writing forms

8/12/2019 Writing Forms

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Writing Forms

The following includes templates and general tips on the different writing forms of FCE, CAE and

CPE.

An Article

Overview:

Usually written for an English-language magazine or a newspaper. The reader is assumed to have similar interests as the writer. The main purpose is to interest and engage the reader. Some opinion or comment is needed. Suggested preparation reading: English magazines.

General Tips:

A catchy title is necessary. Colourful and lively language will be needed. Descriptions, examples and anecdotes are often appropriate. Reported speech, amusing stories and descriptions may be included. Direct and indirect questions are effective. Use a combination of opinions and facts. The central idea of a paragraph is usually clearly defined in its first sentence.

Suggested Structure:

Eye-catching title

Introduction that clearly defines the topic to be covered and keeps the readers attention.

Two or three paragraphs of further detail. Each paragraph should be centred around one main idea.

Conclusion, which summarises the topic or gives a final opinion, recommendation or comment.

A competition Entry

Overview:

Written for a judge or panel of judges. You will need to nominate yourself or someone else for something. This will include persuasion and a reason/some reasons why your suggestion is best.

General Tips:

Catch the attention of the reader. A strong final paragraph is vital.

Please ask me for more information on this type of writing.


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A Contribution to a Longer Piece

Overview:

Written for someone in the process of collecting information for a larger document. The larger document could be a book, a guidebook or a piece of research. The purpose is to supply information and opinion.

General Tips:

This should be clearly organised and may include headings. The register/tone depends on the purpose of the larger document. For example, guidebooks

are factual and neutral, whereas a book may be more discursive.


An Essay

Overview:

Usually written for a teacher. The main purpose of the task is the development of an argument or a discussion of issues

surrounding a certain topic.

General Tips:

This should be well organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropriateconclusion.

Opinions needs to be followed with reasons. You can agree or disagree or discuss both sides but agreeing and disagreeing should be in a

formal or a neutral register.

Paragraphing, linking words and phrases are especially important.Suggested Structure:

If a title is given, use this. If not pick a title on the overall idea of the essay.

The first sentence should create a context for the essay idea/question. The second sentence and the

rest of the first paragraph should outline what the main point being explored is and your stance onit.

The second paragraph should build on the overall essay idea in relation to the first point you are

given.

The third paragraph should further build on the overall essay idea but in relation to the second point

you are given.

If you are giving three points, follow the above structure with the fourth paragraph. If not conclude.

The conclusion should bring together all of the ideas of the essay and answer the overall essay idea.It should do this without much repetition so reformulation is important. Here is also an opportunity


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to further expand upon previous ideas taking into consideration the whole essay. However,

completely new ideas should not be introduced at this stage. You need a clear conclusion regardless

of whether it is that you agree/disagree/are torn/apples are green etc.

An Information Sheet

Overview:

Written for someone in need or advice, instruction or information. The purpose of the sheet should be clear.

General Tips:

It should be clear, factual and on topic. It should also be clearly organised and can include headings.


A Formal Letter (General)

Overview:

Written for an editor a magazine/newspaper, the director of an international company, aschool/college principal or a friend.

It could also be a reference for a friend. It could include a narrative element of personal experience or it may be more concerned

with giving factual information.

General Tips:

The following is general advice. Different tasks will require you to apply the below indifferent ways.

The opening salutation and closing phrasing are vitally important. i.e. Dear Mr Smith, YoursSincerely or Dear Sir or Madam, Your Faithfully.

Clear paragraphing and linking words are also important. A sign of a good letter is that all paragraphs are even but the middle paragraphs are slightly

longer than the first and last.

Use the language as specifically referred to by the writing task, i.e. if it asks you torecommend, use language like I unreservedly recommend etc.

Refer back to the writing task informatione.g. as specified/mentioned in your letter Avoid contractions. Use the vocabulary document on letters


Dear Sir or Madam or Dear Mr Smith/Miss Robinson or Dear Elliot

The first sentence should explain what the letter will be about.


