As an international English language assessment designed for medical professional, OET encourages test takers to enhance their language skills in an OET training center. During your OET classes, instructors will provide tips and strategies on how to improve your communication skills in writing, speaking, listening and reading. For instance, the writing sub-test is one of the four language assessments that test takers will encounter in the OET exam.
Writing sub-test
In the writing sub-test, the task is to write a referral letter based on the demands of the healthcare profession like, a letter of transfer or discharge, or a letter to advise or inform a patient. Basically, the writing sub-test takes about 45 minutes. Developing your writing skills is beneficial in acing the OET writing sub-test. One writing tip that you can apply in your OET exam preparation is avoiding intensifiers in writing.
What are intensifiers?
Intensifiers are adverbs used to add force to another word or phrase. In writing, these words are used to make an impact or to emphasize a verb in the sentence. However, intensifiers have the paradoxical effect of weakening the word they modify. For example: instead of writing “I really love the show” just write “I love the show”. Using the words “really” doesn’t have any effect on the statement.
Here are the most common intensifiers that you need to avoid in writing:
Very and Really
Probably the most abused words in the list. “Very” comes from the Latin word for “true” while “Really” derives from the Latin word for “thing or fact.” Using these words in your writing does not add any meaning to the information you are providing. Avoiding these words will help your thoughts flow on your writing.
Always and Never
“Always” comes from the Old English word for “all the time” while “Never” derives from the Old English word for at “no time”. Never and always are filler words that add nothing to your writing. Remove these words to improve the quality of your writing.
Absolute and Awesome
The original sense of using the word absolute is “ultimate,” but now it is used as another weak intensifier. On the other hand, the word awesome is also an overused intensifier for the term “filled with awe.” Limit the use of these words in your writing.
Fantastic and Incredible
Avoid using the word fantastic as a synonym for the word excellent. Similar with fantastic, usage of the word incredible has drifted far from its original meaning—a subject that does not seem possible. Restrain yourself from using these words.
Are you a medical professional who is interested in chasing a careers abroad? Enroll now in JRooz OET training center and learn more OET writing tips to help you with your pursue your dream.
REFERENCES:
Adams, Brita. “Eliminate Intensifiers to Strengthen your Writing”. Rainbow Romance Writers. Accessed January 30, 2018. https://rainbowromancewriters.com/node/800.
Nichol, Mark. “10 Intensifiers You Should Really, Absolutely Avoid.” Articles | Main. Accessed January 30, 2018. https://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/43921.aspx.
Stanley JD. “Weak Intensifiers and Why You Shouldn’t Use Them.” |. April 25, 2017. Accessed January 30, 2018. http://jdstanley.com/blog/weak-intensifiers-and-why-you-shouldnt-use-them/
Thompson, Christina. “Cut the Clutter: 17 Phrases to Omit from Your Writing Today.” Harvard Extension School. July 10, 2017. Accessed January 30, 2018. https://www.extension.harvard.edu/inside-extension/cut-clutter-17-phrases-omit-your-writing-today.
Turner, Delia Marshall. “Words to Avoid: Intensifiers and Qualifiers.” November 18, 2016. Accessed January 30, 2018. http://www.dmturner.org/2016/11/13/words-to-avoid-intensifiers-and-qualifiers/.
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