Writing

The Writing paper usually has two tasks: a letter based on a given situation (informal and/or formal) and an opinion essay. Assessment goes beyond grammar: task achievement, organisation, vocabulary and grammatical accuracy are all assessed together. The exact word count and time are given in the official sample (uzbmb.uz); follow them strictly. This lesson covers the assessment criteria, the structure of letters and essays, useful phrases, a working routine and checking, step by step.

§1. Assessment criteria

Written work is usually assessed against four criteria:

• Task achievement — are all the points in the task covered, is the register (formal or informal) right, is the word count sufficient?
• Coherence and cohesion — paragraphs, logical order, linking words, reference with pronouns.
• Lexical resource — precise and varied vocabulary, collocations, correct spelling.
• Grammatical range and accuracy — a variety of structures (complex sentences, conditionals, passives, relative clauses) and the number of errors.

So before writing, read the task carefully and number each point.

§2. Letters: informal and formal

Informal letter (to a friend or relative):

Contractions (I’m, can’t), phrasal verbs, expressions of feeling and questions are all fine.

Formal letter (to an organisation, a manager or someone you do not know):

No contractions; neutral, formal vocabulary: receive (not get), inform (not tell), request, assist.

The purpose of the letter should be clear from the first sentence. Each point in the task gets its own paragraph.

Worked example

Situation: your hotel room was noisy. Write to the manager: complain, explain what happened, say what you want.

1. Register: formal, name unknown → Dear Sir or Madam,.
2. Purpose (point 1): I am writing to complain about my recent stay at your hotel from 3 to 5 May.
3. Details (point 2): Unfortunately, my room was next to the lift and the noise made it impossible to sleep. Although I asked the receptionist to change my room, nothing was done.
4. Request (point 3): I would therefore be grateful if you could refund part of the cost.
5. Closing: I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Dilnoza Rahimova — all three points are covered.

§3. Essay structure

Essay types: opinion (To what extent do you agree?), discussing both views (Discuss both views and give your opinion), advantages and disadvantages, problem and solution.

1. Introduction (two or three sentences): paraphrase the topic in your own words and state your position (thesis) clearly.
2. Body — usually two paragraphs, each with one main idea → explanation → example.
3. Conclusion (two or three sentences): restate your position; do not add new arguments.

The first sentence of a paragraph (the topic sentence) states its main idea; the other sentences explain it and support it with an example. For instance: One major advantage of online learning is flexibility. Students can watch lectures at any time, which is especially useful for those who work. For instance, many of my classmates study in the evening after their part-time jobs. Here the first sentence is the idea, the second the explanation and the third the example.

Worked example

Topic: Some people think students should study online rather than at school. Do you agree? Write an introduction.

1. Paraphrase the topic: study online → distance learning, rather than at school → replace traditional classes.
2. Show that the issue is debated: It is often argued that….
3. State your position clearly: I partly agree.
4. Add a brief reason for your position.
5. Answer: It is often argued that distance learning should replace traditional classes. While online study offers flexibility, I believe that schools remain essential for developing social skills.

§4. Useful phrases

• Opinion: In my opinion, I strongly believe that, From my point of view.
• Addition: Moreover, In addition, Furthermore, Not only … but also.
• Contrast: However, On the other hand, Although, Despite the fact that.
• Example: For instance, For example, such as, A good example of this is.
• Result: As a result, Therefore, Consequently, This leads to.
• Conclusion: In conclusion, , .

At B2 and above you need grammatical range: conditionals (If governments invested more in public transport, traffic would decrease.), the passive (It is widely believed that…), relative clauses (Students who study online…), inversion (Not only does it save time, but it also reduces costs.).

Worked example

Join the two sentences: Online courses are cheap. They require strong self-discipline.

1. The relationship between the ideas is contrast (cheap, but there is a difficulty).
2. In formal writing, although within a sentence or However between sentences fits.
3. although is followed by a full clause.
4. Answer: Although online courses are cheap, they require strong self-discipline.

§5. Working routine and checking

1. Plan (3–5 minutes): list the points of the task and note one idea and one example for each paragraph.
2. Write: one paragraph, one idea; vary short and long sentences; separate paragraphs clearly.
3. Check (3–5 minutes): word count, third-person -s, tenses, articles, plurals, spelling and commas.

Writing well under the word count lowers your score; writing far too much increases the risk of errors and takes time. Make your own list of typical mistakes and look for exactly those when you check.

§6. How to practise

• Write a complete letter or essay at least twice a week, timed.
• Read good model answers and note their phrases and structure.
• Reread your work a day later — mistakes are easier to see.
• Ask a teacher or partner to assess your work against the four criteria.
• Build a bank of arguments and examples by topic (education, technology, environment).

Check yourself

1. How do you close a letter that begins Dear Sir or Madam?

2. Which is suitable in a formal letter: I wanna know or I would like to enquire?

3. In an essay introduction, do you copy the topic word for word or paraphrase it?

4. Where does However usually go?

5. Can you add new arguments in the conclusion?

6. One point of the task is missing from a letter. Which criterion suffers?

7. How do you close a letter that begins Dear Mr Karimov?

8. What is the first sentence of a paragraph that states its main idea called?

Common mistakes

• Missing one of the points in the task.
• Informal words and contractions in a formal letter (can’t, wanna, kids).
• Copying the topic word for word — paraphrase it.
• A single block of text with no paragraphs.
• A memorised template that is not adapted to the topic.
• Confusing Yours faithfully and Yours sincerely.