Before we go any further, everyone should in fact take a look at the nationwide criteria the National Board has set to assessing English compositions. It is only by fully understanding the criteria that the student can embark on the writing trail with confidence. What is expected of my essay? The criteria are available in Finnish and in English.

1. What the exam really tests – Mitä oikeasti mitataan

The English matriculation composition is not a creativity contest, a vocabulary stunt show or a place to experiment. It is a controlled performance under pressure, where clarity, balance and judgement matter more than bravado.

You are assessed on five things:

1. Communication – Viestin selkeys ja viestin välittyminen
2. Content – Sisällön monipuolisuus ja omaperäisyys
3. Structure – Rakenne ja tekstilaji
4. Linguistic range – Sanaston ja rakenteiden laajuus
5. Correctness – Kielellinen virheettömyys

A strong essay does all five well at the same time. A weak one usually fails at two or three simultaneously.

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2. Before you write a single word – Ennen kuin alat kirjoittaa

Read the guidance like your score depends on it – because it does.

(Ohjeen tarkka lukeminen)

• Identify the task type: argumentative, descriptive, narrative, instructive, discussive.
• Underline questions, prompts, limitations.
• Decide your angle before writing.

👉 Ignoring or misreading the guidance is the fastest route to 74p or below, regardless of your language skills.

Alkuun Vanha Ohje: Lue siis ohjanta, ymmärrä se ja noudata siinä annettuja ohjeita. Annetaanko siinä näkökulmaa kirjoittamiselle? Onko siinä kysymyksiä vastattavaksi? Kokelas voi maksimoida ei ainoastaan huippuosaamistaan, vaan myös ihan tavallista osaamista kun malttaa noudattaa ohjeita.

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3. Planning is not optional – Suunnittelu ei ole vapaaehtoista

Spend 5–7 minutes planning. This is not wasted time.

Your plan should include:

• Introduction idea
• 2–3 clear angles (not examples!)
• One personal or original element
• Conclusion idea

Without a plan, texts drift, repeat themselves and lose coherence.

Kun lukukokemus on vaivaton ja kokelaan ajatuksenjuoksu selkeä, ollaan jo pitkällä.

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4. Structure: the invisible backbone – Rakenne: näkymätön selkäranka

A high-level composition is easy to follow without being boring.

The basic model (works almost always):

• Introduction – sets the topic and angle (not history, not dictionary definitions)
• Body paragraphs (2–3) – one idea per paragraph
  • Topic sentence
  • Development
  • Example / reflection
• Conclusion – answers “so what?”

Use signposts:

• Firstly, however, as a result, on the other hand, ultimately

This is cohesion. Examiners notice it immediately.

Myös keskiverto-osaamisen voi esitellä parhain päin.

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5. Content: how to escape “ordinary” – Sisältö: irti tavanomaisuudesta

Ordinary ideas are safe – but they rarely impress.

Two minutes of thinking produces what everyone else writes.

To reach 84p → 94p:

• Add one personal observation
• Question an assumption
• Present a small contradiction or tension

❌ Avoid:

• Wikipedia-level facts
• Famous quotes everyone knows
• Empty generalisations (“Nowadays people think…”)

✔ Prefer:

• Personal but relevant examples
• Thoughtful comparisons
• Concrete situations tied to abstract ideas

Tunnista tavanomaiset jutut ja yritä päästä itsestäänselvyyksistä tai kaikille jo tutuista asioista syvemmälle. Jos taas ei tule sitten mitään originaalia mieleen, niin oikealla enkulla tarjottu latteuskin voi olla ratkaisu.

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6. Vocabulary and structures – Sanasto ja rakenteet

Use what you control.

Advanced language does not mean rare words. It means:

• Precision
• Idiomatic phrasing
• Natural collocations

❌ Do NOT:

• Try brand-new structures
• Force fancy vocabulary
• Translate Finnish expressions literally

✔ DO:

• Reuse strong structures you know
• Vary sentence length
• Combine simple words intelligently

Remember: one broken advanced structure can do more damage than three correct simple ones help.

Duplo-Legot eivät oikein sovi hienovaraiseen rakentamiseen: tarvitaan kaikenlaisia erikoislegoja, joilla saa yksityikohtiakin jo näkyviin.

