Written production: composition with coherence, cohesion, range and accuracy
What the domain tests
The written production task asks for a short composition, commonly 120-150 words, based on a prompt related to the text's theme. Andalusia PAU English rewards coherent organisation, appropriate cohesion, lexical and grammatical range, and accuracy. The rubric is not a beauty contest: a clear, correct, fully relevant answer beats an ambitious but muddled one.
Core rules
- Answer every part of the prompt. If it asks for opinion + reasons + example, include all three.
- Plan three or four paragraphs: introduction with a clear position; body with one idea per paragraph; conclusion that does not introduce a new topic.
- Use topic sentences. Each paragraph should be understandable from its first sentence.
- Show range with one or two complex structures you control: a relative clause, a conditional, a passive, a participle clause or a comparative.
- Check accuracy at the end: subject-verb agreement, articles, plurals, tense consistency, spelling of common words.
- Respect register: a school magazine article can be semi-formal; a letter to a council should be polite and formal.
Worked example
Prompt: 'Write an article for your school magazine on whether mobile phones should be banned during break (120-150 words).' Plan: Paragraph 1 states a qualified position: phones should be restricted, not banned outright. Paragraph 2 gives the safety argument: students need to contact parents when plans change. Paragraph 3 gives the concentration and social argument: notifications interrupt conversation and play. Paragraph 4 recommends silent zones and clear rules. Useful sentences: 'Although phones can be a distraction, an outright ban would ignore their practical value.' 'If the school created phone-free zones, students could still use devices responsibly.' Reasoning: 'Although' concedes a point, 'would ignore' is a conditional consequence, and 'phone-free zones' is a precise compound adjective. The answer stays on the prompt and keeps a consistent semi-formal register.
Traps
- Memorised templates that do not fit the prompt.
- Writing under the word limit, which usually loses content marks.
- One long paragraph with no signposting.
- Overusing 'I think' in every sentence.
- Informal chat ('stuff', 'guys', 'a lotta') in a formal task.
- Spelling slips in basic words (because, tomorrow, environment).
Exam routine
Spend two minutes planning, write, then reserve three minutes to check verbs and plurals. Count words roughly by lines only if the limit is strict.