Writing: task response, register and controlled sentence range
What the section demands
The Writing section sets two tasks under a fixed time limit: a shorter transactional piece (an email or letter to a named reader, in a formal, semi-formal or informal register) and a longer discursive essay responding to an opinion, argument or problem prompt. Markers weigh task achievement, organisation and cohesion, range and precision of vocabulary, and grammatical range and accuracy.
Concepts you must control
- Register: contractions, phrasal verbs and direct address for a friend; full forms, passive and impersonal constructions, and conventional openings and closings for an institution.
- Prompt coverage: count the bullet points or question parts and make sure each is explicitly answered.
- Cohesion without formula: linkers such as while, consequently, a further consideration should carry logic, not decorate.
- Paragraph logic: one controlling idea per paragraph, announced in a topic sentence and developed with explanation and example.
- Sentence variety: a controlled mix of simple, compound and complex structures plus accurate articles, agreement and punctuation.
Traps
Writing a memorised template that answers a different question; slipping into the wrong register ("Hi guys" in a complaint to a company); ignoring one bullet; padding with generalities instead of developing two or three reasons in depth; over-long sentences that collapse into fragments; and copying the prompt verbatim as your introduction.
Worked example and rule of thumb
Prompt: Some people believe university tuition should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree? A weak opening repeats the prompt. A strong opening paraphrases and positions: "Making higher education free is often presented as a matter of fairness; in practice, however, it transfers scarce public money to graduates who will earn the most." Then one reason per body paragraph, each with an example. Rule of thumb: plan for two minutes, write, then spend the last three minutes checking subject–verb agreement, articles and every prompt part.