Preparing for exams can be stressful in itself. Even more so when a foreign language is involved, and still more when a whole set of skills is going to be assessed in a single exam, as is the case with the writing paper.
At Alos Idiomas we are convinced that if you have studied, absorbed what you have learnt and keep calm, then with a little mental organisation and a few small tips, preparing for the writing paper will be as easy as making yourself a coffee. Let’s get to it!
Tips for preparing a strong Writing paper in any language
Before we start, we would like to offer a brief thought. As you know, the most important thing in an exam, whatever the subject, is managing your time so that you cover everything. That is why, when you are sitting in front of a blank page waiting for the day’s topic, it is vital to have things clear in your mind so that you do not wander off the point.
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Clear ideas
The first tip is to go into the exam with clear ideas and a rough mental outline of the kinds of text you might write. Before you throw yourself into writing, choose one and stick to it as closely as you can. Think about it: how many times have you wanted to say so much that you ended up leaving more than half of it unsaid? Which brings us to today’s second tip.
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Organise your ideas
You have the topic, you have decided which structure you are going to use (or perhaps not yet, but you know your options) and you have plenty to say about that particular subject. Do not start writing in a panic: organise those ideas into blocks and think about how to link them together so that the whole thing is coherent and does not lose its thread.
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Do not forget the important parts
The introduction and the conclusion are as important as the text as a whole. With the first you set out the topic you are going to deal with, and with the last you give the final details and explain why you argue what you argue. In most texts, that is what people remember, the introduction and the conclusion, which is why they have to be good. Do not forget it.
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Never without my connectors
Quite so. A good text needs cohesion. And we do not achieve that with the content of our words alone. On the one hand, connectors help us link our ideas; on the other, they make the text flow more easily.
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Short sentences always work better
In Spanish we have the bad habit of writing long, never-ending sentences. So much so that a single sentence can turn into a whole forty-word paragraph. In other languages, however, that is not the case. It is better to opt for short, more direct sentences.
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Synonyms
From a very early age we have been told that we should know when to use synonyms and that it is a good thing to do. Why? Because the text is more enjoyable, of course, but also because it shows our linguistic range. Knowing how to use synonyms shows not only that we have the ability, but that we know the language well enough to do so.
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Neither too short nor too long
The word count does matter in these cases. It is not about writing an epic in an hour and a half, but it is important not to fall short, since you can even be penalised for it. That said, do not forget that if the text loses its sense simply because you are adding words, the cure will be worse than the disease.
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Check your text
You have finished the exam and you cannot wait to hand it in. Hold on a moment! Now that you have it, this is the time to go back over it and check the spelling, the grammar, the punctuation and everything we have just mentioned. It will only take five minutes, but those five minutes could make all the difference to your exam.
At Alos Idiomas we care about our students and we want them to get the very most out of our language courses. That is why we think it so worthwhile that you always bear in mind these tips for preparing the writing paper. We want to be with you through the process and, of course, through your successes. Get in touch with us for more information about language courses in Valencia, as well as intensive courses without leaving the city. Follow us on social media and keep up with all our news. You will find us on facebook, instagram and Linkedin.