LanguageCert Academic Writing Part 2: how to write the 250-word essay

Part 2 is the longer of the two writing tasks and usually decides your Writing score. LanguageCert describes it as a 250-word piece of discursive writing on an academic subject, written to persuade, argue or hypothesise. In practice, that means an essay with a clear position and reasons that are actually developed.

A five-minute plan

Before writing, answer four questions in a few words each:

1. What is my position? (one sentence)
2. What are my two strongest reasons?
3. What is one example for each?
4. What would someone who disagrees say, and how do I answer it?

This plan stops the most common problem in Part 2: an essay that lists five ideas and develops none of them.

A paragraph plan for about 250 words

Sample task and answer

Some people believe public libraries should charge a small fee for some services, such as borrowing new releases or using study rooms, so that they can stay open longer. Write an essay for your tutor discussing this view and giving your own opinion.

Public libraries face a difficult choice: limited budgets mean shorter opening hours, yet many people now depend on them as places to study and work. Charging for some services might seem a sensible solution, but I believe it would undermine the purpose of a public library.

The main reason is that libraries exist to give everyone the same access to information. A student who shares a small flat, or a job seeker without home internet, is exactly the person who needs a quiet room and the latest books. Even a small fee would fall hardest on them, while wealthier users would hardly notice it.

In addition, fees tend to grow. Once a library begins charging for study rooms, it becomes easier to justify charging for computers or events. Over time, the free core of the service could shrink without anyone deciding that it should.

Supporters of fees argue that longer opening hours benefit everyone, including those who pay nothing. This is a fair point, but there are better ways to fund those hours, such as partnerships with local universities, which already rely on public libraries for their students.

In conclusion, although the pressure on library budgets is real, charging users would shift the cost onto the people libraries were created to serve. Funding should come from those who benefit most, not from those who can least afford it.

(252 words)

Why this answer scores well

• The position is clear in the first paragraph and stays the same throughout.
• Each body paragraph has one idea, explained and supported.
• The opposing view is treated fairly and answered, not ignored.
• Linking is natural: "The main reason", "In addition", "This is a fair point, but".
• The conclusion adds a final thought rather than repeating the introduction word for word.

Useful language for arguing and evaluating

• Stating a position: I would argue that…, On balance, I believe…
• Conceding: It is true that…, but…, This is a fair point; however…
• Hypothesising: If…were to…, it would…, This could lead to…
• Evaluating: The stronger argument is…, This overlooks…

Common mistakes

• Sitting on the fence until the conclusion.
• Giving examples that are too general ("many people say").
• Memorised introductions that do not fit the question.
• Running far over 250 words, which usually means less time for checking.

Our full practice tests mark Part 2 on task fulfilment, organisation, grammar and vocabulary, with a rewritten paragraph so you can see the difference. Start with a free practice.