LanguageCert Academic Writing: Two Tasks, Distinct Conventions
What the paper asks of you
Writing is two tasks in 50 minutes. Task 1 is transactional: an email or letter of about 150 words responding to a situation and covering given content points. Task 2 is discursive: an essay or report of about 250 words presenting and supporting a position. Scripts are marked on task achievement, organisation, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy, with register judged throughout.
Core rules
- Cover every bullet. Task 1 usually lists three content points plus a purpose, so tick each off before you finish.
- Match conventions to the reader: 'Dear Dr Chen … Yours sincerely' for a named official, 'Hi Sam … All the best' to a colleague; no contractions or slang in the essay.
- State your position in Task 2's first paragraph and answer the exact question in the conclusion, including both halves of a two-part prompt.
- One idea per paragraph, signposted: 'The strongest argument for…', 'However, this overlooks…'.
- Never copy the rubric, and avoid memorised openers; examiners discount scripted language.
Worked example
Prompt: 'Some employers let staff work from home. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.' Weak opening: 'Nowadays, working from home is very popular all over the world.' Strong opening: 'Homeworking is routine in many graduate jobs, but the freedom it gives employees carries real costs for teams. This essay weighs both sides before arguing that hybrid working is the workable compromise.' Reasoning: the strong version narrows the topic, announces the essay's job and previews a position the examiner can credit under task achievement and organisation. The weak version is a frame that would fit any topic and says nothing.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing under the word minimum, which caps task achievement.
- Spending 30 minutes on Task 1 and rushing the heavier Task 2.
- Answering only one half of a 'discuss both views and give your opinion' prompt.
- Dropping register mid-text ('so basically…').
- Summarising points at the end instead of concluding.