Component 3: Edexcel IGCSE English Language
Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing
(COURSEWORK)
,Understanding Component 3
What is This?
This is your Non-Examined Assessment (NEA), worth
40% of your entire qualification. It consists of two
distinct assignments that assess different skills and are
marked separately.
This coursework allows you to demonstrate your
analytical abilities through close reading of anthology
texts (Assignment A) and your creative writing skills
through original composition (Assignment B).
Assignment A: Reading Assignment B: Writing
20% of qualification 20% of qualification
Analyse 3 texts from Part 2 of the Edexcel Original imaginative writing piece
Anthology Narrative or descriptive focus
At least one poem AND one prose text required Demonstrate creative control
Compare ideas, perspectives, language, and Approximately 700 words
structure
Approximately 1,200 words
Assessment Objectives Explained
Both assignments assess specific skills outlined by the exam board. Understanding these will help you target your work
effectively.
01 02
AO1 AO2
Identify and interpret key ideas, perspectives, and Analyse how writers use language, form, and structure to
attitudes across texts, supporting your points with create meanings and effects
evidence
03 04
AO4 AO5
Communicate clearly, coherently, and imaginatively using Write accurately and fluently with correct spelling,
varied vocabulary and sentence structures punctuation, and grammar
,Assignment A: Planning Your Response
Choosing Your Texts and Focus
Begin by selecting three texts from Part 2 of the Edexcel Anthology. Your selection must include at least one poem and
one prose text—this ensures variety in form and structure to analyse. The third text can be either poetry or prose.
Key tip: Choose texts that genuinely interest you and connect around a clear focus. Good foci include themes (identity,
conflict, belonging), character types, settings, or significant events.
Step-by-Step Planning Process
Identify Focus
Initial Reading Decide your specific focus what unites these texts? Be
Read all three texts carefully, making notes on first precise: "identity" is too broad, "identity shaped by
impressions, key moments, and initial ideas about conflict" is better
connections between them
Create Plan
Find Evidence Draft a paragraph-by-paragraph outline showing
Re-read texts, highlighting relevant quotations and which text you'll discuss where and what points you'll
noting techniques. Consider both similarities and make
differences
Structuring Your Essay
Introduction
1
Introduce texts, author names, and your chosen focus. Briefly state what readers will learn
Paragraph 1
2
Text 1 analysis with integrated quotations and comparison links
Paragraph 2
3
Text 2 analysis, building connections and contrasts with Text 1
Paragraph 3
4
Text 3 analysis, showing deeper understanding of relationships
Conclusion
5
Summarise key insights about how writers present your focus
, Mastering AO1 and AO2
AO1: Identifying and Interpreting Ideas
AO1 requires you to demonstrate understanding of what writers are
saying and how they present their ideas. You must support every
point with textual evidence whilst showing you understand deeper
meanings, not just surface content.
What Examiners Want:
Clear understanding of texts' meanings and contexts
Insightful interpretation of perspectives and attitudes
Relevant, integrated quotations (not copied chunks)
Comparison across all three texts
Analysis of writers' purposes and messages
AO2: Analysing Language, Form, and Structure
AO2 is where you demonstrate technical understanding of how writers craft their work. This isn't about listing techniques
—it's about explaining their effects and why writers made those choices.
Language Analysis Form Analysis Structure Analysis
Explore word choice, imagery Consider genre conventions, Examine how ideas develop
(similes, metaphors, structure (stanzas, paragraphs, across the text, use of
personification), semantic fields, narrative arc), and form-specific openings/closings,
and connotations. Ask: What features (verse structure, rhyme juxtaposition, shifts in
effect does this create? How scheme, dialogue patterns) perspective, and pacing
does it link to the focus?
Integrating Quotations Safely
Keep Quotations Short Always Analyse After Compare Actively
Use 3-7 words maximum. Never let a quotation speak for Use connective phrases:
Embed them naturally into itself. Explain its effect and "Similarly", "In contrast",
your own sentences link to your argument "Whereas", "This differs from"
Poetry and Prose Texts and Imaginative Writing
(COURSEWORK)
,Understanding Component 3
What is This?
