Writing: Structure, Register and Range
What the writing task really tests
Writing tasks require you to produce a coherent text of the right text type (letter, email, diary, notice, article, speech) for a specified audience and purpose. You must control register: formal writing uses 您, 敬礼, 此致, full forms; informal writing uses 你, 嗨, colloquial particles. Structure matters: an opening that states purpose, body paragraphs each with one idea, and a closing appropriate to the text type. Assessment rewards range (varied sentence patterns, connectives such as 虽然…但是, 不但…而且, 如果…就) and accuracy (measure words, aspect markers 了/过/着, word order).
Traps to watch for
Students lose marks by answering only part of the prompt, ignoring the required audience, or mixing formal and informal address. Another trap is translating English sentence structure word by word, producing errors in 的/地/得 or misplaced time phrases. Do not overuse one pattern; repeating 因为…所以 in every sentence limits range. Leave time to check characters, punctuation and measure words.
Rule of thumb
Spend three minutes planning: audience, purpose, three main points, key vocabulary. Write a clear opening and closing formula for the text type, then link paragraphs with connectives. Reserve four minutes to proofread for register and character errors.
Worked example
Prompt: write an email to a teacher explaining why you missed class. Opening: 王老师，您好！很抱歉，我昨天没能来上课，因为…… Closing: 谢谢您的理解。学生李明. The formal 您 and 学生李明 signature match the audience; a friend would get 你 and 嗨.