WRITING GUIDE CAMBRIDGE (5).pdf
- 2. 0. General introduction - all types of compositions & parts of the exam 1. Part 1 - An essay 2. Part 2 - A formal email 3. Part 2 - A review 4. Part 2 - A proposal 5. Part 2 - An informal letter 6. Part 2 - A report 7. Part 2 - An article Writing guide: Table of contents
- 3. 0. Writing guide - general introduction •An essay •A report •A formal letter /email •A proposal* *only C1 • An article •An informal letter / email •A review Types of compositions Formal Informal
- 4. 0. Writing guide - general introduction •The reader is typically a representative of an institution •Full verb forms (I am, do not, have not, etc.) •Passive voice •Inversion •Impersonal narrative (One, we, people) •No slang or colloquial expressions •No highly emotional language (excited, terri fi ed, horrible) •No direct personal references references. •The reader is typically a friend or a colleague •Short verb forms (I'm, You've, She's, etc) •Avoid using too much inversion or passive voice •Personal references and examples •Use of emotional language •Colloquial expressions are accepted Language Formal Informal
- 5. 0. Writing guide - general introduction Parts of the exam Part 1 One obligatory task Part 2 One task to choose from 3 options B2 B2 140 -190 words •An essay • An article •An informal letter / email •A review •A report •A formal letter / email •A proposal (only C1) C1 220 -260 words C1
- 6. PART 1 - AN ESSAY
- 7. 1. Part 1 - An essay B2 40 min Characteristics and skills •Based on 2 points provided in the instruction •+ 1 personal idea •Formal register •Academic language •Providing and evaluating facts, reasons and opinions •Analyzing a given issue from multiple perspectives •Comparing and contrasting •Agreeing and disagreeing
- 8. 1. Part 1 - An essay C1 45 min Characteristics and skills •Based on 2 contrasting points of view •Formal register •Academic language •Providing and evaluating facts, reasons and opinions •Analyzing a given issue from multiple perspectives •Comparing and contrasting •Agreeing and disagreeing
- 9. Part 1 - An essay Types of essays •A descriptive essay (describing a problem, process or situation) •A discursive essay (analyzing the problem from various perspectives without direct opting for any of them) •An argument/ opinion essay (investigating a topic and offering a perspective) The exam task does not specify the type of essay which the candidate should produce. Thus, the candidate must analyze the task instruction carefully and decide which format would be appropriate.
- 10. Part 1 - An essay Structure Introduction Argument 1 Argument 2 (Argument 3) General introduction of the topic. Presenting the problem which you are going to discuss in general, without revealing too much details. Catching the reader's attention. Further development of ideas: arguments, reasons, opinions consequences, examples Drawing conclusions from what has been said above and presenting fi nal personal statement / opinion. Conclusion may also include recommendations, future predictions, suggestions. Personal opinion and conclusion
- 11. Part 1 - An essay Introduction - tips Idea 1: Start from presenting a general truth. Present a well-known fact or a commonly accepted opinion. .... has been gaining popularity in recent years. Most people would agree that .... We live in a world where ... ... is of the most common topics of public discussion nowadays.
- 12. Part 1 - An essay Introduction - tips Idea 2: Include a contrasting opinion using a rhetorical question: .... has been gaining popularity in recent years, however, does it mean we should ...? Most people would agree that .... , but is it really the case? We live in a world where ... . Therefore, what can be done to ... ? ... is of the most common topics of public discussion nowadays, but should we really ...?
- 13. Part 1 - An essay Developing an argument - tips Idea 1: The pyramid method: Start from a general idea. Provide more detailed explanation in the second sentence. Finish the paragraph with an example or a conclusion. Working from home can be extremely time and energy ef fi cient. Since there is no need to commute, employees gain at least 30 minutes every day for extra sleep or time with their families. That results in them being well rested and more enthusiastic at work.
- 14. Part 1 - An essay Developing an argument - tips Idea 2: The snowball method: Start from an example or a particular situation. Provide further conclusion in the second sentence. Finish the paragraph with a generalization. It has been proven that workers who work from home are better rested more enthusiastic at work. That may result from the fact that they have no need to commute, which saves them long hours in traf fi c. Therefore, there is no doubt about the fact that working from home is much more time and energy ef fi cient.
