The key to a successful piece of writing is the planning. It helps you to select vocabulary and order your paragraphs. You should also plan in time at the end to proofread your work.
A table can be used to help plan the flow of your writing. Here is an example of a task and a plan that could help the writer:
Question
Write a letter to a newspaper, giving your opinion about the use of mobile phones.
Introduction
For
Against
Summarise
Proofread
Purpose of letter
Helps people keep in touch
Can be very distracting
Thank reader for taking time to read letter
Use a rhetorical question
Capture moments - visual, audio
Sophisticated punctuation – maybe semicolons?
10 minutes
15 minutes
15 minutes
10 minutes
10 minutes
Introduction
Purpose of letter
For
Helps people keep in touch
Against
Can be very distracting
Summarise
Thank reader for taking time to read letter
Proofread
Use a rhetorical question
Introduction
For
Capture moments - visual, audio
Against
Summarise
Proofread
Sophisticated punctuation – maybe semicolons?
Introduction
10 minutes
For
15 minutes
Against
15 minutes
Summarise
10 minutes
Proofread
10 minutes
Note how the writer of this plan has allocated a specific time for each part, and has also included a reminder to leave time to proofread over their writing.
Key things to remember
Use the kind of plan that works best for you.
Add in the key information – topic and sub-topics - and think about how to create a clear and convincing structure using a flow of connected paragraphs.
Include reminders of key areas to focus on within your writing.
Think about allocating a specific time if you are working to a particular deadline.