Tips

I. First Language English

a) Extended Reading Passages (2 texts)

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A directed writing task based on the first text (speech, report, article, letter, diary, editorial etc). Remember you are being tested on your ability to take information from the extract and use it in your writing. Do NOT copy ideas – you need to rephrase them and develop them in a creative way.

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Writer’s effects: A discussion of the language used and its effects in the first text. You need to look for about four ideas for each. You need to quote – explain the meaning of the words – comment / analyse.

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A summary based on the TWO texts. You need to write two separate paragraphs; one for each summary. Make sure you find 15 ideas in total. Do not copy from the text; rewrite ideas in your own words. Do not include an introduction or a conclusion. Do not write long, flowery sentences; keep ideas concise. Do not include comment, opinion or analysis.

b) Directed Writing

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A written task based on a text support. This task could be one of the following: speech, review, report, leaflet, article, script, letter, diary, continuation of a story/narrative. Here you are being tested on your writing skills – think about Purpose – Register – Audience – Content – Text Type. Adapt your writing according to those FIVE criteria e.g. an article in a student magazine will not have the same register or vocabulary as an article in a The New Scientist. Again, you must take ideas from the information given BUT do not just copy.

Composition

You must answer one question out of six. Think about your strengths and which area of writing you are best at.

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Argumentative writing / Discursive Writing

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Descriptive Writing (we have not practised this in class)

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Narrative / Creative writing