Essay

When writing an essay, remember:

• use interesting vocabulary: avoid overly common and placid words, try to include vocabulary you've learned during your English courses
• choose a topic you have vocabulary on: never choose a topic you don't have the key words to write about, for example writing about an environmental topic without any key vocabulary to discuss it
• when in doubt, leave it out: if you're not sure about a word or a structure, leave it out altogether
• proofread carefully and stay away from your own pitfalls: learn from the mistakes you've made in your previous essays and memorize a list of things you need to check
• don’t translate directly from Finnish: always ask: “Can I say this in English?”
• begin and end with a wow factor: remember you don’t always have to speak the truth in your essay!
• use paragraphs: one for introduction, two-three for content, (one for closing)
• copy the title and the words in the title correctly!
• check for the spelling of common words in the exam itself: the exam, with all of its tasks, includes a wide range of commonly used words in English. Although you shouldn't copy too many words straight from the exam, it's super useful for checking the spelling of some commonly used words (e.g. pronouns that get misspelled a lot: which, where, there, their, ...)
• choose an appropriate length for your essay: if you make lots of mistakes, don't go above 160 words - if you write really well, write at least 220 words
• The essay is all about showing what you can do. Don't make it all about what you can't!

Always start by careful planning:

• use a mindmap or notes, whichever way works for you
• decide what you want to say in each paragraph - don’t try to say everything, but say enough to make an interesting point!
• decide how to begin and end

Read the Tips on how to begin an essay. Also check out Examples of how NOT to begin an essay - they're pretty useful, too! Or this extensive guide to ending an essay in an interesting way!

Ylioppilastutkintolautakunnan viralliset pisteytysohjeet

Vary the sentence length!