Lesson 10

TOPIK II Writing Expressions

Learn the essential connective expressions and essay structure patterns used in TOPIK II writing tasks.

The TOPIK II writing section is where most candidates lose points, and improvement requires structured practice rather than just more reading. The exam has four writing tasks: two short-answer items (about 50 words each), a 200–300 word descriptive piece, and a 600–700 word essay on a given prompt. The essay is the highest-stakes single task on the entire exam.

Key connective expressions for essays: 우선 (first), 또한 (additionally), 한편 (on the other hand), 그러나 (however, formal), 따라서 (therefore), 결과적으로 (as a result), 결론적으로 (in conclusion). The essay rewards clear three-part structure (introduction, body with three points, conclusion) more than sophisticated vocabulary or grammar. Practice template paragraphs for each structural section until you can produce them quickly under time pressure. Native-quality grammar matters less than clear logic — graders pass essays with minor errors but penalise vague or disorganised arguments.

서론 표현 (Introduction expressions)

TOPIK II essays follow 서론(intro) → 본론(body) → 결론(conclusion). Key intro phrases: '최근 ~에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다' (Recently, interest in ~ is increasing) / '~은/는 현대 사회에서 중요한 문제로 떠오르고 있다' (~is emerging as an important issue in modern society)

최근 환경 오염에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다.choegeun hwangyeong oyeome daehan gwanssimi nopajigo itdaRecently, interest in environmental pollution is increasing.

저출생 문제는 현대 사회에서 중요한 과제로 떠오르고 있다.jeochulsaeng munjeneun hyeondae sahoeseo jungyohan gwajero tteooreogo itdaThe low birth rate problem is emerging as an important challenge in modern society.

결론 표현 (Conclusion expressions)

Key conclusion phrases: '따라서 우리는 ~해야 한다' (Therefore, we must ~) / '이러한 문제를 해결하기 위해서는 ~ 것이 필요하다' (To solve such problems, it is necessary to ~) / '앞으로 ~는 것이 중요하다' (Going forward, it is important to ~)

따라서 우리는 환경 보호를 위해 적극적으로 노력해야 한다.ddaraseo urineun hwangyeong bohoreul wiehae jeokgeukjeogeuro noryeok aeya handaTherefore, we must actively make efforts to protect the environment.

앞으로 지속 가능한 발전을 추구하는 것이 중요하다.apeuro jisok ganeunghan baljeoneul chuguhaneun geosi jungyohadaGoing forward, it is important to pursue sustainable development.

따라서ddaraseotherefore / consequently

Examples수요가 급격히 줄었다. 따라서 생산량도 함께 감소했다.suyoga geupgyeoki jureossda ddaraseo saengsannyang do hamkke gamsohassdaDemand dropped sharply. Therefore, production also decreased.

또한ddo hanalso / furthermore / in addition

Examples규칙적인 운동은 건강에 좋다. 또한 스트레스 해소에도 효과적이다.gyuchikjeogin undongeun geongange jota ddo han seuteureseu haesoe do hyogwajeogidaRegular exercise is good for health. Furthermore, it is also effective for stress relief.

반면banmyeonon the other hand / whereas

Examples도시는 생활이 편리하다. 반면 자연환경이 부족하다는 단점이 있다.dosineun saenghwari pyeollida banmyeon jayeonhwangyeongi bujokadaneun danjeomi itdaCity life is convenient. On the other hand, there is the drawback that natural environment is lacking.

예를 들어yereul deureofor example

Examples재활용이 환경에 도움이 된다. 예를 들어 종이를 재활용하면 나무 벌목이 줄어든다.jaehwalyongi hwangyeonge dowumi doenda yereul deureo jongireul jaehwalyonghamyeon namu beollogi jureoedundaRecycling helps the environment. For example, recycling paper reduces tree logging.

이에 따라ie ddaraaccordingly / as a result of this

Examples인구가 고령화되었다. 이에 따라 노인 복지 제도의 중요성이 커졌다.inguga goryeonghwa doeeossda ie ddara noin bokji jedoui jungyoseoni keojyeossdaThe population has aged. Accordingly, the importance of elderly welfare systems has grown.

~라고 볼 수 있다rago bol su itdacan be seen as / can be considered

Examples이 현상은 현대 사회의 빠른 변화를 반영한다고 볼 수 있다.i hyeonsangeun hyeondae sahoeeui ppareun byeonhwareul banyeonghandago bol su itdaThis phenomenon can be seen as reflecting the rapid changes in modern society.

Cultural & Language Note

TOPIK II writing is scored on structure as much as content, and graders expect a visible 서론-본론-결론 skeleton with explicit connectives marking each transition. Korean academic writing values signposting more than English does, so phrases like 따라서 and 이에 따라 are not filler — they are the structural markers the rubric looks for.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Writing in 해요체 costs points — the task requires the plain written style (한다체) or 습니다체 consistently. Learners also overuse 그리고 as their only connector; the rubric rewards variety, so rotate through 또한, 반면, 따라서 rather than repeating one link word throughout.