CSEC English Language- PAPER 2

PRESENTER: LATOYCE DAWES

PAPER 2- This paper contains five (5)
questions in four (4) sections

• Section One: Summary Writing

• Section Two: Expository Writing
• Section Three: Short Story Writing
• Section Four: Argumentative Writing
Section One- Summary Writing

• Section one (1) is made up of one compulsory question.

• In this section, you MUST write a summary of a given passage.
• Remember to be economical with your words. Also, after the
stated number of words requested for the summary, anything you
write will NOT be assessed. You are given a word limit for a
reason.
Summary Writing

• 1. DO NOT lift the information.

• 2. DO NOT use contractions.
• 3. DO NOT exceed the word limit.
• 4. DO NOT write your answer in point or
note form.
Summary Writing

• 1. ALWAYS adhere to the word limit given.

• 2. ENSURE that you use your own words.
• 3. ALWAYS write in “continuous prose”.
• 4. UTILIZE the correct transition words or
phrases.
Sample Question (CXC SPEC 2015)
Section Two: Expository Writing

• Section two (2) consists of one compulsory question. You MUST write an
expository essay in this section.
• You will be given a text 'stimulus' to prompt your writing activity. You are
required to respond to the stimulus by writing one of the following:
- an email
- a letter
- a report
- a notice
- a news article or some other form of informational text.
• Please note:
Your answer must be in the form of 'continuous prose". That means your
answer cannot be in the form of jotted down notes.
SAMPLE QUESTION (CXC SPEC 2015)
Letter of Complaint (review)

• A letter of complaint is usually written to

highlight a problem when other efforts to
resolve the problem have proven futile.
The complaint and all the inconvenience
suffered by the complainant should be
clearly and logically stated.
Features of a Letter of Complaint
• A letter of complaint should be:

• CONCISE-should be easily understood and to the point

• FACTUAL- the reader should be provided with dates and important details about the
inconvenience experienced

• FORMAL- this type of letter should use language appropriately and should be expressed in
a formal tone

• AMIABLE- it is advisable to refrain from abuses, threats or insults as they only serve to
make matters worse. Maintain a considerate or co-operative tone.
Structure of a Business Letter

• Here are the different parts in the order in which you should write them:

1. Sender’s Address and Date

E.g.: 25 Barnett Street
Bogue P.O.
Montego Bay
St. James

April 12, 2021.

 Structure of a Business Letter

• 2. Receiver’s Address(including their name and post of responsibility at the

company)
E.g. David Purple
The Manager
Unique Watch Company
75 Newell Street
Santa Cruz P.O.
St. Elizabeth
Structure of a Business Letter

• 3. Greeting or Salutation
E.g.
Dear Sir: or Dear Mr. Purple:
Structure of a Business Letter
• 4. The Body
• 1st Body Paragraph: should begin with a sentence that focuses the reader’s
attention to the problem. For example: I am writing to complain about… OR
I wish to express my dissatisfaction with…
• 2nd Body Paragraph: subsequent sentences should go on to explain the
dissatisfaction with the product or service and what steps were taken to have
the problem resolved.
• 3rd Body Paragraph: in this final paragraph, the writer is expected to state
clearly what is expected from the company to resolve the matter. For
example, if the nature of the complaint needs settlement through
compensation, indicate the cost in your letter.
Structure of a Business Letter

• 5. Closing
E.g. Yours respectfully,

• 6. Signature
E.g. John White
Section Three: Short Story Writing

• Section three (3) is made up of two optional questions. The

questions are prompts for two short story essay questions. You
must choose one question to answer.

• The paper 2 exam states that your answer in this section should be
approximately 400-450 words in length and you must write in
Standard English, although you may use dialect in conversations.
SAMPLE QUESTION (CXC SPEC 2015)
SAMPLE QUESTION (CXC SPEC 2015)
Good Story Writing

• Many students fear this section of the paper. You are excellent storytellers, and
it is a vibrant part of our oral tradition. Why then do you fear it?

• We tell stories everyday. When you talk to your friend about your daily commute
in the taxi, or how you were chased by a mongrel when you snuck out of your
house last night to go see a certain individual, you are telling a story.

