The Planning Stage: some considerations
The Planning Stage: some considerations
CONTEXT
As you know, using your time effectively is essential for this part of the exam. You must complete two writing tasks within the allocated 1 hour and 20 minutes. This gives you 40 minutes per task.
It is crucial to use this time wisely so that you can complete the writing tasks on time, do them successfully, and still have time to revise.
WHY CAN PLANNING HELP?
Spending a few of those minutes organising your ideas can significantly improve the overall result of your writing.
- It will improve clarity and flow.
- It will prevent the repetition of ideas.
- It will make you feel more in control while you write.
- It will help you stay on track and avoid using irrelevant ideas.
STRATEGIES I CAN USE
If planning doesn’t come naturally at first, don’t worry—this skill takes practice. Give yourself some time to get used to it. Rest assured, it will pay off.
- Read the question carefully TWICE.
- Think of your ideas.
- Write down the structure (e.g. words that indicate the main ideas in each paragraph).
- Brainstorm vocabulary related to the topic.
Planning involves some brainstorming, so it might not look tidy. You might generate several ideas that you later decide to cross out or discard. That’s perfectly fine! What’s important is that your final text is clearly organised and rich in content—planning will help achieve this.
CLASS DISCUSSION
Let’s discuss these ideas together:
- Does planning save time or waste it? Justify your answer.
- Do I need to write full sentences in my planning?
- How can I plan my ideas effectively?
Thanks for reading! 