Overview of the English First Additional Language Paper 3: Writing Exam

The Paper 3: Writing exam is 2 ½ hours long. There are THREE sections. You must answer ONE question from EACH of the three sections. The total of the marks for the exam is 100.

Here is a summary of the three sections in the Paper 3: Writing exam:

Section

Text types

What marks are awarded for

Number of marks

Section A

Essays

  • Content and planning
  • Language, style and editing
  • Structure

30 marks
15 marks
5 marks

Total: 50 marks

Section B

Longer transactional texts

  • Content and planning
  • Language, style and editing

18 marks
12 marks

Total: 30 marks

Section C

Shorter transactional texts

  • Content and planning
  • Language, style and editing

12 marks
8 marks

Total: 20 marks

 It is recommended that you spend the following amount of time on each section:

  • Section A: Essays (50 marks) 80 minutes
  • Section B: Longer transactional texts (30 marks) 40 minutes
  • Section C: Shorter transactional texts (20 marks) 30 minutes
  • You must show your planning and draft version of all your work. The plan must appear BEFORE each text. Make sure that the planning and draft version of your final work is clearly labelled as such. It is advisable to draw a line through your planning.
  • Give each text type that you write a suitable title or heading. Do not include the title or heading in the word count.
  • Make sure you number your answers correctly, according to the numbering system used in the question paper.
  • Start each section on a new page. 

Question words

Here are examples of question types found in the exam.

Question type

What you need to do

Literal: Questions about information that is clearly given in the text or extract from the text

Name characters/places/things ...

Write the specific names of characters,

places, etc.

State the facts/reasons/ideas …

Write down the information without any discussion or comments.

Give two reasons for/why …

Write two reasons (this means the same as ‘state’).

Identify the reasons …

Write down the reasons.

Describe the place/character/ what happens when …

Write the main characteristics of something, for example: What does a place look/feel/smell like? Is a particular character kind/rude/aggressive …

What happened when …

Write what happened.

Why did this happen …

Given reasons for what happened.

Who did …

Write down who is responsible for the action.

To whom does xx refer …

Write the name of the relevant character/ person.

Reorganisation: Questions that need you to bring together different pieces of information in an organised way.

Summarise the main points/ideas

Write the main points, without a lot of detail.

Group the common elements …

Join the same things together.

Give an outline of …..

Write the main points, without a lot of detail.

Inference: Questions that need you to interpret (make meaning of) the text using information that may not be clearly stated. This process involves thinking about what happened in different parts of the text; and using your own knowledge to help you understand the text.

Explain how this idea links …

Identify the links.

Compare the attitudes/actions of

character x with character y …

Point out the similarities and differences.

What do the words … suggest/ reveal about /what does this situation tell you about …

State what you think the meaning is,

based on your understanding of the text.

How does x react when ….

Describe how something affected

State how you know that x is …

Write down the character's/person's reaction or what the character/person did or felt.

What did x mean by the expression …

Explain why the character/person used

those particular words.

Is the following statement true or false?

Write ‘true’ or ‘false’ next to the question number. You must give a reason for your answer.

Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence (multiple choice question).

A list of answers is given, labelled A–D. Write only the letter (A, B, C or D) next to the question number.

Complete the following sentence

by filling in the missing words …

Write the missing word next to the question number.

Quote a line from the extract to

prove your answer.

Write the relevant line of text using the same words and punctuation you see in the extract. Put quotation marks (“ ” inverted commas) around the quote.

Evaluation Questions that require you to make a judgement based on your knowledge and understanding of the text and your own experience.

Discuss your view/a character’s feelings/a theme ...

Consider all the information and reach a conclusion.

Do you think that …

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to these questions, but you must give a reason for your opinion based on information given in the text.

Do you agree with …

In your opinion, what …

Give your views on …

Appreciation Questions that ask about your emotional response to what

happens and how the text is written.

How would you feel if you were x

when …

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer to these questions, but you must give a reason for your opinion based on information given in the text.

Discuss your response to …

Do you feel sorry for …

Discuss the use of the writer’s style, diction and figurative language, dialogue …

To answer this type of question, ask yourself: Does the style help me to feel/ imagine what is happening or how someone is feeling? Why/why not? Give a reason for your answer.