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7. Register matters – Tyylitaso ratkaisee

This is formal or semi-formal writing, not spoken English.

Avoid:

• slang
• contractions (don’t, can’t) unless clearly justified
• chatty fillers

A neutral, controlled tone scores higher than a casual one.

Asiatyylillä kirjoittamista olet varmaankin harjoitellut jo monet kerrat. Onneksi niin, sillä otsikkovaihtoehtoja on enää neljä eikä huuhaaotsikoita ole joukossa.

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8. Revision: where scores are decided – Viimeistely ratkaisee

Everyone revises. Yes – even AI.

With 1300 characters, every word matters.

Check:

• verb tenses
• articles
• prepositions
• spelling
• repetition

Ask yourself:

Does every sentence earn its place?

Joka sanan olemassaolon oikeutus ja oikeinkirjoitus tarkistetaan. Maksimissaan 1300 merkkiä tarkistettavaa. Mieti: jos joku ei muka jaksa tarkistaa tuollaista merkkimäärää ylppäreissä, milloin sitten?

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9. Understanding the score gaps – Pisterajojen todellinen ero

74p → 84p: From “okay” to “good”

• Clear structure
• Fewer errors
• Some variation

84p → 94p: From “good” to “excellent”

• Logical development
• Broader vocabulary
• Clear personal or original angle

94p → 99p: The final leap

• Nuance
• Effortless flow
• Language that feels inevitable

⚠️ A 94p essay is outstanding. A 99p essay simply has that extra polish and subtlety.

Do not be disappointed by excellence.

Ysiysissä on kuulkaas vaikkapa pilkutkin sun muut “pikkuasiat” osattu takitilleen. Ysinelosellakin ollaan lavivauhdissa, jos kokeen muista osista on napattu pisteet todella korkealla prosentilla.

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10. Final realism – Lopuksi realismia

Some students:

• don’t plan
• don’t revise
• don’t respect the guidance

They rarely surprise anyone with their scores.

Strong writers:

• take small, careful steps
• trust what they know
• stay focused

This exam rewards discipline, judgement and patience.

And yes – the difference between good and exceptional is small, but real.

Take your time. Stay sharp. Write like someone who understands the rules – and knows when not to break them.

Ylppäreissä kannattaa tehdä kurinalainen asiateksti. Voit olla oma valloittava itsesi taas koetta seuraavana päivänä. Pokkuroidaan tämä yksi koekirjoitelma parhaan kykymme mukaisesti asiallisesti. Pystythän siihen?

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Clear thinking leads to clear language. That has never gone out of style.

Self‑Assessment Rubric & Upgrade Guide

Topic: The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

Tämä materiaali auttaa sinua tunnistamaan oman tason rehellisesti – ja tietämään täsmälleen, mitä seuraava taso vaatii.

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PART I – SELF‑ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

(Rehellinen tasotesti – Missä kategoriassa oikeasti olet?)

Lue jokainen kohta. Jos nyökkäät useammin kuin epäröit, olet todennäköisesti siinä kategoriassa.

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🟡 74p – “Mostly clear, but ordinary”

(Selkeä, mutta tavanomainen)

☐ I answer the task, but without a clear angle. ☐ My ideas are predictable and safe. ☐ Paragraphs exist, but ideas sometimes blur together. ☐ Vocabulary is correct but typical. ☐ Errors appear and sometimes distract the reader.

👉 You are understood – but you do not stand out.

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🟢 84p – “Clearly good, not yet exceptional”

(Hyvä ja hallittu, muttei vielä säväyttävä)

☐ I have a clear introduction and conclusion. ☐ Each paragraph has one main idea. ☐ I include at least one personal or original point. ☐ Vocabulary shows some variation and control. ☐ Errors exist, but they rarely disturb the message.

👉 You sound competent and confident – now you need depth.

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🔵 94p – “Excellent and convincing”

(Erittäin vahva ja vakuuttava)

☐ My angle is clear from the beginning. ☐ Ideas develop logically and smoothly. ☐ I balance pros and cons thoughtfully. ☐ Vocabulary is idiomatic and precise. ☐ Errors are rare and minor.

