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Continuous Writing (Essays)
Quick questions on Choosing and planning your essay explained: O-Level English
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is read every prompt before choosing?Show answer
The first instinct is to grab the prompt that looks easiest, but the better move is to read all of them and think briefly about each. For each prompt ask: do I have real ideas or a clear story for this? Can I keep it going for the full length? Does it suit my stronger essay type (narrative, descriptive or discursive)?
What are decode exactly what the prompt asks?Show answer
Before planning, underline the key words in your chosen prompt. A story prompt may fix an opening line you must use ("Write a story that begins: ...")
What is make a short, usable plan?Show answer
A plan is not a rough draft; it is a list of the essay's main moves in order. Two to three minutes is enough:
What are not reading the prompt's key words?Show answer
Missing a required opening line, a required element, or the exact question wording leads to an off-task essay.
What is q1?Show answer
Give two questions you should ask yourself when choosing between essay prompts. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why underlining the key words in a prompt is important. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Write a four-point plan for the prompt "Describe your favourite time of day." [3 marks]
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