Strategies for Elevating Your Essay Writing Skills

                                     


A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”

— Richard Bach


Here's the undiluted truth: There is no way you can write effectively about something that you have  limited or no knowledge of.

This is certainly the case when we consider writing a persuasive essay for CXC English A. Also, when we consider that the essay topic you will get on Section D of the paper is mandatory and you will not know until the day of the exam what this topic will be, it is prudent that you gather as much knowledge as you can about a range of topics leading up to the exams. You definitely don't want to be in the exam room screaming inside because you have no clue what the essay question is asking you to do.

Bottom line:  The quality and quantity of the information you have stored in your mind determines the content you put on the examination paper. If you store nothing, you cannot withdraw anything. Can you drive a car if there is no gasoline in the gas tank? Can you withdraw water from a well if it is empty?

There are several strategies you can use to avoid the weight of frustration that comes from being clueless in an exam setting and enjoy the freedom that comes with knowing what to write and how to write it.

I have outlined a few of these strategies below.

Strategy # 1: Read a variety of articles, blogs, and books. There is a wealth of knowledge that will come your way when you read. There is no shortage of endorsements for the benefits that come from reading. Pause and perform a reading inventory. Are you satisfied with your reading diet? If you aren't, make the necessary adjustments by reading material that exposes your mind to the events and perspectives that are happening in your country, region and the world.

Strategy # 2: Stay attuned to current affairs by tuning into podcasts, YouTube videos, radio interviews, and news features. These are alternative sources of information that are quite popular. Every day, individuals share their views, research findings and experiences via these avenues and you can certainly learn a lot about a variety of topics by accessing them.

Strategy # 3: Familiarise yourself with the organisational features of an essay. Writing an essay is not about throwing your views randomly on paper. You are expected to demonstrate the ability to structure an essay. This means you should know about the parts of the essay, paragraphing and persuasive techniques. 

Strategy # 4: Practise to write essays. This means whenever you are given essay writing tasks in class, make use of these opportunities. They will give you the practice you need and help you to know how well you are mastering this type of writing. Additionally, you can take the initiative and write essays. The more you write essays, the easier it will become, especially in exam conditions.

Strategy # 5: Seek feedback on what you have written from either your teacher or peers. Do not see feedback as a death sentence on your abilities, but as a useful means of measuring your competence. If you are writing the right way, feedback offers confirmation, and if there are areas you are falling short in, feedback will shed light on where you need to improve.

Strategy # 6: Improve your use of English. Since it is an English based exam, you will be assessed for expression. This includes your grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence construction. Do not hold back on learning as much as you can about the rules and vocabulary of English language. After all, English is the vehicle you will use to transport your thoughts from your mind to the paper. Ensure your vehicle is in good writing condition.

As you prepare to write the essay for the CXC English A examination, be more intentional with how you build your competence in this writing task. Remember that competence will not come without consistent effort on your part.


BONUS FEATURE!!

Check out the checklist below. You can use it to measure for yourself if your essay is doing what it should.

CHECKLIST

1. Do you understand what the essay question is requiring you to do?

2. What is your stance on the given topic? Do you agree or disagree?

3.  Does your essay have an introduction, body and conclusion?

4. Does your essay have at least three supporting points? 

5. Have the three supporting points been developed in three separate body paragraphs?

6. Have you used the five paragraph format?

7. Have you used link words and done so appropriately?

8. Did you adhere to the prescribed word limit of 250-300 words?

9. Have you demonstrated an ability to use English effectively to express your ideas?

10. Does your essay should evidence of proofreading?


These questions should be useful in helping you to monitor how well you have executed the writing task.

ALL THE BEST as you work on ELEVATING your essay writing skills.


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