How to Improve Your Essay in CEFR-aligned SPM Writing Part 2

How to Improve Your Essay in CEFR-aligned SPM (1119/2) Writing Part 2

What is Writing Part 2?

• Essay task

• Obligatory - MUST complete

• Word length requirement: 125 - 150 words

• Aimed at a proficiency range of A2-B2

Which of the following essays will receive a higher mark?

You are going to read two essays written by your peers. Which essay do you think will receive a higher mark?

Essay A

Essay B

Poll

Which of the two essays will receive a higher mark? Essay A or Essay B?

• Essay A receives higher mark than Essay B.

• Essay B receives higher mark than Essay A.

• Both essays receive the same mark.

Open Ended

Why do you say so?

Let's look at the Content.

• Is the content relevant?

• Is there any omission?

• Is there any misinterpretation of task?

Essay A

Multiple Select

Which of the following points are present in Essay A?

• what the writer would do to keep fit and healthy

• the reasons for her choice

• where she usually carries out her fitness activities

Essay B

Multiple Select

Which of the following points are present in Essay B?

• what the writer would do to keep fit and healthy

• the reasons for her choice

• where she usually carries out her fitness activities

So, make sure you understand the task and write on ALL the points given.

DO NOT LEAVE OUT ANY POINT.

Let's look at the Communicative Achievement.

• Does the writer use the convention of an essay?

• Does the essay communicate straightforward or simple ideas? Simple ideas require only a few words to communicate, e.g. I like pop music.

• Are all the communicative purposes achieved?

• Does the essay hold the target reader's attention? Is it convincing?

Essay A

Multiple Select

Choose the criteria that are present in Essay A.

• Does the writer use the convention of an essay?

• Does the essay communicate straightforward ideas?

• Are all the communicative purposes achieved?

• Does the essay hold the reader's attention?

Essay B

Multiple Select

Choose the criteria that are present in Essay B.

• Does the writer use the convention of an essay?

• Does the essay communicate straightforward ideas?

• Are all the communicative purposes achieved?

• Does the essay hold the reader's attention?

So, make sure you write in the appropriate style and use the convention of an essay.

WRITE STRAIGHTFORWARD IDEAS AND TRY TO HOLD THE TARGET READER'S ATTENTION.

Let's look at the Organisation.

• Is the essay coherent?

• Is the essay organised?

• Does the essay use simple connectors (e.g. and, because) or a variety of cohesive devices (e.g. otherwise, if) appropriately?

Open Ended

List down the connectors and cohesive devices used in the previous essay.

page 1

page 2

Open Ended

List down the connectors and cohesive devices used in the previous essay.

So, make sure you organise your points and connect them using a variety of cohesive devices.

Let's look at the Language.

• Is vocabulary appropriate?

• Is there a range of grammatical forms?

• Do the errors impede communication?

Open Ended

List the vocabulary in the essay.

Multiple Choice

Does the essay use a range of grammatical forms?

• Yes

• No, it's mostly simple sentences of the similar patterns.

Which of the following essays contain more serious errors?

Essay A

Essay B

Multiple Choice

Which essay contains more serious errors?

• Essay A

• Essay B

• Both essays contain equally noticeable serious errors.

So, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical forms.

ALWAYS EDIT YOUR ESSAY TO REDUCE SERiOUS ERRORS.

READ DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEXTS SO THAT YOU LEARN HOW TO USE A VARIETY OF WORDS AND GRAMMATICAL FORMS.

Let's try to improve this essay!

Open Ended

How would you improve this essay?

Multiple Select

SUMMARY

Which of the following are the assessment criteria for Writing Part 2?

• Content

• Communicative Achievement

• Organisation

• Language

Today's Task

Choose one of the essays written by your peers and read the comments given. Then, re-write the essay to improve on it.

OR

Answer the essay question in Slide 3.

Poll

Do you enjoy today's lesson?

• Yes

• No

Open Ended

Why do you say so? Do let me know how I can make your online learning experience better.