👉 Your text feels finished and professional.

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🟣 99p – “Nuanced and memorable”

(Vivahteikas ja mieleen jäävä)

☐ Language flows effortlessly. ☐ Ideas contain tension, contrast or subtle insight. ☐ The reader senses judgement and maturity. ☐ Word choices feel inevitable, not flashy. ☐ The text leaves an impression.

👉 This is not about effort – it is about finesse.

Yliyrittäminen nousta just ylppäripäivänä tavanomaisen tasosi yläpuolelle on todella vaativa tehtävä. Tennistermein: Räjähtävä ykkössyöttö voi olla onnistuessaan hyvä ase, mutta jos “räjähtävyys” ei ole jo aiemmin suunnilleen lihasmuistiin ajettu menettelytapa, hampaat irvessä vääntäminen voi olla riski ylppäripäivänä. Tennispelaajalla on aina ns. kakkossyöttö, joka aika varmasti osuu ruutuun. Se ei ehkä ole yhtä loistelias kuin ykkössyöttö, mutta ehkä sitä voi editoimalla parantaa. Niin tennispelaajan kuin ABInkin tuloskunto hankitaan pitkällä aikavälillä ja paneutuvalla asenteella.

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PART II – 74 → 84 RESCUE GUIDE

(Miten nousta “ihan ok” ‑tasolta selvästi paremmaksi?)

1. Add structure – Lisää rakennetta

• Clear intro
• 2 focused body paragraphs
• Real conclusion (not repetition)

2. Kill generalities – Eroon ylimalkaisuudesta

❌ “AI is everywhere nowadays.” ✔ “AI already affects how students study, apply for jobs and are evaluated.”

3. Upgrade vocabulary slightly – Kevyt sanaston nosto

• good → beneficial
• bad → problematic
• many → numerous

4. Control errors – Virheiden hallinta

• Verb tenses
• Articles
• Word order

🎯 Goal: Be clearly organised, clearly understood, clearly relevant.

Suunnitelma, selkeä toteutus ja että pystytään nousemaan “minkä kirjoitin, sen kirjoitin”-ajattelun yläpuolelle ovat avainasemassa. Ei vaan kannata rakastua joka sanaan, jonka ruudulle kirjoittaa. DELETE-näppäimen sanotaankin olevan ihmiskunnan suurimpia keksintöjä

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PART III – 84 → 94 UPGRADE MANUAL

(Miten hyvästä erinomaiseksi?)

1. Add an angle, not more examples

(Näkökulma, ei lista)

Instead of listing pros and cons, frame them:

• efficiency vs responsibility
• convenience vs dependence
• progress vs control

2. Use one strong personal observation

(Yksi riittää)

Not autobiography – insight:

“When AI tools became common in schools, learning did not disappear – but thinking became optional for some students.”

3. Let language breathe

(Kielen rytmi)

• Mix short and long sentences
• Avoid mechanical patterns

🎯 Goal: Make the reader trust your judgement.

Eivät nämä vinkit rakettitiedettä ole. Hiukan kriittisyyttä ja paneutumista vaan kirjoitusprosessiin.

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PART IV – MICRO‑EXAMPLES

Same topic, different score bands

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🔸 74p paragraph

Artificial intelligence has many good and bad sides. It can help people do their work faster and make life easier. On the other hand, it can also cause problems, such as people losing their jobs. Therefore, AI should be used carefully in the future.

Why this stays at 74p:

• Correct but generic
• No angle
• No depth

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🔹 84p paragraph

Artificial intelligence offers clear advantages, especially in terms of efficiency and convenience. Tasks that once required hours of human effort can now be completed in seconds. However, this progress also raises concerns about job security, as automation increasingly replaces routine work. As a result, society must adapt to these changes rather than resist them.

Why this reaches 84p:

• Clear structure
• Balanced content
• Still somewhat predictable

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🔷 94p paragraph

Artificial intelligence has undeniably increased efficiency, particularly in fields where speed and accuracy are crucial. At the same time, its growing presence challenges traditional ideas of responsibility, as decisions are increasingly delegated to algorithms rather than humans. The real issue, therefore, is not whether AI is useful, but whether its use is guided by thoughtful human oversight.

