Writer’s effect in IGCSE English means explaining how the writer’s choice of words and techniques creates a particular effect on the reader. This guide gives a method and tips for writer’s effect questions for Singapore students.

What is writer’s effect in IGCSE?

You are given a passage and asked to identify words or phrases and explain their effect. You need to quote the word or phrase, name the technique or type of language (e.g. metaphor, strong verb, adjective), and explain how it makes the reader feel or what it suggests about the subject or mood. Do not just list words; explain the effect clearly in your own words. Examiners want to see that you understand how language creates meaning and effect.

How to answer writer’s effect questions

Read the passage and the question carefully so you know what kind of effect to look for (e.g. tension, sadness, excitement). Select strong words or phrases that have a clear effect; do not pick every word. For each one: quote it (short quotations are fine), say what kind of language it is (e.g. metaphor, simile, verb, adjective), and explain the effect in your own words. Link your explanation to the question so the examiner sees you are answering the task. Keep each point focused; two or three well-explained examples are better than a long list with weak explanation.

Tips for writer’s effect

Look for imagery (simile, metaphor, personification), strong verbs (e.g. “slammed” instead of “closed”), adjectives that create mood, and sentence structure (e.g. short sentences for tension). Practise with past paper passages and mark schemes so you see what examiners reward. Keep your answers focused and concise. For more writing skills, see our descriptive writing and directed writing guides.

How many points to make in writer’s effect

In writer’s effect questions, you are often asked to identify two or three words or phrases and explain their effect. Do not list many words with one-line explanations; choose two or three strong examples and write a clear explanation for each: quote, name the technique or type of language, and explain the effect in your own words. Quality and depth of explanation usually score more than quantity. Singapore students can practise with IGCSE past papers and, for personalised feedback on their writer’s effect answers, consider an IGCSE English tutor on Tutopiya.

Next steps

Practise writer’s effect with IGCSE past papers. For one-to-one help, book a free trial with an IGCSE English tutor on Tutopiya. Use the Tutopiya learning platform and Tutopiya login.