TOPIK Writing Grammar

TOPIK II Writing Section tests your ability to compose coherent, well-structured Korean texts. This guide focuses on essential grammar patterns for both short-answer tasks and essay writing.

Writing Section Overview

Structure:

• Task 51-52: Fill in the blank / Complete dialogue (10 points each)
• Task 53: Write 200-300 characters (30 points)
• Task 54: Write 600-700 characters (50 points)

Grammar Focus:

• Formal written style
• Logical connectives
• Clear argumentation
• Cohesive discourse markers

Essential Formal Endings

Written Statement: -ㅂ/습니다

Formal declarative:

• 한국어를 공부합니다 (I study Korean)
• 이것이 중요합니다 (This is important)
• 계획을 세웠습니다 (Made a plan)

Usage: Standard for formal writing, reports, essays

Written Question: -ㅂ/습니까?

Formal interrogative:

• 동의하십니까? (Do you agree?)
• 어떻게 생각하십니까? (What do you think?)

Note: Less common in essays, more in formal letters

Nominalization: -(으)ㅁ/-기

Formal nominalization:

• 공부함 (studying - very formal)
• 중요함 (being important)
• 필요함 (being necessary)

Alternative: -는 것 (more common in modern writing)

• 공부하는 것 (studying)
• 중요한 것 (what is important)

Connecting Ideas

Sequential Actions: -고

And then, and:

• 아침을 먹고 학교에 갑니다 (Eat breakfast and go to school)
• 계획을 세우고 실행했습니다 (Made a plan and executed it)

But/However: -지만

Contrast within sentence:

• 어렵지만 포기하지 않았습니다 (It was difficult but didn't give up)
• 비싸지만 품질이 좋습니다 (Expensive but good quality)

However (Sentence Start): 하지만/그러나

Starting new sentence with contrast:

• 계획을 세웠습니다. 하지만 실행하지 못했습니다 (Made a plan. However, couldn't execute it)
• 노력했습니다. 그러나 실패했습니다 (Made effort. However, failed)

And (Formal): -며/-고

Formal connection:

• 경제적이며 효율적입니다 (Economical and efficient)
• 빠르고 정확합니다 (Fast and accurate)

Expressing Reasons

Because: -기 때문에

Formal reason (most common in writing):

• 시간이 없기 때문에 못 갔습니다 (Couldn't go because there was no time)
• 건강이 중요하기 때문에 운동합니다 (Exercise because health is important)
• 비가 오기 때문에 취소되었습니다 (Was cancelled because it's raining)

Therefore: -(으)므로

Formal causation (very formal):

• 중요하므로 꼭 하십시오 (Please do it because it's important)
• 시간이 부족하므로 서둘러야 합니다 (Must hurry because time is insufficient)

So/Thus: 그래서/따라서

Starting new sentence:

• 비가 왔습니다. 그래서 취소했습니다 (It rained. So we cancelled)
• 연구 결과가 좋았습니다. 따라서 계속 진행합니다 (Research results were good. Thus we continue)

Expressing Purpose

In Order To: -기 위해(서)

Purpose (formal):

• 합격하기 위해 열심히 공부합니다 (Study hard in order to pass)
• 건강을 위해 운동합니다 (Exercise for health)
• 성공하기 위해서 노력해야 합니다 (Must try hard in order to succeed)

For The Purpose Of: -을/를 목적으로

Objective (very formal):

• 교육을 목적으로 만들어졌습니다 (Was made for the purpose of education)
• 연구를 목적으로 합니다 (For the purpose of research)

To/In Order To: -(으)려고

Intention (less formal):

• 한국어를 배우려고 왔습니다 (Came to learn Korean)
• 친구를 만나려고 서울에 갑니다 (Go to Seoul to meet a friend)

Expressing Opinions

I Think: -다고 생각합니다

Personal opinion:

• 중요하다고 생각합니다 (I think it's important)
• 좋은 방법이라고 생각합니다 (I think it's a good method)
• 필요하다고 생각합니다 (I think it's necessary)

In My Opinion: 제 생각에는

Starting with opinion:

• 제 생각에는 교육이 가장 중요합니다 (In my opinion, education is most important)

It Seems: -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같습니다

Softening opinion:

• 좋은 것 같습니다 (It seems good)
• 필요한 것 같습니다 (It seems necessary)
• 효과적인 것 같습니다 (It seems effective)

Making Comparisons

More Than: 보다 더

Comparison:

• 건강이 돈보다 더 중요합니다 (Health is more important than money)
• 작년보다 더 좋아졌습니다 (Got better than last year)

Whereas/While: -는 반면(에)

Contrast comparison:

• A는 좋은 반면 B는 나쁩니다 (A is good whereas B is bad)
• 여름은 덥다는 반면 겨울은 춥습니다 (Summer is hot whereas winter is cold)

Not Only But Also: -을/를 뿐만 아니라

Adding information:

