1. Stick to the Topic


2. Use literary devices or grammar points you've learned


3. Có quan điểm cá nhân và văn phong trôi chảy
Bạn nên có quan điểm cá nhân và vấn đề mà bạn đặt ra trong bài viết. Tùy vào chủ đề mà thêm vào cảm nhận cá nhân nhiều hoặc ít. Dùng thêm những hình ảnh bóng bẩy, các thành ngữ... sẽ là những điểm cộng. Thêm nữa, mỗi người một văn phong khác nhau. Bạn nên viết thế nào để giọng văn của mình hấp dẫn, cuốn hút người đọc.
Tuy là vấn đề khá phức tạp với người mới bắt đầu khi kết hợp giữa giọng văn của mình với tiếng Anh. Nhưng bạn chỉ cần luyện tập nhiều phần này sẽ quen và cách viết cũng nâng cao hơn nhiều.


4. Make an effort to read sample essays and practice writing regularly
Additionally, you should read sample essays to familiarize yourself with English writing styles, learn how to structure and analyze, and expand your vocabulary. A strong knowledge base is also crucial; the more you read, the easier it becomes to write on any topic. The key is to write frequently – the more you practice, the more familiar the tasks become. Once you're comfortable, it becomes like solving math problems: you apply the formula and solve it easily.
Furthermore, these sample essays will introduce valuable vocabulary and help you recognize language features and general rules for each type of writing, which you can apply to your own work.


5. Practice writing skills
Famous authors and professional writers often go through many drafts before finalizing a piece of work.
However, this process isn't always possible, especially in timed writing competitions. Yet, when practicing writing at home or in a regular English class, this approach is entirely feasible.


6. Review your writing
Once you've completed your final draft, it's essential to review your work for grammar and spelling mistakes. Then, ask a teacher or someone proficient in English to help you identify areas for improvement, so you can learn and correct your errors.
If you're already working on your second draft after completing the first, take a moment to reflect on what you liked and disliked about the first version. This reflection will help you improve your approach and produce a better second draft.


7. Pay attention to spelling and grammar mistakes
The most basic errors to watch out for are spelling and grammar mistakes. Unlike speaking or listening, where some mistakes can be overlooked, writing is highly dependent on correct spelling and grammar. The only way to improve in this area is through constant learning and regular writing practice.
Try to keep your sentences simple to avoid grammatical errors. If you're not yet confident, stick to basic sentences (subject, verb, object). Also, be mindful of using the correct tenses in their proper sequence, such as simple present, present continuous, present perfect, simple past, and future tenses, with occasional use of past perfect. Strict teachers might deduct 0.5-1 point per mistake.


8. Ensure the meaning is accurate
After addressing spelling and grammar errors, the next focus should be on the meaning of your writing. This involves expressing ideas in a way that aligns with English writing conventions. This problem often arises when writers think in their native language (e.g., Vietnamese) and directly translate. Since the vocabulary of Vietnamese and English differs significantly, this usually results in unnatural expressions (similar to writing like a Google Translate output).
If you want to see an example of this, simply paste your text into Google Translate and observe the awkward phrasing. To avoid making this mistake, practice thinking in English and use your own vocabulary to convey your thoughts. For instance, if you don’t know the word “resize,” you can say “edit the size of something.”


9. Ensure the structure of each paragraph and the entire essay is correct
Structure is also an essential aspect. What does a paragraph need? What is an essay like? These are basic requirements within the foundational knowledge for writing. Even if your writing is elaborate, if a paragraph lacks a topic sentence (or if the topic sentence is incorrect), it will significantly affect your score.
Similarly, an essay should have paragraphs that add, support, or contrast with one another, all connecting into a cohesive unit. It should start with an introductory paragraph, end with a conclusion, and include a thesis statement that meets the required standards. Review the theoretical content you learned on this topic carefully.


