tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23691083350068351322024-02-08T02:47:24.879-08:00Everything EnglishMs Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972948093951349039noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369108335006835132.post-29325028385047969972016-04-23T00:20:00.002-07:002016-04-23T00:31:15.538-07:00English Language Non-Fiction: Writing Arguments<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Tip: Read Some!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>An excellent source for argument writing are the columns in newspapers. If you search papers such as The Independent and The Guardian online, you will find they have 'Opinion' sections. The Times is brilliant too, but you have to subscribe to access it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Start to read a variety of these. Think about the key points the writer is making on their chosen topic (summarise what they are saying). Look for language devices that the writer had used to argue their points: can you see any rhetorical questions? Rule of three? Second person address? Consider how they have structured their writing: can you pick out any short sentences or paragraphs that impact on the reader?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The more you read good writing, the better writer you will become yourself. Remember, GCSE English exams will have a non-fiction element. They will expect you to both read and write non-fiction. Therefore, getting into the habit of reading some good quality non-fiction in your own time will put you at an advantage.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Tip: English is about skills, not truth</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This statement applies specifically to the non-fiction writing section! I'm not encouraging you to embrace lies and deceit.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Your examiner is expecting to see that you understand how to create and support an effective piece of non-fiction writing, whether it is argue, persuade, inform or explain.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>You will face a question that asks you to tackle something random, like 'Write a letter to your local council arguing that more should be done to tackle rubbish in your area."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>You are not expected to know lots about the issue or have plenty of facts about it to hand. You need to MAKE IT UP.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>First, plan your points. You will need to come up with about 4-5 points about the issue that will create the structural backbone of your piece of writing.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">1. The area looks untidy and ugly.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">2. The amount of rubbish is dangerous for children.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">3. Residents should be encouraged to recycle.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">4. Rubbish harms wildlife.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">5. A cleaner local area would attract more people to visit.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Each of my points will become a topic sentence that will then be padded out into a paragraph by my entirely made up supporting evidence. This bit is where you get your features in.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Great language features for arguing:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Rhetorical Questions</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Emotive Language</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Rule of Three</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Expert Opinions</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>These are just some of the key features that you can include in your writing.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I like this bit. Don't get too silly with it, but have some fun creating your evidence. Do this as you are writing; you won't have time to plan all your features in an exam.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Example of Point 4:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Furthermore, the amount of rubbish in our local area is very harmful for wildlife. Dr Ray Smith from the University of London said, "The population of song birds in this country has fallen by 45% in the last five years. Our studies indicate that this is because they are ingesting rubbish, such as cigarette ends, from our pavements." The results of his research clearly indicate the toxic effects of waste on our birds. Surely these distressing figures will prompt you to take action on reducing the waste dumped on the streets in our community? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dr Ray and his study are entirely made up. I am trying to prove my point that rubbish harms the local wildlife and I am showing the examiner that I know expert opinions, statistics, emotive language, second person address and rhetorical questions are all devices that help me to argue. I will get ticks for making my writing appropriate to the purpose and audience and for using language devices.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;">Tip: Start with a scenario</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I think a really effective way into an argument, or any non-fiction piece, is to get the reader to imagine a situation that is linked to the topic.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Example:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Imagine streets covered in waste. Imagine the stink of refuse as it is warmed by the sun. Imagine the fear you would feel encountering large rats, drawn to our community by the extensive source of food. If the rubbish in our area is not dealt with soon, this is the situation that all local people will be facing.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">You, as our council, need to take action on the refuse!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Firstly...</b></span></div>
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Ms Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972948093951349039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369108335006835132.post-63978621936480499712016-04-22T13:01:00.001-07:002016-04-22T13:12:13.284-07:00Point... Evidence... Writing Analytical Responses<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>You might have been given a strategy for writing a paragraph in a reading response. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The popular one ten years ago was PEE:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Point - make a point that answers the question</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Evidence - include a quote that proves your point</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Explain - explain what the quote means in your own words and what it shows the reader</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Unfortunately, this doesn't really cut it at GCSE now. There is a huge focus on demonstrating your understanding of how a writer uses language and structure in order to construct setting/theme/character. To explain is simply not enough.