Written production I: task achievement, organisation and coherence
This domain covers the writing task itself - usually a short text of roughly 120–150 words on a prompt that names a genre and asks one or two questions. It is scored on whether you did the task, not on whether you had interesting opinions. Three criteria dominate: task achievement (all parts of the prompt, correct genre and register, appropriate length), organisation (paragraphing and progression), and coherence (linking that reflects real logical relations).
Spend five minutes planning
Underline four things in the prompt: the topic, the genre, the reader, and every question mark. Missing a second question is the most expensive error in this task. Then write a one-sentence thesis, and two or three supporting ideas, each with a reason, example or consequence.
Shape by genre
- Opinion essay: introduction with thesis; body paragraph per reason; a concession and rebuttal if the prompt invites balance; conclusion restating the position.
- For-and-against essay: neutral introduction; one side per paragraph; balanced conclusion, with your view only if asked.
- Article or blog post: hook in the first line, direct address, subheadings or a final question are acceptable.
- Email or letter: greeting, purpose stated in the first sentence, body, closing formula matching the register.
- Review: what it is, description, evaluation, recommendation.
- Narrative: set-up, complication, resolution, in past tenses with time linkers.
Coherence
Link by function, not by habit: addition (moreover, in addition), contrast (however, whereas, although), cause (since, owing to), result (therefore, as a result), example (for instance), conclusion (on balance, overall). One connector per boundary is enough; reference chains (pronouns, synonyms) do more for coherence than a pile of linkers.
Worked example
Prompt: Some schools ban mobile phones. Do you think this is a good idea? Give reasons.
Plan: thesis - yes, because phones fragment attention and because a ban is easier to enforce than partial rules. Paragraph 1 topic sentence: The main argument for a ban is attentional. Paragraph 2: A second reason is practical: clear rules are easier to apply than negotiated ones. Concession paragraph: phones are useful in emergencies, but school offices already handle contact with families. Conclusion restates the thesis without new material - note that both prompt questions (opinion and reasons) are answered.
Traps that cost marks
- Answering only the first question in the prompt.
- Reproducing a memorised essay that only half fits.
- Introducing a new argument in the conclusion.
- One-sentence paragraphs, or a solid block of text with no paragraphing.
- Overshooting the word limit until accuracy collapses.