Process, process, process

To write quickly when you have a strict time limit, it’s crucial that you know exactly what to do when going into the exam.

This is how you should be spending your time:

• 10% Plan—based on the structure given. The only thinking should be on your storyline and the items in the plan. Even then, think about a storyline that’s ‘easy’ to fit into the structure, but unique for the exam. We recommend simple ideas with an easy plot, usually based on your own experiences.
• 75% Write—according to your plan.
  
• 15% Review—if doing the process correctly, your only review should be about expression, not structure.
  

What we recommend you do is use these percentage to apply to your time limit.

For example, this means that in a:

20-minute exam

You’re spending:

• 2 minutes planning
• 15 minutes writing
• 3 minutes reviewing

30-minute exam

You’re spending:

• 3 minutes planning
• 22.5 minutes writing
• 4.5 minutes reviewing

It’s really important that you keep to the time block because if you choose to spend too much time planning, then you lose time in other areas.

Where do people lose time?

• Figuring out what to do
• Spending time thinking about the structure
• Fixing up structural issues in review time (big issue)
• Re-writing their piece mid-way

Plot and Plan

In the exam, the only time you should spending thinking about something ‘new’ is for the plan.

We’ll go through this in more detail in the following checkpoints but essentially, here’s how you plan to save time.

• Plot: write out your plot line in 1 sentence. To come up with a plot, use word association, past reading or past experience. Remember, simple and easy plots can be your best friend.
• Then plan out each paragraph and only write the ‘main point’ of each paragraph.

Here’s an example of a plot and plan for a 20-minute piece and a 30-minute piece for the worded prompt: “Last chance”

20-minute piece

• Plot: Story is about a girl given a last chance to audition after failing to turn up to a previous audition.
• P1: given last chance
• P2: walks on stage
• P3: dances
• P4: passes her audition

30-minute piece

• Plot: Story is about a girl given a last chance to audition after failing to turn up to a previous audition.
• P1: given last chance
• P2: walks on stage
• P3: dances – wobbly
• P4: dances – spectacular
• P5: passes her audition

See how speed is a part of the process?

Can you see how by planning our writing process, we can do things quickly and effectively.

It’s not just about writing quickly, but it’s about the decisions that we make that either save us time or cost us time.

But remember, writing an essay quickly and completely in the time frame doesn’t mean that it’s going to score well. Quality is key. We’ll address quality in the coming checkpoints.

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-CP3-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-CP3-Answers.pdf

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