Tips for Writing IN CLASS ESSAY TESTS: How to Write Timed Essay Tests

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

😁 Hi everyone! Thanks for watching! Which of these tips do you feel will help you with in-class or timed writing? Let me know in the comments below. Join my list to get emails from me: bit.ly/3QzoGgI Find my videos helpful? 😃 You can buy me a coffee to show your support here: ko-fi.com/learnacademicenglish 👍 WHAT TO WATCH NEXT: How to Add Citations to Avoid Plagiarism (in MLA and APA Style): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpCbqWyFqZx4Z7s English WRITING Lessons: kzbin.info/aero/PLTaPDxv5nudk2w9s_xU4zrbQ3NJuiaMh3 English SENTENCES Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLTaPDxv5nudkueBaTBejyvPM8tFNj-Wda How to Write RESEARCH QUESTIONS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6mmlWuNorqDrMk My book recommendations for English learners: amzn.to/3xg7zXD 😊 Thanks for watching! See you again soon!

[@Billsomebody89]

Thank you for this video. You cleared up some questions I had about an in class essay. I had brain surgery a while back that removed my vocabulary and sentence structure, so im certainly in need of an English tutor. I've elevated the vocabulary, but the writing is still a bit faulty when it comes to an essay.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Thanks for sharing. I'm sure that with time and practice, you will be able to reach your writing goals. 😊

[@shraringlen7542]

I really like your video about Timed Essay . Please provide examples for supporting details that don't use citation since the time is limited.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Probably the best or easiest way to use examples in a timed essay is like this: do you have a personal example from your life? if not, can you think of an example of a friend or family member? if not, can you think of an example in your community (city, state, etc.) It takes practice, but the more you do it, the easier it gets.

[@DANIELKENNETHKENNYPOWERCOMMUNI]

Thank so much l easily learned.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Great to hear!

[@himajareddy3196]

You have given clear view about essays Ma'am, Thankyou so much! For guiding us with these awesome tips!

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Happy to help 😀

[@rodrigosouza8723]

Hi, Jenna! Happy Tuesday, how are you? I just watched your video and found it extremely useful, as always! Not sure how the weather over there is, but if you like sunny days, then you'd probably love our today's weather: sunny with no clouds in the sky 😊 I hope you and your family are doing well and staying safe. Take care, and I wish you a fantastic and very productive week!

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Glad it was useful! I love sunny days. In fact, Sacramento, where i live, is known for sunny weather. We often have 30 days or more in a row with no clouds. Wishing you a great week, too!

[@Cydda13]

Great lesson as always! Thank you Jenna!

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Thank you, Cida! Glad you liked it 😀 I hope you’re doing well.

[@avanisrivastava1425]

I have an essay coming up in class and this helped!

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

That is so great to hear! Good luck!

[@prxmiisee]

how did it go?*

[@danilocortez9788]

I get confused with words like topic, theme, thesis statement, and where they go. I am trying to learn and clarify these concepts. Thank you.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Good question! The topic is the overall idea that you are going to discuss. For example, if I want to write an essay about pets, or homelessness, or education, that would be the topic. After I know my topic, I need to narrow it down -- what do I want to say about the topic? For example, pets: what are the best kind of pets? Homelessness: what are the causes of homelessness? or What are the solutions? When you put those together in one sentence that shows the main idea of your essay, that's your thesis statement. For example: There are three main causes of homelessness. or Rising cost of living, family breakdown, and mental illness are the main causes of homelessness. (This one is a specific thesis statement because it tells the key points you're going to discuss in the body paragraphs). I don't use the term "theme" to talk about essays, so I can't help you with that one. I hope that helps a little! Check out my Writing Playlist for more videos about thesis statements, etc.

[@user-xo5hk7zm6j]

Hi, Jenna! This was absolutely perfect for me. Thank you!!! I have a question about IELTS writing. There are 5 different types of writing topics: 1. Opinion Essays · 2. Discussion Essays · 3. Problem Solution Essays · 4. Advantages & Disadvantages Essays · 5. Double Question Essays. Is it okay to write them all in the same essay format? could you please break down some essay examples?

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Hi Zobayda, Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you found the video helpful. I will work on giving you a more detailed explanation, probably in a future video. I would like to help you with your question. I don't know what a double question essay is. Can you explain? Do you have an example writing prompt for that type of essay?

[@mohdags420]

Thanks Jenna. Great stuff. I always dread writing timed essays. And sometimes it gets frustrating because I know I can write good essays at home. There’s this feeling of knowing that time is ticking away while you’re writing, and it kind of disturbs your train of thought. I’d like to practice more but I can’t seem to find the link to the list of topics in the description box😉 And one last thing. Is the assessment test sometimes referred to as the placement test in the US, or is that British?

