What types of prompts might appear in the writing section of an exam?

The writing section of an exam often includes a variety of prompts aimed at evaluating different writing skills. The selected answer highlights descriptive, persuasive, or informative prompts, which are fundamental forms of writing that students encounter in academic settings.

Descriptive prompts require writers to illustrate a scene, object, or person vividly, engaging the reader’s senses. Persuasive prompts ask writers to formulate arguments to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint, thus assessing critical thinking and advocacy skills. Informative prompts focus on the ability to convey information clearly and succinctly, which is essential for effective communication in both academic and professional environments.

These categories are broad and versatile, covering essential skills necessary for various forms of writing that students will utilize beyond the classroom, making them particularly suitable for an exam context. The inclusion of these types of prompts encourages students to practice different writing styles and adapt their tone and structure depending on the intended message or audience.