Common Errors in English Language Paper 1 (Writing)
Section 1 (Directed Writing)
· The questions are not read properly and answered
inappropriately.
· Improper formats are used.
· Improper beginning. (In letter despite the given instructions to
start from ‘ Dear
Principal’, the address is given.)
· Improper beginning or ending. (Despite the given instructions to
end properly, the directed
writing is not ending with the sign, full
name and date.)
· Subject or Headline is not written.
· Introduction is missing and composition has started directly
from description of content
points. Though the given situation should
be reiterated in the introduction.
· Yours faithfully is used to end a letter to Principal. Though it
is used for the recipient who
is not known.
· Use of informal tone in formal essay.
· Content points are not justified
· Only one or two content points are focused and elaborated
properly.
· Pronoun ‘I’ is used when the whole class was to be represented.
· The given options are misunderstood and missed out in
elaboration. For instance, barbeque
and movie was
a single option yet in some cases, one of it was discussed only.
Section 2 (Creative Writing)
· Rubrics are not followed and question has not been started from
a fresh page.
· Topic number is not mentioned or wrongly written.
· Plan is not made or is too brief.
· Rough work or plan is not cross out.
· Topics are not addressed properly. Relevance to the theme is not
maintained.
· Coherence is missing.
· The given sentence/ dialogue is not used in the story.
· The given beginning is not used or used in the middle or end.
· In some of the cases own titles are given for the essays.
· Selection of lexis is inappropriate for the topic.
· Ambitious vocabulary is aimed with out understanding its correct
usage or are spelt
wrongly.
· Weak plot is crafted, with no action or adventure.
· Lack of imagery or expressions in descriptive and narrative
essay.
· Lack of supportive arguments in argumentative essay.
· Facts and figures missing to justify the given case in argumentative
essay.
· Beginning and Endings are quite stereotype and in some cases
irrelevant. For instance, most
of the narratives start from description of
morning scene.
· Traces of copied material in the composition or plots of movies
or famous novels are used.
· Illegible Writing or untidy presentation.
· No paragraphs are made.
· Less use of linking words.
· Dialogues are not written separately or in inverted commas.
· Tenses consistency is not maintained. For instance: Narrative
essay should be written in
past tense.
· Word limit has been exceeded, resulting in monotony and
recurrent grammatical and
spelling errors.
· The difference between ‘there’ and ‘their’ is not understood.
· There is no expression like ‘according to me’. As far as I am concerned
can be used.
· With the expression “one of the” plural noun should be used. One
of my
friends/ family members.
· Object is used in place of subject. For instance: Me entered the
room in hurry. Here ‘I’
should be written.
· Preference should be given to others. For Instance: Instead of
writing, ‘I and my class’
mates, ‘My classmates and I’ should be
used.
