Writing essays in the IGCSE English Language exam can feel overwhelming. There is the pressure to structure your thoughts clearly, use impressive vocabulary, and meet the examiner’s expectations all within a tight time limit. At Tutopiya, we have seen hundreds of students walk this journey, and we are here to tell you with the right strategies and mindset, you can absolutely write high-scoring essays!
Whether you are struggling to begin or aiming for that A*, here’s what we have learned works beststraight from our expert tutors and top-performing students.
🧠 1. Understand What the Examiner Is Looking For
Before you even write a word, know this: IGCSE examiners reward clarity, coherence, creativity, and correctness. They are not looking for Shakespearean drama they want to see that you can express your ideas effectively, structure them logically, and use language accurately.
👉 Tip from our tutors: Read the mark scheme carefully. Knowing what earns marks helps you write with purpose.
✍️ 2. Master the Structure
A great essay is not just about beautiful words it’s about structure. Whether you are writing a narrative or an argumentative piece, structure is your best friend.
For argumentative/descriptive essays:
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Introduction – Hook + Your Main Idea
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Body Paragraphs – 2–3 paragraphs, each with one clear point + evidence/examples
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Conclusion – Summarise without repeating. Leave the reader thinking.
For narrative essays:
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Set the scene
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Build tension
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Climax
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Resolution
👉 Real insight from our students: Practice structuring your essays even before writing. Make outlines as a warm-up!
💬 3. Language – Let It Flow, But Keep It Clean
You don’t need big words to impress. You need the right words.
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Use a variety of sentence types (simple, compound, complex)
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Choose vivid, precise vocabulary.
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Check for grammar and punctuation—they really do count!
👉 Try this: Replace “very happy” with “ecstatic,” or “walked slowly” with “ambled.” Small upgrades make a big impact.
📚 4. Read to Write Better
Strong writers are almost always strong readers. Reading model essays, newspaper articles, and fiction helps you:
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Understand tone
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Expand vocabulary
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Pick up sentence flow and structure naturally
👉 Tutopiya students’ pick: Read short stories from past paper booklets and try rewriting the endings in your own style. It’s fun and great practice!
⏱️ 5. Practice Under Pressure
One of the most underrated skills is writing within time limits. It’s not just about writing fast it’s about managing your thinking time.
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Spend 5–7 minutes planning
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Leave 5 minutes at the end to check your work
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Practice with a timer at least once a week
👉 Tutopiya hack: Use a “planning box” strategy. Quickly sketch out intro, 3 key points, conclusion, then fill them in.
💡 6. Feedback Is Gold
You might write a good essay but without constructive feedback, how do you know what to improve?
At Tutopiya, we don’t just mark your essay we explain why a certain paragraph worked and how to upgrade another. That personalized insight is what helps students go from B to A*.
🌟 Final Thoughts from the Tutopiya Team
Writing a high-scoring IGCSE essay doesn’t require genius it requires practice, patience, and the right guidance. At Tutopiya, we believe every student has a voice worth hearing, and we are here to help you sharpen that voice and express it with confidence.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to start, don’t worry we have got your back. With 1-to-1 coaching, detailed feedback, and a tailored plan, you are never alone on your IGCSE journey.