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>My preferred method is PEAL:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Point - make a point that answers the question</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Evidence - include a quote that proves your point</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analyse - analyse how the writer has used language and/or structure with terminology and the effects that this creates on the reader/audience</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Link - clearly link your analysis back to the question that you are answering</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Essentials:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Remember that everything your are reading is a construct: it is your job to pick these constructs apart, seeking out layers of meaning and looking carefully at how language and structure have been used to create effects in the writing. Never fall into the trap of writing about characters like they are real. Keep referring to the author to show the examiner you are crystal clear that this is a text and the writer has used devices to construct this person. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In your analysis, break down your quote and requote words and phrases to illustrate your analytical ideas. This gives your analysis depth.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Discuss your ideas using tentative language. Nothing is definite in literature, it is all personal interpretation. Write that something might mean, could imply, perhaps shows rather than stating that something DOES mean what you think. This also invites you to try and think of other ways that a text might be interpreted.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Example:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Explore how Wilfred Owen presents WW1 in his poem, 'Dulce Et Decorum Est'.</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Point: In Dulce Et Decorum Est, Owen shows the consequences of fighting in WW1.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Evidence: "Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,/ But limped on, blood-shod."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Explain: This suggests that the men felt exhausted as they marched and many no longer had boots. Some had bleeding feet. This implies to the audience that the conditions in the war were very harsh.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Okay? Not really.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Point: </b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In Dulce Et Decorum Est, Owen shows the consequences of fighting in WW1.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Evidence: "Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots,/ But limped on, blood-shod."</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Analyse</u>: Owen uses a metaphor, "men marched asleep", that could imply that the soldiers were exhausted; it might also suggest that their abilities were impaired. The enjambment on "boots/but limped on" extends the line, maybe reflecting that the journey was a difficult and arduous one. Owen's use of the verb "limped" has connotations of injury, the men seem to have been damaged by the war; this is further indicated by the compound adjective "blood-shod" which creates a grim image of the reality of the war for the reader. This could also signify the bravery of the soldiers, that they continued in their duty in spite of the horrific conditions that they were subjected to.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Link: Overall, Owen is exposing the reality of WW1 for his reader through his presentation of what the soldiers endured.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Better.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tip: look for what you know. You might not know all of the features, but you should know some. If a quote uses a simile and you know it's a simile, say so! You are demonstrating that you understand the writer's/poet's techniques.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Google is your friend. If you feel unsure about key devices in poetry and prose, ask your teacher or, failing that, do some of your own research. There is a wealth of information available online. Don't remain passively ignorant, take action!</b></span></div>
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Ms Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972948093951349039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2369108335006835132.post-61110466167258280532016-04-22T11:46:00.000-07:002016-04-22T12:10:12.323-07:00The Need for Speed<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tip: Get Fast</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Unless your usual way of working is on a computer, in your exams you are going to have to write. Not only that, you will need to write quickly. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This is a very useful skill to develop, especially if you plan to continue to college and beyond. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How can you do this? How can you go from taking an hour to write a page of A4 to 15 minutes?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Practise</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Get sample questions from the teacher. Time yourself. Write.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Find other opportunities to write: keep a diary, write letters, write a short story. Just write. The more you do it, the quicker you will get.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Don't worry about being neat, but keep it legible. The examiner needs to be able to read your ideas, otherwise it's all a waste of time.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">2. Plan</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Always plan. It is amazing how many times I will tell a class about the genius of planning and they simply ignore this and go straight into writing, then they wonder why their writing is too wordy, or they've picked the wrong question and run out of ideas. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Planning organises the points, ensures you have definitely picked the best question and clears up any mental clutter so you start writing entirely focused on the question.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ultimately, any long answer in English revolves around making key points, whether it is a writing or a reading task. The points become the outline structure and then you pad with either your quotations and analysis (Reading/Literature) or your reasons and supporting evidence (Writing). Planning these key points and selecting your quotes OR planning your points and creating your supporting evidence is five minutes at the start of the exam that could save you a huge amount of misery when you dry up part way through or start repeating yourself and wasting time.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">3. Check your grip and posture</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Many people experience pain when writing. This not uncommon. I know I get tense when marking and it can hurt my hand, arm and shoulder.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Try different pens until you get one that feels comfortable when you hold it and don't grip it too hard. You can even buy pen grips that can help you to hold a pen comfortably. This is really worth exploring if you get writing pain as you need to enable yourself to write as easily as possible in your exams.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Don't press too hard and try not to tense up. Again, practise helps.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Have breaks: stretch and wiggles your fingers and rotate your hand both ways.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Always write with the pens you will use for your exams. Get used to how they feel in your hand and how they write. Make sure you have plenty of them. Make sure they are black ink.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Resist the urge to write in pencil. You will have to write in black pen in your exam, so get used to it.</b></span></div>
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Ms Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972948093951349039noreply@blogger.com0