Compositions
This is the single most valuable question in your entire Leaving Certificate English exam. At 100 marks, it is worth a full 30 marks more than the next most valuable question. Therefore, you must spend a significant amount of time preparing for it. The idea that 'you can't study' for Paper 1 is nonsense. There might not be a list of quotations to learn, but there is a huge amount of work to be done well in advance.
There will be a choice of about seven composition topics. Each topic is prompted by a quotation from one of the three texts. Under the quotation, the specific task is described. Above all else, you must complete the task set. If you are asked to write a debating speech and you produce a short story, your marks will be severely depressed, no matter how good the story is.
You are not required to include the quotation in your composition; it is intended to serve as a prompt. It's useful to note that you are allowed to make use of the three texts on the paper when crafting your own composition. Obviously, outright plagiarism (copying) is not tolerated, but you might 'lift' an interesting setting, maybe some character names, or a helpful structure (for a speech or personal essay). This is considered to be an intelligent use of the materials available to you. At a very basic level, it can be a helpful way of checking your spelling!
Each of the compositions is intended to require you to write in one (or more) of the language styles, as defined by the Department - argument, persuasion, information, narration and aesthetic use of language. Some composition may include a blend of two or more styles. Generally speaking, if you are tackling the set task appropriately, you are already using the correct language style. You should practise all styles as much as possible over the two years, so that by the time of the exam you have a good idea which styles you are best at. Target these questions in the exam to give yourself the best chance to shine.
There will be a choice of about seven composition topics. Each topic is prompted by a quotation from one of the three texts. Under the quotation, the specific task is described. Above all else, you must complete the task set. If you are asked to write a debating speech and you produce a short story, your marks will be severely depressed, no matter how good the story is.
You are not required to include the quotation in your composition; it is intended to serve as a prompt. It's useful to note that you are allowed to make use of the three texts on the paper when crafting your own composition. Obviously, outright plagiarism (copying) is not tolerated, but you might 'lift' an interesting setting, maybe some character names, or a helpful structure (for a speech or personal essay). This is considered to be an intelligent use of the materials available to you. At a very basic level, it can be a helpful way of checking your spelling!
Each of the compositions is intended to require you to write in one (or more) of the language styles, as defined by the Department - argument, persuasion, information, narration and aesthetic use of language. Some composition may include a blend of two or more styles. Generally speaking, if you are tackling the set task appropriately, you are already using the correct language style. You should practise all styles as much as possible over the two years, so that by the time of the exam you have a good idea which styles you are best at. Target these questions in the exam to give yourself the best chance to shine.