How can you get the English Examiner to like your Essay?
- Most Importantly: Answer the Question!
If the examiner does not know your "answer" after reading the introduction of your essay, you are guaranteed to start losing marks. Your introduction lays down what your essay is going to say. Don't rob the examiner of the most direct communication you have in your essay: the introduction.
- Evidence, Evidence, Evidence
Each paragraph of your essay makes a point (in the topic sentence) and proves it. By proving it, I mean gives enough evidence to be both convincing and valid. This means showing and explaining and linking back to what it is you're trying to say. In this is the art of weaving a quote into a sentence and showing how this information relates and is pertinent. Read your paragraphs and critically evaluate how effectively they make the point. Read a band 6 essay and compare, you'll see what is expected (or hoped for) and where you need to be.
- Style Baby!
How's your vocabulary? Limited? How's your understanding of sentence structure and grammar? So-so? Some people can simply express themselves with concision, power and precise diction. Others lack in one or more of these areas.
* Concision: Use a minimum of words to make your point. Do not clutter your sentences with words that don't add value and meaning.
* Power: Through the use of clear logic and effective expression, you will come across as someone who uses words powerfully and with purpose.
* Diction: Being able to use the best word in the most critical part of your sentence amplifies the previous two points. Saying the concept you are trying to convey in one precise word rather than several mediocre ones that vaguely coalesce into an approximation assists in concision and is at the core of powerful language and direct expression. This means increasing your vocabulary through both careful reading and a lot of writing.
Marking essays is actually quite simple and there is nothing random, or biased, or unfair about it. It is very easy to see the difference between responses that answer the question, back it up with good reasoning and evidence, and relate it with a clarity of expression against those responses that do not. Is it easy gaining the above skills? Of course not. It takes practise, feedback, practise, reflection, practise, criticism, and more practise.
Having read a few of the responses here in regards to "English" and "Suckage", it seems obvious that many of you just... don't... get... English. You just don't understand what it is they are trying to help you achieve. The course assists you in achieving a mastery of expression and clarity of insight that will help later on in life, even if in your limited experience you don't see it now. However, maybe what you want to do in life does not place many demands upon you in terms of communication. If standing at the back of the queue or at the rear of the room is fine by you, then hey, keep hating English. And this is coming from a maths tutor by the way. Anyone who says you can't be good at mathematics and English is lying - don't believe them.
Best Regards
Herremann