You’ve finished the course now. But before you go let’s do revision and a final test!

Revision Points

To do well in your persuasive or discussion writing test, remember: plan, write and review.

This will help you move through with a strong structure that will reduce the likelihood of rework, which is costly in terms of time.

Overarching points to remember for each of the checkpoints are:

• How to write quickly when you have a time limit – follow the 3-step process.
• Language to avoid & tone – adopt a formal tone and use reason, not exaggeration or outrage.
• Essential parts of a persuasive piece and a discussion piece – your arguments and discussion points are where you get the most points but make sure you start on a strong note.
• Planning – Streamline your planning to reduce time wastage.
• Length – more than or less than the length may create issues or are symptoms of other issues.
• How to come up with strong arguments and discussion points – Use the 3 dimensions.
• Making your arguments convincing and your discussion points solid – use TEEL or ask the series of questions.
• How to support your arguments and discussion points – Use well-selected evidence or logical explanation.
• Starting with a strong introduction – include topic sentence, stance and signposting.
• Counter-arguments and reorientations (persuasive writing only) – if including, they need to be well-chosen to enhance your piece.
• Conclusions – only summarise and do not include new information.
• Common and classic exam prompts – aim to provide unique angles to these to make your piece stand out.
• Uncommon and specialised exam prompts – work backwards with common arguments and see if any can apply.
• Dealing with difficult / out-of-the-box exam prompts – simplify and then apply the 3 dimensions.
• Editing your writing – review piece so that all elements are there paying particular attention to the progression of your arguments or discussion points.
• Adding that final polish to your piece – Spelling, grammar and punctuation add polish.

Final Exam

The final exam is for you to complete an essay, review it and then submit it for 1 complimentary essay scoring and written feedback. See an example of scoring and expert written feedback on a real essay here. Please note that this is limited to only one essay per purchase of this course, not multiple essays.

To do this, follow the 4-step process:

Step 1: Get your prompt

Go to https://www.examsuccess.com.au/writing_prompts:

If you are applying for selective/scholarship entry into Year 7 high school (you’re currently in Year 5 or 6), go to Selective school/scholarship Grade 7 Persuasive Writing. Select question 28, if you prefer to write another question, please choose another prompt.

If you are applying for selective/scholarship entry into Year 9 high school (you’re currently in Year 7 or 8), go to Selective school/scholarship Grade 9 Persuasive Writing. Select question 28, if you prefer to write another question, please choose another prompt.

Step 2: Write your essay

Write your essay by hand on paper or in a book.

Step 3: Self-review your essay

Review your essay using the checklist. Make adjustments where needed.

Is your impression of the essay any of the following?	Check	Potential Cause	Potential Fix**
1. The piece doesn't take a position or you're not sure if the piece is for or against an issue.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Poor organization Ineffective planning	Include a clear stance statement and check for consistency in points
2. The piece seemed too short or too long	Yes No. Move to next row.	Ineffective planning	Write using the set structure
3. The piece sounded off-topic. It seemed as if it was written for another prompt.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Failure to interpret the question correctly	Clarify position and select suitable arguments
4. The piece included many reasons, yet no real support or evidence to show why these reasons should be believed. The piece wasn’t very "persuasive."	Yes No. Move to next row.	Poor organisation Ineffective planning	Include evidence and ensure that points follow TEEL
5. Struggled to come up with any good arguments.	Yes No. Move to next row.	No strategy Ineffective outlining	Use 3 dimensions
6. Arguments for a chosen position were confusing.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Lack of clarity Poor editing	Use 3 dimensions and TEEL and review
7. There were heaps of spelling and grammar mistakes. The piece was a bit rough and seemed like a draft rather than a polished final version.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Poor editing	Proof read work
8. The piece seemed to be incomplete.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Poor organisation	Follow plan
9. The piece seemed exaggerated and unbelievable. The claims appeared to be unrealistic.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Poor word choice	Rephrase expression or remove
10. The piece seemed to include the same argument but put in different words.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Lack of argument selection	Edit and eliminate irrelevant information
11. The piece used casual language or personal expressions, such as "I think."	Yes No. Move to next row.	Inappropriate tone Poor word choice	Adopt a formal tone
12. Some paragraphs seemed to have too much information crammed into them.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Poor editing	Edit through elimination
13. At some points, it seemed like the essay was a different type of writing piece.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Ineffective planning Lack of genre knowledge	Follow the standard structure
14. The piece wasn't finished OR Struggled with the time limit.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Ineffective planning	Plan and keep to the time limit
15. Some sentences didn't flow. The piece used some complex words, but they didn't seem right for the essay.	Yes No. Move to next row.	Lack of tone creation Poor word choice Poor editing	Edit for sentence flow

Step 4: Type up your essay

Go to https://www.examsuccess.com.au/writing_prompts and to your prompt. Type out your essay and click “Save”.

You’ll then receive an email of your essay.

Forward that email to success@examsuccess.com.au with a request for the complimentary final checkpoint essay scoring and written feedback.

When your scoring and feedback is ready (please allow 5 business days), you’ll receive an email from us.

End

Like all good essays, there is always an end.

It’s been a journey and well done and congratulations!

We wish you all the best for your upcoming exam and will be cheering you on!!

If you have news you’d like to share – we would love to hear about it, get in touch anytime at success@examsuccess.com.au.

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