Want to Improve my English

[SpEeDyZ]

Alright so as March comes to an end the pressure is on. My final Cambrige exams are just like a month or so away. I need to improve my English language ( written English that is ). For all the other subjects I will do pastpapers and all that but for English I dont know what to do. My Main concern is the composition part where first you have to write a story of like 350-600 words in an hour ( 40 marks ) and secondly there is directive writing where you have to write according to the points given ( about 300 words in half an hour ).

Now my English aint even that bad. I dont get too many tenses wrong and all that but I think I need to improve my vocabulary and my choice of words. I need to learn more idioms perhaps some metaphors and things like that just to make my writing more interesting which will surely get me more marks. Also I need to come up with some creative ideas for the story I will write.

Now I am sure most you will say that I need to read novels and all that but honestly I hate ( and dont have the time ) to read 800 page long stories. So now if anyone can recommend me any good sites online from where I can find these interesting small stories that will me improve my english . Or does anyone have a better idea ?

 

[asadjan9303]

I just read the daily newspaper and some books
And one more thing always write the compositions with a emotional touch ;P
and wud suggest that you blog, write everything you did in the day, how was your day nd blabla ,, you know :/

 

[wmughal]

read newspapers and magazine it will help u a lot man.

 

[SpEeDyZ]

daily news of CJ and PM are pretty boring :/

 

[Sani]

Reading different articles online will also do a trick.

 

[CoLd FuSiOn]

Alright so as March comes to an end the pressure is on. My final Cambrige exams are just like a month or so away. I need to improve my English language ( written English that is ). For all the other subjects I will do pastpapers and all that but for English I dont know what to do. My Main concern is the composition part where first you have to write a story of like 350-600 words in an hour ( 40 marks ) and secondly there is directive writing where you have to write according to the points given ( about 300 words in half an hour ).

Now my English aint even that bad. I dont get too many tenses wrong and all that but I think I need to improve my vocabulary and my choice of words. I need to learn more idioms perhaps some metaphors and things like that just to make my writing more interesting which will surely get me more marks. Also I need to come up with some creative ideas for the story I will write.

Now I am sure most you will say that I need to read novels and all that but honestly I hate ( and dont have the time ) to read 800 page long stories. So now if anyone can recommend me any good sites online from where I can find these interesting small stories that will me improve my english . Or does anyone have a better idea ?

Not trying to boast or anything but i got a 96 in my english.All i can recommend is that make sure you use punctuations at the right time.Learn to distribute your paragraphs and as you'd already know slangs aren't allowed in the english cambridge system so i'd give an example of that right now "the same sentence written all over again.Learn to distribute your paragraphs and as you would already know slangs are not allowed in the english cambridge system so i would give an example of it right now."Whatever you do just make sure to get those things right and it isn't compulsary to learn all the fancywords and what not i mean i for one never read any novels or books to learn fancy words.Another advice would be not to go with the obvious and write a story that you think everyone would as i remember there was this topic which was perfect for a love story but i didn't go for that i went for the descriptive essay which should be only selected as a last resort as it's hard to use good expression.It might come natural to some people as they listen to english music aswell as sitcoms like friends etc.Do not i repeat do not fill the pages like some retard as chances for error increase whilst you get yourself to achieve the maximum words you can within the limit.An example of that is e.g Quality over quantity over here at PG and talk "logically" rathen than showing them which fancy words you've learned over the years.Be in the word limit and keep it short...fully think what you're gonna write before you're gonna write it otherwise you might run out of ideas whilst writing it.Make sure not to have repetitive sentences e.g "as you know he was there.As there are many people blah blah".Highly focus on the point mentioned previously and try to stick to real life stories rather than fictional ones e.g i had to write a suggestion to my principal about an award that should be given to a guy in my school...others wrote about things like "how he should get an award as he is very good at studies etc"...what i wrote was "how he should be given an award as children look upto him as he collects funds for old age homes and contributes to the community by volunteering.

and last but not least be confident in your ability and you'll be just fine...
ofcourse,best of luck

 

[Rognarke]

well when I was doing my O'levels all those years ago, my english sir told me to read Reader's Digest, note down the new words and use them in daily or written sentences. And boy, was he right...I got an A

 

[Crow]

Reading magazines and newspapers is not going to help you improve your story-telling skills, I'm afraid. Articles and short-stories are very different in terms of how they're composed. For one thing, news articles are always written objectively with as little bias as possible, whereas storytelling is supposed to be subjective and close to your heart.