Why this reaches 94p:

• Clear angle
• Logical development
• Controlled, idiomatic language

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🟪 99p paragraph

Artificial intelligence excels at optimisation, but it remains indifferent to consequences. While algorithms can outperform humans in speed and precision, they lack an understanding of ethical weight. This imbalance makes AI a powerful tool but a poor decision‑maker, reminding us that technological progress without human judgement is efficiency without direction.

Why this reaches 99p:

• Nuance
• Conceptual depth
• Memorable phrasing

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Final reminder – Loppumuistutus

Most strong essays are not written fast. They are written carefully.

Know your bracket. Respect it. Then move up deliberately.

Precision beats ambition when ambition outruns control.

This is exactly the kind of material that strong students quietly keep and reread.

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Yllä olevissa kappalemalleissa alkaa aina vaan enemmän kuulua se kokelaan oma ääni. Mielipiteet eivät ole vain “yhden koon sukkahousua”, jota kaikki myyvät kaikille. Tällä tasolla kirjoitettaessa kieliopillinen oikeellisuus on itse asiassa aika helposti saavutettavissa. Seuraavaksi kysytään, mitä painavaa sanottavaa kirjoittajalla on aiheesta? Olen lukenut jo kymmenen esitystä aiheesta. Mitähän tämä SINUN kirjoitelmasi lisää keskusteluun aiheesta? Jaa. Samoja juttuja suunnilleen kuin muillakin. Vaiko näin: Hei, tuossahan on tuore oma näkökulma, joka on jopa perusteltu. Enkä ole edes aiemmin lukenut mistään. WUHUU!

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Ai Composition Skill Lab – Paragraph Surgery, Examiner Annotations & Counterexamples

Paragraph Surgery · Examiner Thinking · Counterexamples

Topic: The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

Tämä materiaali näyttää konkreettisesti, miten teksti nousee tasolta toiselle – ja miksi se joskus ei nouse, vaikka yritystä on.

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PART I – PARAGRAPH SURGERY

From 74p to 94p, one deliberate step at a time

(Kappalekirurgiaa: nosto vaihe vaiheelta)

🔸 Original 74p paragraph (patient zero)

Artificial intelligence has many good and bad sides. It can help people work faster and make life easier. However, it can also cause problems such as people losing their jobs. Because of this, AI should be used carefully in the future.

Examiner view: “Correct, clear, but completely generic. Anyone could have written this.”

Tässä on just niitä yleisen tason huomioita, joissa ei ole mitään uutta.

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✂️ Step 1: Clarify the idea (74 → 78)

(Tarkenna ajatusta)

Artificial intelligence brings both efficiency and risk to modern working life. It can help people complete tasks faster and reduce routine labour, but it also threatens jobs that rely on repetitive skills. For this reason, the use of AI requires careful consideration.

What improved:

• Slightly more precise vocabulary
• Clearer focus on work

Still missing: Angle, depth, originality

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✂️ Step 2: Add structure and balance (78 → 84)

(Rakenne ja tasapaino)

Artificial intelligence brings efficiency to modern working life by reducing routine labour and speeding up processes. At the same time, it threatens jobs that rely on repetitive skills, forcing many workers to adapt or retrain. As a result, the benefits of AI are inseparable from the social responsibility they create.

What improved:

• Logical development
• Cause–effect relationship

Band reached: Solid 84p

Tarkempaa kuvausta asiaan kuuluvalla sanastolla tässä. Ajatus on vielä kaikkien tavoitettavissa.

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✂️ Step 3: Introduce an angle (84 → 94)

(Selkeä näkökulma)

Artificial intelligence increases efficiency in modern working life, particularly by replacing repetitive tasks. However, this efficiency comes at a social cost, as workers are expected to adapt faster than systems designed to support them. The real challenge of AI, therefore, lies not in job loss itself but in how societies manage the transition it accelerates.

Why this works:

• Clear conceptual frame
• Reader is guided to a conclusion

Kirjoittaja johdattaa lukijan ajatuksiin, joita hän ei luultavasti ole kohdannut aiemmin.

