Checkpoint 6 · Paper 1 writing (non-fiction)

Blog Post

How to write a blog post for Checkpoint 6 Paper 1: personal voice, title, subheadings, tips and a call to action, with a paragraph plan, phrases and a strong sample.

British & IGCSE › Checkpoint 6 English (Cambridge Primary 0058)

1. What is a blog post, and where does it appear?

A blog is a website (or part of a website) where a person writes regular posts about their life, their hobbies or their ideas. One piece of writing on a blog is called a blog post. A blog post sounds like a friendly conversation with the reader: the writer uses "I" and "you", shares personal experiences and opinions, and often gives tips. At the end, the writer invites readers to reply in the comments.

Purpose: to inform, entertain, advise or share an experience (often several of these at once). Audience: people who visit the website, for example pupils, parents or other children who like the same hobby.

Where blog posts sit in the exam

A blog post is Paper 1 (Non-fiction) writing. Paper 1 lasts 1 hour: Section A Reading (25 marks) and Section B Writing (25 marks), with about 30 minutes suggested for the writing.
The task will say where the writing goes, for example "Write a blog post for your school website…". Use blog features only when the task names a blog (the G.A.A.P. golden rule).
Blogs are close to magazine articles and recounts, so the examiner looks closely at whether your piece really sounds like a blog: a personal voice, direct talk to the reader, subheadings and a call to action.

2. How a blog post is marked (out of 25)

A blog post is marked with the same five categories as every Checkpoint writing task.

Category (official name)	Marks	What the bands ask for (in simple words)	What it means for this genre
Creation of texts	5	Low: little link to the task. Middle: relevant ideas, some of them explained. Top: every point in the task is covered and developed, the tone suits the reader all the way through, and the writing keeps the reader interested.	Cover every task point with details and personal examples. Keep a friendly, chatty voice that suits your readers, and keep them interested from the title to the comment question.
Vocabulary and language	3	Low: simple words, often repeated. Middle: some well-chosen words that suit the text type. Top: precise, interesting words chosen for their effect on the reader.	Lively, precise words for your topic (for a chess blog: opponent, strategy, checkmate) plus friendly expressions (I was hooked, give it a go).
Structure of texts (the teacher's older name: Text structure)	7	Low: few or no paragraphs. Middle: paragraphs in a sensible order with simple links. Top: well-organised paragraphs that link smoothly, a strong opening and ending, and the correct layout for the text type.	A catchy title, the date, an introduction that hooks the reader, subheadings for each section, and an ending with a call to action.
Grammar and punctuation (the teacher's older name: Sentence structure, punctuation and grammar)	7	Low: mostly simple sentences with many errors. Middle: some variety, mostly correct verbs and full stops. Top: a range of sentence types used for effect, correct verb tenses and a range of punctuation used correctly.	Mix questions, exclamations, simple and complex sentences. Use apostrophes in short forms, commas after openers, and one or two other marks correctly (a colon, brackets, a pair of dashes).
Word structure (spelling)	3	Low: many common words spelt wrongly. Middle: most common words correct. Top: nearly all words correct, including longer, ambitious words.	Check topic words and longer words: favourite, beginners, concentrate, opponent, definitely, comments.

Three marking rules you must know

Wrong text type = heavy penalty. If the task asks for a blog post and you write something else, Creation of texts is capped at 1 mark and Structure of texts is capped too (at 3, or 2 if the content is also off-task).
Length: 20 words or fewer scores 0, and 21–60 words can score no more than 7 out of 25. A full answer is several developed paragraphs.
Your plan is not marked. Plan quickly, then spend your time on the writing itself.

3. Features of a blog post

Feature	What it does	Example
Catchy title	Grabs attention and tells the reader the topic.	Check, Mate! How a Boring Weekend Made Me a Chess Fan
Who posted it + the date	Shows that it is a real online post.	Posted by Ali, Year 6 · 18 January 2026
Hook in the introduction	Makes the reader want to keep reading.	Have you ever been so bored that you would try anything?
First person (I, my, we)	Gives a personal voice.	That is exactly how my chess story began.
Direct address (you, your)	Talks straight to the reader.	This old game might become your new favourite hobby.
Subheadings	Split the post into short, easy sections.	How it all started / My top tips / Why chess is good for you
Anecdote (a short true story)	Makes the post real and interesting.	I lost every single game that weekend.
Tips or advice	Gives the reader something useful.	Tip 1: Learn how each piece moves first.
Rhetorical questions	Make the reader think.	So, are you ready to give it a go?
Informal or semi-formal tone	Friendly, but still correct English.	Don't be afraid of losing!
Call to action at the end	Invites the reader to reply or act.	Tell me about your best game in the comments below.

	Blog post	Diary entry	Magazine article
Who reads it?	Anyone online.	Only the writer (private).	Readers of the magazine.
Voice	Personal and chatty, talks to "you".	Personal, talks to "Dear Diary" or to yourself.	Lively, may be personal, but usually more organised and factual.
Layout	Title, posted by + date, subheadings, comment question.	Date, Dear Diary, signed with first name.	Headline, strapline, byline, subheadings.
Ending	Call to action: comment, share, try it.	Feelings and thoughts about tomorrow.	A memorable final line or a call to action.