Words to Know

These are words about writing and text types that you should learn.

abbreviations

words which are shortened, e. g. prof (professor). Do not use contractions in formal writing.

active voice

the subject of a sentence carries out the action e.g. the team won the game.

advertisement

a notice or announcement in a public medium such as newspapers, radio or television, which promotes a product, service, or event

agenda

a list of items to be discussed at a meeting

argumentative essay

an essay which strongly supports one side of an argument

article

a piece of writing published in a newspaper or magazine

audience

the person or people who are expected to read a particular piece of writing

characters

the people who play a part/feature in an essay, story or play

climax

the high point of a piece of writing. A story builds up to a climax

colloquial

informal, everyday language e.g. okay, guys

contractions

words which are joined and therefore shortened e.g. didn’t (did not). An

apostrophe must be placed where a letter/letters have been left out. Contractions should not be used in formal writing.

covering letter

the letter which is sent with a CV

curriculum vitae (CV)

a document which lists a person’s personal details. A CV is submitted with an application for a job.

descriptive essay

an essay which focuses on describing a person, a place or experience

dialogue

a conversation between two or more people

diary

a written record of a person’s experiences and thoughts

directions

information explaining how to go somewhere

discursive essay

an essay which considers an argument from many points of view

draft

a first version of a piece of writing

edit

to read a text carefully and correct errors in it

eulogy

a speech given at a funeral in praise of someone

figures of speech

expressions which are not meant to be taken literally e.g. similes, metaphors, alliteration, onomatopoeia. The purpose of figures of speech is to add detail and life to writing.

first person

I, me, we ,us

flyer

an advertisement on a piece of paper which can be given to people

format

the way a piece of writing is set out on a page e.g. a letter has a format (address/es, date etc)

genre

type of writing e.g. play, poem, narrative essay

graphics

drawings used to give more detail, to attract the reader, or to explain something e.g. most printed advertisements have written information, as well as graphics

instructions

words used to explain how to do something e.g. to build a model aeroplane,

or to assemble a computer

interview

a situation in which one person (the interviewer) asks another person

(interviewee) questions

invitation card

a polite request in writing for someone to attend a function e.g. a prize-

giving, or party

irony

something which is the opposite of what is expected e.g. she found maths difficult at school, so it is an irony that she is now an accountant.

key words

the most important words in a piece of writing. You may be asked to underline key words to improve your understanding of a passage.

language

the way in which something is written. It includes grammar, such as punctuation, correct use of verbs, etc.

minutes

the written record of a meeting

narrative essay

an essay which tells a story

narrator

the person who tells a story

obituary

a piece of writing about the life and personal qualities of someone who has

recently died

objective

a neutral, unbiased attitude

passive voice

the object of a sentence becomes the subject e.g. the game was won by the

team.

perspective

a particular way of thinking. People look at life from different perspectives.

plot

the main points of a story

point of view

a particular attitude or way of looking at a matter

postcard

a card for sending a message by post without an envelope. Only a small

amount of information can fit onto a postcard.

poster

a large printed written notice, or picture used to advertise or to decorate. Posters may display only writing, only a picture, or a combination of pictures and writing. Movies are often advertised on posters.

practice/practise

practice (noun) e.g. there will be a soccer practice this evening; practise (verb) e.g. I practise writing essays every week.

reflective essay

an essay in which the writer thinks about an experience, or feelings about a

topic

register

the use of different language styles to suit different speakers and audiences. Language can be formal (e.g. how do you do?) or informal (e.g. hi/howzit) depending on who is speaking and who is being addressed.

report

a factual account of an event such as an accident which has taken place, often after an investigation.

review

a piece of writing which considers the good and bad points of e.g. a book, play or restaurant

rubric

a detailed explanation of how a piece of work will be assessed

setting

the place where events take place in a piece of writing

structure

the way in which a piece of writing is put together. There should be an introduction, body and conclusion.

style

The way in which something is written e.g. formal, informative

subjective

from a particular point of view; often emotional and one-sided

text

a piece of writing. This could be e.g. a novel, an article in a newspaper, a

poem, etc. A visual text is a picture.

third person

he, she, it, they

tone

the emotional message contained in a text e.g. the tone of the letter is angry

and critical.

transactional writing

writing intended for a particular function, such as to inform or persuade

Here are the correct spellings of useful words.
Learn to spell these words correctly before you take the exam.

accommodate/accommodation

achieve

acquaintance

acquire

advertisement

advice - noun - e.g. My father gave me good advice.

advise – verb – e.g. I asked my father to advise me.

argument

beautiful

beginning

business

calendar

commitment

committed

committee

conscience

conscious

dairy

deceive

definitely

definition

diary

disappear

disappoint - HINT: when you add a prefix onto a word, simply add the prefix to

the word disappoint

embarrass/embarrassment

environment

exaggerate

excitement

existence

favourite

finally

foreign

friend

glamorous

government

grammar

guarantee

humorous

immediately

independent

interrupt

laboratory

licence – noun e.g. I have a driver’s licence.

license – verb e.g. I must remember to license my car.

mischievous

necessary

noticeable

obedience

occasion

occurrence

original/originally

peace

piece

practically

practice - noun e.g. He did not attend singing practice.

practise - verb e.g. He practises singing each day.

privilege

probably

proceed

publicly

receive

recommend

referred/referring

scared

scarred

separate

sincerely

successful

thorough

through

tomorrow

truly

unnecessary - HINT: when you add a prefix onto a word, simply add the prefix to the word - unnecessary

until

unusual - HINT: when you add a prefix onto a word, simply add the prefix to the word = unusual

usual

weight

wherever

Last modified on Wednesday, 08 September 2021 12:18