Written Production: Composition or Essay on a Given Topic
The Written Production domain asks you to write a composition or opinion essay of about 120–150 words on a topic linked to the reading text. It is marked for task achievement, organization, range of language, and accuracy. You are not being asked for literary brilliance; you are being asked to answer the question clearly in English that a reader can follow without effort.
Plan before you write
Spend three to four minutes deciding your position and two or three supporting reasons. A reliable structure is: introduction (paraphrase the topic and state your thesis), one or two body paragraphs (one idea each, with a reason or example), and a conclusion (restate the position without repeating the introduction word for word). Paragraphing is part of the mark.
Address the prompt exactly
Underline the instruction words: discuss both views, give your opinion, describe, advantages and disadvantages. If the prompt asks for both views, giving only your own view loses task-achievement marks. If it asks for your opinion, do not sit on the fence.
Control register and linking
Use formal or neutral English: no contractions (don't → do not), no slang, no rhetorical questions in an essay. Link ideas with however, therefore, moreover, whereas, in contrast, as a result. Do not begin every sentence with I think or Also.
Worked example
Prompt: 'Some people say technology isolates us; others say it connects us. Discuss both views and give your opinion.' Weak opening: 'Nowadays technology is very important. I agree.' - It does not mention the debate and gives no thesis. Stronger opening: 'Technology is often blamed for social isolation, yet it also enables contact across distances. This essay examines both claims before arguing that the effect depends on how the tool is used.' This names both views and states a clear position. A body paragraph should then develop one view with a concrete example, not a list of general statements.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing fewer than 100 words or far more than 150; both damage task achievement.
- Ignoring the second part of a two-part prompt.
- Memorized sentences that do not fit the topic.
- No paragraphs, or one-sentence paragraphs.
- Basic errors in agreement (people is), articles, and plurals.
- Copying phrases from the reading text as if they were your own ideas.