Writing Section Overview
The Writing section (쓰기) is the only part of TOPIK II that is graded subjectively. Unlike Listening and Reading, where answers are checked automatically against a key, essays are evaluated by two independent raters. This makes Writing the most challenging and unpredictable section for test-takers. The section includes 4 tasks (Q51–Q54), with 50 minutes to complete them and a maximum score of 100. Writing is part of Session 1 of TOPIK II: first 60 minutes of Listening, then immediately 50 minutes of Writing — with no break between them. By the time you start writing, you've already spent an hour in the exam room, and fatigue can affect your performance. For details on the overall exam structure, levels, and format, see our complete TOPIK exam guide. For a focused overview of TOPIK II specifically, check our TOPIK II guide. The Writing section is often the deciding factor between Level 4 and 5, or Level 5 and 6 — because many test-takers master Listening and Reading to a high level while Writing remains their weak point.
The four tasks increase in difficulty and length: from filling in blanks within a given text to writing a full argumentative essay of 600–700 characters. Here's a summary of each task.
| # | Task Type | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q51 | Fill in blanks (practical text) | 1–2 sentences | ~5 min |
| Q52 | Fill in blanks (formal/academic text) | 1–2 sentences | ~5 min |
| Q53 | Describe a graph or chart | 200–300 자 | ~10 min |
| Q54 | Argumentative essay | 600–700 자 | ~30 min |
Note: the length for Q53 and Q54 is measured in Korean characters (자), not words. One Korean syllable (e.g., 한) counts as one character. Spaces and punctuation also count. Exceeding the limit doesn't directly result in a penalty, but text beyond the lined area on the PBT answer sheet will not be graded.
Task-by-Task Breakdown
Tasks Q51 and Q52: Fill in the Blanks
In Q51 and Q52, you're given a text with two blanks that need to be completed. Each blank requires one or two sentences that logically complete the paragraph. Q51 is typically based on a practical text: an announcement, invitation, note, or email. Q52 uses a more formal or academic text — an article excerpt, explanatory note, or description of a phenomenon.
What's being tested: grammatical accuracy, ability to use correct grammar patterns in context, and command of formal writing style. Q51 often requires Level 3–4 grammar patterns (e.g., -(으)려고 하다, -기 위해서, -는 바람에), while Q52 calls for Level 5–6 constructions (e.g., -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라, -는 반면에, -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다).
Common mistakes:
- Using informal style (해요체) instead of formal style (합쇼체 or 하다-style) — the text sets the register, and you must match it
- Grammatical mismatch with surrounding sentences — always read the entire text, not just the blank
- Answers that are too long or too short — match the size of the blank (number of cells on the answer sheet)
- Repeating words from the prompt instead of using synonyms — examiners value lexical variety
Strategy: read the entire text first, including the title and context around each blank. Identify the topic, register, and logical flow. Then fill in the blanks so your text integrates smoothly into the original. Verify that your grammar agrees with neighboring sentences. Don't spend more than 10 minutes total on Q51 and Q52 — save time for the higher-value Q53 and Q54.
Task Q53: Describe a Graph or Chart
In Q53, you're presented with a graph, chart, or table and must write a coherent descriptive text of 200–300 자. Topics typically relate to daily life or social phenomena: survey results, usage statistics, year-over-year comparisons, or demographic breakdowns.
Required format: the text should be informative and neutral. You describe data, compare figures, and note trends. Personal opinions are not required in Q53 — unlike in Q54.
Essential expressions for describing data:
- Proportions: ~이/가 가장 높은/낮은 비율을 차지했다 (~ accounted for the highest/lowest proportion)
- Comparisons: ~에 비해 (compared to ~), ~보다 더/덜 (more/less than ~)
- Trends: 증가하다/감소하다 (increase/decrease), 꾸준히 늘어나다 (steadily grow)
- Conclusions: 이러한 결과를 통해 ~을/를 알 수 있다 (from these results, we can see that ~)
Common topics: leisure preferences by age group, reasons for studying foreign languages, changes in consumer habits, comparisons by region or year. Prepare 5–7 fixed expressions for describing charts — that's enough for most tasks.
Writing approach: start with a general description of the chart's topic (한 조사에 따르면... — according to a survey...), then describe key data points from most to least significant, and end with a brief conclusion or summary. Don't invent data — use only what's shown in the chart.
Task Q54: Argumentative Essay
Q54 is the most important and highest-scoring task in the Writing section. You receive a topic (usually social or philosophical) and must write an argumentative essay of 600–700 자. This task is worth up to 50 points — half of the entire Writing section. Q54 is what distinguishes Level 5–6 candidates from the rest.
