1. Plan for two minutes before you write
A short plan prevents rambling. Jot three bullet points: opening hook, two key paragraphs, conclusion.
2. Use the PEEL paragraph structure
Point → Evidence → Explain → Link back to the question. Examiners reward clear, developed paragraphs.
3. Upgrade vocabulary deliberately
Swap weak verbs (said, nice, bad) for precise alternatives. Keep a personal word bank from mark scheme exemplars.
4. Answer the exact question asked
Highlight key words in the question. Every paragraph should clearly connect back to those words.
5. Leave five minutes to proofread
Check spelling of subject terminology, full stops, and paragraph breaks. Easy marks are lost to careless errors.
Quick answers
Creative or transactional writing — which is harder?
Most students find transactional writing more predictable once they learn formal formats. Creative writing needs regular practice for descriptive techniques.
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