FCE Writing tips

FCE Writing tips

1. Essay

   • written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing both content points and providing a new content point of the writer’s own.
     • Structure
       • Introduction
         • state the topic clearly, give a brief outline of the issue, saying why it is important or why people have different opinions about it.
         • DO NOT express your opinion
       • Prompt 1,Prompt 2, Prompt 3
         • new paragraph has one main idea, stated in a topic sentence.
       • Conclusion
         • DO NOT give your opinion
     • Hints
       • use a relatively formal register
       • check your grammar, spelling and punctuation
       • Use linking adverbials
       • Stay as neutral as posible:to have a balanced discussion comparing advantages and disadvantages
       • Use the task input to help you plan but try to avoid copying phrases

2. Letter or email

   • Informal
     • is usually between people who know each other
       • Purpose
         • Giving news
         • Request information
         • Congratulate people,
         • Give advice
         • Ask questions
       • Structure
         • Salutation or Greeting
           • Start with dear/hi
           • if you use a comma after the person's name at the start, use a comma after at the end.
         • Body
           • start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are replying.
         • Closing
           • Give a reason why you're ending the letter
           • Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact
           • Closing statement such as "Love,"
           • Signing off: Your first name
   • Formal
     • to an individual or to an organisation
       • Purpose
         • Apply for
           • work
           • study
         • complain about something
         • make suggestions
         • request information
       • Structure
         • Closing
           • state what you would like the recipient to do, make a reference to a future event...
         • Salutation or Greeting
           • "Dear Mr Simpson, / Dear Mrs Flanders,Dear Sir, / "Dear Madam"
         • Body
           • states the reason(s) for writing
           • Main content in paragraphs
         • Final salutation
         • Sign your name and then print your name

3. Article

   • is for a magazine or newsletter, and the reader is assumed to have similar interests to the writer.
     • Purpose
       • to inform, interest and engage the reader, so there should be some opinion or comment.
     • short title
     • Introduce the topic.
     • sections according to the input
       • personal or more neutral style
       • examples
       • humour
       • conclusion and summary

4. Report

   • Written for a superior or a peer group. Candidates are expected to give some factual information and make suggestions or recommendations.
     • stating the purpose
     • where you got the information
     • Divide your report into sections
     • summary of the situation and make a comment/suggestion only in the last paragraph
     • semi-formal style

5. Review

   • Description and explanation are key functions for this task, and a review will normally include a recommendation to the reader.
   • Purpose
     • describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like.
       • interesting title.
       • get the reader's interest
       • include a recommendation
       • neutral style
       • vivid language
       • Give your opinion of what you are reviewing linked to the question
   • Written for a magazine, newspaper or website.