Common Mistakes in Chinese Essays and How to Fix Them

Writing essays in Chinese can be challenging for secondary school students. While students may have strong ideas and good vocabulary, small mistakes can reduce marks and affect overall grades. Whether you are preparing for school exams or national assessments, understanding these common pitfalls is the first step toward improvement. Many students turn to chinese tuition for secondary students for guidance on refining their writing skills and avoiding these errors.

In this article, we explore frequent mistakes seen in Chinese essays and practical ways to correct them. Let’s dive in.

1. Weak or Unclear Structure

One of the most common mistakes in Chinese essays is poor organisation. Students may write long paragraphs without clear divisions or jump between ideas without proper linking.

How to fix this:

• Plan your essay before writing. Jot down your introduction, main points, and conclusion.

• Use linking phrases to connect paragraphs and sentences, such as 此外 (in addition), 因此 (therefore), and 最后 (finally).

• Ensure each paragraph focuses on one main idea.

A well-organised essay makes it easier for examiners to follow your arguments and reward you with higher marks.

2. Limited Vocabulary and Repetition

Students often repeat the same words or phrases, especially common ones like 很好 (very good) or 非常重要 (very important). This makes essays sound dull and shows limited language ability.

How to fix this:

• Build your vocabulary bank by reading model essays, news articles, and stories in Chinese.

• Keep a personal notebook of new words and practice using them in sentences.

• Challenge yourself to replace repeated words with synonyms or more descriptive terms.

A richer vocabulary helps make your essay more engaging and impressive.

3. Grammar Errors

Incorrect grammar is another issue that lowers essay scores. Typical mistakes include wrong word order, misuse of measure words, and improper tense usage.

How to fix this:

• Review common grammar rules, especially sentence structures and the use of particles like 了, 的, and 得.

• When practising writing, read your sentences aloud to check if they sound natural.

• During revision, highlight grammar mistakes and write the correct form beside them.

Many chinese tuition for secondary students programmes focus on grammar drills and exercises, which can be very helpful for strengthening these fundamentals.

4. Weak Introduction and Conclusion

Some students rush through their introduction and conclusion or leave them out entirely. This makes the essay feel incomplete or lacking impact.

How to fix this:

• Spend a few minutes planning a strong opening that introduces your topic clearly.

• A good conclusion should summarise your main points and leave the reader with a final thought or reflection.

• Avoid simply repeating sentences from your main body — instead, rephrase or add a new insight.

Well-crafted introductions and conclusions give your essay a polished, professional feel.

5. Writing Too Short or Too Long

Many students struggle with meeting word count requirements. Essays that are too short may not cover enough points, while overly long essays risk going off-topic or containing unnecessary details.

How to fix this:

• Practice writing essays of different lengths so you become comfortable adjusting content.

• During exams, keep an eye on the clock and your word count to stay within limits.

• Focus on quality over quantity. A clear, concise essay often scores better than a long, unfocused one.

6. Lack of Originality

Examiners read hundreds of essays, and many follow the same patterns or use memorised phrases. Essays that lack originality can feel dull and uninspired.

How to fix this:

• When planning, think of unique angles or personal examples that relate to the topic.

• Instead of relying heavily on common proverbs, use them selectively and appropriately.

• Reflect your own voice and opinions in the writing.

Originality not only makes your essay stand out but also shows maturity in thought.

7. Not Answering the Question

Finally, a frequent mistake is drifting away from the essay topic. This happens when students write generally about a theme but fail to address the specific question asked.

How to fix this:

• Before you begin, underline keywords in the essay question to stay focused.

• As you write, regularly check if each paragraph relates to the question.

• In your conclusion, link back to the question to show clear understanding.

Staying on topic is essential for achieving top marks.

Conclusion

Writing a strong Chinese essay takes practice, planning, and attention to detail. By recognising and correcting these common mistakes — from weak structures to grammar errors and lack of originality — you can significantly improve your performance. Support from chinese tuition for secondary students can provide targeted feedback and exercises tailored to your needs, helping you build confidence and refine your writing further.

With consistent effort, a good revision plan, and the right guidance, you can turn essay writing into one of your strengths and achieve excellent results in your Chinese exams.