Writing an essay

Hi all. I am going to write the TORFL 1 in 10 days!
Part of the test requires you to write a small article after reading something. The example from the text book gives a short story on women's rights. You must either agree or disagree with the positions taken and write why.
I asked my wife (she is Russian) and she says that in Russian there is no special format and that you can write a sentence of agreement and then one of disagreement. I think this is wrong.
How would you normally write something like this on a test? (you only have 45 mins)
Thank you.
Jerrod