How 0510 writing is marked

Content is about task fulfilment and the development of ideas. Have you covered every prompt? Are your ideas explained with reasons, details or examples? Is the tone right for the reader and purpose?

• Higher marks: every prompt covered and well developed, and the register fits the reader all the way through.
• Lower marks: a prompt missing, ideas only listed, or a tone that does not suit the reader.

Free lessons: Covering every prompt and planning · Developing ideas with reasons and examples · Purpose, audience and register

Language is about range, accuracy and organisation. Examiners look for a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures, how accurate they are, and whether the writing is organised into clear paragraphs with good linking.

• Range: less common words used correctly, complex sentences, a mix of tenses.
• Accuracy: errors are few and do not make the meaning unclear.
• Organisation: paragraphs with a clear point, linked with suitable connectives.

Free lessons: Paragraphs and topic sentences · Linking: addition and sequence · Linking: contrast and concession · Synonyms and avoiding repetition

1. Plan one paragraph per prompt before you write.
2. Develop each point with a reason, example or result.
3. Use at least two complex sentences (with although, which, if or because).
4. Replace three general words with precise ones.
5. Open and close in the right style for the reader.
6. Proofread for tenses, agreement and punctuation.

Free lessons: Openings and closings · Proofreading: common errors

There is no separate mark for length. But a piece that is too short usually cannot develop every prompt, and a very long one tends to have more errors. 120–160 words is the target for a reason.

Free lesson: Word count and editing: 120–160 words