Guided Writing: Cover the Points, Control the Register
What is being assessed
The prompt gives a situation and a bulleted list of points to include. Markers reward full coverage, correct format and register, coherent linking, and accurate language - in that order. A short, clean, well-organised piece beats an ambitious piece with half the points missing.
Concepts you must control
- Format conventions: an email to a friend opens "Dear Tom," and closes "Best wishes,"; a notice has a title and no personal greeting; a speech addresses "Dear fellow students".
- Register: formal writing avoids contractions, slang and exclamation marks; informal writing can use them.
- Coverage: every bullet must become at least one clear sentence, ideally one short paragraph each.
- Linking: First, In addition, However, As a result, I would appreciate it if...
- Tense logic: the past for what happened, the present for facts, will/would for plans and polite requests.
Traps
- Missing one bullet entirely - the most common and most costly error.
- Writing far over the word limit and running out of time or accuracy.
- Mixing registers: "Hey!" inside a letter to a headmaster.
- Inventing extra content that pushes out required points.
- Forgetting the conventional closing line ("I look forward to your reply.").
Worked example
Prompt: write an email to a foreign friend recommending a city, covering (1) why you recommend it, (2) what to see, (3) when to come. Plan three short paragraphs:
- "I was delighted to hear you are planning a trip, and I'd strongly recommend Hangzhou."
- "The West Lake alone is worth the journey; the old streets nearby are best explored on foot."
- "Late spring is ideal - mild weather and fewer crowds. Do let me know your dates." Close with "Best wishes,".
Rule of thumb
Number the bullets on your draft, tick each one as you write it, and leave one minute to check tense and spelling.