Writing: task achievement, register, organisation
The Writing paper has two tasks: a shorter transactional text - usually an email or letter to a friend or colleague - and a longer piece chosen from options such as an article, report or formal letter. It tests whether you cover the task points, choose a register that fits the reader, organise ideas into paragraphs, and control grammar and vocabulary at B2. Marks are lost for missing content far more often than for small language slips.
Core rules
- Content points come first: every bullet or instruction in the prompt must be answered, or the text fails the task whatever its English.
- Register follows the reader: contractions, "Hi" and direct questions for a friend; full forms, polite formulas and no contractions for an institution.
- Format conventions matter: emails need a greeting and sign-off, articles need a title and a hook, reports need headings.
- One paragraph, one idea: a topic sentence followed by supporting detail or example.
- Stay close to the word limit; slightly over is normal, but a text half as long again suggests poor control.
Worked example
Prompt: "Write an email to a friend. Say you cannot come to their party, explain why, and suggest meeting another time." Reasoning: the reader is a friend, so open "Hi Anna," not "Dear Sir/Madam". Refuse early and soften it: "I'm really sorry, but I can't make Saturday." The reason must be specific and invented convincingly - "I'm on a training course in Leeds that weekend" - not "I'm busy". Then give a concrete alternative: "Could we meet the following Saturday? My treat." Close with "See you soon," and your name. Paraphrase the prompt rather than copying its wording.
Traps that cost marks
- A memorised essay that answers a similar but different question.
- Mixing registers inside one text, such as "Dear Sir" followed by "Can't wait!".
- Forgetting one bullet of the task, which caps the content mark.
- Long unparagraphed blocks that make the structure invisible to the examiner.