Paper 2 Stuff

The paper is 2 hours and 40 minutes. It consists of a summary, a

written factual response, a short story and a persuasive essay.

Summary Writing
Steps:
● Identify the purpose, whether to inform or persuade
● Identify the message.
● Identify the main points

DO DO NOT

Read the article (and the instructions) at Include details like statistical figures,
least twice, and intentionally quotes, lists, and examples

Remember that no one cares about your Use contractions or slang

opinion, especially not CXC

Stick to the word limit Lift entire sentences from the passage

Story Writing
Four ways to write short stories that aren’t physically painful to read are:
● Non-adjectival description - show, don’t tell, use up your vocabulary of precise and
sexy verbs, like cavort, gambol, babble, bellow and glimpse. Also use similes and
metaphors. And, show how others respond to the actions!
● Plot twists - an unexpected deviation from expectations that actually was planned
and that has a buildup and is not out of nowhere and is not a dream and not a TV
show.
● Slow motion effects - these allow you to describe a scene with detail. Elaborate,
expound, articulate (see the sexy verbs?). Channel your inner Kashief.
● Suspense building - have scary settings, like darkness, bad weather, spiral staircases,
secret rooms. Be mysterious, and use short sentences to create anticipation.

Plan your story!! Especially if there’s a plot twist, you want to sprinkle some foreshadowing
in there. And, try not to have any filler because this is an exam, no one has the time or the
hand strength or the word count.

There are a few types of short story questions in CSEC

● Picture where you can count the pixels
● Title that the story must have
● Words or sentences that must be somewhere in the story
● Words/sentences that must end the story
● Words/sentences that must begin the story

When using a picture, ask yourself who is in the picture and what is happening. Decide if it
will happen at the beginning, middle or end of the story and fill in details around that.

Written Factual Response

Business Letter
Get straight to the point, everyone knows you don’t care how they truly are, this world is
cruel. Keep the tone formal and professional with diction. Avoid exclamation marks,
rhetorical questions, and being facety.
Also, use block format unless you want to remember what goes to the left and what goes to
the right with semi-block format.

<Sender’s Address>
<Date>

<Receiver Name>
<Receiver Position>
<Company>
<Company Address>

<Salutation:> (use Dear *name* or Sir or Ma’am or Editor or something)

Body of letter
<Closing> (Sincerely, Regards, etc.)
_________ (signature)
<Sender Name>
<Sender Position>.

Emails
● Be professional and get straight to the point
● Use short paragraphs and skip lines in between
● Be concise but not blunt
● Use a plain, readable font
● No emojis, no emoticons, ever
● Intro = reason for contact, body = info, conclusion = wrapping up and making
further plans of contact if there are any

To: receiver’s email address

From: sender’s email address

Salutation: (same as a business)

Body (ody, ody, ody)

Closing

Reports
These are general summaries of data or events. There are different kinds, like statistical and
incident reports.
● Stick to the facts and only the facts
● For statistical reports, talk about trends not exact figures
● For incident reports, read the question very carefully so you don’t get the date or
time or something like that wrong
● Be detailed but not biassed

Incident Report Example (The headings might differ depending on the question, and also
this is just the fourth form exam, but I only got a half mark ofolf for some grammar thing
so it should be fine. I think the question was to write a report based on some people
breaking beakers in the physics lab, as the beadle of the class.)
CAMPION COLLEGE INCIDENT REPORT FORM

Reporter’s Details
Name: Amala Dixon
Form: 4-7
School Email Address: amala.dixon@campioncollege.com
Signature: _____
Date of Completion of Report: 30-May-2022
Time of Completion of Report: 1:55 p.m.

Description of Incident
Participants: Khadijah Bartley, Danielle Gordon
Other Witnesses: students of the 4-C physics class
Date of Incident: 30-May-2022
Approximate Time of Incident: 11:45 a.m.
Details of Incident: During the physics class which takes place from 10:55 a.m. to 12:05
p.m., our class was doing an experiment under the supervision of our teacher, Mrs.
Webster. At about 11:30, she left the physics lab and went to the office to meet with a
parent. A few minutes later, Khadijah Bartley rolled sheets of paper around a tennis ball
and started to play catch with Danielle Gordon. This continued for about ten minutes
despite me asking them to stop many times. Then, Khadijah threw the ball and Danielle did
not catch it. The ball hit some beakers on the desks next to them which fell and broke. Mrs.
Webster returned about two minutes later and asked how the beakers were broken.
However, no one responded. She selected three students to clean the area then informed us
that all our parents would have to pay for the beakers if the culprit was not found. She then
asked me to write a report of the incident and submit it to the principal, Mrs. Holdsworth-
McKenzie, by the end of the day.

