Writing in Korean
What this section tests
You produce extended Korean in a specified text type - a letter, email, diary entry, blog post, review, or short argument - for a stated audience and purpose. Marks are split between content (relevant ideas, task completion) and language (grammar, vocabulary range, register, cohesion).
Concepts to master
- Register consistency: pick 합니다체 for formal letters, emails to institutions and notices; 해요체 for friendly messages and blogs. Never mix within one piece.
- Text-type conventions: 편지 has 인사 and ending (안녕하세요 / 잘 부탁드립니다, 다음에 또 연락드릴게요); a 후기 states what you experienced and evaluates it; a 주장하는 글 states a claim, gives two reasons, and concludes.
- Cohesion: 그런데, 그래서, 또한, 예를 들어, 결론적으로. Use them to link sentences, not to decorate.
- Grammar range: include at least one form from each of: reason (-아/어서, -기 때문에), contrast (-지만, -는데), intention (-(으)려고, -을 것이다), experience (-아/어 본 적이 있다).
- Spelling: 맞춤법 errors (되/돼, 안/않, -ㄹ게 vs -ㄹ께) cost language marks.
Traps
- Writing everything you know about the topic instead of answering the bullet points. Each prompt bullet needs one clear sentence or more.
- Dropping to casual 해체 by accident in a formal piece.
- Overusing the same connector or the same sentence pattern.
- Ignoring word-count guidance - too short loses content marks.
Rule of thumb
Spend two minutes planning: one line per prompt bullet, plus an opening and a closing sentence. Then write. Reserve three minutes to check every verb ending for register and every 되/돼.
Worked example
Prompt: write an email to a Korean club asking to join and explaining why. Open: 안녕하세요, 한국 문화 동아리 담당자님. State purpose: 동아리에 가입하고 싶어 문의드립니다. Give two reasons with -아/어서 and -기 때문에. Close: 답변 기다리겠습니다. 감사합니다. That structure satisfies content and register simultaneously.