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✂️ Step 4: Add nuance (94 → 99, optional)

(Vivahde, ei pakollinen)

Artificial intelligence excels at replacing repetitive labour, making efficiency its greatest strength. Yet the speed of this transformation often outpaces society’s ability to respond, leaving individuals to absorb the consequences. In this sense, AI does not eliminate work so much as it exposes how unprepared we are for rapid change.

Note: This level is about judgement, not vocabulary.

Lukijalle tulee tunne, että kirjoittaja tietää asiasta ja pystyy analyysiin eikä vain prosessien kuvailuun.

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PART II – TEACHER’S ANNOTATED VERSION

What the examiner actually thinks while reading

(Mitä arvioija ajattelee lukiessaan)

Paragraph (94p level)

Artificial intelligence has significantly improved efficiency in many professional fields, particularly those dependent on speed and accuracy. However, as decision‑making is increasingly delegated to algorithms, responsibility becomes less visible and harder to assign. This shift raises the question of whether technological progress is advancing faster than our ability to control its consequences.

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Examiner’s internal commentary

• Sentence 1: Clear, controlled, relevant. No wasted words.
• Sentence 2: Introduces tension (efficiency vs responsibility).
• Sentence 3: Abstract reflection – shows maturity.

✔ Language is natural and idiomatic ✔ Structure is tight ✔ No obvious risk‑taking

Verdict: Excellent. Reader trusts the writer.

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PART III – COUNTEREXAMPLE PACK

“Why this fails to move up”

(Miksi teksti ei nouse seuraavaan kategoriaan)

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❌ Counterexample A: Vocabulary overdose

Artificial intelligence constitutes a multifarious technological phenomenon which incontrovertibly facilitates optimisation across numerous societal domains.

Why it fails:

• Sounds memorised
• Meaning is buried
• Risk outweighs reward

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❌ Counterexample B: Fake depth

AI is a double‑edged sword that has both positive and negative effects, which must be carefully considered in today’s society.

Why it fails:

• Empty metaphor
• No actual analysis

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❌ Counterexample C: Off‑task cleverness

When Alan Turing imagined thinking machines, he could hardly have predicted how smartphones would dominate our lives today.

Why it fails:

• Interesting, but irrelevant
• Guidance not followed

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❌ Counterexample D: Colloquial register

AI can be super useful, but it can also mess things up pretty badly if we’re not careful.

Why it fails:

• Wrong register
• Weak precision

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Upgrading a paragraph is rarely about adding more.

It is about:

• removing vagueness
• sharpening focus
• guiding the reader

Revise surgically, not emotionally.

Control is what separates a good essay from a memorable one.

Full Essay Surgery & 74 → 84 Exam‑Day Survival Checklist

Topic: The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

Tämä materiaali näyttää kokonaisuuden: miten koko teksti nousee tasolta toiselle – ja mitä tehdä koepäivänä, jos tähtäät varmaan 84 pisteeseen.

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PART I – FULL ESSAY SURGERY

Introduction + One Body Paragraph

(Koko tekstin nosto)

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🔸 Version A: 74p‑level mini‑essay

Introduction

Artificial intelligence is becoming more common in today’s society. It has many advantages, but it also causes problems. Some people think AI is helpful, while others are worried about its effects. Therefore, it is important to look at both sides of the issue.

Body paragraph

One advantage of artificial intelligence is that it makes work easier and faster. Many tasks can be done automatically, which saves time and money. However, AI can also replace human workers, which may lead to unemployment. Because of this, AI should be developed carefully.

Examiner snapshot:

• Fully understandable
• Completely predictable
• Safe but unremarkable

Band: 74p

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✂️ Surgery Step 1: Focus and precision (74 → ~80)

(Tarkennus ja fokus)

Introduction

Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of modern society, influencing how people work and make decisions. While its benefits are often emphasised, its risks are just as significant. Examining both sides of AI is therefore essential in order to understand its real impact.

Body paragraph

One clear advantage of artificial intelligence is increased efficiency in working life. Automated systems can complete routine tasks quickly and accurately, allowing companies to save time and resources. However, this same efficiency threatens jobs that rely on repetitive skills, raising concerns about long‑term employment.

