Decrypting Writer's Effect 

Writer's effect is the second question of paper 2 in the English (0500) IGCSE exam. This question asks you to analyse the writer's language and use of certain literary devices. Literary devices are tools used by the writer to explain the effect of a phrase. These literary devices include simile, metaphor, hyperbole, alliteration, personification, imagery, onomatopoeia, etc. 

Learning Objectives:

• To understand how particular words and phrases suggest ideas and emotions.

• To apply what you have learned and understood from the text.

IGCSE English Examinations generally expect students to discuss about the impact of the writer’s effect in a given extract. Though the writer’s effect seems anonymous, it is simply a matter of difficulty in identifying the impact of the writer’s choices on a literary piece. However, the writer’s

intentions can be easily identified by employing specific techniques and careful analysis.

Although writer's effect might seem tricky, it can be easily solved with enough practice and understanding. The mark scheme below displays the format in which a continuous writing (answer) should be written and formulated. 

What exactly are these "effects"?
Firstly, we need to understand how the writer has created the effects using experience, atmosphere, statement of fact, opinion or emotion. Once this has been identified, the effects can be found. The effects are caused by specific words, sentence structure, positioning of words and phrases and the pace of the words. The effects are the aftermath of an action or cause and they bring about changes in the extract and the way it is understood or read.