit 1 exam, worth 87 of the 150 marks available
• For this task, you will be expected to produce a piece of writing, usually a speech or article, in response to specific instructions

You can practice for your English Language GCSE exams with a range of CCEA past papers and mark schemes.

• Paragraphs give your writing shape and help you organise your ideas; each paragraph should focus on one main point
• The first sentence in a paragraph, called the topic sentence, introduces the main idea of the paragraph; the following sentences support and expand on this idea
• Use transitional words or phrases to connect paragraphs logically; this helps the reader follow your argument or story
• Vary how you begin your sentences to make your writing more interesting; you can start with an adverb, a connective, a simile or a verb
• Use a mix of simple, compound and complex sentences to keep your writing engaging

Once you have planned your ideas for a piece of writing, you need to work out the best order for your paragraphs.

In both fiction and non-fiction writing, paragraphs give your writing shape. In a short story, writers often build up to the most exciting moment. Similarly, in an article or speech, writers tend to lead into their most important point.

Example

Here’s an example of a non-fiction writing task.

Write an article to inspire young people to follow their dreams.

Here’s a suggested plan:

In this plan, the introduction includes examples of dreams that this audience might have. The purpose of the article is to inspire young people to follow their dreams, so the benefits are included in the introduction, making this purpose clear.

The next paragraphs use examples from real life as inspiration. The first paragraph refers more generally to successful individuals who have overcome all odds and the next one deals specifically with Stephen King and his story of perseverance.

The next section looks at difficulties and, as this is an inspirational article, suggests ways of overcoming these.

Then the article offers advice for young people to help them achieve their goals.

The final paragraph reminds the readers of the benefits of following a dream, bringing the article full circle.

Notice how this plan builds up and deals with one point in each paragraph.

The first sentence in a paragraph should contain the main idea. The next sentences support and expand upon that initial sentence. They add to the main idea. This is true in both fiction and non-fiction writing. The first sentence is sometimes known as the topic sentence because it features the main topic or point of the paragraph. For example:

Fiction

Hardy was a kind man. He gave generously to charities and always had a smile for whoever came into his shop. Around his eyes were wrinkles that looked like the rays of a sun drawn by a child.

Non-fiction

School uniform is uncomfortable. Invariably made from man-made materials such as polyester and nylon, the trousers, skirts and blazers that many students are forced to wear every day do not allow the skin to breathe.

Linking paragraphs – transitional words and phrases

Your paragraphs should follow on from each other in a logical order. One way of connecting them is to use transitional words or phrases. These indicate the relationship between a paragraph and a previous one. These are used in fiction and non-fiction, though should be used sparingly in both.

To add to a point

• In addition…
• Furthermore…
• It could also be said that…

To make a comparison

• Likewise…
• Similarly…
• In the same way…

To make a contrast

• On the other hand…
• Conversely…
• In contrast…

To conclude

• In summary…
• Overall…
• In a nutshell…

Things to remember

• Decide on the order of your paragraphs
• Use topic sentences to summarise your paragraphs
• Link your paragraphs and consider using transitional words or phrases

Changing the way that sentences begin makes a piece of reading more interesting and engaging for the reader. There are many ways to do this.

Example

Take the sentence: The man shouted out of the window.

In the following examples, see how the writer changes the opening of their sentences to create variety for the reader:

Example one

I walked into the room. The lights shone brightly. People were everywhere and the music was blaring. There were people outside talking. I saw my friends in the corner of the room and went over to join them.

Example two

Cautiously, I walked into the room. Overhead, the lights shone brightly. People were everywhere and the music was blaring. Outside there were people talking. With a sigh of relief, I saw my friends in the corner of the room and like a shot, I hurried over to join them.

Aim to find a balance and include some simple sentences for pace.

Aim to use a variety of sentence types in your writing. Too much of one thing can become boring.

Simple sentence

A simple sentence contains one clause or main idea. It includes a subject and a verb, and sometimes an object as well.

For example:

I like books. (I = subject, like = verb, books = object)

My cat is wild. (My cat = subject, is = verb, wild = adjective)

James sings loudly. (James = subject, sings = verb, loudly = adverb)

Compound sentence

A compound sentence contains two main clauses joined by a connective that shows the relationship between the two pieces of information.

For example:

I like books and I read regularly.

James sings loudly so I turn my music up.

My cat is wild although she sometimes comes indoors.

KEY FACT: You do not need a comma in the middle of a compound sentence. Other connectives include: but, and, whereas, so, although and after.

Complex sentences

A complex sentence combines a main clause with a subordinate clause.

A subordinate clause adds extra information to a main clause. A subordinate clause needs a main clause to make sense.

For example:

When he’s in the car, James sings loudly.

My cat, which is five years old, is wild.

Fragments

Fragments are partial sentences, phrases or single words and can be used (sparingly) to emphasise a point or add interest to your writing.

For example:

She would be sixteen on Friday. Sixteen. Already.

He was looking forward to the trip. China, at last.

Things to remember

• Use transitional words and phrases to link your paragraphs
• Vary the ways you open your sentences
• Use a variety of sentence types