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

You are correct! Thank you for catching that. I will add it here shortly.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Just added the link to the description box 😀 I will continue adding new topics to the document as I think of more. I agree, the feeling of the time ticking away is distracting. I think that if you practice a lot, you will feel more comfortable and confident. Also, keep in mind that the instructor (or whoever is giving the test) wants you to do well. They are rooting for you and don’t expect perfection. Yes, assessment test and placement test are both used in the U.S. Perhaps “placement test” is more common.

[@Engstudyskill]

I'll take a timed test in about 40 days. Given just 25 minutes to complete a 5-paragraph essay. I'll bear in mind the tips you gave to us and complete a well-organized essay, taking advantage of transitions.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Good luck! I am sure you will do very well. You are probably already doing this, but try to practice at home. Did you see my example topics? If not, I left a link to some example topics in the description box.

[@prxmiisee]

How did it go?

[@firassaleh6532]

Hi teacher, I appreciate your kind tips and guidance; in the meantime, I inquire if there are ready templates to be applied that suit variety of essay topics to be offered as a helping tactic to accomplish such a mission. My best.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Great question! I have not searched online to see if there are such resources already available. I will try to provide this to you in an upcoming video soon.

[@firassaleh6532]

@@LearnAcademicEnglish Thank you so much 🌺🌹

[@prxmiisee]

Hi! I have a timed essay in February, it has 30 minutes. How do you think I should break up my time? How long should my intro/conclusion be if its 30 minutes (how many sentences). Thank you!! (This is to get into a high school program as well)

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Great question! For a 30-min essay, I would spend 5 minutes brainstorming/organizing your ideas and 25 minutes writing. The intro can be 3 sentences, and the conclusion can be 2. The introduction can have an easy hook, 1-2 sentences of background information, and then the last sentences is the thesis statement. The conclusion should be like this: 1 sentence to restate the main idea and 1 sentence to give a basic/easy final thought. The best thing to do is to practice at home with sample prompts and the same amount of time that you'll have on the exam so that you feel comfortable. I have videos in my writing playlist about hooks, thesis statements, etc. Good luck! :) You can do it!

[@prxmiisee]

@@LearnAcademicEnglish Thank you!!

[@James-kr8xm]

Thank you!

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

You're welcome!

[@IBRAHIM_ORTON]

Long time no see, Thanks for making this kinda informative lesson , mam Truly good here in India its 2:23am and I'm watching your video , isn't it good 😊?

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Yes, it is! 😀

[@IBRAHIM_ORTON]

@@LearnAcademicEnglish hahaha😊😊😊😀😀😂😂

[@IBRAHIM_ORTON]

