How to Stand Out

In a competitive exam, ensuring that your piece stands out (for the right reason) doesn’t rely on spelling, grammar or sentence structure (because nearly everyone has mastered those things), but it relies on content.

That’s your storyline and how you’ve expressed it.

Here are ways you can make your story stand out through minor adjustments:

• Point of view – interesting point of views can be from an animal, a droplet of water (was done in a selective school test) and other ‘non-standard’ viewpoints.
• Simile / metaphor – these are expression devices but should not be overused. 1 in a 250-word to 350-word piece would be enough. It’s where you liken something as something else. But make sure it’s done properly. E.g. heavy as an elephant is appropriate, but perhaps not, heavy as 20,000 helmets as that would sound awkward.
• Imagery – similar to similes, try not to overuse and use only once where appropriate. E.g. describing a sunset to show an ending.
• Foreshadowing – using symbols or elements to hint that something will happen soon.

Key Rules to remember:

• Storyline and expression are what will help you stand out.
• A different angle can be used to create interest.
• Avoid overusing language devices like similes.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

The questions in this checkpoint are provided to help you develop your writing skills.

To do your practice questions, click on the below to download your question paper. You can print it out or work from the electronic version. We do recommend that you write your answers by hand in a notebook or on paper.

NW-CP15-Questions.pdf

Once you have completed your questions, review the suggested solutions. You can download (and print if you wish) the PDF suggested solutions and/or watch the suggested solutions video (all below).

Once you're done with reviewing the practice question suggested solutions, move on to the next checkpoint.

NW-CP15-Answers.pdf

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