IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written
Coursework
IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework
Contents
1. Sample A
2. Sample B
11
3. Sample C
19
4. Sample D
25
5. Sample E
35
6. Reading Grids
43
7. Writing Grids
45
8. Written Coursework
49
9. Coursework Frontsheet
55
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
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Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
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IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework 
Exemplar Materials
Sample A
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
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IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework 
Exemplar Materials
Sample B
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
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IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework 
Exemplar Materials
Sample C
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IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework 
Exemplar Materials
Sample D
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IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework 
Exemplar Materials
Sample E
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IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework
Reading Grids
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
Page 43
Assessment criteria  Reading
This page is used to mark assignment 1 of Paper 3  the written coursework, a piece based on a
response to an extract or extracts in Section B of the Edexcel Anthology for IGCSE English
Language (Specification A) and IGCSE English Literature.
General criteria
0
No rewardable material.
Band 1
Students make a limited response to texts.
1-2
Band 2
3-5
Band 3
6-10
Band 4
11-15
Band 5
16-20
Band 6
21-25
Band 7
26-30
Band 8
31-35
Band 9
36-40
Students make a basic response to texts. They identify some aspects of
content, characters or situation.
Students make a personal response which shows awareness of key ideas,
themes, events and characters. They refer to aspects of texts when
explaining their views.
Students make a personal response to texts which shows familiarity when
commenting on key ideas, themes, events and characters. They make
inferences and deductions and identify some features of language and
structure. They refer to aspects of the text when explaining their views.
Students make a personal response to texts which shows understanding of
meaning and some of the ways in which it is conveyed. They comment on
aspects of structure, language and theme as well as expressing their views.
Students make personal and critical responses to texts which show insight
into the ways in which meaning is conveyed. They refer to aspects of
language, structure and themes to support their views.
Students develop a perceptive personal response which shows analytical
skills when exploring texts. There is understanding of the techniques by
which meaning is conveyed and of ways in which readers may respond.
They support their responses with detailed references to language, theme
and structure.
Students show analytical and interpretative skill when evaluating texts,
making cross-references where appropriate. They develop their ideas and
refer in detail to aspects of language and structure making apt and careful
comparison, where appropriate, within and between texts.
Students show originality of analysis and interpretation when evaluating
texts. They make cogent and critical responses to texts in which they
explore and evaluate alternative and original interpretations. They show
flair and precision in developing ideas with reference to structure.
Students make subtle and discriminating comparisons, where appropriate,
within and between texts.
Specification
 EdexcelEnglish
IGCSE in English
Language (Specification
A) (4EA0) 
Edexcel
IGCSE
- Exemplar
Coursework
Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
2344
Page
IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework
Writing Grids
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
Page 45
organisation of the material is mostly sound, with
a clear text structure, controlled paragraphing to
reflect opening, development and closure,
together with successful use of cohesive devices
(for example use of synonyms, repetition of
words and structures, use of contrasts)
organisation of the material is secure, with a
well-judged text structure, effective paragraphing
and a range of cohesive devices between and
within paragraphs
there is sophisticated control of text structure,
skilfully sustained paragraphing and the assured
application of a range of cohesive devices
the writing communicates clearly, with a wellchosen vocabulary, and some evidence of
crafting in the construction of sentences
the writing communicates effectively, with an
aptly chosen vocabulary and well-controlled
variety in the construction of sentences
the writing is compelling in its communicative
impact, with an extensive vocabulary and skilful
control in the construction of varied sentence
forms
a generally clear sense of purpose and
understanding of the expectations/requirements
of the intended reader is shown
a secure realisation of the writing task according
to the writers purpose and the
expectations/requirements of the intended reader
is shown
a strong , assured fulfilment of the writing task,
sharply focused on the writers purpose and the
expectations/requirements of the intended reader
is shown
Band 3
Band 4
Band 5
26-27
20-25
14-19
8-13
Page 46
26
 Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
Specification  Edexcel IGCSE in English Language (Specification A) (4EA0)
organisation of the material shows some grasp of
text structure, with opening and development,
and broadly appropriate paragraphing and other
sequencing devices
the writing communicates in a broadly
appropriate way, with some evidence of control
in the choice of vocabulary and sentence
structures
1-7
a basic grasp of the purpose of the writing and of
the expectations/requirements of the intended
reader is shown
organisation of the material is simple with
limited success in opening and development
Organisation
Band 2
the writing communicates at a basic level, using
a limited vocabulary and showing little variety of
sentence structure
