Apply it to Article:
Model clinic
Compare a draft with a stronger version.
Less effective: Reading is important. There are many things to think about.
More effective: What makes a school science club worth joining? Start with the one experiment that surprised you, explain what the group learned and invite readers to try the next meeting.
A direct question and specific example give the article a reader-focused purpose.
How the text works
Purpose, shape and language.
Purpose: Inform, explain or persuade a defined readership in an engaging way.
Common forms: Magazine article, school newsletter article, website article
Typical structure: Title → engaging opening → focused sections or paragraphs → closing thought or call to action
Language features: A clear line of purpose; relevant examples or facts; varied paragraph openings; purposeful linking; direct address or rhetorical questions only where they fit.
Tone and register: Accessible and engaging; can be conversational or more formal depending on the publication and audience.
Teaching guidance
Ask where the article will appear and who will read it. Start with a specific idea rather than a generic announcement. Develop each paragraph with an example or detail, then end with a thought that returns to the reader. In a Cambridge IGCSE 0510/0511 task, use only the features that serve the exact prompt and stay within its word range.
Quick learner checklist
- □ The opening makes the purpose clear: Inform, explain or persuade a defined readership in an engaging way..
- □ Each part has a clear place and moves the reader towards the purpose.
- □ The language features, tone and level of formality fit the reader and situation.
- □ I have checked the details, paragraphing and punctuation before sharing.