Exam advice from my teacher.

[Tammi224]

I don't know if any of you will find this helpful but i thought i might share it.

Many of us want to write 2 amazing essay's right? But we always stress if we have enough time and what not (at least i do).
My teacher told we that as both essay's are out of 20. it is much better to write 2 standard, nothing overly special essay that can get you a mark between 12 and 15 than just write one amazing essay and not have enough time for the other.

Seems logical that you would want 2 essays that are overall like 24 or 30 / 40. But many people write one amazing essay and only get like 18/40 because they didn't have enough time for their second essay.

[t_huynh]

i agree with this. my teacher also gave me this advice, its basically all about time management. My teacher has also been told by the chief examiner that essays shoule be at least 2 pages in length to be able to thoroughly analyse themes and issues of the text etc. So just set yourself that target in preparation for the exam when practising timed essays. Though of course, we would have to consider the balance between quality and quantity. 

[mykey]

My teacher has also been told by the chief examiner that essays shoule be at least 2 pages in length to be able to thoroughly analyse themes and issues of the text etc.

As if anyone would possibly write LESS than 2 pages? Wouldn't you get a pretty poor mark if you didn't write AT LEAST 2.5-3 pages?
Actually don't know what the word count recommendation for Lit exam? Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks

[Menang]

My teacher has also been told by the chief examiner that essays shoule be at least 2 pages in length to be able to thoroughly analyse themes and issues of the text etc.

As if anyone would possibly write LESS than 2 pages? Wouldn't you get a pretty poor mark if you didn't write AT LEAST 2.5-3 pages?
Actually don't know what the word count recommendation for Lit exam? Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks

Yeah, you'd most probably need to write more than 2 pages to get a good mark, but that's no reason to belittle those who write less than that...

Generally I heard the recommendation is 800-1000 words per essay, but the over 40's are (generally) 1,000 words or more.

[mykey]

1000 words? Holy moly....

[Hutchoo]

1000 words? Holy moly....

Nah, most people who get full marks (or close to full marks) tend to write in between 4-5 pages.

[Water]

1000 words approx is what my Lit Teacher said in class. And she whips and owns everyone in class and makes them feel stupid. I think I'd trust her ;x.

[LeahT]

We've been told about 800-1000 words, but it's by far quality over quantity, and more important to nicely round off an essay than keep writing right up to the end of your hour. Depending on the size of your writing, it's about 3-4 pages. That being said, it's really not worth stressing about, no-one will count your words, or care how long it is, as long the discussion is appropriate and enough for the mark that you want.

[tutorsaustblog]

You should be able to write two good essays of at least 3 pages. Agree that both are of equal importance and you should be able to get good marks on both. At the end of the day, if you answer the essay questions and have a convincing argument, you shouldn't worry about one essay being weaker than the other. Remember, quality not quantity.

[Chromeo33]

Can someone answer me this? What good does essay writing do for you in the future!?

[EvangelionZeta]

1000 words? Holy moly....

Nah, most people who get full marks (or close to full marks) tend to write in between 4-5 pages.

I wrote about 1400 words for both essays, 6-7 pages each.  20/20 on both essays.  4-5 I would say is more the minimum, depending on size of your handwriting.

Re: Chromeo, pretty much everything...  Almost any uni course you do will have an essay writing component, and being able to communicate effectively is a VERY valuable tool in life.

[Chromeo33]

Just out of curiosity, are essays still important in a Science degree?

[goshipeoyo]

Just out of curiosity, are essays still important in a Science degree?

according to one of my classmates who spoke to a few lecturers at uni, there's a a high demand for scientists who can write well, and it makes sense.. if you're going to make innovative discoveries then best to be able to communicate them

[abeybaby]

i wrote about 800 for all of my essays and im fairly certain i scored 10/10, 10/10 5/10.... stupid shakespeare..

[EvangelionZeta]

i wrote about 800 for all of my essays and im fairly certain i scored 10/10, 10/10 5/10.... stupid shakespeare..

Different standards in English and Lit.  :p