The First Step Towards Better IGCSE English Writing

2026-08-27 · By Tony Samir Boshra, verified IGCSE/A Level teacher on IG Catalog

One of the biggest challenges I notice in IGCSE English students is not always a lack of vocabulary or grammar. Very often, the real problem comes before the writing even begins: students do not know what to write.

This is where brainstorming becomes an essential skill.

Brainstorming is more than simply writing down random ideas. It is a structured process that helps students explore a topic, generate relevant points, and decide which ideas are strong enough to develop. For IGCSE English students, this can make the difference between a basic response and a well-developed, thoughtful piece of writing.

Why Do Students Struggle Without Brainstorming?

When students see a writing question, many immediately start writing the introduction. They may have one or two ideas, but they have not considered where those ideas will lead.

As a result, their writing may become repetitive:

• The same point is explained several times.
• Examples are limited.
• Paragraphs lack development.
• The conclusion feels rushed.
• Students run out of ideas halfway through the task.

A few minutes of effective brainstorming can prevent many of these problems.

Brainstorming Should Be Structured

A useful brainstorming technique is to begin with the main topic and ask a series of simple questions:

What? Why? How? Who? Where? When? What if?

For example, imagine the question:

“Should students be allowed to use mobile phones at school?”

Instead of immediately writing an essay, a student could brainstorm:

Arguments for:

• Useful for research
• Helps students communicate in emergencies
• Educational applications
• Can support independent learning

Arguments against:

• Causes distraction
• Can encourage cheating
• Reduces face-to-face communication
• Social media can affect concentration

The student now has several possible directions and can select the strongest ideas before writing.

From Ideas to Developed Paragraphs

The most important part of brainstorming is not generating a large number of ideas. It is learning how to develop an idea.

For every main point, I encourage students to ask:

Point → Explanation → Example → Effect

For example:

Point: Mobile phones can be useful educational tools.

Explanation: Students can quickly access information and educational resources.

Example: A student may use a dictionary application to check the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Effect: This can encourage independent learning and improve students' confidence.

Now, instead of having a simple statement, the student has the foundation of a complete paragraph.

Brainstorming Saves Time

Some students believe that planning wastes valuable exam time. In reality, a short and focused brainstorming stage can save time because it gives the student a clear direction.

A strong plan means that students are less likely to stop during the writing task and think, “What should I write next?”

The goal is not to produce a perfect plan. The goal is to create a roadmap.

The Teacher's Role

As teachers, we should not simply tell students what ideas to write. We should teach them how to generate their own ideas.

A successful brainstorming activity should encourage students to question the topic, consider different perspectives, make connections, and select relevant evidence.

Over time, students become less dependent on the teacher and more confident in approaching unfamiliar writing tasks.

Final Thought

Good writing does not begin with the first sentence.

It begins with thinking.

When students learn how to brainstorm effectively, they are not only preparing for an IGCSE English examination; they are developing a transferable skill that helps them organise their thoughts, evaluate ideas, and communicate more clearly.

Before asking students to write better, we should teach them how to think before they write.