There is more to it than meets the eye when it comes to mastering the art of O level English writing.
The most important tip of all is to give yourself enough time for O level English writing preparation. Anything less than a year is not really a good idea as you will need time to practice the formulas needed to write well.
Tip #1 – Give Yourself Time In O Level English Writing
Start at least one year before your O level English writing exams or more. Why? You will need to digest the techniques and formulas for writing. Mastering the grand art of writing for your O-Level English Composition paper is something which requires effort and time.
If you start early enough, there will be enough practice for memory recall. Studying at the last minute may lead to exam blocks where you will find it hard to recall.
In the space of a year, you will be able to learn and practice new techniques as well as give enough time for practising past year O-Level English papers.
Tip #2 – The Plan
Once you have started, make sure that you have a Plan. Give yourself enough time for each of the sections. The ones with the highest marks weightage will be Section 1 of the O level English writing paper. This is also called continuous writing.
Make sure that you sign up with a good tutor who is able to inspire you with new formulas and techniques. The formulas should be easy to practice and should not be too difficult. After all, the whole point of it is to use these for practical purposes.
There are many styles for writing really sophisticatedly and professionally. The school template teaches you to organise in paragraphs and Peels. However, there is more to it than that.
You will need at least 2 O level English writing formulas and techniques to get you into the style of elegant writing. Learn these and memorise them. Practice them with vigour and make sure that you are able to know which contexts to use them in.
Tip #3 – Literary Devices
The use of literary devices can be a great asset in writing well. You do not have to be a literature student to use them. Metaphors, similes, irony and tone are some of the literary devices you can use to write dynamically.
Always look for that artistic touch when you want to express yourself. Stay away from the mundane. Literary devices will help you to achieve this target.
Eg. Instead of saying “he spoke a great deal,” you may mention “a stream of words issued from him.”
Which sounds better? The second?
Of course. That’s because the second way arouses curiosity about ‘him.’ The first one, well, sounds rather annoying. Speaking a great deal is not something anyone would like to know about. It sounds boring as well.
Always aim to pique the reader’s interest in O level English writing. That is your job.
Tip #4 – Think out of the Box
Always aim to write the story from a professional rather than a school student’s persona. This will help in raising the standard of O level English writing.
For example, do not always write about problems pertaining to exams, working hard or not and teachers. Isn’t there more to life than this? (I hope you did not answer yes 😊)
Try to think a little out of the box. Why not imagine something about working during your holidays? You may write about a temporary job and your work experience? Or you may write about yourself facing the challenges of your new job as a young adult.
Or you may write about your travel experience. Going to a strange, new place with a different sub-culture can be a refreshing way of discussing your problems and resolutions in O level English writing.
Example
“Iceland was nothing like what I thought it was from the internet. Most people would have thought of it as being sparsely populated with large swabs of white icy patches covering most of the land. Well, that was a misconception. The hotel I stayed at was surrounded by malls and a busy thoroughfare. There was an endless stream of visitors snaking through the shopping area which left me aching to know more about their lifestyle. Some of the people looked Asiatic and spoke with such a strange accent that I found myself gravitating towards their lack of concern for pretensions.”
This is a descriptive account of your travel experience. Note how the narrative has nothing to do with school or your day-to-day life? It is hardly humdrum.
Tip #5 – The Unexpected Finish
With tip 5, I have to ask you to forget about all your preconceived notions about writing. Be bold and start from scratch. Learn new O level English writing techniques and formats. Veer away from predictable outcomes. Try to aim for a surprise ending or a shocking realisation.
So, how do you stay away from predictable outcomes? The best way is to learn how to make the plot enticing. If there is a culprit in the story, do not make it too obvious. And stay away from statements like “I knew it had to be him.”
A professional writer never reveals the outcome at the start. If you maintain a sense of mystery, credibility in your writing will be established.
Always add a pinch of suspense amidst descriptive narrative. Make the ending a smooth one yet totally unexpected. This will add more worth to your conclusion.
Tip #6 – World Affairs
If you are writing an argumentative or expository essay, make sure that you have read current affairs in the world. Make sure you are well-informed. Major breaking news should be at your fingertips.
Also be observant and take note of lifestyles and changes. Examine the way people react to changes and how they change themselves.
Pay attention to social topics such as family relationships. “How do children behave today?” Are they obedient and follow their parents’ teachings? Or do they have a mind of their own?
Observation of the way people behave in society in different social groups is very important in writing argumentative and expository topics.
60% of O level English writing essay topics on argumentative and expository are on family and cultural centred themes. All you have to do is read or watch the news about it. And observe. Your powers of observation will serve you well.
Tip #7 – Subjective Writing
That subjective way of writing. Writing subjectively is a must whether it is for a narrative or argumentative essay. You will need to litter the essay with your own opinions or feelings. How do you do it?
Write in a confident tone and make sure that whatever you write has a shred of truth in it. It does not have to be a piece of evidence but it can be a ‘truth.’ It should be a general observation based on truisms. Eg. “To thine own self be true.” This statement is obvious but it holds a certain amount of truth. This was by William Shakespeare, Hamlet by the way.
Couch your arguments in a truth or work around a truism. This can be an excellent starting point for an O level English writing essay on people’s practices or subcultures. Try practising this till you are perfect.
It takes a bit of time and patience to sound truly natural when you write this way but it will be worth the effort as your essays will convey poise and confidence.
We have come to the end of the 7 Tips for O level English writing. Each one of them is meant to prime you till you reach the threshold of perfect writing. All you have to do is start practising them.