IGCSE ESL Writing:
Report:
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Title (and underline it). The language of the title can be very direct. (Class Trip to Disneyland).
Use formal language
o The audience is usually a teacher i.e. “write a report for your teacher.”
o Don’t use contractions. (he’s, she’s -> he is/ she is)
o Use passive voice. (We were taught that typhoons occur in the Pacific.)
o Use formal connectives. (However, Although, Moreover, Furthermore, In conclusion, In
addition).
120 words minimum - 160 words maximum.
3 paragraphs.
o Introduction
 include who, what, where, when, why. (What did you do? Where did you go?
Who did you go with? When did you go? Why did you go?)
o Body paragraph
 Be objective. Talk about what you did/what happened.
o Conclusion
 Be subjective. Make suggestions for improvements if they hold the event/trip
again next year.
Review:
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Title (and underline it).
Semi-formal language. Use lots of adjectives to describe.
120 words minimum - 160 words maximum.
Decide if it is a positive or negative review before you write.
3 paragraphs.
o Introduction
 include who, what, where, when, why. (What did you do? Where did you go?
Who did you go with? When did you go? Why did you go?)
o Body paragraph
 Be objective. Talk about the experience. What did you see? What did you do?
Be subjective.
 Talk about what you thought of it. (i.e.; If you are reviewing a restaurant, how
were the dishes? Delicious? Too spicy? Awful?)
o Conclusion
 One sentence that summarizes your body paragraph (i.e.; Overall, Thai Kitchen
was an amazing restaurant with a wide range of spicy dishes).
 One sentence that says whether or not you would recommend this restaurant
and if you would recommend it, who would you recommend it to? (i.e.; If you’re
a fan of spicy food and noodles, I highly recommend trying Thai Kitchen!).
Article:
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Title (and underline it).
Use formal or semi-formal language
o Audience determines formality:
 Formal: If your audience is the teacher, then it should be formal. If formal, don’t
use contractions (he’s, she’s -> he is/ she is). Use formal connectives (However,
Although, Moreover, Furthermore, In conclusion, In addition). The title can be
more direct and less creative.
 Semi-formal: If your audience is the school magazine and your classmates, then
it should be semi-formal and can have contractions. The title can be
playful/interesting.
120 words minimum - 160 words maximum.
3 paragraphs.
Two choices:
o Option 1: One-sided article.
 Choose a side of the argument “Should we keep cats as pets?”
 Introduction:
o Introduce the problem/the issue.
o You can also start off with a:
 question: Do you have a cat? Did you know that
domestic cats are considered one of the most invasive
species on earth?
 statistic: Over 1 billion birds are killed each year
because of domestic cats.
 a fact: Domestic cats are one of the most invasive
species on Earth because of the amount of birds and
amphibians they kill each year.
o Include a transition. “This article will explain why we should not
keep cats as pets.”
 Body paragraph:
o Give a few reasons why and explain. Argue your opinion.
 Firstly, we should not keep cats as pets because…
 Another reason we should not keep cats as pets is
because….
 For example, cats….
o Use connectives (but, firstly, secondly, or, and, in my opinion).
 Conclusion:
o Summarize your points you made. “In conclusion, we should not
have cats as pets because point A and point B.”
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Option 2: Two-sided article.
 Show both sides of the argument “Should we keep cats as pets?”
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Introduction:
o Introduce the problem/the issue.
o You can also start off with a:
 question: Do you have a cat? Did you know that
domestic cats are considered one of the most invasive
species on earth?
 statistic: Over 1 billion birds are killed each year
because of domestic cats.
 a fact: Domestic cats are one of the most invasive
species on Earth because of the amount of birds and
amphibians they kill each year.
o Include a transition. “This article will explore the benefits and
drawbacks of having a cat as a pet.”
Body paragraph:
o Show both perspectives of the argument and explain. Give
examples.
 Firstly, we should not keep cats as pets because…
 On the other hand, some people think we should have
cats as pets because.
 For example, cats….
o Use connectives (but, firstly, secondly, or, however)
Conclusion:
o Summarize your points you made of both sides of the
argument.
o Give your opinion in the conclusion. “In my opinion, I think we
should have cats as pets because…..” because usually the
question says “give your views.”
Informal e-mail:
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Use informal language. Write like you’re writing to your close friend.
o The audience is usually a teacher i.e. “write a report for your teacher.”
o Don’t use contractions. (he’s, she’s -> he is/ she is)
o Use passive voice. (We were taught that typhoons occur in the Pacific.)
Always begin with a “Dear ________,” <- put a a friend’s name in the blank.
120 words minimum - 160 words maximum.
3 paragraphs.
o Introduction
 Include “how are you?” and then ask a personal question.
 I heard you moved to Beijing, how is it? Have you made lots of friends?
 I heard you recently had exams, how did you do? I am sure you got As
on all your tests!
 Include a transition.
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Anyway -> Anyway, I am writing because I thought you might like to
know about my recent trip to the nature park/zoo.
Body paragraph
 Answer the three points from the question in this paragraph. (i.e. if you need to
tell your friend about a recent trip to the zoo and tell her what happened, write
it here).
Closing
 Include a short 1-2 sentence closing.
 Wish you the best! Hope to see you soon!
 I hope next month you can join me on my nature trip!