What improved:

• Fewer vague phrases
• Clearer topic focus

Band: High 70s / low 80s

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✂️ Surgery Step 2: Structure and development (80 → 84)

(Rakenne ja kehittely)

Introduction

Artificial intelligence has become a defining feature of modern society, particularly in working life. Although it offers clear benefits in terms of efficiency, it also creates serious challenges. To understand its true value, both its advantages and its consequences must be examined.

Body paragraph

Artificial intelligence significantly increases efficiency by automating repetitive tasks that once required human labour. As a result, productivity improves and resources can be redirected to more complex work. At the same time, this shift places pressure on workers whose skills are no longer in demand, making retraining and adaptation unavoidable.

Why this reaches 84p:

• Clear introduction
• One main idea per paragraph
• Logical progression

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✂️ Surgery Step 3: Add an angle (84 → 94, optional)

(Näkökulman lisääminen)

Introduction

Artificial intelligence is often praised for improving efficiency, especially in working life. Yet this focus on productivity can obscure its wider social consequences. The real challenge of AI lies not in what it can do, but in how societies respond to the changes it accelerates.

Body paragraph

By automating repetitive tasks, artificial intelligence undeniably increases efficiency. However, the speed of this transformation often exceeds the ability of workers and institutions to adapt. This imbalance suggests that AI itself is not the core problem; rather, it exposes weaknesses in how societies prepare for technological change.

Band: Clear 94p territory

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PART II – 74 → 84 SURVIVAL CHECKLIST (EXAM DAY)

“Do this, and you will not collapse into 74p”

(Koepäivän varmistuslista)

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✅ BEFORE WRITING (Ennen kirjoittamista)

TÄRKEÄÄ!

☐ I read the guidance twice. ☐ I identified the text type. ☐ I chose one clear angle. ☐ I planned 2 body paragraphs.

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✅ WHILE WRITING (Kirjoittaessa)

☐ Each paragraph has one idea. ☐ I used signposts (however, as a result). ☐ I avoided slang and contractions. ☐ I stayed on topic at all times.

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✅ LANGUAGE CONTROL (Kielen hallinta)

☐ I used vocabulary I control. ☐ I varied sentence length. ☐ I avoided risky structures.

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✅ REVISION (Viimeistely)

☐ I checked verb tenses. ☐ I checked articles and prepositions. ☐ I removed repetition. ☐ I improved weak words (good → beneficial).

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🎯 FINAL REALITY CHECK (Todellisuustesti)

Ask yourself:

“Is this clearly structured and clearly developed?”

If yes, you are safely above 74p.

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Final note – Loppuhuomio

An 84‑point essay is not flashy.

It is:

• focused
• controlled
• reliable

On exam day, reliability beats ambition every time.

You don’t need brilliance to rise – you need discipline.

Topic: The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

Tämä materiaali on sinulle, joka kirjoitat jo erinomaisesti – ja haluat varmistaa, ettet pilaa sitä viime metreillä.

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PART I – THE 94‑POINT “DO NOT RUIN IT” CHECKLIST

(Erinomaisen tekstin turvaohje)

A 94‑point essay is already excellent. Most drops from this level happen because the writer adds, forces or panics.

Use this checklist to hold your level.

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🚫 CONTENT: Do not overreach (Sisältö: Älä yliyritä)

☐ I did not introduce a new idea in the last paragraph. ☐ I resisted adding an extra example “just in case”. ☐ I avoided dramatic claims I cannot support.

Rule: One clear angle beats three half‑developed ones.

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🚫 LANGUAGE: Do not show off (Kieli: Älä esitä)

☐ I did not use words I am unsure about. ☐ I avoided memorised phrases that sound artificial. ☐ I did not translate Finnish expressions literally.

Rule: Precision > sophistication.

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🚫 STRUCTURE: Do not disturb the flow (Rakenne: Älä riko rytmiä)

☐ Paragraphs stay focused on one idea. ☐ Transitions are subtle, not mechanical. ☐ The conclusion closes the discussion instead of reopening it.

Rule: A smooth text feels inevitable, not busy.

Hyin sanottu tuo yllä oleva.

