Thorogood English

Category: Writing Skills

Techniques and strategies for stronger English writing — from descriptive language and sentence variety to essay structure, grammar, and exam-ready analytical style.

  • How to Write a Persuasive Speech for IGCSE English Language

    Section B of the IGCSE English Language paper asks you to write for a specific purpose and audience — and persuasive writing tasks are among the most common. A speech to a school assembly. An article for a magazine. A letter to a local council.

    Many students approach these tasks by simply stating their opinions. That earns a middling mark. Here’s how to write a persuasive piece that genuinely earns top marks.

    Understand the Three Pillars of Persuasion

    Aristotle identified three modes of persuasion over 2,000 years ago, and they still underpin every effective piece of persuasive writing:

    • Ethos — credibility and authority. Why should the reader trust you? Establish credentials, acknowledge complexity, use measured language.
    • Pathos — emotional appeal. Connect to the reader’s values, fears, hopes, or sense of fairness. A well-placed anecdote or vivid image does this better than any statistic.
    • Logos — logic and evidence. Use facts, examples, and reasoned argument to support your position.

    The most persuasive writing weaves all three together. A piece that relies only on emotion feels manipulative; one that relies only on logic feels cold. Balance them.

    Open with Impact

    Your opening line is doing a specific job: making the reader want to continue. Options that work well:

    • A striking statistic or fact: “Every thirty seconds, a young person in this country drops out of education. That is not a statistic. That is a name.”
    • A bold, direct claim: “We have spent twenty years getting this wrong, and it is time to admit it.”
    • A question that implicates the reader: “When did you last read something that genuinely changed your mind?”
    • A short, vivid anecdote that illustrates your argument

    Avoid opening with “I am going to argue that…” or “In this speech, I will discuss…” — these are throat-clearing, not writing.

    Use Rhetorical Devices Purposefully

    IGCSE examiners reward the deliberate use of language techniques. But use them because they serve the argument — not to tick boxes:

    • Tricolon (rule of three): creates rhythm and makes points feel conclusive. “It is unfair, it is unnecessary, and it must stop.”
    • Rhetorical question: engages the reader directly and implies the answer. Use sparingly — one or two, not five.
    • Anaphora (repetition at the start of sentences): builds emphasis and momentum. “We need more funding. We need more teachers. We need more time.”
    • Concession and rebuttal: acknowledge the strongest opposing argument, then dismantle it. This makes your case more credible, not weaker.
    • Direct address (“you”, “we”): pulls the reader in, creates shared stakes.

    Structure: Argument, Not List

    Weaker persuasive writing reads as a list of points: Point 1, Point 2, Point 3. Stronger persuasive writing builds an argument, where each paragraph moves the reader further along a logical journey.

    Think about the order deliberately. Start with your most relatable point (to bring the reader onside), move to your most logical point (to satisfy sceptics), and end with your most emotionally resonant point (so the reader finishes feeling moved, not just informed).

    Close with Purpose

    Your conclusion should do two things: signal that you are ending (without saying “in conclusion”), and leave the reader with your central message stated memorably.

    A call to action works well for speeches and letters. A return to your opening image or idea creates a satisfying circular structure. A final, short, punchy sentence lands with more impact than a long, winding one.

    Persuasive writing is one of the most directly teachable skills in IGCSE English — and one where good feedback makes a measurable difference. At Thorogood English, Section B writing technique is a core part of our IGCSE English Language programme. Join the waiting list for January 2027.

  • Creative Writing for 11+: How to Write a Story That Stands Out

    Creative writing is one of the most misunderstood parts of the 11+ English exam. Many children can write a perfectly decent story — but “decent” isn’t what earns top marks. Examiners are looking for writing that shows genuine craft: vivid imagery, varied sentence structure, a sense of control.

    The good news is that the qualities examiners reward can absolutely be taught. Here’s what they’re looking for — and how to help your child deliver it.

    What Examiners Want to See

    Before looking at technique, it’s worth understanding what earns marks. 11+ creative writing is assessed on:

    • Content and ideas — is the story engaging, imaginative, and original?
    • Structure — does it have a clear beginning, middle, and end? Is the pacing controlled?
    • Vocabulary — is word choice precise and varied? Are there moments of genuine descriptive power?
    • Technical accuracy — spelling, punctuation, and grammar
    • Sentence variety — do sentences vary in length and structure, or are they all the same?

    The writing that scores highest tends to feel controlled — like the writer knew exactly what effect they wanted and chose their words deliberately to achieve it.

    Tip 1: Plan First — Even Just Two Minutes

    The most common mistake is diving straight into writing without any plan. Stories written without a plan tend to meander, run out of ideas, or end abruptly because the child has written themselves into a corner.

