Writing: task achievement, register and organisation
What the Writing section tests
PEIC Level 3 (B2) Writing assesses task achievement, organisation, register, grammatical range and accuracy, and vocabulary. Tasks can include an email or letter and a longer text such as an article or essay. You must cover every content point and write for a clear reader and purpose.
Core rules
- Plan briefly: identify the reader, purpose, register and all required content points.
- Use paragraphing with a clear function: opening, development, counterpoint or request, closing.
- Match register to the task. Formal complaints use I am writing to express my dissatisfaction; informal messages can use I'm just writing to say.
- Link ideas with precise connectors: nevertheless, as a result, whereas, in addition. Avoid starting every sentence with and or also.
- Leave time to check verb forms, articles, punctuation and word count.
Worked example
Task: Write an email to a language school complaining that your course was cancelled. Weak opening: Hi, I want to say I'm not happy. Stronger: Dear Course Coordinator, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the cancellation of the B2 evening course. The stronger version names the reader, states the purpose immediately and uses formal vocabulary. The reasoning is register and task focus: a complaint to an institution needs a polite, direct opening, not a casual chat.
Traps that cost marks
Missing one bullet point; copying the prompt instead of developing it; mixing formal and informal register; writing one long paragraph; and using advanced words inaccurately when simpler words would communicate better.