Prepare for the next GCE O Level English Paper 1 Writing Test. If you wish to improve your chances of earning high grades, continue reading!
Typically, there are four questions from which to pick. 350 and 500 words are recommended for continuous writing.
To perform well in Continuous Writing, a candidate must exhibit expertise in the following:
- Content
- Grammar
- Sentences Structure
- Vocabulary
Content
The Material must be pertinent to the subject. For instance, if the topic asks the applicant to “explain the sights and sounds of a retail centre”, they should not write about Orchard Road since that would be irrelevant, even though Orchard Road is home to several shopping malls.
The issue demands applicants discuss the sights and sounds of a single retail mall in general, not simply one shop inside a shopping mall.
Preparation and organisation are the next suggestion for content. Too many students yield to peer pressure during an examination.
When the examiner states, “you may begin now”, many pupils will immediately begin writing after observing that their peers have already begun. So, kids may feel pressure to start writing as well. This is the wrong approach!
A candidate should resist the impulse to begin writing immediately and instead plan their writing. No one can remind a candidate to remember this throughout the examination. They should have the self-discipline to prepare the writing ahead; otherwise, the applicant may run out of content ideas halfway through, or the latter portion of their writing may not be consistent with the earlier portion. The candidate would then lose points.
However, many applicants disregard preparation and structure as unimportant, even though it is the most significant factor before writing an essay.
Grammar
A candidate is expected to have a working knowledge of English grammar after 10 years of formal schooling, including four years of secondary education.
Even if they have forgotten what a Noun or Verb is, they should still be able to create a sentence with proper grammar. However, this is not usually the case for the majority of pupils. When it comes to grammar, precision is essential.
While English grammar includes several areas, the themes are not foreign to the candidate. During their 10 years of formal schooling, the same ideas of English grammar are reviewed each year.
Although certain English grammar ideas are more challenging than others, a candidate may enhance their grammar by speaking, reading, listening, viewing, and writing.
Ultimately, it is up to the learner to improve their own grammar.
Sentence Structure
To receive good scores, it is not enough to compose grammatically accurate sentences; candidates must also demonstrate their ability to modify sentence patterns for clarity, expression, and purpose/effect.
To acquire and master these skills, most pupils would attend enrichment sessions outside of school. Borrowing books from the library to read is a cheaper alternative.
Vocabulary
Proper use of a varied vocabulary necessitates that vocabulary selection be exact.
The following approaches can be used to increase vocabulary (but are not limited to):
- Selection of words
- Using literary devices
- Use of stylistic tools
- Particular connotations/denotations
- Degree/Strength of language
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