Common Q54 topics:
- Impact of technology on society (social media, AI's role)
- Education (pros and cons of early education, necessity of college)
- Environment (environmental protection, banning disposable products)
- Social issues (aging society, low birth rates, generational conflict)
- Culture and tradition (preserving traditional culture, effects of globalization)
Essay structure: a standard Q54 essay has three parts. Follow this structure strictly — deviating from it costs you points for logical coherence.
1. Introduction (도입, 2–3 sentences). State the topic and present your position. Don't start with clichés like "Nowadays..." — use specific templates that demonstrate your command of formal style.
2. Body (본론, 2 paragraphs). Each paragraph presents one argument with an example or explanation. The first argument should be your strongest. The second complements it or examines the topic from a different angle. Use transition expressions between paragraphs: 또한 (also), 게다가 (moreover), 반면에 (on the other hand), 한편 (meanwhile).
3. Conclusion (결론, 2–3 sentences). Restate your position in different words and offer a generalization or recommendation. Don't introduce new arguments in the conclusion. Common closing constructions: 따라서 ~해야 할 것이다 (therefore, we should ~), 이러한 점에서 ~이/가 중요하다고 할 수 있다 (in this regard, ~ can be said to be important).
Critical requirement: write in formal 합쇼체 style throughout the entire essay. Switching between styles is one of the most common mistakes and it costs points. Every sentence should end with -ㅂ니다/습니다 (declarative) or -ㅂ니까/습니까 (interrogative). Use Level 5–6 grammar constructions to demonstrate your range: -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라, -는 것은 물론이고, -(으)ㄴ/는 데 반해, -기 마련이다.
Time management for Q54: allocate 30–35 minutes. First 3–5 minutes — plan your structure and jot down keywords for each paragraph on scratch paper. Next 20–25 minutes — write the essay. Final 3–5 minutes — proofread for errors (endings, particles, spelling). It's better to write slightly under 600 자 of quality text than 700 자 with errors.
Scoring Criteria
Each essay (Q53 and Q54) is evaluated by two independent raters. If their scores diverge significantly, a third rater is brought in. The final score is the average. Raters assess each piece on four criteria:
| Criterion | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Content & Task Completion | Thoroughness of topic coverage, relevance to the prompt | High |
| Text Structure | Logical coherence, paragraphing, transitions | High |
| Grammar & Vocabulary | Grammatical accuracy, lexical variety | Medium |
| Stylistic Appropriateness | Use of formal style (합쇼체) | Medium |
Content & Task Completion (내용 및 과제 수행). Did you fully address the topic and respond to all parts of the prompt? If the topic asks you to discuss causes and consequences, but you only write about causes — your score will be reduced. Read the prompt carefully and ensure your text answers every question it poses.
Text Structure (글의 전개 구조). Raters evaluate logical coherence: is there a clear introduction, development of arguments, and conclusion? Transitions between paragraphs should be smooth — use connecting words and expressions. Each paragraph should develop a single idea. Text without paragraphs or with disjointed logic receives a low score on this criterion.
Grammar & Vocabulary (언어 사용). This criterion evaluates not just correctness but also range. If you write grammatically correctly but only use Level 3 constructions, your score will be lower than someone who uses Level 5–6 constructions with minimal errors. Mistakes in basic grammar (particles 이/가, 을/를, incorrect conjugations) are penalized more heavily than errors in complex constructions.
Stylistic Appropriateness (사회언어학적 기능). For Q54, formal written style (합쇼체) is mandatory. Using 해요체 or, worse, casual 반말 is a critical error. You should also avoid colloquial expressions (그래서 instead of 따라서, 근데 instead of 그런데) and abbreviations. The entire text should read like an academic or analytical essay.
Step-by-Step Preparation
Preparing for the Writing section requires a systematic approach. You can't simply "read a lot" and hope writing skills develop on their own — they must be trained deliberately. Here's a step-by-step plan suitable for any level.
Step 1: Study the Q54 Task Structure
Before writing your first essay, read 5–10 model answers at Level 5–6. Pay attention to structure: how the introduction is built, how many arguments are in the body, how the conclusion is formulated. Model answers can be found in TOPIK II preparation textbooks (e.g., the 한국어능력시험 쓰기 series from 한글파크 publisher). Write down the typical templates and expressions used in each section of the essay.
Step 2: Memorize 3 Introduction Templates
The introduction is the most formulaic part of the essay — and that's your advantage. With ready-made constructions for opening an essay, you save 2–3 minutes and start writing with confidence. Memorize at least three templates (details in the templates section below). Practice them on different topics until they become automatic.
Step 3: Write Your First Practice Essay
Take a real topic from a past TOPIK exam and write an essay with a 30-minute timer. Don't look up words — there's no dictionary on exam day. Write by hand if preparing for PBT, or type if preparing for IBT. Your goal for the first essay isn't a perfect text — it's understanding your weak points: lacking vocabulary? Confused by grammar? Running out of time?
