10秋高级英语写作备考宝典

Exam Orientation: English for Studying

∙This document is prepared based upon the structure of the actual test paper for this course. You need to be familiar with the test components and then refer to the purple fonts below for review foci in each unit before the final examination.

General Notes on the Sample Test Paper

Part 1: Summary (Unit 3, Activity 4)

Focus:

∙General-specific: differentiating between general and specific ideas.

∙Paragraph construction

∙Cohesive devices: logical connectors

Techniques:

1.Identify and focus on key information and leave out unimportant specifics;

2.Attend to coherence when writing the summary paragraph.

3.Summarize in your own words and DO NOT copy from the original

4.Stay close to the original in meaning, tense, point of view and sequence of

information presented.

5.DO NOT add your personal views!!!

6.Stick to the length requirement (70-100 words).

Sample Summary:

Known as the most attractive peoples in Europe, the Swedes are traditional in social relationships, yet modern in technological advances. They follow strict rules and traditions in social situations. Moreover, they stick to punctuality in the respect for their people and people from other countries. On the other hand, they show their progressiveness by equipping their homes and outdoor places with efficient modern devices. They have also made use of the modern technology to modify the social system.

Marking Criteria for Summaries:

∙Check that all the information is included on the main aspects. (5 points)

∙Check that all the information is organized logically– main points listed in the order they are presented, the use of transitional phrases such as “moreover”, “also”, “on the other hand”, etc. (5 points)

∙Check that the language used is appropriate and accurate. The summary is written in the students’ own words. (5 points)

Part 2: Essay Writing (Units 6 & 7)

Focus:

∙Exposition (Unit 6: Activities 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5)

∙Argumentation (Unit 7: Activities 2 & 3)

Techniques:

∙Do read the instructions carefully to fully understand the requirement on the topic, the type, the length, the audience, the format, etc.

∙Do wisely manage the time: 2 minutes to study the instruction, 5 minutes to brainstorm and form an outline, 15~20 minutes to write, 15 minutes to check

grammar and spelling or to polish.

∙Remember there should be a title for this essay, which should follow proper title rules.

∙During proofreading stage, focus on subject-verb agreement, tense consistence, comma splice sentences, proper article use, proper pronoun reference, sentence

patterns, and punctuation marks.

∙Do keep nice layout and neat handwriting.

Marking Criteria:

∙Check the unity of the passage – the idea presented in each paragraph is related to the topic statement. (15 points)

∙Check the organization of the passage (coherence) –three paragraphs, topic statement, conclusion, ideas supported by relevant examples, use of transitional markers. (10 points)

∙Check the language use of the passage –use of grammar and punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, word choice. (7 points)

∙Check the length of the passage –200~250 words (3 points)

∙Check the layout of the passage –handwriting, space, paragraphing (5 points) Common problems and remedies in student essay writing:

∙Going off the topic → Read the prompt carefully before committed to writing. Ask relevant questions about the given topic to help you get started. Then decide on one particular question and center your writing around the answer to it and nothing else :) ∙Common grammar mistakes →Always leave out some time for revising. Pay close attention to subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, comma splice, pronoun reference, spelling, dangling modifiers.

∙Lack of time → No, no, no, this may happen in a nightmare but never in this test. You will have plenty of time for the final summary and essay. If I were you, I would read the essay topic as soon as I get the test paper to get my inspiration going on in the back of my brains, and then start working on the reading test. *Do not spend too much time on the reading section, at least not more than the suggested time for that section. Otherwise your writing section will be at risk.*By the time I reach the actual essay, I might already know my focus for this essay (again, remember that your focus should be relevant to the given topic :). All I need to do now would be to sketch a rough outline to my thesis for this essay, and 2-3 relevant sub-points to prove my thesis. Also I might jot down some examples/reasons to support my sub-points in the outline. Then when I start drafting, I would already have got a plan well set. That would help me stay focused in the writing process. After the actual writing, I would go back and check the unity, coherence and grammar to make sure I have done my best.