Effectiveness of communication
little awareness is shown of the purpose of the
writing and of the intended reader
no rewardable material
Purpose and audience
Band 1
Mark
band
Assessment Objectives (i) and (ii)
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
punctuation is accurate, with a wide range of
marks used to enhance communication,
according to the particular focus within this
triplet
control of the full range of punctuation marks is
precise, enabling intended emphases and effects
to be conveyed
Band 4
Band 5
12-13
9-11
6-8
Page 47
Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
Specification  Edexcel IGCSE in English Language (Specification A) (4EA0) 
(for example by the deployment of semi-colons,
pairs of commas or dashes to indicate apposition
or interpolation)
control of punctuation is mostly secure,
including use of speech marks and apostrophes
Band 3
3-5
full stops, capital letters, question marks are
used, together with some other marks, mostly
correctly
basic punctuation is used with some control
no rewardable material
Punctuation
Band 2
1-2
Band 1
Mark
band
Assessment Objectives (iii)
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
spelling is almost always accurate, with only
occasional slips
spelling of a wide and ambitious vocabulary is
consistently accurate
a wide range of grammatical structuring is used
accurately and effectively to create intended
impact and to convey nuances of meaning
grammatical structuring is ambitious and assured,
with sophisticated control of expression and
meaning
spelling of a wide range of words is accurate
spelling of simple words and more complex
words is usually accurate
grammatical structuring of simple and some
complex sentences is usually correct
grammatical structures are accurate and used to
create effects, with only occasional errors
spelling of common words is usually correct,
though inconsistencies are present
Spelling
grammatical structuring shows some control
Grammar
27
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
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IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework
Written Coursework
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
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Paper 3: Written Coursework
The coursework option is open to centres that have been approved by Edexcel to conduct
coursework. There are two papers  Paper 3 must be taken with Paper 4.
Coursework is available (Edexcel approved teaching institutions only) as an alternative to
Paper 2.
Content overview
Students have to complete two assignments  one on reading and one on writing.
Reading
A piece of writing responding to Section B of the Edexcel Anthology for IGCSE English
Language (Specification A) and IGCSE English Literature.
All students will be required to demonstrate an ability to:
AO2
(i)
read with insight and engagement, making appropriate reference to texts and developing
and sustaining interpretations of them
(iii)
understand and make some evaluation of how writers use linguistic and structural
devices to achieve their effects.
Writing
A piece of personal and imaginative writing to explore, imagine, entertain and writing to argue,
persuade, advise.
All students will be required to demonstrate an ability to:
AO3
(i)
communicate clearly and imaginatively, using and adapting forms for different readers
and purposes
(ii)
organise ideas into sentences, paragraphs and whole texts using a variety of linguistic
and structural features
(iii)
use a range of sentence structures effectively, with accurate punctuation and spelling.
Assessment overview
The assessment of this unit is through two coursework assignments, internally set and
assessed and externally moderated by Edexcel.
The total number of marks available is 80 (40 marks for each assignment).
Specification
 EdexcelEnglish
IGCSE in English
Language (Specification
A) (4EA0) 
Edexcel
IGCSE
- Exemplar
Coursework
Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
Page950
Detailed content
Paper 3, for students taking route two (70% assessment and 30% coursework), assesses 20% of
the total English Language (Specification A) qualification and assesses Reading (10%) and
Writing (10%).
Students will complete two coursework assignments.
Assignment 1
Writing based on a piece or pieces from Section B of the anthology.
This assignment must address AO2 (i) and (iii).
Marked out of 40 marks for reading.
Assignment 2
A piece of personal and imaginative writing.
The assignment may encompass a wide range of possible types of writing including
autobiographical, creative, descriptive and discursive.
Its purpose should be to explore, imagine, entertain or to argue, persuade, advise.
Within the boundaries stated above there is a free choice of topic.
This assignment must address AO3 (i), (ii) and (iii).
Marked out of 40 marks for writing.
Production of written coursework
Each piece of coursework should contain the students name, the date on which the work was
completed, the mark awarded and a brief teacher comment justifying the mark. This comment
should be based on the assessment criteria for the mark range awarded.
There is no minimum or maximum word limit for coursework pieces. Typically, a coursework
piece might be 450 to 600 words, but there is no penalty for exceeding these guidelines. A piece
of descriptive writing for assignment 2, for example, may be fewer than 450 words. A story for
the same assignment may be well over 1,000 words. The length of the piece should be
determined by fitness for purpose.
Coursework pieces may be handwritten or word-processed.
Teachers may advise students in the production of coursework, but they should not proofread
early drafts and correct every technical error. Teachers may suggest improvements to the
content of the coursework, but it is the students responsibility to make any corrections. There is
no limit to the number of coursework pieces a student may produce from which to select the
best pieces for final assessment, nor to the number of drafts a student may produce. However,
teachers should be mindful of the overall weighting of written coursework (20%) and make sure
that the coursework paper does not take up an inordinate amount of curriculum time.
Teachers should be alert to essays derived from other sources  such as the internet  when
signing the declaration on the coursework front sheet.
