Writing: Clear Sentences, Structure and Purpose
What the writing test asks of you
The writing standard checks whether you can produce a short, clear text that suits its purpose and reader. You may be asked to write an email, a message, a short report, a letter of complaint or an explanation. Markers look for a clear main idea, logical order, complete sentences, correct punctuation, appropriate tone and accurate spelling of common words.
Concepts to master
Purpose and audience. Decide before you write: am I informing, requesting, explaining or persuading, and who will read this? A message to a manager is more formal than a text to a friend.
Structure. Most short texts need an opening that states the purpose, middle paragraphs that give details in order, and a closing that states what happens next or thanks the reader.
Paragraphing. One idea per paragraph, with a topic sentence first.
Sentence control. A complete sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Avoid run-on sentences joined only by commas; use a full stop, or a conjunction such as because or so.
Punctuation. Use capital letters for sentence starts and proper nouns, commas for lists and introductory phrases, apostrophes for possession (the manager's office) and contractions (don't), and question marks for questions.
Cohesion. Link ideas with words such as however, therefore, first, finally and in addition.
Tone and register. Avoid slang in formal writing; be direct but polite. Use "I am writing to ask..." rather than "Hey, I wanna know...".
Traps to watch for
- Writing everything in one long paragraph with no clear order.
- Missing the purpose: a complaint that never says what you want done.
- Comma splices and sentence fragments.
- Shifting tense or person halfway through.
- Spelling errors in common words and homophones (their/there, your/you're).
Rule of thumb
Plan three points, write one paragraph for each, then reread aloud to catch missing words and punctuation. Check that your first and last sentences make the purpose clear.
Worked example. For an email about a late delivery, open with the purpose ("I am writing about order 4471, which arrived three days late"), give the facts and effect, then close with a clear request ("Please confirm what compensation is available").