FCE WRITING: TASKS
Essay
Target reader: teacher
Register: formal-neutral
When you write an essay you should:
ü Begin with an introduction to the topic.
ü Talk about the three content points. Use a new
paragraph for each content point.
ü End with a conclusion summarizing your views.
ü Use formal/neutral language.
Paragraph 1: State the topic clearly and say why it is
important or why people have different opinions about
it.
Paragraph 2-3-4: Address each content point (1- 2 and
your own idea). Talk about positive and negative
aspects or problems and possible solutions.
Paragraph 5: Write a conclusion, remember that it
should answer the question. You can express your
opinion.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
Saying what people think: Some/Many people feel
that… - Others argue that … - Another point of view is
that … - It is sometimes said/claimed that … - It is
widely believed that … - It is generally agreed that … -
Some people are of the opinion that… - According to ..
Linkers of contrast//result: On the one hand/On the
other hand – However – although – despite – in spite
of// consequently – As a result.
Linkers of addition: In addition – Furthermore –
Moreover – What is more
Article
Target reader: magazine – the reader is supposed
to have similar interests to the writer.
Register: neutral-informal
When you write an article you should:
ü use pronouns I and You
ü use contractions, conversational language
and phrasal verbs.
ü give your opinion.
ü Include descriptions, examples and stories.
ü use linkers to help structure the article.
ü use direct questions and statements
addressed to the reader.
TITLE: Include an interesting and catchy title.
Example: THE INTERNET GOOD OR EVIL FOR
CHILDREN?
Paragraph 1: Introduce the topic. You can ask a
rhetorical question.
Paragraphs 2, 3, 4: Introduce each new paragraph
with a topic sentence.
Last paragraph – Conclusion or summary
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
Addressing the reader: Have you ever…..?, You
absolutely must …, Can you imagine …, I’m sure
you’ll agree …, I must tell you about …, You
wouldn’t believe …
Giving a personal response: For me - To me -
Personally I think, find or believe – It seems to me -
In my view – One thing I love, remember – I’ll never
forget.
Email or informal letter
Target reader: English-speaking friend or colleague.
Register: neutral-informal
When you write a letter you should:
ü use suitable opening expressions
ü use chatty and colloquial language.
ü Start a new paragraph for each main idea.
ü Use informal punctuation including contractions and exclamation
marks – but not too many!
ü Use suitable closing expressions.
Paragraph 1: Begin your letter with a greeting, ask how your friend is,
say something about their last email/letter.
Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4: Say what your news/answer is – give more
news/information.
Paragraph 5: Tell your reader/friend to write back – End your letter.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
Opening expressions: Dear Daisy, - Hi Daisy, - Hi there, - Great to
hear from you – How are things (with you) – How’s it going? – I’m sorry
I haven’t written for ages but …
Giving news: Did I tell you that …? – By the way .. – Guess what?
Responding to invitations and requests: Thanks for the invite. I’d
love to … - Sorry but I can’t …because … - That sound like a great idea
– Of course! No problem.
Asking questions: Could you tell me more about? – I’d love to know
more about … - Would you like to …? - I wanted to ask you, do you? –
Let me know if you …
Making suggestions: Why don’t you/we…? – What/How about …? – If
I were you I would … - Let’s perhaps we could …
Linkers to introduce new paragraphs: Firstly –
Secondly – Finally – To begin with
Giving examples: For example – for instance – such
as ..
Giving your opinion: I personally feel that .. – I firmly
believe that .. – I partly/fully agree that … - In my
opinion – My personal view is that …
Reaching a conclusion: Overall – On balance – On
the whole – To sum up/To conclude – In conclusion.
Letter of application
Target reader: potential employer, college principal,
magazine editor
Register: formal
When you write a formal letter you should:
ü Use suitable opening expressions.
ü Address all the points in the instructions.
ü Use short paragraphs for each new topic.
ü Use formal structures, expressions and linkers.
ü End by saying what you would like to happen
next.
ü Use suitable closing expressions.
Paragraph 1: Introduction – say why you are writing.
Paragraph 2: reasons for applying
Paragraph 3: relevant skills and experience.
Paragraph 4: personal qualities and suitability for the
job.
