In the Directed Writing section, you are given only one question. This means there is no choice, and you must be familiar with the various text types tested in this section. However, you should not worry unnecessarily as the question on Directed Writing is quite manageable.
What makes this question manageable? Firstly, you do not have to worry about what to write as you are given help with content. The content is provided in the form of two bullet points with one or two reading texts, and you need to identify the required points and explain them by reading the text(s).
You can score good marks for content using the information in grammatically sound sentences, varying the sentence type or length. Likewise, it is easy to obtain marks for format if you have been exposed to the formats of the different text types, which are usually tested.
The question is usually set around the experiences of students. Hence, there is no reason for you not to attempt this question.
25 marks are allocated for this question: 10 for task content and 15 for quality of writing.
General Guidelines for Directed Writing:
- Read the question carefully.
- Identify what you are required to do. Also, be clear about your role and audience – who will read or listen to your writing.
- You need to plan your writing and organise your thoughts. This means thinking about what to write and how to elaborate on the points found in the text(s).
- Some candidates make the mistake of spending more time on this question, which leaves them little time for the Composition.
- Use a variety of sentence structures so that your writing is not dull and monotonous.
- Pay attention to the usage of effective vocabulary. Use appropriate words and expressions to convey meaning.
- Use accurate grammatical structure, spelling and punctuation.
- Read through what you have written.
- Present a neatly written piece of work.
Pitfalls to avoid:
- Poor time management: Do not spend more time on this question. Otherwise, you will not have enough time for the Composition.
- Lengthy writings: Do not write too much. A response of 250–350 words is more than sufficient. After all, the more you write, the more mistakes you will likely make. Save time and energy for Composition.
- Usage of informal language: If the situation is colloquial, use informal language. Otherwise, use formal English.
- Poor punctuation: Some candidates do not punctuate their sentences correctly. Ensure you end your sentence with a full stop, not a comma. Avoid using run-on sentences.