• 경제적일 뿐만 아니라 환경 친화적입니다 (Not only economical but also eco-friendly)
• 유익할 뿐만 아니라 재미있습니다 (Not only beneficial but also fun)

Expressing Conditions

If: -(으)면

Condition:

• 노력하면 성공할 수 있습니다 (If you try hard, you can succeed)
• 계획이 있으면 실행할 수 있습니다 (If there's a plan, can execute)

In Case: -(으)ㄹ 경우(에)

Formal condition:

• 문제가 생길 경우 연락하십시오 (Contact in case a problem arises)
• 그럴 경우에는 다른 방법이 필요합니다 (In that case, another method is needed)

Unless: -지 않으면

Negative condition:

• 노력하지 않으면 성공할 수 없습니다 (Cannot succeed unless you try)
• 변화하지 않으면 발전이 없습니다 (No progress unless there's change)

Expressing Results

Become: -게 되다

Change or result:

• 한국어를 할 수 있게 됐습니다 (Became able to speak Korean)
• 이해하게 됐습니다 (Came to understand)
• 중요하다는 것을 알게 됐습니다 (Came to know that it's important)

As A Result: 그 결과

Introducing result:

• 열심히 공부했습니다. 그 결과 합격했습니다 (Studied hard. As a result, passed)

Therefore: 따라서/그러므로

Formal conclusion:

• 따라서 이것이 필요합니다 (Therefore, this is needed)
• 그러므로 계속 노력해야 합니다 (Therefore, must continue trying)

Expressing Concession

Although: -지만/-음에도 불구하고

Contrast:

• 어려웠지만 성공했습니다 (Was difficult but succeeded)
• 어려움에도 불구하고 포기하지 않았습니다 (Despite difficulties, didn't give up)

Even Though: -아/어도/-더라도

Strong concession:

• 힘들어도 계속합니다 (Continue even though it's hard)
• 실패하더라도 도전할 가치가 있습니다 (Even if it fails, it's worth challenging)

Nevertheless: 그럼에도 불구하고

Starting new sentence:

• 문제가 많았습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 성공했습니다 (There were many problems. Nevertheless, succeeded)

Adding Information

In Addition: 또한/게다가

Adding points:

• 유용합니다. 또한 경제적입니다 (It's useful. In addition, it's economical)
• 재미있습니다. 게다가 교육적입니다 (It's fun. Moreover, it's educational)

Furthermore: 더욱이/더구나

Emphasizing addition:

• 좋습니다. 더욱이 저렴합니다 (It's good. Furthermore, it's cheap)

Not Only: -을/를 뿐만 아니라

Formal addition:

• 건강뿐만 아니라 정신 건강도 중요합니다 (Not only physical health but mental health is also important)

Citing Sources

According To: -에 따르면/-에 의하면

Citation:

• 연구에 따르면 운동이 중요합니다 (According to research, exercise is important)
• 전문가에 의하면 (According to experts)
• 통계에 따르면 (According to statistics)

Based On: -을/를 토대로/-을/를 바탕으로

Foundation:

• 사실을 토대로 말씀드립니다 (Speaking based on facts)
• 경험을 바탕으로 조언합니다 (Advise based on experience)

Listing & Organizing

First/Second/Third: 첫째/둘째/셋째

Enumerating points:

• 첫째, 건강이 중요합니다. 둘째, 시간 관리가 필요합니다 (First, health is important. Second, time management is needed)

For Example: 예를 들어/예를 들면

Giving examples:

• 예를 들어, 운동은 건강에 좋습니다 (For example, exercise is good for health)

Such As: 같은/와 같은

Listing examples:

• 운동 같은 활동이 중요합니다 (Activities such as exercise are important)
• 한국어와 같은 언어 (Languages such as Korean)

Emphasizing Points

Especially: 특히/특별히

Emphasis:

• 특히 건강이 중요합니다 (Especially health is important)
• 특별히 주의해야 합니다 (Must pay special attention)

Above All: 무엇보다(도)

Priority emphasis:

• 무엇보다 건강이 중요합니다 (Above all, health is important)
• 무엇보다도 안전이 우선입니다 (Above all, safety is the priority)

In Particular: 특히

Specific emphasis:

• 특히 젊은 세대에게 인기가 많습니다 (Particularly popular among the young generation)

Concluding

In Conclusion: 결론적으로

Final summary:

• 결론적으로 교육이 중요합니다 (In conclusion, education is important)

To Sum Up: 요약하면

Summarizing:

• 요약하면 세 가지 이유가 있습니다 (To sum up, there are three reasons)

Finally: 마지막으로

Final point:

• 마지막으로 감사드립니다 (Finally, I thank you)

Task 51-52: Short Answers

Common Patterns

Fill in dialogues:

• -겠습니다 (will/intend to)
• -(으)ㄹ까요? (shall we?)
• -아/어 주세요 (please)
• -고 싶습니다 (want to)
• -(으)ㄹ 수 있습니다 (can)

Example structures:

• A: 언제 만날까요?

