Structuring and Presenting Writing
Section: Writing | Syllabus: Cambridge Primary English First Language (0058)
Structuring Extended Writing
- Manage the development of an idea across an extended piece of writing - for example, by linking the end back to the beginning for a satisfying, cohesive close
- Use paragraphs, sections and chapters to organise ideas and support the overall cohesion of a text
- Start a new chapter to manage a flashback, or an event presented out of chronological order
Linking your ending back to your opening idea creates a satisfying, cohesive close
Linking Ideas and Using Organisational Features
- Use a range of connectives to link paragraphs and sections clearly and cohesively, e.g. however and on the other hand to introduce a counter-argument
- Use organisational features appropriate to the text type, e.g. bulleted and numbered lists in instructions or reports, headings and subheadings in non-fiction
Opening: "Mara had always been afraid of the dark attic at the top of the old house."
Weak ending: "Mara went downstairs and had dinner."
Question: Improve the ending so it links back to the beginning, creating a satisfying, cohesive structure.
Identify the detail established in the opening: Mara's fear of the dark attic. Rewrite the ending to echo or resolve that opening idea, rather than introducing something unrelated. Answer"As Mara climbed down from the attic for the last time, she realised the dark held no fear for her anymore." This links the end to the beginning by resolving the fear established in the opening line.
Handwriting and Note-Taking
- Develop a personal handwriting style that is legible, fluent and written at an appropriate speed
- Decide when it is helpful to take notes, and how to record them
- Write key words rather than full sentences
- Use abbreviations and organise notes with bullet points
- Review notes afterwards while the information is still fresh
Presenting, Evaluating and Proofreading Your Writing
- Choose an appropriate way to lay out and present a text to suit its purpose and audience - handwritten, printed or onscreen
- Evaluate your own and others' writing, suggesting improvements for sense, accuracy and content, including ways to enhance the effect
- Proofread for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors, and make corrections, including using on-screen tools
Unproofread: "yesterday, me and my freind went too the park. we seen a dog chaseing a ball its owner was laughing"
Question: Proofread this passage and correct the errors.
Capitalise the start of each sentence: "Yesterday" and "We". Fix the grammar and spelling of "me and my freind" → "my friend and I". Fix the homophone "too" → "to", and the verb "we seen" → "we saw". Fix the spelling "chaseing" → "chasing" (drop the silent e before -ing), and add a full stop plus capital letter before "Its owner". Answer"Yesterday, my friend and I went to the park. We saw a dog chasing a ball. Its owner was laughing."
Common Mistakes
MistakeEnding a piece of writing abruptly with no connection to how it began
Fixlook back at your opening and find a way to echo or resolve it in your ending
MistakeOnly checking spelling when proofreading, and missing grammar or punctuation errors
Fixproofread in separate passes - one for spelling, one for grammar, one for punctuation - using on-screen tools to help
Interactive revision notes, videos and practice questions load below.