    Before your child writes a single sentence, spend two minutes on a brief plan: who is the main character? What is the central problem or moment? How does it end? Even a three-bullet plan produces a noticeably more structured story.

    Tip 2: Start in the Middle of the Action

    Most children begin their stories with slow, scene-setting introductions: “It was a dark and stormy night. My name is Jack and I am twelve years old.” This immediately signals an inexperienced writer.

    Strong stories begin in medias res — in the middle of the action. Compare:

    Weak opening: “One day, Tom decided to go to the old house at the end of the street. He had always been curious about it.”

    Strong opening: “The door was already open when Tom arrived — which meant someone had got there first.”

    The second version creates immediate tension and pulls the reader in. It also signals a confident writer who understands that stories should grab attention from the first line.

    Tip 3: Show, Don’t Tell

    This is the most famous piece of writing advice for a reason. “Telling” gives the reader information directly: “She was scared.” “Showing” lets the reader feel it through specific detail: “Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking. She pressed them flat against her thighs and told herself to breathe.”

    Showing is harder and slower to write — which is why it earns more marks. Encourage your child to pick two or three moments in their story to “show” rather than “tell”, even if the rest is more straightforward narration.

    Tip 4: Vary Sentence Length Deliberately

    A sequence of sentences that are all roughly the same length creates a flat, monotonous rhythm. Varying sentence length — long sentences for description, short ones for impact — gives writing energy and pace.

    The easiest technique to teach: follow a long descriptive sentence with a very short one. “The forest was dense and dark, the branches overhead so thick that even in midday the light barely reached the ground, filtered into pale, thin slivers that barely illuminated the path ahead. He stopped. Something was watching him.”

    Short sentences after long ones create tension. They signal something has changed.

    Tip 5: End with a Punch

    Endings that trail off (“And then they went home and had dinner and went to bed”) lose marks that were almost earned. The ending is the last impression the examiner receives — make it count.

    Strong endings either: resolve the central tension with a satisfying twist, echo the opening (creating a circular structure that feels deliberate), or leave the reader with a single, resonant image. Any of these works. What doesn’t work is simply stopping because the time is up.

    Teach your child to write their ending before they write the middle. If they know where they’re going, the story hangs together far more effectively.

    Practice Makes the Difference

    Creative writing under timed conditions is a specific skill. Practising it — regularly, with feedback — is the most reliable way to improve. Simply writing stories without guidance tends to reinforce existing habits rather than building new ones.

    At Thorogood English, our 11+ English Preparation course covers all of this: planning techniques, descriptive writing, story structure, and how to write confidently under exam conditions. Classes run online via Zoom in small groups of no more than six students.

    Classes launch in January 2027. Join the waiting list now — places are strictly limited.

  • Building Vocabulary for IGCSE English: A Practical Approach

    Students who score at the top of IGCSE English Language almost always share one quality: they have a wider, more precise vocabulary than their peers. But building vocabulary isn’t about memorising word lists. Here’s how to do it in a way that actually sticks.

    Why Vocabulary Matters More Than You Think

    IGCSE English rewards students who can express ideas with precision. That’s true in comprehension answers (paraphrasing effectively requires knowing alternative words for the same idea) and in writing tasks (a student who writes “the atmosphere was eerie and unsettling” scores lower than one who writes “the atmosphere was one of creeping unease”). Vocabulary doesn’t just affect how you write — it affects how accurately you read and understand texts, too.

    Stop Relying on Word Lists

    Teachers often give students lists of “good vocabulary words” to learn before exams. The problem is that words learned in isolation — without context, without seeing them used, without using them yourself — are forgotten within days. Worse, students sometimes use these words incorrectly, which actively costs marks.

    Vocabulary is best built through reading, active engagement, and deliberate use. Here’s how.

    1. Read Widely and Above Your Current Level

    The single most effective vocabulary builder is reading — specifically, reading texts that contain words you don’t already know. Quality newspapers, long-form journalism, non-fiction books, and challenging fiction all work. The Guardian, The Economist, and BBC News online are excellent free sources. Read actively: when you encounter an unfamiliar word, don’t skip it. Look it up, note it down, and see it in context.

    2. Keep a Word Journal (That You Actually Use)

    Not a list — a journal. For each new word, write: the word itself, the sentence you found it in, what you think it means in context, the dictionary definition, and one sentence you’ve written yourself using it. This process takes three minutes per word and is dramatically more effective than any list. Aim for five new words a week, used actively in your writing.

