What is Part 1 of Cambridge Writing?

A compulsory essay discussing two given points plus one of your own idea, reaching a clear conclusion.

What happens in Part 2?

You choose one task from options such as an email/letter, report, review or proposal, each with its own conventions.

Why does register matter in Cambridge Writing?

Getting the tone and layout right for the genre and reader is part of the mark — wrong register loses points even with good English.

On what criteria is Cambridge Writing assessed?

Content (all points covered), communicative achievement (register), organisation, and language.

What should you do to protect your content mark?

Address every required point in the prompt — missing one caps the content score regardless of fluency.

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Cambridge Writing: The Essay & the Choice

Cambridge Writing's two parts — a compulsory essay and a choice of genre — and how to match register and structure to each.

The big picture

Cambridge Writing (2 parts)
- Part 1: Essay — Compulsory · discuss two points + your own
- Part 2: Choice — Email/letter, report, review or proposal
- Match the genre — Register & layout fit the task type
- Answer the prompt fully — Cover every required point

Part 1 — the compulsory essay

Part 1 is always an essay responding to a prompt with two given points plus one of your own idea. You discuss both given points and add a third, reaching a clear conclusion. It's semi-formal and needs a clear intro–body–conclusion structure.

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Real example: Prompt: 'Is it better to study at home or at a library?' — discuss the two given points (e.g. distractions, resources), add your own idea (e.g. routine), and conclude with your view.

🧠 Memory hook: Part 1 = essay: two given points + your own idea → clear conclusion.

Part 2 — choose your genre

In Part 2 you choose one task from options like an email/letter, report, review, or proposal. Each has its own conventions — a review persuades and evaluates, a report informs with headings, an email matches its reader — so write in the right genre and register.

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Real example: A review of a restaurant should describe, evaluate and recommend; a report on a facility should use headings and neutral, factual language — pick the genre you can execute well and follow its conventions.

🧠 Memory hook: Part 2: pick a genre and write to ITS rules — review persuades, report informs.

Match register to the task

Register matters: formal for a report or a letter to an authority, more relaxed for an email to a friend. Getting the tone and layout right is part of the mark — a formal report written like a casual email loses points even if the English is good.

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Real example: 'Hi there!' opens a friendly email but is wrong for a formal report — read who the task is for and set the tone accordingly.

🧠 Memory hook: Read the reader. Formal or friendly, and use the genre's layout.

Cover every point, then check

Both parts are assessed on content (all points covered), communicative achievement (right register), organisation, and language. Address every required point, organise with paragraphs and linkers, and leave time to check grammar and spelling.

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Real example: Miss one required content point and you cap your content mark however fluent the writing — tick off each point in the prompt as you cover it, then proofread.

🧠 Memory hook: Content + register + organisation + language. Cover every point; then proofread.

Frequently asked questions

What is Part 1 of Cambridge Writing?: A compulsory essay discussing two given points plus one of your own idea, reaching a clear conclusion.
What happens in Part 2?: You choose one task from options such as an email/letter, report, review or proposal, each with its own conventions.
Why does register matter in Cambridge Writing?: Getting the tone and layout right for the genre and reader is part of the mark — wrong register loses points even with good English.
On what criteria is Cambridge Writing assessed?: Content (all points covered), communicative achievement (register), organisation, and language.
What should you do to protect your content mark?: Address every required point in the prompt — missing one caps the content score regardless of fluency.

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