Section 1.

Writing Exam Structure

1.1. Two-part exam

Part 1 Essay

Part 2 Choose one:

e.g. writing a job application or
Formal letter/email
letter of complaint
Informal letter/email e.g. writing to a cousin.
e.g. promoting or discussing an idea on a
Proposal
website.
e.g. summarising information and making a
Report
recommendation to your boss.
e.g. giving your opinion of a film/holiday
Review
etc. in a blog.

1.2. Writing: 4-step process

Writing well has four fundamental steps:

1. Identify 2. Organise 3. Write 4. Check

Step 1. Identify key words

© Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

Identify… Helps with… Essential for high grade in…

…whom are you writing Correct register Communicative achievement
…what you are writing Correct style Communicative achievement
…what ideas you must include Relevant Content Content

Exam Writing Guide B2

3
Section 1. Writing Exam Structure
 Step 2. Organise

Organisation is 25% of the grade in the writing paper. A plan is essential to organise
the content into paragraphs that transmit your ideas clearly.

Here are three methods:

1. Brainstorming related ideas for a report/article/review:

Idea 1

Central
topic

Idea 3 Idea 2

2. Organising ideas e.g. contrasting positive versus negative aspects of different

ideas in an essay:

Positive aspects Negative aspects

Idea 1:
(provided)
Idea 2:
(provided)
Idea 3
(your own idea)
© Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

Exam Writing Guide B2

4
Section 1. Writing Exam Structure
 3. Listing paragraphs:

 Introduction: Introduce topic

 Idea 1: positive/negative aspects
 Idea 2: positive/negative aspects
 Idea 3: positive/negative aspects
 Conclusion: Evaluate & summarize ideas

Step 3. Write

Write the recommended number of words (140-190): You will NOT be directly
penalised for writing more, or less, than the recommended word limit. However, it
may negatively affect your grade in other areas:

 Writing that is too long:

• Content. You have included content that is irrelevant.
• Language. You have run out of time and are unable to check your work and
correct mistakes.

 Writing that is too short:

• Content. You will lose points if you have not included all the points and
developed your ideas sufficiently.

Before the exam, practise the recommended word limit in

TIP the time allowed.
DO NOT waste time counting words in the exam.

Step 4. Check
© Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

Stop writing and check your work: It is essential to check, check

and check again to maximise your grade in language.

Exam Writing Guide B2

5
Section 1. Writing Exam Structure
 1.3. Time management

As can be seen below, writing takes up only 60 % of the time.

Writing Paper exam 80 minutes (2 tasks)

Two writing tasks to complete: 40 minutes per task
1. Reading question and identify content: 2 minutes
2. Organising ideas: 5 minutes
3. Writing: 25 minutes
4. Checking: 8 minutes

TIP When practising, limit your time to that of the exam.

1.4. Register

Formal or informal?

Using the correct style (register) is critical to scoring high in Communicative

Achievement.

To determine the style, you first need to decide:

 To whom you are writing.
 What your purpose is.
© Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

Exam Writing Guide B2

6
Section 1. Writing Exam Structure
 Formal letter/email Very formal

Essay Formal

Report/Proposal Semi formal/neutral

Review Informal

Letter/email to a friend Very informal

Formal or informal linking words and discourse markers?

Formal and informal discourse markers should NOT be mixed in the same piece of
writing.

Semi-formal/neutral markers can sometimes be adapted to a more, or less, formal

style, if appropriate to context.

Do not over-use, as this can seem artificial.

FORMAL REGISTER, e.g.:

Referencing/
Adding more Contrasting
Listing Summarising Changing
information information
subject order
First and As far as I am
Moreover, In contrast, Therefore,
foremost, concerned,
With reference
Initially Furthermore, However, Accordingly,
© Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

to…,
With regard
Further Additionally, Nonetheless, Consequently,
to…,

Lastly In addition, Nevertheless, Thus, In relation to…,

Exam Writing Guide B2

7
Section 1. Writing Exam Structure
 SEMI FORMAL/NEUTRAL REGISTER e.g.:
Referencing/
Adding more Contrasting
Listing Summarising Changing
information information
subject order
To begin with Likewise, Although, Therefore, Generally,

Initially In addition, Even though, Accordingly, In general,

In most/many
Further Additionally, Whereas, Overall,
cases,

Lastly, Similarly, Besides…, As a result, Relating to…,

INFORMAL REGISTER e.g.:

Referencing/
Adding more Contrasting
Listing Summarising Changing
information information
subject order
After…, Also, But…, Anyway/Anyhow Since…,

Then, As well as…, Or Because…, So,

Next, Just as…, Though, At any rate, Well…,

Avoid firstly/secondly/thirdly; on the one hand/on the other hand.

Common positioning and punctuation of discourse markers

Discourse marker at beginning of sentence. Follow with a comma:

 Formal: Further to your letter, I would like to add… (adverbial phrase).
 Informal: Well, you know that pub I went to for my birthday…

Discourse marker in middle of sentence. Precede and follow with comma:

© Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

 Formal: I would like to add, however, that I strongly disagree.

 Informal: I really don’t agree, and, at any rate, what does it matter?

Exam Writing Guide B2

8
Section 1. Writing Exam Structure
 1.5. Grading

A maximum of five points are awarded for each area:

Language (25%. 0–5 points): Organisation (25% 0-5 points):

 Paragraphing makes sense.

 Use complex clauses and a varied range
 Ideas in a clear and logical order.
of structures.
 Good use of linking devices for
 Accurate language.
continuity and contrast of ideas.
 Be ambitious.
 Easy to read.

Communicative Achievement
Content (25% 0-5 points):
(25%. 0-5 points):

 Appropriate register and tone.  All the points are covered and
 Interesting writing. developed.
 Complex ideas expressed clearly.  All content is relevant.
© Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)

Exam Writing Guide B2

9
Section 1. Writing Exam Structure