1. 內容切題
內容切題是命題作文的基本要求，考生可從以下幾個方面入手：
第一要認真審題。根據題目類別，弄清文體的要求，並判明文章的種類(議論文、說明文、記敘文)，同時確定文章要闡明的主題或要表達的中心思想，若題目已經提供了提綱，還要注意弄清各提綱要點之間的邏輯關係。考生在拿到作文題後，切勿惟恐時間不夠，提筆就寫。一旦離題，發現了再改就來不及了，常言道：“磨刀不誤砍柴工”。
第二要注意設計安排段落。根據文章的中心思想，確定各個段落的主題內容和主題句。如果是議論文，一般要從論點的正反兩個方面來考慮，首先是某觀點的合理成分或某物的長處，然後是該觀點的不合理成分或該物的短處，最後闡明自己的觀點。如果題目提供了提綱，只要把提綱擴展成主題句即可。
第三要避免將記憶里較熟悉的句子生拉硬扯地搬進作文，使作文結構鬆散，意思不明確，甚至會偏離主題。
2. 表達清楚，文字連貫
文章要做到表達清楚，文字連貫，文章各段落就必須根據提綱所確立的不同主題來展開，而且各段落的主題句要將段落的各個部分凝聚在一起，流利地表達段落大意，使段落中各部分以及段落之間的聯繫一目了然。下面，我們來看一篇99年CET-4考試範文：
Reading Selectively Or Extensively
How should we read? Should we read selectively or extensively? Everyone has his own view.
Some people think we should read selectively. They argue that with the development of modern science and technology, more and more books are published every day. It is impossible for us to read all the books. What’s more, there are many bad books that are poisonous to our mind, and we shouldn’t read them. Since we can’t read all the books, and we shouldn’t read bad books, we must read selectively.
But others may not agree. They emphasize that today’s society is not what it used to be. If you want to be successful, you must read widely and acquire knowledge in both natural sciences and humanities. If a man knows much in one field but knows nothing in others, he may be useless. Since we must have many kinds of knowledge, we must read extensively.
Who’s right? There is a lot to be said for both sides of the argument. However, I think we should read extensively first and then learn deeply about the subject we are interested in.
在上面的作文中，考生採用了明確的主題句，各段落都緊緊圍繞主題句寫作而成。文章上下文銜接緊湊、連貫，例如第二段開頭用Some people think…， 第三段開頭用Others may not agree…， 而最後一段用一個問句Who’s right?作為連線，都顯得相當自然。另外，英語中常見的一些連線手段，如what’s more, and, since, but, one (field)…others, however, first, then等，也都用的很恰當。
3. 句式有變化
有些考生對寫作沒信心，不敢大膽地使用所掌握的語言基礎知識，包括英語句法知識，結果整篇文章都是以主、謂、賓句式為主的簡單句子，文章顯得刻板無生氣。實際上，，同漢語一樣，英語的句子結構也是豐富多彩，變化多樣的。閱讀下面的段落，注意句式的變化：
Clearly our schools and society face the same problems. It has become necessary for all people, not just educators, to be more aware of the problems. Although some intervention programs have been implemented and in some cases are very successful, it is becoming more obvious that these problems are going to continue and will have a direct consequence on our future in this country. Unfortunately, we as a society tend to look for the “quick fix” to our problems without realizing the consequences for the future. Our society needs to understand that the schools are not responsible for the cause of these problems or the solutions, but rather, all aspects of society, including schools, are involved and need to collectively work together if we are ever to make progress toward resolving these problems in the long run.
在這一段落中既有長短句子的交插運用，又有語序的變化，既有簡單句又有複合句，不失為在句式變化方面的一個典範。
4. 句子結構和用詞正確
要在寫作中選擇恰當的辭彙，使用正確的句子結構，首先要勤學多練，背記常用詞和短語，擴大辭彙量，拓展知識面。要深刻理解所背詞語的內在含義，並了解它們所使用的語言環境。為了備考應試，要熟記一些常用的過渡詞和英語句型，切忌自己編造漢語式的句子和詞組。儘量使用學習過的、比較熟悉的、有把握的句式和辭彙。
In the world, millions of people believe that some things can bring good luck for them. They make their spirit to depend on these things. We say they have a religion.
Some of these people have a strange religion. They believe in “Luck number”, they believe luck number would bring good luck. When they do sth. with relation to numbers, they usually choose the number they believe.
In fact, many people said that they don’t believe it, but most of them can tell a number they like. Many people like the number 8 or 6 in China. They believe 8 can make them succeded in business and make them uhealth. They also believe six bring the good luck, and things is smooth without a hitch. In fact, many people couldn’t explain why the number can bring good luck and How he know just the number is his luck number. Sometimes, people decide one things depended on their feeling, because they usually couldn’t know whole the thing. Maybe, One day, Sb. Can tell the reason and truth.
這是一篇得8分的試卷，內容切題，並有所發揮，但有些地方的表達不夠清楚;結構還算符合要求，文字勉強連貫，但是語言方面的錯誤多，尤其是在主謂搭配、動詞的時態、名詞的單複數、詞性、語序等方面。此外有的拼寫也不規範，如：sb, sth。 畫線部分可作以下修改：
to depend → depend
They believe in “ Luck number”, they → They believe in “ lucky numbers ”, so they
sth. → something
said → say
succeded → succeed
uhealth → wealthy
bring the good luck → brings good luck
things is → the things are
How he know → how he knows
people decide one things → people’s decision on one thing
depended → depends
usually couldn’t → couldn’t usually
One day → one day
Sb. Can → someone can
另外，考生還要注意卷面印象分這一問題。卷面要力求整潔，答題紙四周都要留空邊，正確使用標點符號。短文要避免使用令閱卷老師反感的詞句，如“Do you know…? Let me tell you”之類的過分口語化的表達方式。
最後，寫作考試過程中合理分配時間，對提高成績，穩定發揮起著重要作用。