The examiner's ten golden rules

1. Clarify the question

   Decide on your brief: the genregenre: A category or type of something. Fiction and non-fiction are examples of two genres. (or format), your audience and the purpose for writing.

2. Find the information you need

   You'll usually be asked to write about something that you've just read about in the exam, so make notes and highlight any points you can use in your own writing, but don't copy!

3. Plan the beginning, middle and end

   Get the beginning, middle and end in shape: lead the reader through your argument.

4. Plan the paragraphs

   Structure the piece to help your reader navigate through your main points.

5. Practise your opening sentence

   It should create maximum impact.

6. Practise your closing sentence

   You need to know where and how you are going to stop.

7. Check the format

   If you're writing to a particular format, like a letter, make sure you get it right.

8. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary

   You have to keep the examiner interested!

9. Keep control: use a steady and consistent tone

   Remember the audience you are writing for and use appropriate language. Try to keep your tone consistent - this usually means avoiding slang.

10. Check your work

    At the end of the exam, check the full stops, commas, sentences, paragraphs and the classic spelling mistakes that might lose you marks, like getting your apostrophes in the wrong places.