For returnee entrance exams, many schools require Japanese compositions/short essays and English essays. It is easy to think that “I can do anything because I have overseas experience,” but in reality, it is one of the important subjects that determines whether you pass or fail.
Unlike mathematics, writing does not have a single correct answer, so it is a subject that tends to be put off because it is difficult to know what direction to take. However, it is also a subject where knowing the writing style makes a big difference.
In this article, we will explain the following points regarding essays for returnee entrance exams.
- Three common characteristics of answers that do not receive good evaluations
- Specific configuration type to get high evaluation
- Points that can be improved by receiving corrections
Common point 1: “Self-promotion” that is misaligned with the theme
One of the most common mistakes made in essays for returning students’ entrance exams is straying from the topic of the question.
Check the standard question themes
Typical themes for returnee entrance exam essays include:
Both are in the format of “expressing one’s thoughts based on one’s overseas experiences”.
Why does it become self-promotion?
A common mistake here is to ignore the question topic and instead focus on talking about your own efforts and strengths.
The cause is that examinees think, “Since it’s an entrance exam, I have to promote myself.” butWhat the grader is looking at is “Have you answered the given question in a logical manner?”, it’s not about self-promotion.
First, understand the intent of the question correctly.It is important to start writing with the answer to the question.. If you are asked, “What are the cultural differences?”, the answer in the first sentence is “The thing that I felt the most different about was 〇〇.” Adhering to this simple principle will make a difference.
Commonality 2: Only listing overseas experiences, but not mentioning “learning/changing”
The second pattern is a pattern that ends with a description of the experience and does not write anything beyond that.
Experience itself does not differentiate
Answers that only describe experiences such as “I lived in a country called XX” or “I came into contact with a culture called XX” without describing what you felt or how your way of thinking or behavior changed from that experience will not be highly evaluated.
The reason is clear.This is because overseas experience itself is a common material that all candidates who take the returnee entrance exam have.. “Having lived abroad” is not something special for the entrance exam.
What makes the difference is “beyond experience”
What makes the difference in evaluation is the part that goes beyond the experience: what kind of realizations did you gain through the experience, and how you can make use of it in Japan?
Dig deeper into a specific episode and create a flow that connects it to abstract realizations. For example, a specific experience such as “When I returned home temporarily and ate school lunches in Japan, I was surprised by the difference in awareness of nutritional balance,” progresses to the realization that “the approach to food education is different.”
One episode is enough. Rather than arranging multiple experiences shallowly,Describing one thing in depth makes it more persuasive.。
Commonality 3: The structure is broken and the conclusion cannot be seen until the end.
The third problem is not content but structure.
Basic configuration is broken
For both short essays and essays, answers that do not follow the basic structure of “Introduction → Body → Conclusion” tend to be difficult to evaluate, even if the content is good.
If you start writing in the order that you came up with it, you will end up with questions that jump out of the way, or you won’t reach a conclusion until the end. For exams with a time limit of 40 to 50 minutes, there is no time to rewrite.It is essential to decide on the structure before you start writing.。
Putting too much effort into opposing opinions is also a pattern of failure.
Particularly in essays, it is often the case that the author puts too much effort into mentioning opposing opinions, which obscures the original argument.
Exposure to opposing opinions is itself an effective method for increasing persuasiveness. However, if the opposing opinion is more persuasive, it gives the impression that your argument is inconsistent. Use only material to support your argument,Don’t lose sight that your opinion is the main one。
How to structure your essay to get high marks
Just being aware of the following patterns will greatly change the level of completion of your answers.
Introduction: Briefly state your answer (conclusion) to the question first.
Main thesis: Describe in detail one specific episode that supports the conclusion.
Main thesis (deep dive): Verbalize the learning and changes in thinking gained from the episode
Conclusion: Conclude the answer given at the beginning, taking into account what you have learned.
By repeatedly practicing writing according to this pattern, you can move from “writing as I think of it” to “drawing up a blueprint before writing.”
In the actual exam, get into the habit of writing down only the headings of these four blocks in the margins or on the question paper before you start writing on the manuscript paper. The time required is 2 to 3 minutes,These 2-3 minutes determine the quality of the entire answer.。
Points that can be improved by correction
Compositions and essays are subjects in which it is difficult to notice areas for improvement even if you review them on your own.
Why we need a third-party perspective
By receiving corrections from a third party, you can objectively check the following points:
All of these points are almost invisible to the person who wrote it. When you read what you have written, the intention in your head is complemented, so you don’t realize that there is a lack of explanation.
There are limits to corrections at home.
In some families, parents or guardians provide corrections, but the problem with in-home corrections is that the boundaries between study and private life tend to become blurred, making it difficult to continue with corrections.
In addition, specialized knowledge is required to make suggestions based on evaluation criteria unique to returnee entrance exams and question trends for each school of choice.Receiving regular correction and guidance from a third party is a shortcut to improving your skills.。
summary
The common feature of the answers evaluated in essays and compositions is not special talent.
- answer the question head on
- Don’t just list your experiences, verbalize what you’ve learned beyond that.
- Structure according to the introduction, main body, and conclusion pattern.
Both are techniques that can be learned with practice. By making corrections from an early stage, you can steadily improve your level.
If you would like to see your child’s answers in person, please request free information below.