Learner Guide
Cambridge International AS & A Level English Language 9093 19
Advice for all Papers
Don’t write in note form – the examiner is looking for fluent, logically structured prose responses.
Read through your responses before the exam is finished: have you checked your spellings? Do your paragraphs flow in an
organised manner?
Make sure your knowledge and understanding of technical terminology is tip-top, and that you can use it fluently and
accurately.
Read as much as you can, to absorb form, style, meaning, purpose and structure.
Write as much as you can, to ensure that when the exam approaches you don’t feel as though you don’t know where to
start.
Get used to analysing everything you read, whether it is a 500-page novel or the back of a cereal packet!
Get used to analysing everything you write – be honest with yourself but don’t feel you should be harsh on yourself all the
time, you should take confidence in your own ability to create good quality writing!
Share your writing with your friends and family – tell them what your writing aims have been, and ask for their
constructive criticism.
Advice for Paper 1
Make sure you know the difference in the forms and styles of writing which may appear in advertisements, brochures,
leaflets, editorials, news stories, articles, reviews, blogs, investigative journalism, letters, podcasts, (auto)biographies,
travel writing, diaries, essays, scripted speech, narrative writing, and descriptive writing.
Make sure you understand exactly what is required by the directed writing task in response to a text (10 marks).
Make sure you can use language to compare the form, structure and language of your own response in part (a) with that
of the original text (15 marks).
Make sure you know how much of your own handwriting corresponds to the word count Question 1(a), which is 150200
words. This is only a small word count, so don’t waste valuable words, and don’t make your response too brief!
Practise writing whenever you can – look at lots of varieties of texts, then choose your vocabulary, style and structure to
match or contrast with the form, purpose and audience of the text you are reading.
Make sure that you have answered everything that a question asks. Sometimes one sentence asks two things, e.g. ‘Write
… and explain …’. It is easy to concentrate on the first request and forget about the second one.
Always check your spelling. The examiner is looking for a good standard of accurately written English.
Use the correct linguistic terminology in your answers when possible.
Make sure all your writing is clear, and that your paragraphs form a logical sequence.
If you need to change a word, it is better to cross out your work and rewrite it. Don’t try to write over the top of your
previous work as it will be difficult to read.
Don’t write your answers in columns, or add diagrams. The examiner is looking for your English language skills, not your
artwork!
Advice for Paper 2
Make sure you feel confident to create writing in the form and style of writing which may be required in advertisements,
brochures, leaflets, editorials, news stories, articles, reviews, blogs, investigative journalism, letters, podcasts, (auto)
biographies, travel writing, diaries, essays, scripted speech, narrative writing, and descriptive writing.
Make sure you know how much of your own handwriting corresponds to the word count Question 1(a), which is
approximately 400 words. This is only a short word count, so don’t waste valuable words – on the other hand, don’t make
your response too brief! You need to be able to use your own writing to be able create an effective reflective commentary.
Keep practising writing reflective commentaries on all of your classwork and homework. Make sure you use evaluative
language, questioning yourself whether you have achieved your writing goals.