Exams can be a nightmare. Even if you had been preparing well for these dreaded days, feelings came be overwhelming when they are upon you. That wretched word ‘Revision’ is a cold, slimy slug that crawls up even an adult’s spine. So, what do you do to overcome all these obstacles and thrive?
Let’s see some tips and techniques to overcome this maniacal moment that is always sitting on our shoulders. These pointers will help you write any creative writing exam well:
1. Prepare and go through the checklist for different genres:
As you all know by now, you cannot confuse genres in the exam. If you do, straightaway 40% marks are lost.
Whenever you prepare for an exam, you must make a check list for the different genres so that you can quickly revise them before you sit for the exam. Make flash cards for each one. These help while revising as well as practising writing.
2. Have a reliable stock of vocabulary:
Studying should not only be thorough but also smart. Smart would be to come prepared with all the points on your fingertips. Smart would be to memorise a few wow words that would go with everything. Some words can be used across topics. Commit to memory as many as you can:
aghast, blood-curdling, macabre, ominous, abundance, profusion, maelstrom, bemusement, disorganisation, bewilderment, mystification, ravishing, glamorous, picturesque, myriad, effusive, animated, exuberant, frenzied, impassioned, ruinous, cheerless, drab, dreary, unilluminated, tenebrous, etc.
Can you think of any topic where even one of the following words would not apply?
And of course, don’t forget to learn their meanings as well. A word is useless if you don’t use it correctly.
3. Have a collection of interesting figures of speech ready for use:
Just like useful vocabulary, topics like describing emotions (such as fear or excitement), places (such as a forest or a city street) and the weather (calm or inclement) appear in a wide variety of writings (story, diary, recount, description, etc.). It’s then prudent to learn a few stock expressions that will be used in any situation:
A chill ran down my spine. (Idiom for fear)
She was frozen in place with the news that she had just received. (Hyperbole for shock)
Mesmerising and magnetic, this myriad of memorable moments will be etched in our minds forever. (Alliteration denoting happiness)
Remember, in any creative piece of writing, at least two places should be vividly described: the setting and the action (accompanied by one’s emotions). They add depth to your writing and a sense of seriousness.
4. No matter what, write for at least fifteen minutes every day:
Write, write, write. There can never be enough of writing practice. Write about a new movie or a show you watched recently. Write about what you expect from the next year. Anything. This will take care of your spellings and punctuation as well. Not to mention, your writing speed will improve, and your imagination will soar. Thoughts will come to you smoothly, and you will not beat around the bush for the next point to write.
5. Look at old question papers:
These often give you an idea about the type of questions a school sets. Not just that, you become familiar with the weightage of marks for different question types or genres. While looking at the questions, you can practise writing a ‘plan’ for each. This will help in speedy development of ideas and good organisation of points.
6. Read as much as you can:
Vocabulary, creative ideas and original thoughts all stem from how vastly you have read. You never know when a particularly striking idea or a word that stayed with you would come in use during the exam. Some phrase about friendship must have struck you while reading a Harry Potter, or an idea about how bad luck wreaks havoc in someone’s life may have been difficult to shake off after finishing one book from A Series of Unfortunate Events. If you like science fiction, or action, you could pick up some ideas from Arthur C Clark.
So, with these points in mind, you will find that you are more confident to sit for an exam. Because, confidence is half the battle, isn’t it?