And um read this, it might help you:

http://www.elfwood.com/farp/thewriting/eslkathrel/eslkathrel.html

Also, instead of reading, I'd suggest you start writing more. You know, practice essays and everything. It'll help you better, most likely.

 

[Chandoo]

Use the internet regularly and visit popular forums like Neogaf. That's all you need.

 

[abobobilly]

my english is not so good but still i get 75/100 every time (atleast)

& you dont believe me how i improvised my english.
well
by playing games first of all, then watching movies, then listining to news, by asking question to the lexicographers online & at the end from my father who is an ENT Surgeon.

Interesting Isnt it

but still my vocabulary is not as improved at it should.

 

[Jigger]

Well, for me watching movies with subtitles and sitcoms worked. I always keep a digital dictionary close to memorize and learn new words.

 

[Zeus]

@Speedyz use a lot of variance in the length of your sentences in the composition.And frequently change the theme of the sentences.For example throw in a question and then answer it in the next sentence(this works great for an argumentative essay)

Learn some good idioms to use in the Cambridge essay as well.And don't get carried away while your writing.Be precise in your essays.

Hope that helps...

 

[Blooby]

Read the occasional novel or two (NOT HARRY POTTER OR TWILIGHT) pick up some phrases you find kinda complex and learn to incorporate 'em in your writing.
Practicing those comprehensions also helps a lot, you get reading and writing all in one package.
Once you compare your writing with others problems will tend to stand out a bit or example:
-Monotomy (if there is any)
-Sentence Structure problems
etc etc

That's all i have to say.

P.S Cold grats on the 96.

 

[mediumBen]

I also got 96% this May/June session in English Language and believe me they dont see the quality of the plot itself but the quality of vocabulary. I wrote a very lousy essay but still got an incredible A because the vocabulary was good.

 

[ASKnASK]

Read books, play videogames (preferably AOE, FIFA), visit good forums, listen to western music, and practice writing poems and essays and stuff.
Comes from the guy who scored 147/150 in FBISE (those who've given papers from the board will know its VERY tough to get such marks in english).

And as for time required to read a book... I finished HP7 in one go, less than 24 hours i believe. If you want to read a book, read one that you know is gonna capture your imagination, so that you are unable to put it down.

Also, I recently had to write a short autobiography (First semester English I final project). Wrote 5 and a half thousand words (5,500) in less than 8 hours, and I was amazed at how good it was
Never give up.

P.S. Work hard on your vocabulary. One of my weak points. But I'm working on it. You should be able to speak 'fancy' english.

 

[alamode]

Use proper punctuations, Proper spellings obviously and learn a few big words like 15-20 of them and try to use them in your sentences properly. If you do that in your exam that would certainly make a good impression but on the other hand if you dont know how to use those words and still use them you could come off looking like a fool. So make sure you know the big words and when to use them.

And yeah, Reading books. I know you hate them i do too but there are lots of interesting novels out there, Go to some book shop and buy a few books like mystery stories or detective novels those are really really interesting. Im telling you once you start reading a page of an interesting book you cant stop reading it and you will read it every day before going to sleep .

And well, Your english seems fine to me, You cant really improve your english in a few weeks though but good luck.

 

[MrJayPlays]

I would suggest you to just read lots of magazines.But for many it depends on their choices on what stuff they want magazine for.I have been reading SPIDER MAG for about 5 years now and i have really seen some improvement if not more.
On the other hand Reading english newspaper would really boost your overall vocabulary and your skill will enhance

 

[Amar aka Cookie]

just like ColdFusion, I got a 96 in my english ... and story writing was my forte ...

there is NO definite way ... I'll spill the guts on how I got about the whole language ... just use it as much as you can, and use it properly. Avoid trollfags (internet speak) and try to limit slang.

Watch alot of TV, read something light ... and then if you're feeling brave, read something a bit more daring like lets say, Oscar Wilde or a bit of 'Poe ... it's tough at first but its great for building on the structure and correct use of phrases.

television, books, magazines, video games, instructions on the back of the condom box ... whatever. As long as you are thoroughly exposed to the language, you'll pick it up quicker and get fluent quicker.

 

[Stuge]

Read articles(good ones leave the crappy articles) in newspaper, magazines like Newsweek ,Times etc can really help IMO and read articles on net like anything .Just make it a habit .

 

[vyrus]

Just do what i did !! Nothing !!

Just kidding. Just be creative while writing the essay, try to do the story part. And try to use punctuation marks wherever possible. Dont use them unnecessarily. Also, just read compositions from the paspapers ... theyd give u a good idea ...

Btw i got an A by doing this stuff :\