    3. Learn Word Families, Not Just Individual Words

    When you learn a new word, immediately learn its family members. “Ambiguous” (adjective) → “ambiguity” (noun) → “ambiguously” (adverb). “Melancholy” (adjective/noun) → “melancholic” (adjective). Understanding word families triples the vocabulary you gain from each new word you learn, and it gives you the flexibility to use words in different grammatical contexts.

    4. Use New Words in Your Writing Immediately

    The best way to make a new word stick is to use it. When you encounter a new word on Monday and use it in a practice answer on Tuesday, you’re much more likely to retain it than if you simply read it and move on. Find opportunities to use new vocabulary in every piece of writing you do — even informal ones. The more you use a word, the more naturally it comes to you when you need it.

    5. Pay Attention to Register and Connotation

    Two words can mean roughly the same thing but carry very different connotations. “Slim” and “scrawny” both mean thin — but slim is usually positive and scrawny is not. “Determined” and “stubborn” both describe persistence — but the first is admiring and the second is critical. At IGCSE level, students who notice and use these distinctions score significantly higher in both reading (spotting the writer’s attitude) and writing (controlling their own tone). Build vocabulary not just as a list of meanings, but as a map of tone and feeling.

    6. Revisit and Review

    Spaced repetition — reviewing new words at intervals — is one of the most well-researched memory techniques available. You don’t need special software for this. Simply review your word journal once a week, test yourself on words you’ve added in the last month, and revisit any that you couldn’t immediately recall. Consistent weekly review for six months builds a vocabulary that stays with you through the exam and beyond.

    Vocabulary and reading comprehension are central skills in all Thorogood English classes. Register your interest for January 2027 here.

  • How to Write Descriptively: 7 Techniques That Actually Work

    Descriptive writing is one of those skills that looks effortless when done well — and feels impossible to teach until you break it into its component parts. Here are seven specific techniques that improve descriptive writing at any level, from 11+ to A-Level.

    1. Choose Unexpected Verbs

    The simplest upgrade you can make to descriptive writing is to replace generic verbs with precise, unexpected ones. “He walked across the room” is fine. “He drifted across the room” or “he lurched across the room” or “he picked his way across the room” — each one creates a completely different character and atmosphere. The verb is one of the hardest-working words in any sentence. Make it earn its place.

    2. Appeal to All Five Senses — But Not Equally

    Students are often told to “use all five senses,” which leads to laboured passages that tick every sensory box in turn. Instead, choose one or two senses that most powerfully evoke the specific scene you’re writing. A dusty attic doesn’t need to be described visually — describe the smell and the sound of creaking floorboards and the reader will fill in the rest. Restraint in sensory description creates more atmosphere than exhaustiveness.

    3. Use Specific Details, Not Vague Generalities

    “The room was messy” tells us almost nothing. “Last week’s takeaway containers formed a small civilization on the desk” is specific, surprising, and instantly visual. Good descriptive writing is made of concrete, particular details — not vague impressions. Ask yourself: what specifically would I see if I were standing in this scene? What exactly does it smell, sound, feel like?

    4. Control Sentence Length to Control Pace

    Short sentences create tension and urgency. Longer, flowing sentences slow the pace and create a sense of ease, or depth, or lingering attention. Mixing the two — deliberately — is one of the hallmarks of accomplished descriptive writing. A paragraph that builds through long sentences and then lands on a very short one can be devastatingly effective. Try it.

    5. Avoid the Most Overused Similes

    “As white as snow.” “Like a knife through butter.” “As quiet as a mouse.” These similes were powerful once. They’ve been used so many times that they’ve lost all their force — readers’ eyes slide over them without registering anything. Original similes are much harder to write, but they’re the ones that make readers stop and think. What does this thing actually remind you of — in your experience, with your specific imagination?

    6. Use White Space and Paragraph Breaks Deliberately

    Readers unconsciously experience a short paragraph — or even a one-sentence paragraph — differently from a dense block of text. It feels more significant. It creates breathing room. Many writers use a single short sentence as its own paragraph to land an important image or idea with more weight than it would have buried mid-paragraph.

    Like this.

    7. Show Emotion Through Detail, Not Statement

    “She was terrified” tells us the emotion. “Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking; she’d folded them in her lap so no one would notice” shows it. In descriptive and narrative writing, the second approach is almost always more powerful. Readers want to feel the emotion themselves — and they will, if you give them the right details. Trust your reader to feel what the details are doing. Don’t label emotions; create them.

    The Bottom Line

    Descriptive writing improves fastest with two things: reading widely (see how skilled writers do it), and writing with feedback (have someone who knows what they’re looking for tell you specifically what’s working and what isn’t). The techniques above give you the framework; practice and feedback give you the skill.

    Thorogood English’s Creative Writing Workshop launches alongside the first cohort in January 2027. Register your interest here.