@@LearnAcademicEnglish Mam that's my English teacher says about tenses like how it is used . please check those :) Present perfect Used to show event which happened in past but still contact with present . I have seen it . They have watched it . Plastic ball has torn . {Sir my question is that we really don't always need to use this tense for showing two event like " I have done before she does it " . We can use this tense for showing one or we can say single event like " I have done it ". We can use this tense for showing single event while asking questions or replying of an questions , we can also use this tense when we start our conversation with other . Like 1. Asking question and replying answer . A. Have you done it ? B. Yah I have done it . ( here in asking question or replying of an question people use single event ) 2. While starting a conversation / while putting up a new topic to people . A. Yo guys I have completed my work so sooner . B. Really wow . ( here also person used single event of using this tense ) We can use this tense for showing one , two, three and many more events for showing them which happened in recent past and also for past event happened and still contact with present .) Am I right it doesn't mean that person can use single event at anytime , it up to speaker if he wants to show more then one events , he can , but if he wants to show only one event still he can use it , 😊 but if listener can't understand it , so speaker has to give some more context to understand him by using few other events . Present perfect passive Used in same as what its active says but object will come first . I have been given award . She has been sent there . Same thing what I said for its active , it also can be used for showing single event or more events , no matter at asking questions, replying answer or while starting a new topic to people and when we put up a new topic to people . We don't really need at least two events to use this tense , we can use it for showing one event at any how but when listener doesn't understand , speaker has to give some more context to make him understand. 😊 Present perfect continuous .. Used to show an event which started in past but still going on now . I have been doing it . She has been doing it before I go She has been following it for 3 days . Sir what my sir told me that we can see this tense alone with a single sentence and also with double sentences . Single like - a. I have been doing it . Double like - b. I have been doing this before I go there . We can use this tense for asking question , replying of questions and putting statement . Like A. Asking questions/ replying questions 😊 what have you been doing bro ? 😀 I have been doing my home work . And also for putting a statement like 😊 man this it's good , I have been solving it still I always get wrong . 😀 what really 😂. { see there I used single event in example we don't always need to have two or more then two events for using this tenses we can use it alone if single event happens . Using " for and since " here also these are not compulsory For example . 😝 don't you think you have to do your work . 😘 bro , I have been doing that thing only . Like here I didn't use "for or since " I could have used it if I had wanted .still without these two , sentence is correct and acceptable , we use for or since when we want to let listener know for how long and when we don't still with out them it will be fine . sentence without these two does show that it is happening with some duration for a period of time . If listener can't understand the single sentence without any other context so speaker has to tell him 1 or more then 1 events to let him know about the situation completely . #If listener understand with one sentence ,so speaker doesn't have to show another event but if listener doesn't understand so speaker does have to show little more context to him. No passive for this Past continuous Used to show event which was in progress in past time , right? I was doing it .( single action) Or I was doing it before she came ..( one events interrupt another event ) ( sir my question is that we can use this tense even for showing single event and Also for showing events more then one . ( as what my teacher said that we could use it for showing single event when a single event was in progress , we don't always require another action to use this tense , if we have another action so we can use in this , but if we don't still single action will be fine ) As I know we can use it for showing single event by asking single question or by replying of the question... Like 1. Asking questions and replying of an question A. What were you doing that day ? B. I was completing my work , man . ( here in those example I used single event in asking question and replying of answer ) you say we use it with single event only in asking questions and replying of it but we can use it alone by pitting a new statement in front of other and also start saying a new topic to people like 😊 you know what guys , I was doing my work all day 😀 really man how did it go? ( see there I used one event while starting talking about a new topic , is my teacher is correct we can use it for showing event which was in progress , we can use 1 or more events any time , its up to on speaker whether he wants to speak about 1 or more events " it is not compulsory whether they we always have to use two events no not at all we can when we want and when we don't still it will be fine , if we use single event and listener doesn't understand that so speaker has to show little more context to let listener understand more ....... Past continuous passive Used same as in active but object will come first other then subject . Here also same thing applies what I just said you about its active 1 or more then one events can be used its up to on speaker whether he wants to speak about more then two events or just single . I was being selected there . Movie was being viewed . Past perfect continuous Used to show event which started in past but it was in progress with some duration . Like I had been doing it Or I had been doing it for 4 hrs Or I had been doing it before she came ( here is my question, is same we can also use this tense for showing single event and more events ) What My teacher says we can use this tense alone too , we can use it alone with asking question and giving answer like A. What had you been doing for 5 years? B. I had been completing my work . 2. We could also use this tense alone while starting a new topic or putting a statement . 😊 what did you do last night ? 😀 oh man , I had been completing my presentation for office . ( here also as like other tenses we can use it alone too but when , when the listener can understand it , in last conversation he understood me so it was good .only when listener can understands , we can use this tense also for showing single event ,if he doesn't we have to add some more emphasis to let him understand) Using since and for in the end of sentence aren't compulsory at all if person wants to share how long he had been doing something , so he can use one of them , but when he doesn't wanna show how long without that sentence will be fine too Here is final thing we can use it alone until listener understands if he doesn't understand ,we will have to use some more context and emphasis to let him know more about our situation completely ............ No passive for this tense Future continuous Used to show event which will be happening in future . We can use before over here. I will be doing it . She will be going there. She will be doing this ,before she comes here (Sir what my teacher says that we can also use single event and events which are more then one in asking questions , giving reply and putting a new statement . A. When will you do it ? B. Oh man don't panic I will be doing it on Tuesday . Putting new statement ☺ guys I will be giving my note book for one day , who is ready to take it ? 😊 can I please . { we can use it for showing single event or more then one events too at any time but it should be in mind if we use one event in any of tenses, will listener understand it or not , if he understands ,so we can and if he doesn't , so as like other tenses speaker will have to tell more about the situation by using some more context towards listener . No passive for this Future perfect Used to show event which will get completed or over in future She will have seen it . Or She will have seen it before she comes here. { using this tense for showing one event can be used here too , we can use it for asking question , replying and putting new statement . Asking questions / replying A. When will you complete it bro ? B. I will have completed by tomorrow morning , don't worry . ( in this tense if we are using some of the time we do need to use some time reference like by Monday , by today's morning , till Monday night..... Cuz using it alone in single sentence may trick mind of listener. ( same as all tenses here also if listener can understand your emphasis by using single event in any tense , it's perfect but if he doesn't , try to use some more situation emphasis to let him understand it little more . Future perfect passive Same meaning but object come first not subject . I will have been selected by tomorrow . She will have been sent the letters , when Jenna calls them . Moral of the story is that we can use any tense alone until listener understands it , when he doesn't understand it so we always need to use some more context to let listener know more about the situation .......

