Improving your writing. Tips for FCE exam and Selectivitat
ESSAY PLAN (3 steps)
1. Generating Ideas. Brainstorming
- What you already know about the topic.
- Things you don’t know about the topic, but need to find out in order to
answer the question (do some research).
- Initial responses or answers to the question – what do you think your
conclusion might possibly be?
2. Writing production
Content:
-You need to address the point made in the statement, and not include
points that are not directly relevant to that. The writer may agree or
disagree or both agree and disagree. The writer does not have to conclude
that he/she agrees or disagrees.
-Justify your ideas with relevant arguments (AVOID using I, instead use
impersonal sentences)
-Clear ideas expresses in complex and advanced structures.
Organization:
- 4 paragraphs: paragraph 1: a few introductory ideas
Paragraph 2: examples/reasons that support the statement
Paragraph 3: examples/reasons that support the opposite
side of the argument.
Paragraph 4: sum up the ideas and give your personal
opinion.
-Use linking words and expressions to link your ideas: add, contrast or state
your opinion.
Vocabulary and grammar:
- Use modal verbs.
- Use present simple to talk about generalizations, habits and general facts.
-Conditional structures to talk about possible situations and results of them.
Register:
-Formal or neutral register
Target reader:
-
The reader must fully understand the writer’s opinion on the topic
and the reasons why the writer has those opinions.
3. Second reading of your text
-Check for spelling and grammar mistakes.
-Do you have one or two developed reasons in each paragraph? Examples
to support your opinions?
-Do you have an attractive and impersonal introduction?
-Have you summarized the ideas in the last paragraph and stated your
opinion there?
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR YOUR ESSAYS:
Intro:
-Nowadays/ these days lots of people…
-In the past, most people had to…
-It is true that..
-People often find that..
-Some people believe that.. but others insist (on)…
-It is often said that..
-Nobody could deny that..
-It is sometimes suggested that…
-To begin with, it is important to..
-Firstly, it is worth considering…
-I would like to begin by…
-To begin with,
For/Against:
-Furthermore,
-I also believe that,
-There is nothing wrong with,
-On the one hand, / On the other hand, it is important to..
-In addition,
-However, it could be argued that..
-An example of this would be,
-Last but not least,
Conclusion:
-To sum up,
-In conclusion,
-To summarise, then
-Finally
Adapted from:
FCE result Oxford University Press. SB page 66-67
FCE Practice Test Oxford University Press
First Certificate Trainer Cambridge University Press
WRITING TASK 1 (based on a FCE mock test First Certificate Trainer SB
page 115):
You have had a discussion in class about climate change. Your English
teacher has now asked you to write an essay, giving your opinion on the
following statement.
We cannot prevent the Earth’s climate from changing.
Length: 120-180 words
WRITING TASK 2 (based on a FCE mock test First Certificate Trainer SB
page 134):
You have had a discussion in your English class about computer games.
Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay, giving your opinion on
the following statement.
Playing computer games is a waste of time.
Length: 120-180 words