ESSAY WRITING FOR EXAMS CLAIRE WALLIS FACULTY OF LANGUAGES

EXAM ESSAYS Analyze the question. Make a quick plan and stick to it. Think about useful language. Make sure you don’t go off topic. Leave spaces between your paragraphs for additions and cancellations. Read it back (edit and correct)

MARKING CRITERIA CONTENT ORGANIZATION REGISTER RANGE ERROR CORRECTION COHESION TARGET READER

MARKING CRITERIA CONTENT – answer the question ORGANIZATION – clear paragraphs REGISTER - formal RANGE – showing a variety of structures ERROR CORRECTION – NO basic mistakes COHESION – linking words TARGET READER – appropriate for a university setting

PLANNING Introduction – restate the exam question and give a clear thesis statement. Paragraph 1 – First point. Explained and developed with example/s. Paragraph 2 – Second point. Explained and developed with example/s. Conclusion – summarise what has already been said. No new ideas. Your personal opinion.

WHAT IS THE QUESTION? It is not unreasonable to state that in most homes, offices and public places a computer or numerous computers can be found. A significant percentage of the population even carry one around with them as they go about their daily business and would, perhaps, feel lost without their precious device. Although progress is undoubtedly a good thing, some people, myself included, feel that this reliance on technology generally does more harm than good.

TITLE We are becoming increasingly dependant on computers. Should we consider this dependence a good thing or should we be more suspicious of the benefits it gives us?

HOW IS THE WRITER GOING TO ARGUE? It is not unreasonable to state that in most homes, offices and public places a computer or numerous computers can be found. A significant percentage of the population even carry one around with them as they go about their daily business and would, perhaps, feel lost without their precious device. Although progress is undoubtedly a good thing, some people, myself included, feel that this reliance on technology generally does more harm than good.

HOW IS THE WRITER GOING TO ARGUE? It is not unreasonable to state that in most homes, offices and public places a computer or numerous computers can be found. A significant percentage of the population even carry one around with them as they go about their daily business and would, perhaps, feel lost without their precious device. Although progress is undoubtedly a good thing, some people, myself included, feel that this reliance on technology generally does more harm than good.

FOCUS CONTENT – answer the question ORGANIZATION – clear organized paragraphs with focus on the introduction REGISTER – FORMAL (no contractions, limited phrasal verbs, no colloquial language, no excessive punctuation (!!!), a strong use of the passive)

LANGUAGE A STRONG USE OF THE PASSIVE Impersonal passive Noun + verb in the passive + infin/perfect infinitive Language learning is expected to become obligatory in most schools. There + verb in passive + infin/perfect infinitive There is reported to have been vast sums of money invested in language education.

LANGUAGE It + verb in the passive + that clause It is believed that boys learn faster than girls. This tool also helps you to avoid being BOLD. It is imperative that claims are supported and you are tentative in what you state.

LANGUAGE – GIVING EXAMPLES A case in point is What immediately comes to mind is A valid example… A relevant example…