Writing examples and tips

 

Writing Task 1 – How to write the Process or Diagram Essay

The process/diagram essay should also have 4 consistent paragraphs.

Once you’ve practiced this approach, you should feel much more confident in how to tackle  a diagram. You can use this strategy every time.

Here we go:

1. Look at the diagram carefully. Make sure you understand the process and all the labels.
2. Identify the different main stages of the process. If there are lots of steps, can you group them into stages from the beginning to end?

Once you’re clear on the stages and steps (mark them out on the paper so you can easily see it), plan on writing 4 paragraphs:

1. Introduction. This is actually one sentence which paraphrases the explanation of the process in the task question.
2. Overview of the process by stating the main stages from the beginning to the end. Don’t mention the individual steps (save those for paragraphs 3 & 4). You can state what happens at the very beginning and the end result.
3. (Divide the stages in two). Start describing the first steps in the first stages.
4. Describe the steps in the later stages, ending with the final result.

Writing tips

1. Short Story

Hints:

• Narrative story also needs paragraphing. You can start your paragraphs with the expressions listed below.
• Use the variety of tenses.
• Try to keep the chronological order of events. It will help you avoid traps of sequencing.
• Short sentences create suspense, which makes your story more interesting. Do not make the plot of your story too complicated.
• You can incorporate short dialogues into your story.

A for and against essay about the internet

Look at the essay and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Preparation

Complete the tips for writing a for and against essay with a word from the box.

disagree          formal          plan          reasons          opinions

1. You should give your _______________ on the topic.
2. Always give _______________ for your opinions.
3. You can agree, _______________ or discuss both sides of the statement.
4. The register used in an essay is usually quite _______________.
5. You need to _______________ your essay carefully before you start writing.

A more formal email

Look at the exam question and email and do the exercises to practise and improve your writing skills. 

Preparation

Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. You should use polite expressions and more formal grammatical structures. True   False
2. You don't have to include all the points mentioned in the question. True   False
3. You can use contractions in a formal email. True   False
4. You should avoid using conventional expressions for starting and finishing the email. True   False
5. You should use this style for a person you don't know. True   False

Writing about survey results

Look at the pie chart and text and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Preparation

Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. Your writing should have an introduction, main body and conclusion. True   False
2. You should include your opinion about the results of the survey. True   False
3. You should try to mention or summarise all the information given. True   False
4. You should use a variety of expressions for describing percentages and proportions. True   False
5. You don't have to use connectors or link ideas together. True   False
6. In your conclusion, you should focus on the most important figures or trends. True   False

Writing about a bar chart

Look at the bar chart, question and sample answer and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Preparation

Look at the chart below and circle the best answer to these questions.

1. How many years does the chart show information for?

    a. one   b. two   c. three

2. Who does the chart show information for?

    a. men only   b. women only   c. both men and women

3. How many men studied engineering in Australian universities in 2012?

    a. 6,000   b. 12,000   c. 14,000

A report

A report is a formal document prepared by one person or a group of people who have been studying a particular subject. There are two basic kinds of reports:

• The first simply provides information on a topic and gives a brief conclusion or summary at the end. Example: a report on the educational system in a particular country, written to help someone research the subject.
• The second sets out to identify strengths and weaknesses in a particular situation and make recommendations for improvement. Example: a report on the library facilities in a college written at the request of the principal.

Language and register

Reports are the most impersonal kind of writing and it is usually best to avoid expressing personal opinions or feelings, except, perhaps, in the conclusion. Instead of I think that … or I found that… for example, you can use the impersonal “It” construction and a passive, eg It seems that… It was found that …

It is also advisable to avoid making very definite statements unless you’re absolutely sure they’re true. Instead of saying It is for example, you can use a modal verb eg It could/may/might be or a more tentative expression such as It seems to be or It tends to be.

Layout and organisation

Reports should have a clear factual heading and may also have subheadings which divide the writing into shorter sections. The information should be organised and presented as clearly and logically as possible, with a short introduction explaining the aims of the report and how the information was obtained and a suitable conclusion, summing up the information and making recommendations if necessary.

Useful language

Introduction:    The aim of this report is to..          It is based on…

                     This report is intended to..             It draws on

                     This report looks at / describes..     It uses..

Reporting an

observation:      It seems/appears that..                 It was found that..

                      The majority / minority of …        It was felt that ..

Quoting:    According to …     As X said…         In the words of …

Speculating:     It may / could / might (well) be that ..

Generalising:   In general       On the whole        In the main

Commenting:   Interestingly     Curiously     Oddly       Strangely

                     Surprisingly             Predictably

                     As might be (have been) expected     It is interesting that

Making a recommendation:        It is recommended that ..

