EXAMINATION REVIEW PAPER 3: SEPTEMBER 2016

SECTION A: ESSAY TOPIC CHOICES Twisting the Truth: Avoid blaming vague groups, like the government, for supposed things they have done. This topic lent itself to argumentative, discursive type content. Be careful of writing a thriller / detective story . It has to be very well crafted top be authentic and convincing.

2. Hope poem – on the whole this topic was well done, especially when it referred to personal experience. 3. Instant gratification – Well done. Good discursive topic. 4. Confucius quote: Make sure you understand the quote before you write on this kind of topic. 5. The comments by the judge – Good discursive/ argumentative essay. Note: the essay asked for your response. 6. The pictures: There MUST be a clear link between the picture and the essay. Ways to make the link clear: Write directly around the picture Refer to elements in the picture. If you are writing figuratively, put in links and hints in, related to the picture throughout your essay, so if the only time you mention the picture directly is at the end, you have built up the connection through the essay.

STYLE AND WRITING ERRORS Common errors abound : Split infinitive/ comma splice/ due to / redundancy (I went to visit, reflecting back on) / Tense changing . Pick a tense and stay in it – unless logic dictates otherwise. Mixing of pronouns. If you are using “you” do not switch to “we” and “our”. If the essay asks for your reflections, or experiences, use “I”. Remember for whom you are writing. Be conscious of the reader. Do not make the discursive essay a speech. There must be a link between the beginning of your essay and the end. Do not introduce any new ideas into your conclusion. Commonly misspelt words: a lot/ each other/ disappointing/ truly / Your essay needs to be coherent, authentic and sincere. Most people do this best if they are writing from their own experience.

SECTION B: TRANSACTIONAL Letter to the press: Format errors / Remember the editor is just the vehicle for the information which is directed to the public. Remember to give full details, you need to inform the public/ Headline. Magazine article: Misunderstanding of “Hidden treasures” - unknown. NOT familiar tourist spots, NOT literal treasures. Must be appropriate to Getaway Magazine.

Review: A review must give full details of the circus – the name, venue, duration of stay. Critical evaluation of acts. Recommendation. 4. Job application: Include a note about CV attached/ Don’t tell the employer why you need the job and what good it would do for you. He would be more interested in what you can offer him. Experience should be offered. Details - contact number and referees names. 5. Interview: A hit and run accident is one where the driver knocks over someone and rides away from the scene. / The interview needs to be FORMAL and FACTUAL. Do not make a short story out of the interview. Details of WHEN, WHERE, WHO, HOW and WHAT must be included.

6. Speech: Tone is important. Do not be too familiar 6. Speech: Tone is important. Do not be too familiar. Remember, the speech is NOT about you. Details must come through in the speech. Do not insult your friend – even to joke. The purpose is to honour the achievement. 7. Email: Format correctly. Tone is very important in this letter. You cannot insult your neighbour as he or she will be around longer than the pig.

GENERAL ERRORS Formats need to be learnt. You lose all credibility if you get the format wrong. Details are important. Imagine you are the recipient(s) of the piece. What would you need to know? Tone is important. Sincere, realistic, authentic, well communicated. Do NOT try to be funny. It often falls flat and goes against point 3 above.