Writing
Writing: plan, develop, and check
Writing prompts assess task response, organization, grammar and sentence variety, vocabulary, character accuracy, and punctuation. Begin by underlining the task words: topic, audience, purpose, format, and any required points. Spend two or three minutes outlining a thesis or main idea and two supporting paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence, explanation or evidence, and a linking sentence. Use cohesive devices such as 首先, 其次, 然而, 因此, and 例如, but do not overuse them. For narrative writing, establish time, place, characters, conflict, and outcome; for argumentative writing, state a claim, give reasons, and address a counterpoint.
Traps include answering only part of the prompt, listing opinions without development, confusing homophones when writing characters, omitting measure words, mixing formal and informal register, and using punctuation as in English-for example, using a comma to join full clauses. Check aspect markers and verb complements: 了, 过, 着, 完, 到 change meaning. Reserve time to proofread for character shape, subject-predicate agreement, and sentence completeness.
Worked example: Instead of a vague sentence “因为下雨，所以比赛推迟了，大家很失望,” develop it: “因为雨下得很大，比赛不得不推迟到下周。虽然大家有些失望，但还是决定继续训练。” The revision adds degree, result, and attitude. Rule of thumb: every paragraph needs a clear job-claim, support, or transition-and every sentence should connect to the prompt.