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The second and third sentence should then complete the first paragraph, which should summarise

any other details required, e.g. that youre more than willing to help/contribute and you are very

interested in the whole thing. It could be other information like how you heard about the

event/opportunity.

The second paragraph will directly answer the first point of the question. These points could be a

range of things including descriptions, recommendations, suggestions.

The third paragraph will directly answer the second point of the question.

If there is a third point to the question, youll need a fourth paragraph.

The final paragraph should be a one or two sentence bringing together of the whole thing. It should

have some variation of let me know if you need any more information.

Closing line, e.g. I am looking forward to hearing from you

Yours Faithfully or Yours Sincerely (very important)

Name

Any title of relevance (not normally needed)

An informal Letter

Overview:

Written for a friend, exchange partner, classmate or peer. It could also be a reference for a friend. It could include a narrative element of personal experience or it may be more concerned

with giving factual information.

General Tips:

The following is general advice. Different tasks will require you to apply the below indifferent ways.

Be aware of the difference between a letter to your closest friend and for example, yournew exchange partner.

Clear paragraphing and linking words are also important. A sign of a good letter is that all paragraphs are even but the middle paragraphs are slightly

longer than the first and last.

Use the language as specifically referred to by the writing task, i.e. if it asks you torecommend, use language like I unreservedly recommend etc.

Refer back to the writing task informatione.g. as specified/mentioned in your letter Use the vocabulary document on letters


Dear Elliot, Hi Kate


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The first sentence should thank them for the letter or say something about being good to hear from

them etc. and then in the second sentence, the purpose of the letter should be made clear.

The second and third sentence should then complete the first paragraph, which should summarise

any other details required, e.g. that youre more than willing to help/contribute and you are very

interested in the whole thing (how the hell are they anyway?)

The second paragraph will directly answer the first point of the question. These points could be a

range of things including descriptions, recommendations, suggestions.

The third paragraph will directly answer the second point of the question.

If there is a third point to the question, youll need a fourth paragraph.

Final paragraph should be a one or two sentence bringing together of the whole thing. To a friend,

this may have a nice little friendly comment about something or other and in either case, it should

have some variation of let me know if you need any more information.

Closing line, e.g. I am looking forward to hearing from you

Yours Sincerely

Name

Letter of Application

Overview:

Written for an editor a magazine/newspaper, the director of an international company, aschool/college principal.

Very similar to a letter but with a stronger persuasive element.General Tips:

The opening salutation and closing phrasing are vitally important. i.e. Dear Mr Smith, YoursSincerely or Dear Sir or Madam, Your Faithfully.

It needs to be engaging so the use of cohesive devices and the ability to make descriptionsengaging are vital.

Clear paragraphing and linking words are also important. Use the vocabulary document on letters.


Dear Mr/Mrs Surname or Sir/Madam

Introduction: the first sentence should say what position you are interested in and where you heard

about this position. The second sentence should contain when you are available to start.

Paragraph 2: This is about your interest in the position. Here you can talk about any research you

have done into the method. It's often a place to briefly draw on experiences that have created this


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interest. You can mention skills, qualifications and work experience here but they are focused on

more in later paragraphs and its important not to repeat yourself.

Paragraph 3: This paragraph is about your suitability for the position. Here you should talk about

your qualifications but vitally, you need to always refer back to the job and how these

skills/experiences make you suitable for the job. This will probably be the longest paragraph -

although still not long!

Paragraph 4: Conclusion - thank them for taking the time to read your email. Invite them to contact

you for more information.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Your Sincerely/Faithfully,

Your Name

A Report

Overview:

Written for superiors or a peer group. Similar to a proposal except that the tone should be more neutral and there is less emphasis

on recommendations.

Learning vocabulary around likely areas like transport, leisure, entertainment etc. may behelpful.