• It is not a hard or impossible task. All you need to remember are a few key
elements and let your brain and pen work its magic on your paper.
Basic Principles/Elements

• There are a few key elements that you must have in your stories. They are:
• PLOT
• THEME
• SETTING
• CHARACTERS
• LANGUAGE
• POINT OF VIEW
• TWIST
• DIALOGUE
• HUMOUR
PLOT- a series of events that charts incidents
from the beginning to the end.
• CONFLICT plays an integral role to the plot. Without this element, your story will be
boring.
• Types of Conflict:
1. Conflict between or among characters
- two or more characters have a disagreement
2. Conflict within yourself
- A character finds himself having to make a decision to choose between two actions
(right or wrong)
3. Conflict in circumstances
- Man and nature struggle against each other.
- ALL CONFLICTS MUST BE RESOLVED.
 Basic Principles/Elements

• THEME- this is a central/main idea of the story.

• SETTING-this is the time and place for the action or event in the story.
Atmosphere plays an important role and must match your setting. Your setting
must be realistic.
• E.g. If your setting is the 1940s, then your character should not be using a
smartphone.
• CHARACTERS- these are the people in your story. You do not need many
characters, try to keep the number small. Each person you mention must play a
role in the development of the plot and they too must be carefully developed.
They must seem real to the reader.
Basic Principles/Elements

• LANGUAGE- use colourful language. Employ the use of your adjectives,

adverbs and figures of speech to make your story come alive.
• POINT-OF-VIEW- you have two choices here: 1st person or 3rd person.
• 1st person point of view will use the “I” character. The following pronouns
will come into play: Singular- I, me, my; Plural- we, us, our. The narrator
can be a character or someone who is watching the action.
• 3rd person point of view has the author telling the story from his or her
perspective and uses the pronouns- singular: he, she; plural: they.
• Select the point of view based on the demands of the question.
Basic Principles/Elements

• TWIST- a good story writer may choose to give a surprise element or an

unexpected ending to his story.
• DIALOGUE- this must be used creatively to reveal character traits and
move the plot along. There is no point then, in wasting words to write-
Princess’ mother called her. “Yes,” she answered.
• HUMOUR- this can also serve as a vital element in making your story
come alive.
• RESOLUTION:
• Be sure to tie up all loose ends and bring your story to an end.
• At the end of your story, your reader should not have any questions that
need to be answered.
Section Four: Argumentative Writing

• Section four (4) is made up of one compulsory question. You MUST write an
argumentative essay in this section. Your answer may take the form of a
letter to the editor of a newspaper, a formal letter to an official, a letter to
a friend, a speech, or an essay.

• The paper 2 exam states that your answer in this section should be
approximately 250-300 words in length and you MUST write in standard
English.
• In Section Four, marks will be awarded for the ability to communicate
personal opinion clearly and cogently in language which effectively
persuades or dissuades.
SAMPLE QUESTION (CXC SPEC 2015)
Helpful hints in preparing to write an Argumentative
Essay

• The Argumentative Essay requires to student to choose EITHER for OR

against in the given topic. You should decide which position you will take
based upon the quantity and quality of the points that you are able to
come up with to support your stance.
• You need to have at least three (3) points for whichever side you decide to
take.
Sample Question:

Should abortion be legalized? Write an essay EITHER FOR or AGAINST this view.
• Against:
1. It is inhumane.
2. It is dangerous to the mother or child.
3. Adoption is an alternative solution.
• For:
1. When the mother's or child's life is at risk.
2. In cases of sexual abuse.
3. The parents may not be able to provide the financial and emotional support
to the child.
Note:

• You are expected to choose one position and stick to it. It does not matter which
side, what is important is your ability to defend it well.
• Some students find a lot of difficulty writing the essay, even if they are able to
find strong points.
• An easy way to overcome this is to take each point individually and elaborate on it or
explain why that is your opinion.
For example, in the case Against abortion:
1. It is inhumane
It is inhumane and cruel to take the life of an innocent human being. The quality that
distinguishes mankind from other animals is our ability to show compassion and love
and the act of abortion is murder, which defies these traits.
 My final thoughts…
• Remember that the CSEC English A is a writing and reading examination. Equal amounts
of reading and writing.
• The key is to work quickly and accurately. Do not labour for too long or be “thinking
about it” for too long. Move on to another question but be sure to revisit the question
when you are finished with the other sections.
• Be sure to follow all the instructions given in the booklet.
• Remember to submit your work in pen- black ink preferably and DO NOT USE GEL INK.
• Remember too to always write the question number in the box provided in the answer
booklet.
• When the invigilator calls the time, be sure to place your pens down and begin to order
your pages for submission.
• With all things, give it your best shot, work like your life depends on it.
• Pray, prepare and execute. All things are possible.
Thank you for staying with me.