CPE Writing Overview

CPE Writing — 90 minutes, 2 parts

Part 1 (compulsory) — Discursive Essay

You must read two short, contrasting texts on a related topic. You need to write an essay of 240–280 words summarising and evaluating the key ideas from both texts, while also integrating your own opinions on the topic.

Marks are awarded for content (addressing all key points), communicative achievement (highly formal and objective register), organisation (complex paragraphing and linking), and language (sophisticated vocabulary and structures).

Part 2 (choice of 1 from 4) — task types

You must write a text of 280–320 words based on one of the given prompts. Task types include:

• Article — typically for a magazine or newspaper, combining facts with opinion, often with an engaging or persuasive tone.
• Letter — formal letters to newspapers, editors, or company directors, responding to an issue or article.
• Report — formal and objective, with headings, analysing a situation and making recommendations.
• Review — evaluating a book, film, product, or service, requiring descriptive language and a clear verdict.

Note: There is also an optional set text question in Part 2, but this requires reading a specific book beforehand.

Universal tips

• Plan thoroughly: Spend at least 5-10 minutes planning structure and arguments.
• Word count: Aim for the target range. Writing too little penalises content; writing too much increases the chance of errors and loss of focus.
• Register: Ensure the tone perfectly matches the task (e.g., objective for reports, engaging for articles, highly formal for the Part 1 essay).
• Language: Demonstrate mastery by using advanced vocabulary, nuanced expressions, and complex grammatical structures (inversion, cleft sentences, passive voice, advanced conditionals).
• Review: Leave time at the end to check for slips in grammar and spelling.

Practice on Word Play

• Academic/Discursive Essay (Part 1) →
• Formal Letter (Part 2) →
• Report (Part 2) →
• Review (Part 2) →