[@IBRAHIM_ORTON]

@@LearnAcademicEnglish @Learn Academic English 1.. After being corrected now with a new and improved texts ,the points what I know after learning passive voice , do u fell that my all passive points are fine , last time you corrected me and now I'm with new , I hope you are good and will check it 🙏🙏🙏 Are my all points are perfect while making passive sentences? Mam some points are you might have heard ..please check those 🙇🙇 1.when we don't know who did the action in active sentence , when the doer is unknown It is suggested . Electric bills are sent every month .( who sent the bill ,we don't know ) King was killed in war a long time ago.( who killed the king ,I don't know do u know ,don't think so) 2. When the subject of active sentence isn't important to be told to other . My room was being painted .( who is doing it by painter do we have to say its not important ) Work is done every week .( is it important to say who does it nope ) I was taken /selected in cricket team . 3 when subject is obvious . Jason was being taught ( by whom its obvious by a teacher ) Cory was arrested ( by whom of course by police) 4. Passive voice is used for showing polite behavior Like 1. 😊 bill you have to do this work . 😯 okay sir . 2. 😊 bill this work has to be done . 😯yes sir right . ( here in second it didn't seem like an order but it seemed like advice in polite way which can be used not for being direct to other ) 5 . in passive voice as we know subject of the sentence doesn't do the action it depends of someone to get done . Like I'm selected in team before every match . I get selected in team before every match . ( " I " is the subject I don't do any thing do select me by my self not at all so here I depend on some one to get selected.) Car was fixed . Car got fixed . ( can is the subject but it doesn't do any action , it depends on someone to get fixed ,its not doing any action .) Note 👉 mam my sir says , not only with these sentences but while making with every passive sentence it is 1st think that whether person or think depends on someone or something to be done or to get done , like you saw in my last few examples where subjects didn't do the action , someone else did it that why I said the those subjects were dependable in something cuz as we know in passive voice sub doesn't do the action . (Please do let me know that do u agree with my point is my teacher right , mam ) 6. As my teacher you said that we can use "get" instead of "to be+v3 meaning stays the same. a. But get is big in formal . b. Can be used with stative verbs . For example I need to be selected . I need to get selected . I don't have to be sent . I don't have to get sent . I'm going to be given this. I'm going to get given this . Being selected can make our self happy . Getting selected can make our self happy . I am caught while doing it . I'm get caught while doing it . Im being caught . I'm getting caught. I have been judged. I have gotten judged. I was given a gift . It used to be suggested. I was being sent . I was getting sent . I will be selected I will get selected . I will have been given , when I complete it . I will have gotten given , when I complete it . We can also use do does and did before get ,for showing strong felling about an action like how it is used often . I do get selected there She does get paid always . They do get compromised . I did get paid . It did get broken . She did get fired . They did get helped. Please check my all points please ....

[@IBRAHIM_ORTON]

@@LearnAcademicEnglish sorry I posted 2 here and there are few too in your last couple of videos I know it always gets harder for you about checking things but mam ,cuz my teacher is not fine and has gone to his village ,I have gotten you who can give me solutions of my question ,cuz I fell you have quite awesome knowledge about grammar and the plus point is you are native which also helps me too . Whenever you get time , try thinking about your this student who waits for your reply over his questions ...... Bless you Ibrahim

[@eugeniadecoss6030]

I have done this kind of exams at least 4 times The last time was brutal 😂 In my final exam, There were two different essay questions about the books we read I finished in good timing but was stressful😅 I got 75% in that exam, which didn’t surprise me because I knew there were mistakes. However, I told myself I won’t get a high grade anyway. To be honest, Is hard to get a high grade in this kind of test since you might not have time to correct grammar properly As long as you pass the exam, is okay Even common university students struggle with these exams.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Yes, it is hard to do well on an in-class essay test, but the more you do it, the easier it gets 😊

[@mahboobahaidary2667]

❤

[@Lasaro7499]

I think that once the ai is smarter than turnitin, we will have in class essays pen and paper.

[@LearnAcademicEnglish]

Yes, I agree. In fact, professors have begun thinking of ways to get students to produce more work in person to avoid essays written by ChatGPT. We'll see!