4. How to structure a blog post

Part	What to write	Example
Title	Catchy: a question, a pun, a number or an exclamation.	Five Things I Learnt at Football Camp
Posted by + date	Your first name (or a username) and the date.	Posted by Ali, Year 6 · 18 January 2026
Introduction (2–3 sentences)	Hook (question or surprising fact) + what the post is about.	Have you ever…? Today I want to show you why…
Section 1 (subheading): task point 1	Your personal story: how it started, what happened.	How it all started
Section 2 (subheading): task point 2	Tips or advice for the reader.	My top tips for beginners
Section 3 (subheading): task point 3	Why it matters, with an example or a quotation.	Why chess is good for you
Conclusion	Sum up your opinion in one or two sentences.	Chess costs almost nothing, and you never stop learning.
Call to action	A question for the comments, or an invitation.	Have you ever played chess? Tell me in the comments below!

Underline the three task points: each one becomes a section with a subheading.
Think of one true-sounding story (an anecdote) for section 1. Stories make blogs come alive.
Write the title last if you are stuck. It is easier when you know what you said.
Talk to the reader at least three times (you, your, a question).
Always finish with a call to action. It is the feature that most clearly says "blog".

5. How to start and how to end

Catchy titles

Five Things I Wish I Had Known Before…
Why [hobby] Is the Best Thing I Have Ever Tried
A Beginner's Guide to [topic]
Is [topic] Really Worth It? Here's What I Think

Hooks for the introduction

Have you ever wondered what it is like to…?
Hello again, readers! Today I have something exciting to share.
Last summer, something happened that changed the way I spend my weekends.
Guess what? You don't need lots of money to have an amazing hobby.

Conclusions

So, there you have it: my top tips for…
Trust me, once you start, you won't want to stop.
Who knows? You might be the next…

Calls to action

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
If you found this post useful, share it with a friend.
Try one of my tips this week and tell me how it goes.
Come back next week for my next post about…

6. Useful phrases and strong vocabulary

Telling your story

It all started when…
I'll never forget the day…
At first, I was terrible at it, but…
Little by little, I…

Giving tips

Here is my top tip: …
If you want to…, the first thing you should do is…
Don't worry if…
Trust me, …

Giving your opinion

In my opinion, …
Honestly, I think that…
The best thing about … is that…

Word / phrase	Meaning / use
hooked	very interested and unable to stop (I was hooked.)
beginner	someone who has just started learning something
confident	sure of yourself
challenge	something difficult that tests you
patient	able to wait calmly without getting angry
concentrate	to think hard about one thing
improve	to get better
recommend	to tell someone that something is good
inspire	to make someone want to do something
rewarding	it makes you feel happy because your effort was worth it
frustrating	annoying because you cannot do what you want
give it a go	to try something (friendly phrase)
share	to tell others or post something for others to see
followers / readers	people who read your blog

7. Timing in the exam

Time (Writing section, about 30 minutes)	What to do
0–5 min	G.A.A.P.: underline the Genre, the Audience, every point in the Area of content, and the Purpose. Write a short plan (one line per paragraph).
5–25 min	Write. Write for about 20 minutes: 4–6 paragraphs, about 250–350 words.
25–30 min	Check: layout, every task point covered, full stops and capital letters, commas, apostrophes, spelling of key words.

8. Strong sample: blog post

Blog post: a new hobby328 words · Strong answer — Creation 5/5 · Vocabulary 3/3 · Structure 7/7 · Grammar & punctuation 7/7 · Spelling 3/3

Task: Your school website has a blog where pupils write about their hobbies. Write a blog post about a hobby you enjoy. In your blog post you should: • explain how you started the hobby • give advice to readers who want to try it • explain why it is a good hobby for children your age.

Check, Mate! How a Boring Weekend Made Me a Chess Fan

Posted by Ali, Year 6 · 18 January 2026

Have you ever been so bored that you would try anything? That is exactly how my chess story began, and today I want to show you why this old game might become your new favourite hobby.

How it all started

Last winter, our internet stopped working for a whole weekend. No games, no videos, nothing! My grandfather pulled a dusty wooden box out of the cupboard and said, "Let me teach you the game I played when I was your age." I lost every single game that weekend (eleven in total), but I was completely hooked. By Monday, I was reading chess books in the school library at break time.

My top tips for beginners

Tip 1: Learn how each piece moves first. The knight is the trickiest because it jumps in an L shape.

Tip 2: Play slowly. Before every move, ask yourself one question: what is my opponent planning?

Tip 3: Don't be afraid of losing. Every defeat teaches you something new.

Tip 4: Join a club. Our school chess club meets every Tuesday in Room 12, and beginners are always welcome.

Why chess is good for you

Chess is not just a game – it is a workout for your brain. You have to concentrate, remember patterns and think several moves ahead. Mr Hesham, who runs our club, says that chess players often become more patient in maths lessons too. Best of all, chess helps you make friends. I have played against children from three different schools, and one of them is now my best friend.

