Question 1 Directed Writing Skills: SPaG | English Language for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Introduction

• Sentence Demarcation
• Range of Punctuation
• Range of Sentence Forms
• Standard English and Secure Grammar

Sentence demarcation

Sentence demarcation involves correctly starting sentences with capital letters and ending them with appropriate punctuation marks. While it may seem simple, errors like comma splicing and run-on sentences are common and can impact technical accuracy in exams. It is crucial to understand when a sentence ends and how to signal its completion.
Sentences conclude with three main types of punctuation:

• A full stop (used for statements)
• A question mark (employed for direct questions)
• An exclamation mark (indicating surprise, shock, anger, or happiness)

Every sentence should commence with a capital letter.
Have a look at the example below. Sentence demarcation is absent, so consider how much harder it is to make sense of what has been written:
Now compare the example above with the example below, which uses the correct sentence demarcations: 
Accurate sentence punctuation becomes increasingly crucial with more intricate and sophisticated sentence structures. Introducing variations in sentence length enhances the dynamic flow of your writing.

Range of Punctuation

To secure top marks, employing a broad spectrum of punctuation with precision and intent to achieve specific effects is essential. This entails making deliberate decisions about the type of punctuation utilized in your writing and the rationale behind its usage. However, it's important to note that employing apostrophes, semi-colons, and colons accurately on select occasions is preferable to using them haphazardly and incorrectly. Additionally, mastering the accurate punctuation of dialogue is crucial if incorporated into creative writing; if uncertain about punctuating direct speech, it's best to avoid it altogether.
The base level of the punctuation pyramid depicted below illustrates the spectrum of punctuation you should strive to incorporate:

Below you will find a brief explanation of colons and semi-colons and their uses:

Colons

• Colons can introduce lists, quotes, or long explanations.
• They are used to introduce a list of tips in articles or before a direct quote.

Example of Colons:

• The media officer for London Zoo stated: "We take the protection and welfare of our animals extremely seriously. Any reported concerns regarding the health of our animals would be acted upon immediately."

Semi-Colons

Semi-colons can serve as connectors between related sentences, offering a stylistic alternative to full stops or conjunctions. They can introduce variety and sophistication to your writing.

• Semi-colons in Signifying Relationships:
  • For instance: Most celebrities in contemporary culture focus predominantly on self-promotion; they often avoid substantive work, relying heavily on social media for their publicity.
• Semi-colons in List Separation:
  • They can replace commas in lengthy or verbose lists.
  • For example, the conference will host speakers from various disciplines: linguistics, psychology, sociology, and economics.

Range of Sentence Forms

Using a variety of sentence structures involves consciously considering how your sentences contribute to the overall tone of your writing. For instance, short sentences can convey a sense of urgency or tension, especially when they are in the imperative form. On the other hand, long and intricate sentences tend to sound more formal, but excessive use of them can make the text monotonous and challenging to comprehend.
Here are some ways in which you can diversify your sentence structures:

Standard English and secure grammar

• Standard English is considered the correct form of English for formal writing, adhering to grammatical rules like subject-verb agreement and proper verb tense usage.
• Non-standard English, often containing slang, is more common in informal settings. However, colloquial language can be used in specific contexts such as articles or speeches based on the task and subject matter.
• Mistakes in sentence agreement and inconsistent tense usage are frequently highlighted by examiners as problematic in exams. Therefore, it is crucial to:
  • Use plurals correctly
  • Maintain a consistent use of tense
    • If you are writing in the past tense, ensure that this is consistent throughout your writing
    • If you do change from past to present tense, it should be done purposefully and for effect
  • Ensure you are using apostrophes correctly, especially to show possession