Accuracy: Sentences, Punctuation and SPaG

Accuracy: sentences, punctuation and SPaG

A big chunk of the writing marks in GCSE English Language is for technical accuracy — spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG), plus varied and correct sentences. You can lift your grade just by writing accurately.

Use a range of sentence types

• Simple sentence: one main idea. The rain fell.
• Compound sentence: two ideas joined by a conjunction (and, but, so). The rain fell and the streets flooded.
• Complex sentence: a main clause + a subordinate clause. Although it was late, she kept working.

Varying these shows control and keeps writing interesting.

Punctuation to use accurately

• Full stops, capital letters — every sentence.
• Commas — lists, after openers, around extra information (not to join two full sentences — that's a comma splice).
• Apostrophes — contraction (don't) and possession (Sam's).
• Higher-level punctuation used correctly impresses: semicolons (join linked sentences), colons (introduce), dashes (add emphasis), brackets (add extra detail).

Spelling

• Learn common tricky words (necessary, separate, definitely, because).
• Apply spelling rules (drop the silent e, double the consonant, i before e).

Paragraphing

• Start a new paragraph for a new idea, time, place or speaker.
• Use discourse markers (firstly, however, in addition, finally) to link paragraphs.

Proofreading

Always leave 5 minutes to check:

• Homophones (its/it's, there/their/they're).
• Missing capital letters or full stops.
• Sentences that are too long or run on.

Worked example

Weak: it was late everyone was tired they went home.

Accurate: It was late, and everyone was tired; they went home. (Capital letters, comma, semicolon joining linked ideas.) ✓

Common mistakes

• Comma splices (joining full sentences with a comma).
• Mixing up homophones and misusing apostrophes.
• Writing one long paragraph with no breaks.

Exam tips

• Deliberately use a range of sentence types and some higher-level punctuation.
• Paragraph clearly and link with discourse markers.
• Proofread for SPaG at the end — easy marks.

Quick recap

• Vary simple, compound and complex sentences; punctuate accurately (avoid comma splices).
• Use higher-level punctuation (semicolons, colons, dashes) correctly to impress.
• Paragraph for each new idea and proofread for SPaG.