So, are you ready to give it a go?

Chess costs almost nothing, you can play it anywhere, and you never stop learning. Who knows? You might become the next champion of our school.

Have you ever played chess? Tell me about your best (or worst!) game in the comments below.

Why this gets the marks

Creation of texts 5/5: all three task points are covered in their own sections: how it started (the internet story), advice (four practical tips), why it is good (brain, patience, friends). The voice is friendly and personal throughout, and the writer speaks straight to other pupils (you, your, our school chess club).
Vocabulary 3/3: topic words used precisely (opponent, knight, patterns, defeat, champion) plus natural blog expressions (completely hooked, a workout for your brain, give it a go).
Structure 7/7: every blog feature is in place (a catchy title with a pun, Posted by + date, a hook question, four subheadings in a logical order, a short conclusion and a call to action in the last line). The tips are set out as a clear numbered list.
Grammar & punctuation 7/7: questions, exclamations and a minor sentence for effect (No games, no videos, nothing!), complex sentences (The knight is the trickiest because it jumps… / Mr Hesham, who runs our club, says that…), direct speech punctuated correctly, brackets for extra information, a colon before an explanation (one question: what is…), a single dash for emphasis (…not just a game – it is a workout…), and apostrophes in short forms.
Spelling 3/3: completely, trickiest, opponent, beginners, concentrate, patient, champion, all correct.

9. Common mistakes

Mistake	Why it loses marks	Fix
Writing it like a diary (Dear Diary, …)	Wrong text type: Creation and Structure are capped.	A blog is public: write for readers you do not know, and talk to "you".
No subheadings	The blog layout is missing, so Structure stays low.	One subheading for each task point.
No call to action	The ending does not sound like a blog.	End with a question for the comments, or ask readers to try or share something.
Only facts, no personal voice	It reads like an information text.	Add an anecdote and your opinion (I, my, In my opinion).
Text-speak and emojis (lol, gr8)	Even a friendly blog must use correct English.	Friendly but correct: That was so funny!
Very short tips with no explanation	Points are not developed.	Tip + reason or example: Play slowly, because…

10. Checklist before you hand in

My title is catchy and matches the topic.
I wrote Posted by + my first name + the date.
My introduction starts with a hook (a question, a surprise or a short story).
Each task point has its own subheading and section with details.
I used I / my and spoke to the reader (you / your) several times.
I included at least one anecdote and one rhetorical question.
I ended with a call to action.
I checked apostrophes, commas, capital letters in the title and spelling.

سر الدرجة العالية في الـ Blog

اكتب الـ Blog كأنك تتحدث مع صديق على الإنترنت: استخدم I و you واطرح أسئلة على القارئ.
لا بد من: عنوان جذاب + Posted by واسمك + التاريخ + عنوان فرعي لكل نقطة في السؤال.
احكِ موقفاً حدث لك (anecdote)، وقدِّم نصائح مع سبب لكل نصيحة.
اختم دائماً بسؤال للقراء مثل: Tell me in the comments below! فهذا أهم ما يميز الـ Blog عن غيره.

11. Practice tasks

Task A: Your class blog is collecting posts called "My Perfect Weekend". Write a blog post. You should: • describe what you would do • explain why each activity would make you happy • give readers ideas for their own perfect weekend. Write a quick plan.
Show answer
Title: My Perfect Weekend (No Alarm Clocks Allowed!) · Posted by Mariam · date. Intro hook: Imagine waking up with no homework at all… Section 1 (What I would do): breakfast on the balcony, cycling in the park with my cousins, baking a cake with Grandma. Section 2 (Why it would make me happy): fresh air, family time, the smell of the cake. Section 3 (Plan your own!): three tips (make a list, switch off screens for a morning, invite a friend). Ending: What would YOUR perfect weekend look like? Tell me in the comments below!
Task B: Write a blog post for your school website giving advice to pupils who are starting Year 6 next year. You should: • describe what Year 6 is like • give advice about homework and exams • explain what you enjoyed most. List the subheadings you would use and one hook.
Show answer
Hook: Starting Year 6 next September? Don't panic – I've got you covered! Subheadings: What Year 6 Is Really Like / How to Survive Homework and Exams / The Best Bits / Final Words. The advice section could use numbered tips with a reason for each (e.g. Tip 1: Use a planner, because…). Call to action: Year 6 pupils, add your own tips in the comments!
Which of these is the best call to action for a blog? (a) The end. (b) Thank you for reading, yours sincerely. (c) Which tip will you try first? Let me know in the comments below!
Show answer
(c). It invites the reader to reply. (a) is a story ending, and (b) mixes in a formal letter sign-off, which is the wrong text type.
Turn this flat sentence into blog style: "Swimming is a good sport."
Show answer
Possible answer: Looking for a sport that makes you feel amazing? Trust me, swimming is the one – I've been hooked since I was seven! (A question to the reader, a personal voice, and a single dash for emphasis.)

All pages in this course

Start here: the exam

Reading: grammar & punctuation

Reading: understanding texts

Paper 1 writing: non-fiction

Paper 2 writing: fiction