Building a Strong Response: Step-by-Step Guide
Why this matters
- Paper 1 isn’t about “just writing something.” The examiner is checking if you can:
- Structure your writing clearly.
- Match tone to audience and purpose.
- Connect your response to one of the 5 prescribed themes.
- Use accurate, fluent, and varied language.
- Miss one of these and you lose easy marks, even if your English sounds polished.
Step 1: Plan your structure (Intro → Points → Conclusion)
Introduction
- Grab attention.
- State your purpose (why you’re writing).
- Link to the theme.
- Sentence stems for intros:
- “In today’s world, [theme] plays a vital role in…”
- “I am writing to express my concern about…”
- “This experience taught me that…”
- “Many people overlook how [theme] shapes our lives…”
Climate change is no longer a distant problem; it is something that shapes our daily lives. From extreme weather events to rising sea levels, the planet is showing us that action is urgently needed. As young people, we have a responsibility to consider how our choices impact the future of our world.
Body (2–3 points)
- Each paragraph = one clear idea.
- Support with detail, examples, or reasoning.
- Use connectors to link ideas.
- Sentence stems for points:
- “One key reason is that…”
- “For example, when…”
- “This shows that…”
- “Furthermore, it highlights…”
- “Another important factor to consider is…”
Example
One key reason this issue cannot be ignored is its direct effect on communities. For example, in coastal towns, families are already being forced to relocate as flooding increases. This shows how environmental issues are not abstract but deeply connected to human survival. Furthermore, tackling climate change can bring people together, as schools, businesses, and governments collaborate on sustainable solutions.
Conclusion / Call to Action
- Summarize your stance.
- Suggest a next step, solution, or reflection.
- Make it memorable.
Tip
- Sentence stems for conclusions:
- “In conclusion, it is essential that we…”
- “This experience proves that…”
- “Therefore, I strongly encourage…”
- “Looking ahead, we must remember that…”
In conclusion, protecting our planet is not an optional task, it is a shared responsibility. While challenges remain, small actions by individuals combined with large-scale policy changes can create lasting impact. Looking ahead, we must remember that the choices we make today will determine the kind of world we leave behind for future generations.
Note- Keep intro and conclusion short.
- Spend most of your words on the 2–3 points.
Step 2: Match text type to audience and purpose
- Formal → reports, proposals, essays. Audience = teachers, officials. Purpose = inform, persuade professionally.
- Informal → blogs, diaries, personal letters. Audience = friends, peers. Purpose = share feelings or personal stories.
- Semi-formal → reviews, opinion columns, speeches. Audience = general public. Purpose = engage, inform, entertain.
- Think “Who is reading this?”
- If it’s your friend, don’t write like you’re in parliament.
Step 3: Link to one of the 5 prescribed themes
Make the theme clear right from the start.
- Identities: culture, values, who we are.
- Experiences: travel, hobbies, milestones.
- Human Ingenuity: technology, art, innovation.
- Social Organization: schools, government, community.
- Sharing the Planet: environment, conflicts, resources.
- Drop the theme keyword early
- e.g. “This issue highlights the importance of human ingenuity in…”
Step 4: Use strong language tools
- Connectors: however, therefore, in addition, on the other hand, as a result.
- Varied vocab: swap out repeats (important → essential → significant).
- Accuracy: clarity > showing off with risky words.
- If you’re stuck, write short, clean sentences.
Step 5: Avoid common mistakes
Common Mistake- Too general → “Technology is good” vs “Social media connects teens globally but can harm mental health.”
- Wrong length → too short = penalty.
- Forgetting conventions → no title in an article, no greeting in a letter.
Step 6: Final Checklist
- Intro, 2–3 points, conclusion
- Tone matches audience + purpose
- Theme link is clear
- Connectors + varied vocab
- Conventions included (title, greeting, headings)
- Word count correct
Practice Task
Example question
- A building of great cultural significance has fallen into neglect. The local council plans to demolish it and replace it with a public park. You want to stop this plan. Write a text in which you:
- Explain why you oppose the demolition.
- Suggest an alternative use for the building.
- Justify why your suggestion is better for the community.
- Write in one of the following text types:
- Letter to the editor
- Set of guidelines
Solution
Language requirements (Criterion A)
- Varied and appropriate vocabulary
- Use a wide range of words suited to the task.
- Include precise terms (e.g., “preservation,” “heritage,” “sustainability”) instead of basic ones (“good,” “bad”).
- Idiomatic or natural expressions where appropriate.
- Control of grammar
- Use both simple and complex structures (e.g., conditionals, relative clauses).
- Show control over tense and agreement.
- Avoid repetitive sentence patterns.
- Accuracy and fluency
- Errors are minor and do not interfere with meaning.
- Writing flows logically and smoothly, with clear connectors (“however,” “therefore,” “in addition”).
- Sentence structures support communication effectively.
Task requirements (Criterion B)
- To achieve high marks, your response must include all three elements:
- Explain opposition to demolition
- Cultural/historical value of the building
- Community identity and pride
- Environmental/sustainability reasons
- Suggest an alternative use
- Keep or repurpose the building (museum, community centre, library, arts space, etc.)
- Maintain original structure where possible
- Justify why it is better for the community
- Broader social/cultural benefits (education, tourism, meeting place)
- More useful and sustainable than demolishing for a park
- Clearly argued and supported
- Explain opposition to demolition
Text type (Criterion C)
- Email (most appropriate): Direct, professional, to council. Must include subject line, salutation, polite tone.
- Letter to the editor (generally appropriate): Wider audience, persuasive, references original issue. Needs clear opening and closing.
- Set of guidelines (generally inappropriate): Usually instructional, not persuasive. Only works if cleverly adapted.
Exemplars
ExampleLetter to the Editor (Formal)
Title: Preserving Our City’s History for the Future
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my concern about the proposed demolition of the Old Town Hall. While I value the creation of green spaces, replacing such an important cultural landmark with a park would erase a part of our community’s identity.
One key reason to preserve the building is its historical significance. Generations have gathered there for festivals, concerts, and debates. Destroying it would mean losing a place where our shared history lives on. Instead of removing it, the building could be restored and repurposed as a cultural center.
Another important factor is the educational value. A cultural center could host exhibitions, workshops, and language classes, providing young people with opportunities to learn about both our heritage and the diversity of our community. This would benefit far more citizens than a simple green space.
In conclusion, the Old Town Hall should not be demolished but reimagined. Transforming it into a community cultural center will protect our history while creating new opportunities for the future. I urge the council to reconsider their plan.
Yours sincerely,
[Name]