                                             (Perhaps) it would be advisable for X to (do)

                                             (Perhaps) X might /should consider

Summing up:   To sum up / To summarise    On balance      In short

Study the following example carefully:

Leisure Facilities in Grimthorpe

Introduction

The aim of this report is to describe and assess the leisure facilities available in Grimthorpe. It is based on information made available by the Grimthorpe Tourist Office, and on views expressed by local people who were interviewed.

Sport

Grimthorpe has a wide range of sports facilities, both public and private. There is a large modern leisure centre in the High Street and facilities include a swimming pool, a sports hall for judo, fencing and other activities, and tennis courts. The centre runs courses in all these sports and these tend to be very popular. Membership costs £150 a year, which was felt to be rather expensive, but a special temporary membership is available to visitors. The public swimming pool on the outskirts of the town is older, less attractive and often overcrowded, but entry is only £1.50.

Theatres

There are two theatres in town, the Kings Theatre in Bee Street, which offers mainly “serious” drama and has a good reputation for its productions of Shakespeare, and the Little Theatre in Sea Street which specialises in lighter entertainment and the occasional pop concert. In general, it seems that the Kings Theatre is more popular with the older members of the community while the Little appeals more to people in their teens and twenties.

Museums and Art Galleries

The City Museum has an extensive collection of maps, pottery and other articles connected with Grimthorpe’s history. The attendants are said to be very friendly and helpful, and there is also a small café with reasonably priced home-made snacks. Interestingly, few of the local people interviewed had ever been to the museum but it was recommended highly by several tourists.

Conclusion

Grimthorpe is well provided with leisure facilities for a town of its size and these are well used by the townspeople on the whole. Sport seems to be the most popular leisure activity, while cultural activities like visiting the museum or art gallery appeared to be the least popular among the Grimthorpians who were interviewed. Perhaps the City Council should consider launching a publicity campaign to show how much these facilities have to offer.

How to write a story

What should contain a good story for FCE

• A good plot
• A good ending: fun, dramatic, shocking…
• The paragraphs must be well linked and should convey an atmosphere with adjectives and verbs (you can visualize what is happening)
• The narrative tenses should be used correctly.

How to write a short story

Your story will be better and will get more marks if you include…

1. Three different tenses. You want to show the examiner that you know the story telling tenses, which are:

a) Simple Past

b) Past Continuous

c) Past Perfect.

Here’s an example:  It was raining. (Past continuous)

                             Billy hadn’t eaten for two days. (Past perfect)

                             He saw some apples. He decided to steal them. (Simple past).

Of course, in order to use these tenses you absolutely MUST know all your irregular verbs!

2. Adjectives: It was raining. Billy hadn’t eaten for two days, so he was wet, hungry and miserable. He saw some delicious, red apples. He decided to steal them.

3. Adverbs: It was raining hard. Billy hadn’t eaten for two days, so he was wet, hungry and miserable. He saw some delicious red apples and quickly decided to steal them.

4. Direct speech: “Hey, you!” shouted the shopkeeper, “I know you, Billy Brown! I’ll tell your mum!”

5. Rich vocabulary, good grammar, detail and idiomatic expressions: Examples: Quick as a flash – soaking wet – starving hungry – to grab – to pass away – an idea popped into his head – to go straight (to hospital) (home) – to have a little chat

How to write and article

What is an article?

An article

• is a piece of writing usually intended for publication in a newspaper, magazine or journal.
• is written for a wide audience, so it is essential to attract and retain the readers’ attention.
• may include amusing stories, reported speech and descriptions.
• can be formal or informal, depending on the target audience.
• should be written in an interesting or entertaining manner.
• should give opinions and thoughts, as well as facts.
• is in a less formal style than a report.

Informal letter - structure

Hi Leo,

It's been a while since we wrote, so I thought I'd drop you a line to bring you up to date with

what's been happening here.

I suppose the most important thing is that Jane's job is more secure than we thought. At the

beginning of the year, when she got the job, we thought it might only be for one semester, but

we just found that she has a permanent contract of sorts. Obviously this is great, as it means

we can relax a little. I still don't have what I really want work wise, but it will happen soon.

You have to stay positive, don't you?

My parents are both fine, and I think they are really happy that we've moved back. For us, it's great to be so close to family again, an extra sense of comfort and security. We see my sister quite often as she's in London, although we're not that bothered about going into the city. So, what about you these days? Are you still stuck in that old job? Since I've been having so much trouble getting a job I understand your reluctance to change. There is nothing worse than filling in endless application forms, with no idea of what it will lead to.

Anyway, I've got another form to fill in so I'll love you and leave you.

Regards

John