- 15. Part 1 - An essay Conclusion - tips Idea 1: Use a concluding and a contrasting linking word Therefore, it can be said that although working from home has its drawbacks such as distractions or the feeling of isolation, there is no doubt about the fact that due to its convenience it is here to stay.
- 16. Part 1 - An essay Conclusion - tips Idea 2: Suggestions or recommendations Therefore, despite all the disadvantages of working from home, it can be concluded that the businesses who want to stay on the surface will need to adapt to the modern standards. Similarly, workers who have not been exposed to remote work before might need to change their lifestyle in order to stay relevant on modern job market.
- 17. PART 2 - A FORMAL EMAIL
- 18. Part 2 - A formal letter •A type of formal communication in business, public institutions, organizations, etc. •Clear objective,e.g. requesting information or help, giving information or directions, making a suggestion, making a complaint, apologizing •Fixed structure and expressions •Formal: describing, explaining, requesting, complaining, suggesting, apologizing Always UNDERSTAND YOUR OBJECTIVE before you start writing! Characteristics and skills B2 40 min B2 140 -190 words C1 220 -260 words C1 45 min
- 19. Part 2 - A formal letter Structure Dear ...(surname or title) Background description of the problem / situation Suggest solutions / ideas Explaining what type of action you expect I am looking forward to your reply / a positive solution of the problem. Formal greeting and introduction: State the purpose of your letter. You need to specify whether you want to ask for information, respond to a job offer, apologize for an inconvenience, complain about service etc. Give more details about the issue. Present the situation, suggest ideas of how the situation could be solved or improved, and specify what type of action you expect from the reader. Formal closure - ONE SENTENCE I am writing in order to ... (purpose) Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, Formal "goodbye"
- 20. Part 2 - A formal letter Tips & Suggestions •Remember to use formal language: full verb forms, no contractions, no colloquial expressions, formal linking words •Make sure that the reader understands what type of action you expect from them •Follow the formal structure
- 21. PART 2 - A REVIEW
- 22. Part 2 - A review •An informal text •factual information and opinion about something (e.g. a book, fi lm, place, course, event...) •Informative but entertaining •Appears in magazines, blogs, websites, etc. •Describing, giving opinions, evaluating Characteristics and skills B2 40 min B2 140 -190 words C1 220 -260 words C1 45 min
- 23. Part 2 - A review Structure A catchy title More detailed information about the book, fi lm, etc... Personal opinion Reviews appear in magazines or on websites. Therefore, you need to attract the reader's attention by using a catchy title, for example: "Why you shouldn't waste your time on Titanic 2 - Zombie apocalypse Start from providing basic information describing the book, fi lm or place. Those could be: the date of release, author, genre, main characters, etc. In terms of a place: the location, type of place, etc. Basic information about the thing reviewed Conclusion and recommendation Summarize what you've said above by giving a rating or a one-sentence general impression. Say whether you recommend this thing to others or what could be improved. Give more detail about the reviewed thing.Say what you liked and didn't like about it giving reasons and arguments. Remember: in case of a fi lm or book there's no need to write a summary! Present your personal opinion
- 24. Part 2 - A review Tips & Suggestions •Use informal and communicative language. •Provide examples supporting your opinion •Do not just describe: evaluate •You don't need to stick to the facts 100%. (If you don't remember the date of the release of a fi lm, you can make it up or give an approximate time)
- 25. PART 2 - A PROPOSAL
- 26. Part 2 - A proposal •Formal text •The objective is to inform about an idea, product, service or issue and make a suggestion / offer •You need to convince or persuade your reader to your idea •Fixed structure •Describing, presenting ideas, persuading, suggesting Characteristics and skills C1 220 -260 words C1 45 min
- 27. Part 2 - A proposal Structure Title, e.g. "Students' language exchange" Introductory overview: key aspects Your idea/ project description Possible complications and solutions Formal and purely informative title Formal introduction in which you explain the purpose of writing this proposal The aim of this proposal is to... As it can be inferred from this proposal… It is highly advisable to… In conclusion, this proposal demonstrates.. Conclusion, assessment, recommendations, suggestions Develop your idea in the main body. Use between 2 - 4 short paragraphs. Write a title for each paragraph!
- 28. Part 2 - A proposal Tips & Suggestions •Use passive voice, avoid speaking in fi rst person •Use conditionals, inversions, modal verbs •Divide the information into paragraphs using titles or subtitles •Use persuasive language: exaggerations, data & statistics, rhetorical question
- 29. PART 2 - AN INFORMAL LETTER / EMAIL
- 30. Part 2 - An informal letter / email •A letter to a friend or colleague •Written to tell about a personal experience or problem •Informal, natural language •Describing an event or a problem, asking for advice, giving advice or suggestions Characteristics and skills B2 40 min B2 140 -190 words C1 220 -260 words C1 45 min
- 31. Part 1 - An informal letter / email Structure Hi Susan, How are you doing these days? I hope you've passed all your exams. I'm writing to tell you ... Informal greeting starting from: Hi, Hello, Dear.. + name of the addressee Catch up: show that you already have some personal connection with the addressee: You can mention their exams, holiday, new job, etc. Then, explain why you are writing the letter (informally). Develop your ideas and give more information about what you want to communicate As I told you before ... And guess what! So fi nally I've decided to ... Here's what happened: I can't wait to see you again! Please let me know if you'd like to join me! Love, Talk soon, Best wishes, Closure: Invite the reader to further correspondence Informal and warm "goodbye"
- 32. Tips & Suggestions •Informal greetings and goodbye •First person narrative •Use the fi rst name to address your email •Use phrasal verbs and contractions •Short spontaneous sentences, natural language •Avoid in fi nitives and verbs from latin origin Part 2 - An informal letter / email
- 33. PART 2 - A REPORT
- 34. Part 2 - A report •A formal text •Fixed structure •A formal description or summary of something •Informative: The aim of the report is to summarize the most important aspects of a problem or an issue and present suggestions •Describing, summarizing, presenting a problem, offering solutions Characteristics and skills B2 40 min B2 140 -190 words C1 220 -260 words C1 45 min
- 35. Part 2 - A report Structure Title, e.g. "Students' language exchange" Key aspects, e.g.: Problems with ... (another key aspect, example:) Reasons for ... Formal and purely informative title Formal introduction in which you explain the purpose of writing this proposal The aim of this report is to... Therefore, it is strongly recommended to... As it can be inferred from this report… It is highly advisable to… Conclusion, assessment, recommendations, suggestions Develop your idea in the main body. Use between 2 - 4 short paragraphs. Write a title for each paragraph!
- 36. Part 2 - A report Tips & Suggestions •Stick to the standard structure •Use passive voice and impersonal narrative, avoid speaking in fi rst person •Use conditionals, inversions, modal verbs •Divide the information into paragraphs using titles or subtitles
- 37. PART 2 - AN ARTICLE
- 38. Part 2 - An article •An informal text •A format typical to blogs, websites, social media, etc. •It must present facts and opinions in an attractive way •Informative but entertaining •Communicative and interactive language •Presenting information, describing, summarizing •Evaluating •Agreeing and disagreeing Characteristics & Skills B2 40 min B2 140 -190 words C1 220 -260 words C1 45 min
- 39. Part 1 - An article Structure Introduction Argument 1 Argument 2 (Argument 3) Title and general introduction of the topic. Presenting the problem which you are going to discuss in general, without revealing too much detail. Catching the reader's attention. Further development of ideas: arguments, reasons, opinions consequences, examples Presenting personal opinion of what has been said above and drawing a fi nal conclusion. Conclusion may also include recommendations, future predictions, suggestions. Personal opinion Catchy title Conclusion
- 40. Part 2 - A report Tips & Suggestions •Write a catchy title and a captivating introduction •Use communicative and interesting language, e.g. phrasal verbs, idioms, proverbs. •Give examples, make comparisons •Write in 1st person narrative •Address the reader per "you" •Provide facts as well as opinions