Step 4: Get Feedback
An essay without feedback is a wasted exercise. You need to know exactly where you're losing points. Options include: asking a Korean language teacher to review your work, exchanging essays with other TOPIK candidates, or using AI tools for automated evaluation. The key is that feedback should be specific — not just "good" or "bad," but with pinpointed errors and recommendations for each criterion.
Step 5: Fix Mistakes and Repeat
After receiving feedback, rewrite the same essay correcting all issues. Then take a new topic and repeat the process. Optimal pace: 2–3 essays per week for 2–3 months before the exam. Over that period you'll write 15–25 essays, and your level will improve noticeably. It's also useful to track your progress: record scores by criterion and monitor trends.
Learn how the Writing section fits into overall TOPIK scoring and how points are distributed across sections to set the right preparation priorities.
Write a practice essay and get AI feedback in 30 seconds — TopikLab grades using the same criteria as TOPIK examiners. You'll get scores for each of the four criteria, grammar error analysis, and specific recommendations for improvement. No sign-up required — just open and start.
Essay Templates for Q54
Introduction templates are the most effective way to start an essay quickly and make a good impression on the rater. Below are three universal templates that work for most Q54 topics.
Template 1: Growing Interest in a Topic
Use when the topic relates to a current trend or social phenomenon.
최근 ~에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다.
(Recently, interest in ~ has been growing.)
Example: 최근 인공지능 기술에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있습니다. 특히 교육 분야에서 AI의 활용 가능성에 대한 논의가 활발하게 이루어지고 있습니다. (Recently, interest in AI technology has been growing. In particular, discussions about the potential applications of AI in education are actively taking place.)
Template 2: Two Sides of an Issue
Use when the topic invites a "for and against" discussion.
~에 대해 찬성하는 의견과 반대하는 의견이 있다.
(There are opinions for and against ~.)
Example: 대학 교육의 필요성에 대해 찬성하는 의견과 반대하는 의견이 있습니다. 이 글에서는 대학 교육이 왜 여전히 중요한지에 대해 논의하고자 합니다. (There are opinions for and against the necessity of university education. In this essay, I would like to discuss why university education remains important.)
Template 3: Transition to Your Position
A universal phrase to transition from describing the situation to presenting your viewpoint.
이에 대해 나의 생각을 서술하고자 한다.
(I would like to present my thoughts on this matter.)
This construction works as the closing sentence of your introduction after either of the first two templates. It clearly signals to the rater that you're transitioning to the body and demonstrates command of formal academic style.
Additional Useful Expressions
For the body and conclusion, there are also fixed expressions worth memorizing:
- Argument: 그 이유는 다음과 같습니다 (the reasons are as follows), 첫째/둘째 (first/second)
- Example: 예를 들어 (for example), 실제로 (in fact), 구체적으로 (specifically)
- Counterpoint: 물론 ~라는 의견도 있지만 (of course, some argue that ~, but)
- Conclusion: 따라서 (therefore), 결론적으로 (in conclusion), 요약하자면 (to summarize)
- Recommendation: ~해야 할 것입니다 (we should ~), ~이/가 필요합니다 (~ is necessary)
We recommend creating a personal flashcard with these templates and reviewing them daily for 2 weeks before the exam. When constructions are practiced to the point of automaticity, you spend minimal time on formatting and can focus entirely on content.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many points is the TOPIK II Writing section worth?
- A maximum of 100 out of 300 total points. Tasks Q51–52 are worth approximately 10 points each, Q53 up to ~30 points, and Q54 (the essay) up to ~50 points. Q54 carries the most weight, so focus your preparation primarily on the argumentative essay.
- What writing style should I use for TOPIK essays?
- For Q54, use the formal 합쇼체 style (-ㅂ니다/습니다 endings). Using informal 해요체 lowers your score for stylistic appropriateness. This is one of the most common mistakes — many test-takers are used to 해요체 in daily conversation and unconsciously switch to it in essays. Practice writing exclusively in 합쇼체 until it feels natural.
- What if I run out of time on task 54?
- Allocate 30–35 minutes for Q54 out of the 50-minute section. Budget your time: introduction using a template (2–3 min), two arguments (10–12 min each), and conclusion (3–5 min). Even an unfinished essay receives partial credit — never leave the field blank. If you're running very low on time, write at least the introduction and one argument — that alone can earn 15–20 points.
- Can I prepare for the Writing section without a tutor?
- Yes. The key is regular practice with feedback. AI tools like TopikLab evaluate essays using the same criteria as TOPIK examiners and provide specific recommendations for improvement. Combining self-study with AI feedback lets you practice anytime and track progress from essay to essay.
- How is the Writing section graded?
- Each essay (Q53 and Q54) is graded by two independent raters. If their scores diverge significantly, a third rater is brought in. The final score is the average of the ratings. Raters evaluate four criteria: content and task completion, text structure, grammar and vocabulary, and stylistic appropriateness.