SC2.2 — Vocabulary and sentence variety

SC2.2 sits beside SC2.1 inside OCR's writing assessment. Where SC2.1 asks did you write the right thing in the right form?, SC2.2 asks did you write it well? It rewards a controlled range of vocabulary and a deliberate range of sentence structures.

Vocabulary

Examiners credit lexis that is precise and chosen for effect, not lexis that is unusual for its own sake. "Saunter" beats "walk slowly" if pace is the focus; "clamour" beats "loud noise" if chaos is the focus. Reach for the specific verb and the concrete noun. Avoid:

• thesaurus dumping (using a long synonym you don't fully control);
• vague intensifiers ("very", "really", "so") instead of stronger words;
• abstract nouns where a concrete image is sharper.

Sentence structures

A top-band answer shows command of:

• Simple sentences for impact ("It stopped.").
• Compound sentences for additive flow ("The bell rang and the room emptied.").
• Complex sentences for control of detail ("Although the bell had rung, the room emptied slowly, as if no one quite trusted the silence.").
• Minor sentences for rhythm ("Silence. Then footsteps.").

Aim to vary sentence openings — not always Subject + Verb. Adverbial openings ("Quietly, she crossed the room…"), participial openings ("Trembling, he opened the letter…") and subordinate-clause openings ("Because the door was ajar…") all signal control.

Punctuation as a craft tool

Semicolons join two related independent clauses; colons announce a list, a definition or a punchline. Dashes — used sparingly — add emphasis or aside. Examiners reward the deliberate use of these, not their accidental sprinkling.

A 30-second self-check

Before writing your final paragraph, scan your draft. If three sentences in a row begin "The…" or "I…", change one opening. If "very" appears more than once, replace it. Small fixes lift you a band.