Who this is for: Cambridge IGCSE English First Language (0500) students who encounter interview-writing tasks in Paper 2 Directed Writing and need to plan purposeful questions, present answers clearly and maintain appropriate magazine or journalistic register.
What query it owns: how to write an interview for Cambridge IGCSE English First Language (0500) Paper 2 Directed Writing.
Why this is safe: this page owns the interview-writing revision-guide angle, while Tutopiya’s Interview subtopic page owns the learning resource and the free Interview quiz owns the practice.

Interview writing in Cambridge IGCSE English First Language (0500) asks you to create a written interview — typically for a school magazine, website or newsletter — featuring a real or imagined interviewee. Examiners reward well-crafted questions, developed answers, appropriate register and clear layout that distinguishes the interviewer from the interviewee. This guide covers structure, question types and the techniques that turn a basic Q&A into a top-band response.

Key takeaways

• An interview presents questions and answers between an interviewer and interviewee.
• Questions should progress logically — from background to specific topics to a reflective close.
• Answers must sound like the interviewee’s voice — vocabulary and tone suited to their role.
• Use reported speech, direct speech or a clear Q&A format as the task requires.
• Tutopiya’s Interview subtopic page provides model interviews and practice tasks.

What is interview writing in Cambridge IGCSE English First Language?

Interview writing is a Directed Writing form where you script a conversation to inform or engage readers about a person, achievement or topic. Unlike a speech or article, the structure alternates between questions and answers. Cambridge IGCSE English First Language (0500) examiners assess content (relevance and development), structure (logical progression), style (register suited to publication) and accuracy.

Interview vs article — comparison table

Feature	Magazine article	Interview
Voice	Single authorial voice	Two voices — interviewer and interviewee
Structure	Sections with headings	Question → answer sequence
Purpose	Argue or inform	Reveal personality, experience or expertise
Techniques	Persuasion, description	Probing questions, anecdotal answers
Layout	Headline, byline	Q and A labels or clear speech formatting

Interview question types — reference table

Question type	Purpose	Example
Opening / background	Establish context	How did you first become interested in…?
Factual	Gather information	How many hours do you train each week?
Probing	Dig deeper	What was the hardest moment in that process?
Reflective	Personal insight	What would you tell someone starting out today?
Closing	Memorable finish	What is next for you?

How to write an interview — step by step

1. Read the task — identify interviewee, publication and focus topic.
2. Research (or imagine) key facts about the interviewee’s role and achievements.
3. Plan five to eight questions that build from general to specific to reflective.
4. Draft answers that sound authentic — varied sentence length, appropriate vocabulary.
5. Label questions and answers clearly (Interviewer: / Interviewee: or Q: / A:).
6. Open with a brief introduction if the task requires context for readers.
7. Close with a forward-looking or memorable final answer.
8. Check with the Interview quiz.

Interview writing in past-paper wording: worked stems

1. “Write an interview with a successful student for your school magazine.” Open with background question. Middle: study habits, challenges overcome, advice. Close: goals for the future. Mark-scheme reward: logical progression + distinct voices + engaging content.

2. “Write an interview with a local sports coach for the school website.” Factual questions about training; probing question about a memorable match; reflective advice for young athletes. Reward: appropriate register + developed answers.

3. “Write an interview with an environmental activist visiting your school.” Questions move from motivation to specific campaigns to what students can do. Reward: relevant content + publication-appropriate tone.

4. “Write an interview with a musician, author or artist.” Creative questions that reveal personality; answers with anecdote and reflection. Reward: engaging voice + clear Q&A structure.

Practise on the Interview quiz, then progress to [Interview (Beginner)](https://www.tutopiya.com/learning-portal/resource/cambridge-igcse/english-as-a-first-language/extended/0500/interviews/640778ff23df261b5e749d07/interview-(beginner) or [Interview (Advanced)](https://www.tutopiya.com/learning-portal/resource/cambridge-igcse/english-as-a-first-language/extended/0500/interviews/640778ff23df261b5e749d07/interview-(advanced) for tiered practice.

How interview writing connects to other Paper 2 skills

Interview writing shares skills with Content for Article Writing — both suit magazine publication. The Cambridge IGCSE English First Language hub links every Directed Writing subtopic.

Common mistakes students make

• Yes/no questions that produce flat, one-line answers.
• Identical voice for interviewer and interviewee — answers should sound distinct.
• Random question order — no logical build from background to depth.
• Underdeveloped answers — each answer needs substance, not a single sentence.
• Missing labels — examiners must see clearly who is speaking.

When you need more support

If interview structure still feels unclear, work through the Interview subtopic page, take the free Interview quiz, then book a Cambridge IGCSE English First Language tutor.

Frequently asked questions

What format should an IGCSE interview use?
Clear Q&A labelling — either Interviewer: / Interviewee: or Q: / A: — with developed answers.

How many questions should I include?
Five to eight well-developed questions typically fill the word count effectively.

Can I invent the interviewee’s answers?
Yes — the task usually provides a scenario; create plausible, detailed responses.

How should I revise interview writing?
Practise one interview per stem, focus on question progression, then take the Interview quiz.

Ready to master interview writing for Cambridge IGCSE English First Language?

Start with the Interview subtopic page, then book a free trial with a Cambridge IGCSE English specialist and try the free Interview quiz.

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