Writing essays for PTE requires strong formal writing skills. Formal writing is essential for PTE because it reflects your ability to communicate your ideas in a clear, structured, and professional manner. Many test takers struggle with this aspect of the exam, but with consistent practice and the right strategies, you can improve your formal writing skills and perform well in the exam.
Formal Writing
Formal writing follows a structured and professional tone, avoiding slang, informal expressions, and personal opinions unless necessary. The language is precise, logical, and objective. In PTE essays, you are expected to present a clear argument or explanation that is well-organized and error-free.
The main characteristics of formal writing include-
- Clear structure: Formal writing has a proper introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Objective tone: Writing should avoid personal pronouns such as “I” or “we” and instead use neutral language.
- Accurate vocabulary: Use advanced but clear words that accurately convey your point.
- Grammar and punctuation: Error-free grammar and correct punctuation are important.
- No contractions or abbreviations: Instead of “can’t”, use “don’t”; instead of “can’t”, use “can’t”.
Understand types of essays in PTE
PTE exam usually requires you to write two types of essays-
- Argumentative essay: In this type of essay, you have to present your opinion on a topic, supported by reasons and examples.
- Problem-solution essay: In this essay, you are expected to explain a problem and suggest possible solutions.
Understanding these essay types is the first step to practicing formal writing. This allows you to focus on the specific requirements and structure of each essay. You can start by reading examples of both types to familiarize yourself with their format and tone.
Take PTE mock tests
Finally, taking PTE mock tests is a great way to evaluate your formal writing skills under exam conditions. Mock tests simulate the real PTE environment, allowing you to assess your strengths and weaknesses. By taking mock tests, you can identify areas where you need improvement, whether it is grammar, time management, or essay structure. After each test, review your performance carefully and adjust your practice routine to address any deficiencies.
Expand your vocabulary
A good vocabulary is one of the hallmarks of formal writing. You don’t need to use overly complex words, but using a varied and precise vocabulary makes your writing more effective. To practice, follow these steps-
- Learn academic words: Keep a list of formal words or phrases you can use in essays. For example, instead of saying “big,” use “significant,” or instead of “give,” say “provide.”
- Avoid informal phrases: Use “children” instead of “kids,” or “going to” instead of “gonna.”
- Practice synonyms: For each word you learn, write down at least one synonym to help you use a varied vocabulary in your essays.
Reading formal texts, such as academic articles, can help you learn new words and see how they are used in context. Keep a vocabulary notebook to track new words and practice using them in sentences.
Pay attention to sentence structure
- Use complex sentences: Try combining two related ideas into one complex sentence. For example, instead of writing two simple sentences—“The economy is growing. Many people are finding jobs.”—you can write one complex sentence, such as, “As the economy is growing, many people are finding jobs.”
- Avoid run-on sentences: Make sure your sentences are clear and not too long. Divide them into two parts if necessary to maintain clarity.
- Varie your sentence starters: Don’t start every sentence with the same word or phrase. Mix it up by using different conjunctions (e.g., “in addition,” “in addition,” “however”) and transition words to smoothly connect ideas.
Practice essay planning
- Create an outline: Before you start writing, write down the main points you want to include in your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Think of examples: Think of relevant examples or evidence you can include to support your argument. These should be formal and fact-based, avoid personal stories.
- Organise logically: Make sure each body paragraph has a clear topic sentence, followed by supporting details and examples. All paragraphs should flow naturally from one point to the next.
Practising an essay plan will make it easier to stay organised and ensure you don’t miss any important points during the actual exam.
Write practice essays regularly
- Time yourself: Set a timer for 20 minutes and try to complete the essay in the same time as you would in the real PTE exam. This will help you manage your time and write efficiently.
- Review and revise: After writing, go back and revise your essay. Look for any informal language, grammatical errors or awkward sentence structures. Make corrections where necessary.
- Get feedback: If possible, ask a teacher or friend to review your essays. Alternatively, you can use online tools that provide grammar and style tips to refine your writing.
Read formal material regularly
Reading formal material, such as academic papers, professional articles or high-quality newspapers, helps you internalise the structure, tone and vocabulary of formal writing. As you read, pay attention to:
- How arguments are structured: Notice how the author presents his or her point, supports it with evidence, and concludes paragraphs.
- Transitions between ideas: See how sentences and paragraphs are seamlessly connected.
- Vocabulary and phrases: Look for academic phrases and vocabulary that may be useful in your own essays.