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🚫 REGISTER: Do not slip (Tyylitaso: Älä lipsu)

☐No slang, chatty tone or rhetorical jokes. ☐ No contractions unless clearly justified. ☐ Tone stays calm and analytical.

Rule: Maturity is invisible – until it disappears.

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🚫 REVISION: Do not panic‑edit (Viimeistely: Älä hätäile)

☐ I corrected errors instead of rewriting sentences. ☐ I did not add complexity during revision. ☐ I removed weak words instead of decorating them.

Rule: Late ambition destroys early clarity.

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🎯 FINAL 94‑CHECK

Ask yourself:

“If I changed nothing, would this already be excellent?”

If yes – stop.

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PART II – BAD INTRO / GOOD INTRO CONTRAST PACK

Why introductions decide the ceiling (Johdanto määrittää maksimitason)

Huom: Kirjoitusfibat / kielioppifibat heti alkuriveillä eivät ole hyvä idea. Lukijan oletus voi siitä etiäpäin olla, että mitä kaikkea täältä tuleekaan vielä vastaan. Sellaista vaikutelmaa emme halua antaa.

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❌ Bad intro A: Vague and predictable

Artificial intelligence is a very important topic in today’s world. It has many advantages and disadvantages that affect people’s lives in different ways. In this essay, I will discuss the pros and cons of AI.

Why this caps the score:

• Empty importance claim
• No angle
• Formulaic signalling

Ceiling: ~74p

Ns. Ääneenajattelua. Itsestäänselvyyksiä. Näillä ei vielä tehdä vaikutusta.

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❌ Bad intro B: Encyclopaedic

Artificial intelligence refers to machines that are capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning and problem‑solving.

Why this caps the score:

• Dictionary definition
• No engagement
• Wasted space

Ceiling: ~74–84p

Ulkokohtainen ja toteava. Ei tässä tiedeartikkelia tehdä. Tai ehkäpä tieteen tekeminen on sun juttu, mutta vielä ei olla tutkimusraporttien kirjoitusvaiheessa.

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❌ Bad intro C: Over‑ambitious

Since the dawn of humanity, humans have sought to replicate their own intelligence, a quest that has now culminated in artificial intelligence.

Why this caps the score:

• Grand but irrelevant
• Raises expectations the text cannot meet

Ceiling: Unstable

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✅ Good intro 84p: Clear and controlled

Artificial intelligence has become a visible part of everyday life, particularly in working life and education. While its efficiency is widely praised, its broader consequences are often overlooked. For this reason, both the advantages and challenges of AI deserve careful consideration.

Why this works:

• Focused
• Relevant
• Safe

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✅ Good intro 94p: Clear angle

Artificial intelligence is frequently celebrated for improving efficiency, yet this narrow focus can hide its wider social impact. As AI increasingly shapes how decisions are made, the question is no longer what it can do, but how responsibly it is used.

Why this works:

• Immediate angle
• Mature tone
• Invites development

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✅ Good intro 99p: Subtle and confident

Artificial intelligence rarely fails because it is ineffective; it fails because it is applied without reflection. This tension between technical success and human responsibility lies at the heart of current debates surrounding AI.

Why this works:

• Conceptual tension
• No wasted words
• Sets a high but realistic ceiling

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Final teaching insight – Opettajan huomio

Most excellent essays are not upgraded into brilliance.

They are simply not sabotaged.

Know when to stop – and trust what you have already built!

Restraint is the final advanced skill.

1. The 94-point “do not ruin it” checklist

• the real enemy of strong students: last-minute overthinking
• legitimises stopping.
• teaches that restraint, not ambition, is the final advanced skill.
• it’s gold for students who:
  • keep “improving” themselves out of a top score
  • confuse effort with quality

2. Bad-intro / good-intro contrast pack

• Makes the examiner’s ceiling visible immediately
• Shows that:
  • weak intros don’t just start badly – they cap the score
  • strong intros don’t impress, they orient
• Excellent for:
  • whole-class discussion
  • quick diagnosis (“Which one does yours resemble?”)
  • demystifying why two fluent essays score very differently

***********************

The Ultimate AI Composition Playbook

Finnish Matriculation Exam – English

This approach tells you exactly where you stand, how to move up, and how not to sabotage yourself on exam day.