10
 Edexcel IGCSE in English Language (Specification A)
(4EA0)51
Edexcel
IGCSE English - ExemplarSpecification
Coursework
Page
 Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
Examples of assignments
Reading
This teacher-devised assignment could be a detailed analysis of the language of one piece from
Section B of the anthology, or a comparative piece based on two or more pieces.
Compare the tragedies of the characters in The Last Night and Refugee Blues.
Compare any two texts about children. How are they similar? How do they differ?
Pick any two poems. How do they reflect the idea of a turning-point?
How is suspense created in A Hero?
Writing
The topic could be suggested by a piece in the anthology, for example:
The moment had passed  write a short story ending with these words
The last time I saw...
Climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world. What are your views on this
statement?
Or an unrelated topic, for example:
the visitor
the person who has influenced me most
the strangest place I have ever visited
advice for a visitor to my area.
Assessment of written coursework
Teachers must mark each piece of coursework according to the Assessment Criteria on page 23
(Reading) and pages 25-27 (Writing) of this specification. Teachers should use their
professional judgement to select and apply the criteria to the work of students appropriately and
fairly. Each successive grade description assumes the continued demonstration of those qualities
described in the lower grades.
Students should be awarded the appropriate mark within any range on a best fit basis,
balancing strengths and weaknesses within each essay.
Standardisation of written coursework
Towards the end of the course Edexcel will request a sample of coursework to be sent to an
Edexcel-appointed coursework moderator. The moderator will either broadly confirm the marks
awarded by the teachers in the centre, or will adjust marks accordingly. Where there is more
than one teacher of the coursework option within a centre, the centre should conduct internal
standardisation. This can be achieved by paired marking with reference to the benchmark
material published by Edexcel.
Completed coursework should be kept secure within the centre until at least six months after the
examination session. Coursework can then be returned to students.
Specification
 EdexcelEnglish
IGCSE in English
Language (Specification
A) (4EA0) 
Edexcel
IGCSE
- Exemplar
Coursework
Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
1152
Page
Final assessment of written coursework at the end of the course
There will be two marks out of 40. These are combined to give the overall coursework mark.
Assignment 1: Responding to the texts in Section B of the Edexcel Anthology for IGCSE
English Language (Specification A) and IGCSE English Literature (marked for Reading).
Assignment 2: Personal and imaginative writing (marked for Writing).
These two pieces are equally weighted. At the end of the course they may be re-assessed and the
marks adjusted in light of internal standardisation.
The final overall coursework mark is a mark out of 80.
Effort and potential should not be rewarded as such. Teachers should be rewarding the quality
of the writing and reading demonstrated in the essays. A second opinion by a teacher (other than
the class teacher) will help the centre to arrive at an objective judgement on achievement.
Written coursework frontsheets
Final coursework marks for each student should be recorded on the coursework frontsheet 
see Appendix 2. Teachers should photocopy the number of sheets required.
Authentication of coursework
Each students coursework frontsheet must contain a declaration by the teacher that the
work submitted for assessment is the students own work. Attention must be drawn to the
seriousness of this declaration. It is the responsibility of the centre to ensure that Edexcels
regulations are adhered to and that no student has engaged in unfair examination practice.
Teachers should be alert to essays derived from other sources  such as the internet  when
signing the declaration on the coursework frontsheet.
12
 Edexcel IGCSE in English Language (Specification A)
(4EA0)53
Edexcel
IGCSE English - ExemplarSpecification
Coursework
Page
 Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
Page 54
IGCSE English Language
Paper 3: Written Coursework
Coursework Frontsheet
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
Page 55
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
Page 56
Edexcel IGCSE English - Exemplar Coursework
Page 57
(calculation of assignments 1 and 2)
Centres final overall mark for written
coursework /80:
Centres final mark for assignment 2 /40
Centres mark for AO3 (iii) /13
Centres mark for AO3 (i) and (ii) /27
Separate marks out of 27 and 13 should be recorded as well as the
overall final mark for assignment 2.
Assignment 2 (Writing)
Centres final mark for assignment 1 /40
Assignment 1 (Reading)
Candidates marks
Assignment 2: Personal and Imaginative Writing
Assignment 1: Response to Section B of the Edexcel Anthology for IGCSE English Language (Specification A) and IGCSE
English Literature
Title of assignment
Candidate number:
January/June 20____
Issue 1  September 2008  Edexcel Limited 2008
Specification  Edexcel IGCSE in English Language (Specification A) (4EA0) 
Signature of examining teacher .......................................................................
47
Date ................................................
Declaration by teacher: I declare that the students activities were kept under regular supervision and that, to the best of my knowledge, no assistance has been
given apart from any which is acceptable under the scheme of assessment and has been identified and recorded.
Date work completed
Candidates surname and initials:
Centre number:
Edexcel IGCSE in English Language (4EA0)
Appendix 2: Coursework frontsheet for Paper 3 (4EA0/03)