How to Write a Statistical Report

● Analyse the information on a whole to note any general patterns or directions, like
an increase or decrease over a period. Consistency or fluctuation can also be noted.
● Look for pieces of information that deviate from the trend.
● Arrange the information in a logical manner, such as in chronological sequence or
by type.
 ● Words used to describe increases and decreases: minimal, small, gradual, significant,
sharp
● Verbs used: show, indicate, remain, reveal, record, present, reach
● Use formal language and write in paragraphs

Statistical Report Example (This is from the notes on canvas. The question was to write a
report based on the following table.)
Sale of four types of cars over four years

Year Ranger Intrepid Prelude Civic Total

2006 50 50 112 20 232

2007 80 48 66 40 234

2008 110 52 60 18 240

2009 160 50 62 22 294

Total 400 200 300 100 1000

Report On the Sale of Four Types of Cars Over the Period 2006-2009
Ranger cars had the highest overall sales among the four types of cars over the period.
Additionally, sales of Ranger cars were four times that of Civic cars and twice that of
Intrepid. Most vehicles were sold in 2009 and the least number was sold in 2006.
Ranger cars recorded a steady increase in sales over the four year period, and registered the
greatest increase in 2009. The sale of Prelude cars remained relatively consistent over the
last three years, after a significant decrease in 2007. Prelude was the second highest selling
car. Intrepid cars were the third highest in total sales, and sales remained stable over the
period. Overall, Civic cars were the least sold, but the sales were relatively stable except for
a sharp rise in 2007 which was double that of two other years.

This report is arranged by the type of car.

Memos (Memoranda)
A memorandum is a form of internal written communication used in organisations. They
are very concise because time is money.
Structure:
MEMORANDUM
To: name and title of receiver
From: name and title of the sender
Date: day, month and year
Subject: brief description of message

This is the actual message. No salutation is needed. It consists of the introduction, which
states the purpose of the memo. It has the body, which has the full message with all relevant
information that needs to be shared. Then, the conclusion, which has any other relevant
details.
And then you have the closing. This has stuff like gratitude, queries and meeting
arrangements. Some organisations say stuff like Yours truly, Sincerely, or Regards, but this
is not strictly necessary because you already have your name and title up in the header.

Expository Essay
Introduction:
● Hook - everything before the thesis statement. It should grab the reader’s attention
with a quote, pun, rhyme, rhetorical question or even a joke. There should then be
1-2 sentences transitioning into the thesis statement
● Thesis statement - create an outline of your whole essay before writing this. It
should be specific, concise and include all the main points. Do not say “in this essay
I will…” or anything along those lines. Don’t just copy back the question.

Body paragraphs:
● Topic sentence - the point that you’re trying to make summed up in one sentence
● Supporting sentences - these explain your point. Try to answer the questions like
who, what, where, why and how (not necessarily all of them if it doesn’t apply to
all)
● Put your paragraphs in a logical order and use transition words.

Conclusion:
● This wraps up the essay in an engaging manner
● Restate your main points in a different way
● Don’t introduce any new points, but reinforce the ones you have already made
● Talk about your topic in broad terms rather than specifics
https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/expository-essay/

Notices
A notice is a displayed sheet/placard giving written information or news to a specific group
of people. It is a formal means of communication. Some instances where notices would be
used:
● To promote an event
● To warn people against illegal activities (like the “don’t shit here” sign at port royal
hehe)
● To remind people not to litter
● Lost and found

It should include the 5 W’s: what is going to happen, where it will happen, when it will
happen (date and time), who the notice applies to, who should be contacted if necessary.
Only include the most important points, including the details given in the question. Use
short sentences.

Structure:
NAME OF ORGANISATION
NOTICE
Subject

Date

Body of notice

Signature
Name (block letters)
Position

Example: (from a youtube video)

Blooming Flowers School
NOTICE
Sandhya Tara
10 July 2007

Our school is organising a cultural program to collect funds for “Sandhya Tara”, a home
for the elderly. We plan to include a dance drama, mono acting, a magic show and other
items. Students who wish to participate should submit their names to the undersigned
before 20 October 2007. Trials will be held daily in the zero period.

