Task Overview:

Section A includes two questions which you’ll only choose one of them to do. The total mark for this question is 25.

Question 1: Discursive (thảo luận)

• Balanced discussion covering both sides.

• Objective & neutral.

or Question 2: Argumentative (lập luận)

• Demonstrate a strong position.

• Aim to educate/persuade the audience.

Question 1: Discursive Writing

• Length: 400-500 words.

General Format

1. Introduction: acknowledges the topic being asked & how the topic has both sides.

   
   

2. Second paragraph: Agree/Disagree.

   - 3 ideas/points to support this side of the argument.

   - Each idea should be coupled with an evidence/example to strengthen.

   
   

3. Third paragraph: Agree/Disagree (Opposite to the second paragraph).

   - Starts with “However'“ or ”On the other hand”: “Tuy nhiên”; “Tuy vậy”; “Trái lại”.

   - 3 ideas/points to support.

   - Each idea should be coupled with an evidence/example to strengthen.

4. Conclusion:

   - Starts with “To conclude” or “Overall”: “Để tóm tắt”, “Tóm tắt lại”.

   - Summarize both viewpoints and ideas.

Exam Tips:

• Keep your introduction short & precise: 5 lines maximum.

• Keep your ideas and examples brief, and avoid going into too much depth.

• Avoid personal pronouns.

• Use “some people believe” or “a majority believes”: “Một vài người cho rằng…”, “Một số ý kiến cho rằng…”

• Evidence is not statistics; don’t make up statistics.

• Give realistic scenarios that the topic applies to as examples.

• Pay attention to the length of your work.

Question 2: Argumentative Writing

• One-sided argument.

• Length: 400-500 words.

General Format

1. Introduction: Acknowledges the topic & states your personal opinion.

2. Body paragraphs: 2 big paragraphs or 3 smaller paragraphs.

• Each paragraph has a separate idea and examples to support.

• Divide ideas into facets (physically, mentally, financially…): “Về mặt tinh thần”, “Về khía cạnh thể chất”.

• Evidence: detailed, realistic; create real-life & relatable scenarios to demonstrate the topic and persuade the audience.

3. Conclusion: State your opinion & summarize the facets.

Tips:

• Signpost using conjunctions: Thứ nhất, Thứ hai, Ngoài ra, Hơn nữa, Không chỉ vậy.

• Clear opinion; avoid being partial.

• Pay attention to the length of your work.

Written by Kaito Le

Edited by Quinn Luong