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PART A – HOW THE EXAM REALLY WORKS

(Mitä kokeessa oikeasti mitataan)

You are not rewarded for creativity alone, rare vocabulary or ambition.

You are rewarded for:

• clarity (selkeys)
• structure (rakenne)
• controlled language (hallittu kieli)
• relevant, developed ideas (kehitelty sisältö)

The closer you are to 84–94 points, the more judgement matters.

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PART B – WHICH BRACKET AM I REALLY IN?

Self‑Assessment Rubric

🟡 74p – Mostly clear, but ordinary

• I answer the task, but without a clear angle.
• My ideas are predictable.
• Vocabulary is correct but typical.

➡ Reader understands me, but is not impressed.

🟢 84p – Clearly good

• Clear introduction and conclusion.
• One idea per paragraph.
• Some original or personal insight.

➡ Reader trusts me.

🔵 94p – Excellent

• Clear angle from the start.
• Logical development.
• Idiomatic, precise language.

➡ Reader is convinced.

🟣 99p – Memorable

• Nuance and tension.
• Effortless flow.

➡ Reader remembers the text.

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PART C – 74 → 84 SURVIVAL GUIDE

(Varma nousu pois 74‑tasolta)

Do this:

• Plan before writing.
• Write clear topic sentences.
• Develop ideas logically.
• Use vocabulary you control.

Avoid this:

• General statements.
• Slang or chatty tone.
• Last‑minute risks.

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PART D – FULL ESSAY SURGERY (Topic: AI)

Intro + Body Paragraph

74p version (problematic)

Artificial intelligence is important in today’s society. It has good and bad sides. Some people like it, while others are worried about it.

84p version (controlled)

Artificial intelligence has become a visible part of modern society, especially in working life. While it improves efficiency, it also creates new challenges that must be addressed.

94p version (clear angle)

Artificial intelligence is often praised for efficiency, yet this focus can hide its wider social consequences. The real challenge of AI lies in how responsibly its benefits are managed.

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PART E – PARAGRAPH SURGERY

From ordinary to excellent

74p paragraph

AI makes work faster, but it can cause job loss.

84p paragraph

AI increases efficiency by automating routine tasks, but this progress also threatens jobs that rely on repetitive skills.

94p paragraph

AI improves efficiency by replacing repetitive labour, yet this same efficiency often outpaces society’s ability to support those affected by the change.

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PART F – INTRODUCTION CONTRAST PACK

Why introductions set the ceiling

❌ Weak intro

AI is an important topic with many pros and cons.

✅ Strong intro (84p)

AI affects how people work and make decisions, making its advantages and challenges equally important.

✅ Excellent intro (94p)

AI is praised for efficiency, but its real impact depends on how responsibly it is applied.

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PART G – 94‑POINT “DO NOT RUIN IT” CHECKLIST

(Pidä erinomainen taso)

☐ I did not add new ideas at the end. ☐ I avoided risky vocabulary. ☐ I kept the tone formal. ☐ I revised calmly, not creatively.

➡ If it already works, do not decorate it.

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PART H – EXAM‑DAY CHECKLIST

Before writing

☐ I read the task carefully. ☐ I chose one angle. ☐ I planned paragraphs.

While writing

☐ One idea per paragraph. ☐ Clear signposts. ☐ Correct register.

Revision

☐ Tenses checked. ☐ Articles checked. ☐ Weak words upgraded.

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Final reminder

A strong essay is not rushed. A top essay is not forced.

Clear thinking leads to clear language.

You now have a single, coherent booklet that also functions as a student-friendly printable pack.

Why this format works especially well

Pedagogically

• One continuous logic:
  understand → diagnose → upgrade → protect
• No contradictions, no mixed messages.
• Students see where they are, where they can realistically go, and when to stop.

Psychologically

• 74p students feel there is a system.
• 84p students see a concrete path upward.
• 94p students get permission not to self-sabotage.
• 99p is framed as finesse, not failure if missed.

At this point, this is no longer “exam advice”.
It’s a method.

Happy writing!