S. Walia
SANDEEP WALIA
Secretary, Cultural Society

Minutes
Minutes are recorded documentation used to inform both attendees and non-attendees
what took place during the meeting. They are recorded by a specific person (usually the
secretary) while the meeting is taking place so that the discussions are captured accurately.
They can be used for legal protection, accountability and having a formal record of a
meeting to legally show that it actually happened.

Structure:

Name of Organisation
Meeting Minutes
Date

Opening: when meeting was called to order, where it is being held, who called meeting to
order

Present: everyone who was present

Absent: members who were not present

Approval of Agenda
The agenda was unanimously approved.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved.
Business from the Previous Meeting: any motions or topics that were mentioned during
the previous meeting, a brief description of what took place and the outcome.

New Business: any motions or topics that were mentioned for the first time at this meeting,
a brief description of what took place and the outcome

Agenda for Next Meeting: any topics raised to be discussed at the next meeting.

Adjournment: what time the meeting was adjourned and by whom, where the next
meeting will be held and when.

Minutes Submitted by: Name

Minutes Approved by: Name

Persuasive Essays
How to Persuade People
Swaying others to your opinion is an important skill used in things like advertisements,
debates and public awareness campaigns. here are 3 ways to persuade people:
● Ethos - appealing to people’s trust. If you seem trustworthy, they will be more likely
to believe your opinion over their previous beliefs. E.g. As a doctor, I approve of this
medicine.
● Pathos - appealing to the emotions of the audience. Appeal to their hopes, dreams,
fears, worries, values and ideals. Basically emotionally manipulate them. E.g.
showing people pictures of starving children in Africa so that you will give them
money
● Logos - appealing to logical reasoning, facts and rationality. E.g. using statistics to
compare a product to its competitors. Of course, statistics can also be manipulated
but that is inconsequential.

There are also different persuasive techniques which can be remembered with the
mnemonic DAFORREESTI
● Direct address (pathos) - using “you” so that the audience feels that the message is
specifically directed at them
 ● Anecdotes (pathos) - using a personal story to prove a point, it humanises the
persuader
● Facts (logos) - information which is proven to be true, it makes you sound smart as
well
● Opinion - persuasive writing is just one long opinion
● Repetition - it emphasises the thing being repeated and makes the audience pay
attention
● Rhetorical questions (logos?) - these are questions that aren’t supposed to be
answered, it gets people thinking
● Emotive language (pathos) - manipulation core <3, use different vocabulary with
different connotations to make people feel things
● Expert opinion (ethos) - improves credibility by giving the opinion of an expert in a
particular subject
● Statistics (logos) - facts with numbers (data, fractions, etc.)
● Triple - three is a sexy number
● Imperative (pathos) - dominate the audience by commanding them. It is effective as
a call to action

How to Write the Essay

Outline:
● If you can’t pick a side, write arguments for and against and see which one is a
stronger argument
● Don’t necessarily write on what you believe, write on what you can argue
● Practise this so you can think of arguments quickly in an exam setting

Introduction:
● Like an expository essay, you need an attention-grabbing hook
● State the side you’re taking
● Write a thesis statement with your main points (see the expository essay section for
thesis statement notes)

Body Paragraphs:
● Do not write an expository essay by accident. Facts are necessary, but other
persuasive techniques are also needed so that you’re actually getting an argument
across and not just giving information.
 ● You can either have one very strong counter argument in a separate paragraph or
have a counter argument for each argument within the paragraphs.
● There are 2 approaches that are commonly used (these both have counter
arguments within the paragraphs)
The first one is stating your argument, then the evidence supporting it and why it
does. Then, state the counter argument and say why it’s invalid (but also
acknowledge that it is at least partially valid because you can’t be too stubborn)
The second one is stating why people might agree with the counter argument, then
highlighting its problems and stating your own, better, opinion and how it
addresses the problems.

Conclusion:
● Summarise the points made in the body
● Don’t state any new points but reinforce the arguments you’ve already made
● Highlight the importance of the topic you are discussing
● Try to have a memorable closing statement.

Paper 1 Stuff - we will cross that bridge when it

comes