General Paper-paper 1

General guidelines

1.Choice-should be prompted by something you

know (prior knowledge-relevant
ideas/examples) about and understand (key
terms shaping the question).
2.Planning
 Check the type of essay: argumentative or
enumerative type /proper sequence.
 Jot down 2/3 main ideas for the intro without
forgetting the parametres (key terms) of the
question.
 List down the ideas to be developed.Do not
overplan (max. 10 mins)
3.Relevance-(often cause of decline)
  In every question, there are key terms.It is
essential to look for them.
 Address the question as actually set. All too
often students think they can repeat an
answer they have read or written before.
The question may be different from the
actual question set. This may be a new one.
4.Keep to the point
 Avoid repetitions. This reflects the
candidate who does not know the subject.
 Too long intro is not needed.(50-60wds)
 You are introducing your answer not the
topic

INTRO=DEFINITION/TOPIC IN GENERAL +
EITHERA STAND (ARGUMENTATIVE) OR
 SOME IDEAS TO BE DEVELOPED(including…
like…)(ENUMERATIVE).

5.Paragraph writing
 Use a link word at the beginning e.g. next,
moreover, in addition, furthermore, on the
same wavelength,in the same vein…
 Avoid starting with ‘first of all’-check the
difference between ‘first of all’ and ‘first/to
begin with’
 Use the passive form in general except in
the conclusion. E.g- ‘It can be said that…’

 1 PARA = LINK WORD + TOPIC SENTENCE

+ DEVELOPMENT/EXAMPLES + MINI-
 CONCLUSION-(a conclusion pertaining to
the idea discussed )

6.Reasoning
 avoid mere assertions without basis
 No sweeping statements- refer to a
recognized body…(Statistics
Mauritius/World Bank/WHO) reference to
your source is important to back (support)
what is said.
 Examples-popular-Trump?/precise-date?
7.MAKE YOUR
CONCLUSIONFORCEFUL/STRONG e.g. I
strongly believe that, it is my firm
conviction that… (look for a concluding
sentence or idea in the photocopy
provided-a related topic might be
introduced in the conclusion)
Education/media/posterity/government