• B: 내일 3시에 만나는 게 어떻습니까?

• A: 도와주실 수 있습니까?

• B: 네, 도와드리겠습니다.

Task 53: 200-300 Character Essay

Essential Structure

Introduction (2-3 sentences):

• Topic introduction
• Personal connection or relevance

Body (3-4 sentences):

• Main point or experience
• Specific example or detail
• Personal opinion or feeling

Conclusion (1-2 sentences):

• Summary or reflection
• Future intention or hope

Key Grammar Patterns

Describing experiences:

• -(으)ㄴ 적이 있습니다 (have done before)
• -아/어 봤습니다 (have tried)
• -던 (retrospective)

Expressing feelings:

• -아/어서 (reason)
• -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같습니다 (seems/think)
• -게 되었습니다 (came to)

Making conclusions:

• -기 때문에 (because)
• 그래서 (so)
• -(으)ㄹ 것입니다 (will)

Task 54: 600-700 Character Essay

Essay Structure

Introduction (100-120 characters):

• State the topic clearly
• Preview your main argument
• Provide context

Body Paragraph 1 (180-220 characters):

• First main point
• Supporting evidence or example
• Explanation

Body Paragraph 2 (180-220 characters):

• Second main point (or counterargument)
• Supporting evidence or example
• Explanation

Conclusion (100-120 characters):

• Summarize main points
• Restate position
• Final thought or recommendation

Essential Patterns

Opening:

• 요즘 (these days)
• -에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있습니다 (interest in... is increasing)
• -이/가 중요한 문제입니다 (...is an important issue)

Presenting arguments:

• 첫째 (first)
• 둘째 (second)
• -기 때문입니다 (it's because)
• -다는 점에서 (in that)

Contrasting:

• 그러나 (however)
• -는 반면 (whereas)
• 물론 (of course)
• -지만 (but)

Concluding:

• 따라서 (therefore)
• 결론적으로 (in conclusion)
• -아/어야 한다고 생각합니다 (I think we should)
• -을/를 기대합니다 (I expect/hope)

Common Topics & Useful Grammar

Technology/SNS

Useful patterns:

• -을/를 통해 (through)
• 긍정적인 영향 (positive influence)
• 부정적인 영향 (negative influence)
• -에도 불구하고 (despite)

Environment

Useful patterns:

• -을/를 위해 (for)
• -기 위해서는 (in order to)
• 노력해야 합니다 (must make effort)
• 중요합니다 (is important)

Education/Career

Useful patterns:

• -는 데 있어서 (in terms of)
• 필요합니다 (is necessary)
• 도움이 됩니다 (is helpful)
• -을 수 있습니다 (can)

Health/Lifestyle

Useful patterns:

• 건강에 좋습니다 (good for health)
• -는 습관 (habit of)
• 유익합니다 (is beneficial)
• 실천하다 (to practice/implement)

Writing Tips

Vocabulary Choice

Use formal vocabulary:

• 매우 (very - formal) not 아주
• 많은 (many - formal) not 많이
• 대부분 (most) not 거의 다
• 중요하다 (important) not 중요해요

Sentence Variety

Mix sentence lengths:

• Short: 이것은 중요합니다
• Medium: 여러 가지 이유가 있습니다
• Long: 첫째, 건강에 좋기 때문이고, 둘째, 경제적이기 때문입니다

Cohesion Markers

Use connectives:

• Between sentences: 그러나, 또한, 따라서
• Within sentences: -지만, -고, -아/어서
• For listing: 첫째, 둘째, 마지막으로

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Grammar Errors

• ❌ Using casual endings (-아/어요)

• ✅ Use formal endings (-습니다)

• ❌ Mixing formal/informal

• ✅ Stay consistent in formality

• ❌ Incomplete sentences

• ✅ Every sentence must have subject + predicate

Content Errors

• ❌ Off-topic content

• ✅ Stay focused on the question

• ❌ Too short or too long

• ✅ Follow character count requirements

• ❌ Only one perspective

• ✅ Show balanced thinking (acknowledge counterarguments)

Scoring Criteria

Content (30%)

• Relevance to topic
• Completeness of answer
• Logical flow

Structure (30%)

• Clear organization
• Appropriate paragraphing
• Effective use of connectives

Language (40%)

• Grammar accuracy
• Vocabulary appropriateness
• Spelling and spacing

Key Takeaways

• ✅ Master formal style: Use -습니다, -기 때문에, -므로
• ✅ Use connectives: 그러나, 또한, 따라서 for flow
• ✅ Structure clearly: Intro-Body-Conclusion
• ✅ Stay formal: Avoid casual language completely
• ✅ Manage length: Practice writing to exact character counts
• ✅ Show balance: Present multiple perspectives
• ✅ Use transitions: Connect ideas smoothly

TOPIK Writing requires mastery of formal grammar patterns, clear organization, and the ability to express complex ideas concisely. Focus on using appropriate formal structures, maintaining consistency in register, and developing coherent, well-supported arguments within the character limits.