Writing Content: Selecting Ideas

Methods in this video

Tap a time to jump to where the video teaches that method.

1. 1

   Start from the task: who it's for, why, and what it's about, then what you know

   ▶ 0:58

   When to use it: You have a writing task and haven't listed any ideas yet, especially when you know the topic well and want to put everything in.

   • Selecting means deciding what goes in and what stays out, and the task is your guide.
   • What does the task want? Who it's for, why, and what it's about. Start with that, and then think about what you know.
   • A long list isn't good selection: an examiner said one official sample had too many detailed lists, and no mention of the local area the task asked for.
2. 2

   List your ideas: a few words each, asking what the reader would ask

   ▶ 2:25

   When to use it: You know what the task wants and haven't started writing; you worry that listing ideas wastes time, or you often run out of things to say halfway.

   • Even with only 30 minutes, list first: a few words each is quick, and running out of things to say halfway costs far more.
   • The paper even gives you space for planning or notes.
   • Ask what the reader would ask, and jot each answer down in a few words.
   • Once you've listed a few, you've got a choice.
3. 3

   Test each idea: does it fit the task? Can I develop it?

   ▶ 3:24

   When to use it: Your ideas are listed and you must decide which to keep, especially one that is exciting, true, or the one you most want to write.

   • Ask two questions about each idea: does it fit the task? Can I develop it?
   • Band 4 says selection of content is sound and appropriate: sound means sensible, and appropriate means right for this task.
   • Exciting isn't enough. It has to make sense in this task.
   • True isn't the same as useful: fitting the task means this reader needs it and can use it.
   • Can't develop it? Swap it for something specific, or cross it out.
4. 4

   Link them up: one main idea, keep the ideas that link, and put them in order

   ▶ 5:35

   When to use it: Several ideas passed both questions and you plan to put them all in; or you don't know what goes first or how to end.

   • Passing both questions doesn't mean everything goes in: that's a shopping list again.
   • Pick one main idea, the one thing you want the reader to remember. Every idea has to link to it.
   • Sometimes even your favourite has to go. A good idea isn't wasted: save it for another task.
   • Then the order: a line, not a list. Each idea takes the reader one step further, and the ending comes back to the main idea.
   • The main idea stays all the way through: Band 5 calls that a consistent whole. When you choose an idea, think about where it goes.
   • There's no official number: keep the ones you can develop and link.
5. 5

   A topic you don't know: ask the task's questions and start from what you know

   ▶ 7:31

   When to use it: The topic is new to you and your head goes blank (for example the Selective 2023 task A new superhero).

   • Same four steps, even when your head starts out blank: start with the task.
   • Blank? Ask the task's questions: the points after you could are your prompts.
   • Start from what you know. An examiner praised one official sample for its personal anecdotes: short stories from your own life.
   • Keep an ideas notebook: when something interesting happens, jot down a few words, then practise linking it to other topics and developing it.
   • Always ask about this task, not about real life: the task asks for a new superhero, so made-up powers fit.
   • Can't link it? Say why. Say why, and a vague idea can link.