Virtual School of English
In association with Amazon.co.uk GENERAL
Writers on the Web
Timeline EXAMS
Lessons
Higher English/Higher Still
Shakespeare
FAQs
Creative Writing YOUR PAGES
Contact Us
Culture Vulture
|
The ReportTIME is the enemy. How long will it take you to write the 350 words which are required? At 10 words per minute, you would need 35 minutes for writing - add 5 for comfort. That means you have to start writing 40 minutes before the end of the exam (c.1040). The rest of the time has to be spent making an essay plan: 20 minutes (c. 1020-1040). When you have finished the plan - STICK TO IT, because there is no TIME left for second thoughts.
FIRST, study your assignment which will be phrased something like this: "Write a report on the development and current state of popular music." Anything which does not deal with either the development of popular music or its current state is irrelevant. Brief description of pop music and its importance in Britain Concerns about its current state Reactions to such concerns This is your essay plan. THEN read each article in turn and ask yourself of every sentence: do I WRITE or SCRUB this information? In other words, is this information relevant or not to the topic? In our example, does the sentence tell us anything about the development or the state of popular music? If it does, make a note of its meaning in your own words under one of the headings (is it a definition? does it tell us about the state music is in? or is it a reaction to concerns?). If it does not, then forget about it. And remember: you only have enough time to make the decision ONCE, so CONCENTRATE! THEN FINALLY: just using your notes, write a coherent article on the topic and STICK TO THE PLAN! STUDY THE TASK Home Page Higher English Index |