One of the sections of the PTE exam is designed to assess your English writing proficiency. Throughout the entire test, you will have to incorporate your writing skills along with your speaking, reading, and listening skills. However, as soon as you complete the speaking section, you will be presented with two tasks entirely based on testing your writing proficiency.
PTE Writing Module Overview
Summarize Spoken Text
In this PTE writing task, you will be given a paragraph that you have to summarize in your own words. You have to finish the summary in one sentence using more than 75 words. You will have 10 minutes to read the paragraph, summarize it, and proofread it.
Essay Writing
PTE essay writing is the second task in this section that requires you to write an essay between 200 and 300 words. You will be given a prompt of one or two lines, and you have to write an essay on that given topic within 20 minutes. Your essay scores are based on the following aspects:
- Content
- Formal Requirement
- Development
- Grammar
- Linguistic Range
- Vocabulary
- Spelling
It is essential to keep these aspects in mind when you are writing your essay, irrespective of the topic given. Besides that, here are some tips to help you improve your writing score.
1. Focus on the key concept
Your prompt can be based on a debatable topic, current affairs, or any subject matter. You have to identify the core of your topic and incorporate it throughout your test. Stick to the topic and keep it crisp. Even when you are putting forth your personal opinion, keep the key point at the centre of it. When you read the topic, you can start making your rough notes, mentioning your key points before you begin writing your essay.
2. Plan a structure
It is best to divide your essay into three parts: the introduction, your argument, and the conclusion. Even when you are making notes, you should keep this structure in mind. This will not only help you decide the content you want to write, but it will also help you stay within the word limit.
3. Use examples or facts
Using examples, facts or even anecdotes helps make the material more engaging and credible. It shapes your essay and gives it a personality. If you have enough information about a topic, you should utilize it completely. Include important dates, statistics, or even names of personalities if you are sure of your facts.
4. Use quotes or idioms
Just like examples and facts, quotes and idioms add a flair to your essay. Catchy phrases are also a way to go. But, you have to make sure that they are not colloquial or come from a slang language. You can consider using them if the context demands it. But do not compromise on the grammar and the academic writing style. Adding popular quotes can give direction to your essay. However, do not enforce it if it’s not required.
5. Use comprehensible vocabulary
If you consider learning hard vocabulary as one of the top PTE writing tips that you need to conquer, then it’s time for you to rethink that. You must focus on using easy vocabulary that is quick to read and does not use most of your word count. At the same time, you have to also ensure that your writing style is not lousy. Context and sentence formation are as important as the vocabulary that you choose to use. Furthermore, you should also use appropriate introductory phrases and conjunctions. To put across your point in a seamless way. You can use phrases and linkers like; in my opinion, I believe, moreover, given the facts, etc.
