When I was studying in the U.S., the courses at my school placed a heavy emphasis on writing instruction. Not only did we have multiple courses related to this, but there were also many practical opportunities for us to practice. One opportunity was taking a standalone English writing course, and another was providing one-on-one tutoring at the school's writing center. After reading so many essays, I developed a clearer understanding of the common problems students face, as well as some ideas on how to address them. Here, I’d like to briefly discuss two types of writing: argumentative writing and compare-and-contrast writing. These two forms of writing are the primary modes tested in major English exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and GRE, and thus are particularly important for Chinese students who wish to master them. To improve English writing, there are four key areas that need attention.