How to pass level 2 Functional Skills Writing
The writing component of the Functional Skills Level 2 exam comprises of two writing tasks.
Task 1 is worth 21 marks and Task 2 is worth 15 marks. The total mark is 36, and to pass, you need to achieve at least 21 marks, but sometimes the grade boundaries change, so you should aim to achieve the most marks possible. But how do you do this and what are you being graded on exactly?
The first thing to do is familiarise yourself with the mark scheme. The assessment criteria is broken down into distinct components:
Composition
This refers the content of your writing meaning the information and ideas and how is organised and or, arranged; how you organise your most important points; the style of your writing: the word choices and tone you use to present your information and ideas.
Write clearly and effectively
You are assessed on your ability to write clearly. That is your ability to express your ideas, information and opinions, so the reader understands exactly what you are attempting to convey without confusion.
Write in sufficient detail
At level 2 there is a specific word count you are expected to aim for both tasks. Task 1 is 250 to 300 words and Task 2 is 200 to 250 words. To achieve this target, you must be able to develop and explain your points or ideas.
Organise writing using the correct format and structure
There are a range of text types you will learn how to write and format. For example, articles, reports, letters etc. Each type of text has a specific format, which is layout and structure - how the text is organised.
Convey clear meaning and establish cohesion using organisational markers effectively
Cohesion refers to the way in which ideas are linked together. Your points should follow a logical structure, so it is easy to understand the information or opinions you are attempting to convey.
One way to achieve it, is by using organisational markers. These are connectives such as ‘however,’ ‘therefore,’ ‘in addition,’ ’moreover,’ etc.
Each of these organisational markers signpost or tell the reader the direction of your ideas. For example, to help explain your point in more detail, you would use connectives such as ‘for example,’ or ‘for instance.’ If you are making a contrasting or opposing argument, you would use ‘however,’ on the other hand,’ or ‘by contrast.
Use different language and register (e.g. persuasive techniques, supporting evidence, specialist words, suited to audience and purpose
Depending on the task and the audience, will determine the type of language you use. In other words, is your task formal or informal and do you need to use persuasive techniques? Persuasive techniques include rhetorical questions, direct address, evidence to support your claims, emotive language and so on.
Construct complex sentences consistently and accurately, using paragraphs where appropriate.
There are three main sentence types: simple, compound and complex. At level 2 you should be able to use a range - all three - and use complex sentences accurately: using them with the correct subordinating conjunction and punctuation.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar
Spelling is a key. Reliance on technology has contributed to the decline in spelling, but poor spelling is a significant barrier to passing Functional Skills English Level 2.
Punctuate writing correctly using a wide range of punctuation markers e.g. colons, commas, inverted commas, apostrophes and quotation marks.
Punctuation is used to clarify meaning in a text. For example, apostrophes show a letter has been omitted (left out) e.g.I’m = I am. It also shows possession, that something belongs to someone or something e.g. a woman’s car.
Colons are used to introduce a list or to show that an explanation is to follow. Full stops show you have finished expressing your idea.
Being unable to use punctuation correctly will affect the clarity of writing, which in turn will affect the marks you will achieve in your exam.
Use correct grammar (e.g. subject verb-agreement, consistent use of a range of tenses, definite and indefinite articles and modality devices (e.g. to express probability or desirability)
Subject verb agreement refers to the subject within a sentence and whether it matches the corresponding verbs. For example, a subject can either be singular or plural. If it is singular, then the verb should be singular.
Tenses, (past, present, future) should be used correctly and definite and indefinite articles (the, an, a). Modality devices are modal verbs such as should, shall, can, could, would, will, must, might, which each expresses a different meaning.
Effective use of paragraphs
Paragraphs are used to assist the reader to follow your main points. Each paragraph should contain a topic sentencewhich introduces the main point to be explored within the paragraph.
Use a wide range of vocabulary and specialist words related to the topic
You should try to use more sophisticated vocabulary and words to the topic of your piece of writing. For example, if you are writing about global warming, you might use words and phrases such as ‘global warming,’ ‘recycling’ and ‘pollution.’ Remember to spell words correctly.
Ok, so now you know the criteria to pass your writing exam. But what does of all this look like together? See my next blog post.
