Writing and composition: task, structure and accuracy
What the writing section tests
Writing and composition tests controlled production: a short functional text (note, message, letter, diary) and/or a longer composition. Marks depend on task completion, organization, range and accuracy of vocabulary and characters, and register.
Core rules and concepts
- Identify the format, audience and purpose. A note to a friend uses 你; a letter to a teacher uses 您 and a formal closing.
- Plan three parts: opening, body with the required points, closing. Include every bullet in the prompt.
- Use time and sequence markers: 首先, 然后, 接着, 最后; use 因为…所以 and 虽然…但是 for links.
- Keep sentences short enough to control characters and particles. Check 的/地/得, measure words, and verb–object collocations.
- Punctuate with Chinese full stops 。, commas ，, question marks ？ and quotation marks 「」 or “”.
- Leave time to check stroke details and tone marks if pinyin is required.
Worked example
Task: write a 60–80-character note inviting a friend to the library on Saturday at 3 p.m. Draft: “小明：星期六下午三点我们一起去图书馆，好吗？我在门口等你。如果你有事，请打电话告诉我。 小华 三月五日” Reasoning: names the addressee, states time/place/activity, uses 好吗 to invite, gives a meeting point, adds a contingency with 如果…请, signs and dates. The register is friendly but polite.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing a memorized essay that does not answer the prompt.
- Omitting one required point, such as time or signature.
- Mixing formal and informal address.
- Overusing 了 or leaving out measure words.
- Illegible or wrongly stroked characters.