Writing For Assessment

This article is an extension of my piece on EXAM TECHNIQUE (special needs). This considers THE ESSAY or EXTENDED WRITTEN PIECE and/or PROJECT.

Most academic and professional qualifications involve examination assessment requiring COMPOSITION. "THE ESSAY" is often a requirement for assessment, for continual assessment which is increasingly a requirement at secondary level and certainly tertiary, this can become an "EXTENDED ESSAY or PROJECT".

Most subject assessment require the student to present ideas effectively and coherently and in written exams the ability to express ideas in the form of composition of some kind. This requires understanding and using PUNCTUATION, PRECIS, SENTENCE, CONSTRUCTION, all very useful but essentially a means to an end.

There are 3 main stages to writing an essay/project for examination :

1. Choosing the subject and consider the significance of the title.

2. Collecting and sorting ideas.

3. Writing.

Choosing the subject : For the exam room check out my article on exam technique, for continuous assessment and situation where choice is available.

A bad choice does not help with a good essay (I have ideas available for my specialist subject ECONOMICS and to a lesser extent BUSINESS STUDIES and others).

COLLECTING AND SORTING IDEAS : some preliminary considerations will help. Jot down any ideas in a notepad. For a "timed sit down examination" do not plan to excess, you are limited by time (check out my article on exam technique in special needs). This is certainly less the case when considering a subject for continuous assessment and extended essays, detail is of the essence.

WRITING THE PEICE : planning the essay, time constraints are paramount. The idea is to present a coherent written piece on time for assessment.

Technique becomes rather more personal with practice, some people write the piece in rough 1st and copy it up - modern computers and word - processing software enhances the faculty for speed and presentation - it also increases competition.

PARAGRAPHING : A written piece needs to be divided into paragraphs or sections, even short pieces. A new paragraph is both a resting place for the EYE and an indication that a new development in the authors thought has started.

Good writing requires a definite theme (or sub theme) for each paragraph. you might open the paragraph or section with this, or alternatively it can be implied.

ORDERING SEQUENCING of PARAGRAPHS, this is achieved through planning, it normally starts with an INTRODUCTION and ends with a CONCLUSION.

THE INTRODUCTION : This part of the written piece may include the authors approach to the subject, what they hope to achieve. Keep it clear, it can include topics to be covered in the written piece.

THE CONCLUSION : This should be short enough to remember the salient points referring to what has been covered in the main body and sometimes the reason for the piece.

SOME TYPES OF ENDING, a reflective comment, a summary of impressions or opinions conveyed before, repetition of the opening words, a look into the future of the subject.

To be considered later : TYPES of COMPOSITION (English).

Sources my own experience in writing essays and projects for assessment, my teaching experience including exam technique, English for general assessment.