In the second half of the Language exam, you will have to write two pieces of non-fiction. You have an hour to complete the tasks:

writing timings

 

Planning

Firstly, be aware of TAP; text type, audience and purpose. You are being tested on your skills at writing particular types of non-fiction texts for specific purposes.

writing TAP REAL

The next thing you need to do is plan. It’s best to follow the five paragraph essay plan under exam conditions. It is a rather predictable format, but will ensure that your essay is organised:

writing 5 para plan

Writing

Once you have the skeleton of your writing planned, it’s time to add the meat and write. This is your chance to prove that the last 11 years of learning literacy were not in vain (not too much pressure eh?) Write in a way that is interesting and engaging for the reader, choose vocabulary carefully and develop detail in your writing. You should also be aware of the conventional style of the particular type you have been asked to write; for description, evoke the senses; for persuasion, use rhetorical questions and hard-hitting facts. Here are some features of the four writing styles:

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Proof Reading

Try to allow some time for proof-reading your work. One-third of the marks available are for grammar, spelling and punctuation. Ensure that sentences make sense, and are clearly structured using a range of punctuation. You could also check that your paragraphs are suitable and well linked, and that spelling is correct – maybe even change a word or two to add variety to vocabulary. Here is the mark scheme for accuracy of writing:

writing mark scheme - accuracy

Here are the mark schemes for the top two bands of both writing questions (A*-D):

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Revision

To revise further you could read articles online (Click for link to websites):

guardian

telegraph

independent

You could also plan and write responses to the following questions:

  • Argue whether life is hard or easy for teenagers in the 21st century.
  • Write an argument either for or against having metal detectors in school.
  • Write an informative article for the local newspaper about opportunities for young people in your town.
  • Write an informative blog about someone you admire – it could be someone you know, or a famous figure.
  • Describe a scene in a war-torn area.
  • Describe your dream home.
  • Write a letter to your local MP to persuade them to invest more in facilities for young people.
  • Write a speech to your classmates to persuade them to vote for you as ‘Student of the Year 2013’.