If you’re getting ready to take the PTE exam and wanting to enhance your writing skills, this post is tailored just for you. You can ace the PTE Write Essay task on PTE test day by being prepared and being confident! To help you with both, you should:
- Read this guide and follow all the tips and strategies to improve your PTE essay writing.
- Read this blog post for PTE Writing Tips: How to Improve Your Essay Score.
- Watch the video below to learn how our expert teacher Jay would tackle this task.
- Make the best use of all this help, by practicing with real PTE Write Essay sample questions. Sign up to E2 Test Prep for a free trial to practice what you have learned.
In this guide, we’ll give you the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in PTE Write Essay. But first, let’s find out what this task involves.
PTE Write Essay Overview
On PTE test day, you will get one or two essays to write in the PTE Writing section. You’ll receive a prompt that lets you know the topic of the essay you need to write. It will call for you to write an argumentative or persuasive essay. You may have to:
- respond to a question
- take one of two sides in an argument
- agree or disagree with a point of view
- write about advantages and disadvantages
- discuss problems and solutions
The instructions for this task tell you that you will have 20 minutes to write between 200 and 300 words on the essay topic. You are scored on your:
- content
- development, structure and coherence
- length
- general linguistic range
- grammar usage and mechanics
- vocabulary range
- spelling
There are a total of 15 possible marks for this task, and it contributes solely to your Writing score.
PTE Write Essay Plan
To help you have success with the PTE Write Essay task, we have put together this plan for you to follow.
Step 1: Understand the Prompt
First of all, make sure you read the prompt carefully to know what you have to write about. Pay attention to the topic, the ideas expressed and what exactly you are being asked to write.
Step 2: Follow the Template
- Paragraph 1 – Introduction: Begin with some brief background about the topic. Then paraphrase the prompt. Finally, state what your argument is.
- Paragraph 2 – Main body: Present your first main idea or argument that supports your stance. Be sure to back this up with additional information and an example. Then conclude the paragraph.
- Paragraph 3 – Main body: Add your second main idea that supports your argument or discuss the other side of the argument. Again, support this with additional information and an example. Then conclude the paragraph.
- Paragraph 4 – Conclusion: Summarize your two main points and end with a strong statement. Don’t bring up new ideas here.
To learn more about the method for writing a PTE essay, head to E2 Test Prep and watch the Method video.
Step 3: Check Your Work
After you finish writing, be sure to read your work carefully. Check for mistakes in your content, grammar, vocabulary and spelling.
You can use the checklist below during your PTE practice, to help you get used to checking your own work carefully and methodically.
PTE Writing Checklist
Use this checklist to review your work after completing the PTE Write Essay sample question below.
Word count
- Have I written between 200 and 300 words, as recommended?
Structure
- Does my essay have a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion?
Understanding
- Did I clearly understand what the prompt was asking me to write about?
Task requirements
- Did I address all the elements required by the task prompt?
Content relevance
- Did I stay on-topic and avoid irrelevant information?
Introduction
- Did I provide a brief background related to the topic?
- Did I paraphrase the prompt to introduce my essay?
- Have I stated my argument or stance?
Body paragraphs
- Have I included one main idea in each body paragraph that supports my argument?
- Have I provided additional supporting ideas and an example?
- Is each paragraph well-developed and focused on a single point?
- Do I conclude the paragraph well?
Conclusion
- Did I summarize my two main points?
- Have I ended with a strong statement?
- Did I avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion?
Grammar and vocabulary
- Have I checked for grammatical errors and corrected them?
- Did I use varied and appropriate vocabulary?
- Are there any repetitive words or phrases that could be replaced?
Word choice
- Did I choose words that convey my ideas precisely and effectively?
Spelling
- Did I make any spelling errors?
- Have I checked for common mistakes I often make?
Clarity and cohesion
- Is my essay clear and easy to understand?
- Have I used transition words to connect ideas and improve the flow?
- Does my essay make logical sense and maintain a coherent argument?
Time management
- Did I manage my time effectively within the 20-minute limit?
PTE Write Essay Sample Question
Now let’s examine an example PTE Write Essay question.
| You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organize your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200–300 words. The majority of television news being reported is bad news: wars, famines, accidents and crime. Some people think that television news should be a mixture of good and bad news. Choose whether you agree or disagree with this statement and discuss why you chose that position. Support your point of view with details from your own experiences, observations or reading. |
Analyze the Prompt
When you get a Write Essay task, you should analyze the prompt. Let’s analyze this prompt together. These are the questions that you should ask and answer to focus clearly on the essay prompt and what you need to do.
> What is the topic of this essay? television news
> What idea is expressed? that most television news is bad news, but some people think it should be a mix of good and bad
> What do I have to do in the essay? EITHER agree OR disagree with the idea that television news should be good and bad, and support my point of view
Now that you know exactly what you need to do, it is time to start planning your essay by thinking of your stance and your main arguments.
Plan the Essay
Let’s say you agree with the idea. In this case, your plan could look like this:
| TV should have both good & bad news neg views impact our emotional well-being -> anxiety, despair -> uplifting stories kindle positive emotions, provide respite good & bad = more accurate representation of our world-> recognize challenges as well as positive things-> only bad news distorts perception of reality |
Based on these notes, you can now write your essay. Go ahead and do that now. Then compare your answer with the sample answer below.
PTE Writing Sample Essay
Here’s a sample essay based on the notes above.
Television news often inundates us with stories of conflict, disaster, and upheaval. Wars, famines, accidents, and crimes dominate the airwaves, prompting a debate about whether television news should strike a balance between good and bad news. I believe that television news should encompass both good and bad news for the following compelling reasons.
First of all, an incessant stream of negative news can significantly impact our emotional well-being. Being constantly bombarded with reports on conflicts, natural disasters and tragedies can instil anxiety and despair among viewers. So it is vital to offset this with uplifting stories that offer hope and kindle positive emotions. Such stories, like successful rescue missions, scientific breakthroughs and people’s success stories, provide a much-needed respite from the constant deluge of grim news.
Additionally, presenting a mix of good and bad news offers a more accurate representation of our world. While it is essential to acknowledge the challenges and adversities in society, it is equally crucial to recognize the positive developments and acts of kindness that occur daily. Neglecting these uplifting stories distorts our perception of reality. For example, news reports about communities rallying during crises or individuals making significant contributions to society serve as powerful motivators for others to. These narratives inspire action and drive individuals to become actively engaged in efforts to improve their communities and the world at large.
In conclusion, the inclusion of both good and bad news in television broadcasts is essential for our emotional well-being, and for accurately representing our reality and motivating people to contribute positively to society. Striking this balance results in a more informed, hopeful, and empowered viewership, ultimately contributing to a better and more compassionate world.
[Word Count: 279]Next Steps
You now have a really good idea of how to effectively prepare for the PTE Write Essay task. Now you need to put all the strategies you’ve just learnt into practice. So for more PTE preparation, head to our PTE Academic page and sign up for free. We’ve got practice questions, method lessons, live classes with expert teachers, and assessments with feedback on your writing – everything you need to help you get the PTE Writing score you need.
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Author Bio:
E2 is the world’s leading test preparation provider. Our expert teachers are fully accredited English teachers, with TESOL, British Council or other relevant certification, and years of PTE examiner or PTE teaching experience.