Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

About Question 3
In this free lesson by Taughtly.co.uk, we will study the six text types that might
appear on your First Language English IGCSE, Paper 1, the reading paper.

The text types are:

• Diary / journal
• Interview
• Newspaper report
• Letter *
• Speech *
• Magazine article *

The final three text types could also appear on your Paper 2, the writing paper, for
the Directed Writing question.

These are the skills that Question 3 is testing you on:

Reading skills – 15 marks Writing skills – 10 marks

R1 demonstrate understanding of W1 articulate experience and express

explicit meanings what is thought, felt and imagined

R2 demonstrate understanding of W2 organise and structure ideas and

implicit meanings and attitudes opinions for deliberate effect

R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, W3 use a range of vocabulary and

ideas and opinions, using appropriate sentence structures appropriate to
support from the text. context

W4 use register appropriate to context

W5 make accurate use of spelling,

punctuation and grammar.

1 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

What is VARPF?

Complete the table below, explaining what each of the terms in VARPF means:

Voice

Audience

Register

Purpose

Format

Tips and structure

When answering Question 3, these are the most important things you should be
considering:

● Write about the bullet points equally

● No introduction or conclusion needed for interview

● Last bullet point is often more implicit

● Aim to have around 4-6 individual points in each paragraph

● Don’t copy directly from the text – always paraphrase

● Vary your vocabulary, punctuation and sentencing

● Check SPAG carefully

● Include details – who, what, where, how

● Include development – why, feelings, reactions

2 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

Introduction
This is the recommended structure for
your Question 3.

It has three main body paragraphs of

Bullet point 1 equal length, each focused on a
separate bullet point from the question.

You should also include a short

introduction and conclusion of about 2-3
Bullet point 2 sentences long, except in the case of an
interview.

For an interview, just skip straight to the

questions and don’t write an
Bullet point 3 introduction or conclusion.

For a magazine and newspaper, you can

also include a headline.
Conclusion

Our story
All of the text types will be based on the following idea:

● School teacher, Samantha Salmon, purposely set off the school fire alarm to
avoid teaching her Year 11 English class. Ms Salmon had been struggling to
control the behaviour in her classes and was going to be observed that lesson.

● The fire alarm caused chaos in the school and the fire brigade arrived only to
realise that it was a hoax.

● The headteacher initially wrongfully accused a Year 9 boy, Mark Jiang, before
Ms Salmon stepped forward to admit her guilt then publicly resigning from
her job.

3 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

Newspaper report
Notes:

As you watch my video lesson, make notes about features of newspaper writing you
could use below.

Useful phrases for newspaper reports:

• According to sources • A growing concern/problem

• In light of recent events • Experts believe that
• The latest developments • An unprecedented situation
• It has come to light that • The public's response to [event]
• In a surprising turn of events • With mounting pressure
• The current state of affairs • The looming threat of
• In the wake of [event] [issue/problem]
• It is worth noting that • The pressing need for [action]
• This comes as no surprise, given
that

4 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

The task:

Imagine you are a local journalist. Recent events have prompted you to write a
newspaper report about the need to improve working conditions for teachers.

Write the newspaper report.

Example:

Elmwood High Teacher Pulls Fire Alarm, Resigns

Yesterday afternoon at Elmwood High School, the fire brigade was called to
attend to a fire, yet when they arrived, it became clear that the emergency call
triggered by an activated fire alarm was a hoax. Sources report that it was one of
the school's teachers, Samantha Salmon (34), who pulled the fire alarm with the
sole purpose of avoiding an observation. The incident caused disruptions
throughout the school and prompted a public resignation from Salmon.

Contrary to conventional fire drills prompted by technical malfunctions or safety

exercises, this particular evacuation bore the hallmarks of a deliberate hoax, with
the fire alarm activation attributed to the actions of an unexpected perpetrator –
the school's English teacher, Salmon. Sources have indicated that the teacher,
reportedly facing classroom management challenges with her Year 11 English
class, executed a deliberate fire alarm activation as a diversionary tactic, allegedly
to evade an impending classroom observation by the school's governor.

The school's subsequent tumult was plain to see as fire trucks roared onto the
scene and students lined up at the fire assembly point, missing crucial class
time. The gravity of the situation was further amplified by the initial suspicion
cast upon a student, Mark Jiang (15). Despite Jiang's clean record, the allegations
appeared to be misguided. Elmwood has since released a statement clearing
Jiang of all suspicion.

Under the eyes of teachers, students and fire personnel alike, Salmon openly
admitted her guilt in the fire alarm activation. Her swift resignation followed this
unprecedented act, making this event all the more compelling to concerned
citizens. While the circumstances surrounding Salmon's departure from
Elmwood High School remain undisclosed, it is evident that the incident has
raised into question the school's working practices and workload for teachers.

5 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

Indeed, Elmwood is one of many schools in the local area currently facing a
shortage of teachers. Salmon is now quickly becoming hailed by online teaching
communities as a figurehead for teacher burnout.

As Elmwood High School navigates the aftermath of this unanticipated

sequence of events, the broader education community reflects upon the
complexities in ensuring that schools serve both students and staff alike. The
incident serves as a thought-provoking testament to the increasingly turbulent
educational landscape, in which some teachers would rather pull a fire alarm
than enter their classrooms.

Looking at the exemplar, what features of newspaper writing can you identify in the
language choices?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

.…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………..

.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

How is this exemplar meeting the VARPF of the exam task?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

.…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………..

.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

6 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

Independent task
Write an opening paragraph for each of the six text types below. You can make up any extra details or information you
like.

Story: Haggleton, a seaside town, recently suffered from an oil spill, which killed many wildlife, including fish and
seagulls. The culprit was a local oil company who polluted the sea. A high school student, Aiden Smith, rallied
together staff and students to clean up the beach, save the wildlife and petition to have the oil company shut down.

Newspaper Magazine
Local newspaper reports on the issue Student at Aiden’s school writes about the issue in student magazine

7 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

Speech Interview
Aiden gives a speech to local politicians on this issue Aiden’s headmaster is interviewed about the events on a local radio
station

Letter Diary
Aiden writes a letter to the oil company to explain his concerns A student at Aiden’s school writes in their diary about recent events

8 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Writing skills – the six text types for Q3 FLE Paper 1

9 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk