Report on English Paper 3: Creative writing essay and Transactional Writing (2010)
· The pictorial response was very well received by the candidates, especially the one dealing with South Africa where many interpretations were acceptable.
· Many candidates did not produce the correct format of the formal letter, perhaps because they were not taught it at school.
· The tone of the formal and friendly letters is something to which teachers must give attention. Candidates must understand that they are writing for an audience and that their language must be appropriate.
· Although the diary was an easy option, many candidates did not understand that writing about a very intimate sexual experience was rather alienating for the marker. Also, expletives have no place in an answer book.
· Many candidates managed the informal speech and the directions very well, perhaps because these pieces of writing were informal and this made the writing process very easy.
· The magazine article was not well answered because many teachers had taught newspaper reports, but not the magazine article. Candidates did not focus on inspiring, entertaining or informing their fellow learners.
Recommendations
1. Candidates should be taught basic language, such as participles and the proper use
thereof, deep structure, correct use of the apostrophe, paragraphing and the correct use
of tenses and concord.
2. Candidates tended to plan their essay and then rewrote the essay without editing it. This
was a fruitless exercise. Candidates should be taught how to plan and edit properly.
3. Handwriting: Candidates must not write an entire essay in capital letters. Also, a neat
handwriting will always count in the candidate's favour.
4. Many candidates do not label their rough work and final draft clearly. They must also
write the essay number and title at the top of the FINAL draft.