This is your Non-Examined Assessment (NEA), worth
40% of your entire qualification. It consists of two
distinct assignments that assess different skills and are
marked separately.
This coursework allows you to demonstrate your
analytical abilities through close reading of anthology
texts (Assignment A) and your creative writing skills
through original composition (Assignment B).
Assignment A: Reading Assignment B: Writing
20% of qualification 20% of qualification
Analyse 3 texts from Part 2 of the Edexcel Original imaginative writing piece
Anthology Narrative or descriptive focus
At least one poem AND one prose text required Demonstrate creative control
Compare ideas, perspectives, language, and Approximately 700 words
structure
Approximately 1,200 words
Assessment Objectives Explained
Both assignments assess specific skills outlined by the exam board. Understanding these will help you target your work
effectively.
01 02
AO1 AO2
Identify and interpret key ideas, perspectives, and Analyse how writers use language, form, and structure to
attitudes across texts, supporting your points with create meanings and effects
evidence
03 04
AO4 AO5
Communicate clearly, coherently, and imaginatively using Write accurately and fluently with correct spelling,
varied vocabulary and sentence structures punctuation, and grammar
,Assignment A: Planning Your Response
Choosing Your Texts and Focus
Begin by selecting three texts from Part 2 of the Edexcel Anthology. Your selection must include at least one poem and
one prose text—this ensures variety in form and structure to analyse. The third text can be either poetry or prose.
Key tip: Choose texts that genuinely interest you and connect around a clear focus. Good foci include themes (identity,
conflict, belonging), character types, settings, or significant events.
Step-by-Step Planning Process
Identify Focus
Initial Reading Decide your specific focus what unites these texts? Be
Read all three texts carefully, making notes on first precise: "identity" is too broad, "identity shaped by
impressions, key moments, and initial ideas about conflict" is better
connections between them
Create Plan
Find Evidence Draft a paragraph-by-paragraph outline showing
Re-read texts, highlighting relevant quotations and which text you'll discuss where and what points you'll
noting techniques. Consider both similarities and make
differences
Structuring Your Essay
Introduction
1
Introduce texts, author names, and your chosen focus. Briefly state what readers will learn
Paragraph 1
2
Text 1 analysis with integrated quotations and comparison links
Paragraph 2
3
Text 2 analysis, building connections and contrasts with Text 1
Paragraph 3
4
Text 3 analysis, showing deeper understanding of relationships
Conclusion
5
Summarise key insights about how writers present your focus
, Mastering AO1 and AO2
AO1: Identifying and Interpreting Ideas
AO1 requires you to demonstrate understanding of what writers are
saying and how they present their ideas. You must support every
point with textual evidence whilst showing you understand deeper
meanings, not just surface content.
What Examiners Want:
Clear understanding of texts' meanings and contexts
Insightful interpretation of perspectives and attitudes
Relevant, integrated quotations (not copied chunks)
Comparison across all three texts
Analysis of writers' purposes and messages
AO2: Analysing Language, Form, and Structure
AO2 is where you demonstrate technical understanding of how writers craft their work. This isn't about listing techniques
—it's about explaining their effects and why writers made those choices.
Language Analysis Form Analysis Structure Analysis
Explore word choice, imagery Consider genre conventions, Examine how ideas develop
(similes, metaphors, structure (stanzas, paragraphs, across the text, use of
personification), semantic fields, narrative arc), and form-specific openings/closings,
and connotations. Ask: What features (verse structure, rhyme juxtaposition, shifts in
effect does this create? How scheme, dialogue patterns) perspective, and pacing
does it link to the focus?
Integrating Quotations Safely
Keep Quotations Short Always Analyse After Compare Actively
Use 3-7 words maximum. Never let a quotation speak for Use connective phrases:
Embed them naturally into itself. Explain its effect and "Similarly", "In contrast",
your own sentences link to your argument "Whereas", "This differs from"