Use separate vocabulary document for useful expressions/vocabulary.General Tips:

A boring descriptive title is needed. The use of headings may be needed where appropriate. Information should be very easy to find. It should also contain specific vocabulary on the subject. Personal pronouns are discouraged and passives encouraged. Recommendations and suggestions should be polite and use a range of persuasive language. Use bullet points to make the report concise.


Descriptive Title

Purpose and background behind the report

Two sentences explaining the purpose and content of report.

Heading 1 from task

A paragraph addressing findings.

Second paragraph with recommendations.


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Heading 2 from task



Heading 3 from task (shouldnt have more than three headings)



Conclusion

Short two or three sentence conclusion summing up and encouraging reader to take

suggestions on board.

Alternatively, have two headings with one focused on findings and the second on recommendations.

A Proposal

Both proposals and reports have aspects that are not used for these exams. These include things like

references, project timelines, qualifications etc. So dont take these tips as a given outside of exams!

Overview:

Written for superiors or a peer group. Some factual information as well as some suggestions or recommendations to a course of

action are needed.

Similar to a report except that the tone should be less neutral and there is more emphasison recommendations.

Learning vocabulary around likely areas like transport, leisure, entertainment etc. may behelpful.

Use separate vocabulary document for useful expressions/vocabulary.General Tips:

The title needs to be descriptive but more dynamic/urgent than a reports title.

The use of headings is required. Information should be very easy to find. It should also contain specific vocabulary on the subject. Personal pronouns are discouraged and passives encouraged. Recommendations and suggestions should be polite and use a range of persuasive language.


Descriptive Title

Brief Summary of Proposal

Two sentences explaining the problem and how your proposal addresses this problem.


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Introduction

A paragraph explaining the problemuse passives.

How to Resolve

A paragraph of persuasive language that outlines your proposal.

Proposal Requirements

This paragraph could be further details of your proposal and how it will work or it could be

the costs/various requirements of the proposal.

Conclusion

Short two or three sentence conclusion summing up and encouraging reader to take the

proposal forward.

A Review

Overview:

Usually written for an English magazine/newspaper/website. The purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something experienced. This could a review of a film, a holiday, a product or a website. Suggestion preparation reading: English reviews of anything. Use separate vocabulary document for useful expressions/vocabulary.

General Tips:

Interesting, engaging title. Description, opinion and explanation are key functions. Effective use of a range of strong adverbs, adjectives and lively language is necessary. There should also be a recommendation to the reader. Use contractions and use a relaxed, chatty style. Linking words and cohesive advices are very important here.

Suggested Structure: (structure matches an article. The difference between the two is content)

Eye-catching title (with name of product in it)

Introduction should set out the overall idea of the review and give a little background to the object.

Second paragraph - talk about one aspect of the object being reviewed. For a film, this could be

special effects/the acting.

Third paragrapha second aspect of the film.

Fourth paragraphfor CAE/CPE its possibly a third aspect will need to be discussed.

Conclusion, should summarise the main argument with a final opinion and recommendation.


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Usually accompanied by a star rating.

A Story

Overview:

Usually written for an English magazine/newspaper/website. The purpose is to engage the reader in a short story. Suggestion preparation reading: short stories.

General Tips:

Interesting, engaging title. Start with the sentence they give you. Keep in the same tense. Most stories are told using mostly past tenses so grammar needs to be well used to keep it

engaging.

Description, speculation and text development are key functions. Effective use of a range of strong adverbs, adjectives and lively language is necessary. Linking words and cohesive advices are very important. Dont forget to paragraph! Feel free to use direct speech.

Set Text

These could be articles, reports, reviews or essays,

The question will ask for some description of the book and for an opinion. Reasons for opinions are

necessary. Understanding of the text and appropriate vocabulary are necessary for this task. Please

ask me if you are considering doing this question. It requires additional specific training but the

freedom it offers can result in higher marks.

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