Paragraph 5: appropriate ending.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
Beginnings and endings: Dear Sir or Madam and
Yours faithfully.
Giving strong opinion: It’s absolutely (strong adj.)
– It took my breath away – I’ll never forget it –
There’s nothing in the world like it.
Adding and developing ideas: for a start –
secondly – thirdly – finally – And then there’s the
fact that – On top of that – Apart from that – I must
also mention – As if this wasn’t enough.
Giving examples: such as…, particularly , like …
Report
Target reader: superior, peer group
Register: formal
When you write a report you should:
ü Begin with an introduction explaining the
purpose of the report.
ü Address all the content points in the
instructions.
ü Use headings to introduce each topic even
for the introduction and the conclusion.
ü Use a variety of formal expressions and
structures (ex. Passive structures)
ü Write a conclusion and include a personal
recommendation if you are asked for one.
ü Use clear and factual language.
Paragraph 1: INTRODUCTION -Summarize the aim
of the report.
Paragraph 2, 3, 4: Use a heading for each content
point.
Closing expressions: Anyway, that’s all for now – I have to go now
because … - Speak/write soon – See you soon – Can’t wait to see
you/catch up! – Bye for now – Take care – All the best – Love – Lots of
love.
Review
Target reader: magazine, newspaper, website Register: neutral-
informal
When you write a review you should:
ü Give basic details in the main paragraph.
ü Use different paragraphs for each main idea.
ü Finish with a positive or negative recommendation.
ü Use a lively and catchy style to interest the reader. Use
adjectives and adverbs for emphasis - Include personal comments.
Paragraph 1: General opinion about book, film, restaurant, game is.
Paragraph 2: Positive aspects. (gripping, valuable, memorable, perfect,
stunning, well-written, well-acted, well-cooked, superb)
Paragraph 3: Negative aspects. (Disappointing, dreadful, dull,
predictable, unconvincing, uninteresting, unimaginative).
Paragraph 4: Recommendations. Who you would recommend it to.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
Giving information about a film, TV series, play, book, website etc:
It is set in (location) in (time). - The main character is ….- It stars
(name) as (character) - I love … that’s why I like this website/app.
Dear Ms Bentley and Yours sincerely.
Reasons for writing: I saw/have seen your
advertisement in … - I am writing to apply for the
job/position of … - I would like to apply for a grant to
study/for - I would like to volunteer to work with (the
elderly)….
Describing skills and experience: I have (a great
deal of/some) experience of … - I spent … working as
….- I have excellent
communication/computer/organizational skills – I have
good knowledge of ….
Personal qualities and suitability: I have an/a
friendly/sensitive/easy-going/enthusiastic nature.
I feel I have the necessary …. and …for the job.
I believe I am an ideal candidate for a grant/the job.
Closing remarks: I hope you will consider my
application -. I look forward to your reply/hearing from
you.
Paragraph 5: CONCLUSION - summarizing Making a recommendation: It is definitely worth seeing -I would
comment and/or final recommendation. recommend it to teenagers.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS: It will appeal to (anyone interested in sport).
Introducing your report: This report is intended to (Young children) are sure to enjoy it.
show/discuss/outline …- The aim/purpose of this I’d recommend this site to anyone who shares my interests.
report is to …- In this report I will ... Giving an opinion: One if its strengths/ weaknesses is ...- It is full of
Making recommendations: I would strongly/highly humour/ action/ suspense - The acting is outstanding/ disappointing -
recommend -My first recommendations would be to The best/worst part of the (play) is when… -What I find particularly
…- It would be (highly) advisable to …-I useful about the website are ……. - I also like ….. - It …. but personally
recommend/suggest ing/+that clause - The best I prefer …. – The only criticism I would make is that .. – If you prefer
solution/idea would seem to be ... romantic novels you should give it a miss!
Listing ideas: I would suggest the following:
The following are highly recommended (list the
ideas as 1,2,3 or use bullets) - Another option would
be to …- Another point to consider is that … -
Alternatively … - Moreover/Furthermore… - Apart
from this/In addition to this
Addressing points: There are two/three.. .-Unlike
the (cinemas) these are …However, ...
Making recommendations: It is advisable/a good
idea to … - I would recommend/advise them to go –
I suggest ..