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Paper Two: Writing - Paper two consists of two tasks:

1. A compulsory question for all candidates, usually a letter in response to an article or some other prompt. 2. An essay question chosen from three options OR a question on one of the Literature texts. Question 1 on the Writing paper is compulsory for everybody and always follows the same format: a short extract of text, usually from a magazine article or report, in response to which you have to write a letter. Here are some tips on answering this question effectively: 1. Plan your writing before you start writing You have one hour to complete this task, so there is no need to rush. Use the first 10-15 minutes to plan what you are going to say. You have a maximum of 350 words. That usually means 4-5 paragraphs. The examiners reward structured writing in paragraphs and are looking for some content points. So it is worth planning what each paragraph is going to be about and how the paragraphs will follow on from each other, making sure that the content is relevant to the extract given. 2. Think Threes As the first paragraph will be your introduction (see next point), your letter will probably have room for three main points/three main paragraphs (80-100 words per paragraph). As you plan your ideas, try to put them into three groups with an example for each one based on your own experience. So, for a letter about nutritional advice [exam paper June 2003] you might have the following three idea groups: * 'conflicting advice' among nutritional 'experts' (agree or

disagree?) + example * 'healthy eating habits': need to listen to advice but also make up our own minds + example * health is one issue, but there are other factors in nutrition: pleasure, experimenting with new tastes, culture etc 3. Focus the Introduction In a letter in English it is perfectly Ok to begin with 'I' and to state the purpose of your letter. Here are some possible opening sentences: Dear Editor, *I am writing to respond to the recent article in Food and Health on nutritional advice and healthy eating habits. *I read with interest your recent article on healthy eating and would like to contribute to the discussion about socalled 'food experts'. *As a parent of two children in full-time education, I would like to take issue with your recent article on healthy eating habits. In your first sentence you need some phrase which recognises the theme of the extract and summarises it, eg. 'nutritional advice and healthy eating habits'. This focuses your letter and shows the examiner that you have read and understood the extract before giving your own opinions. It would also be Ok to quote the extract: Referring to your recent article on healthy eating habits, I would like to share my own experience of being on the receiving end of 'conflicting advice' about food. 4. Use your Experience It is always a good idea to stick to what you know in the exam. They usually choose accessible topics - food, travel, media - that everyone can comment on.

Use your own personal experiences about food and eating and try to include some specific examples of 'conflicting advice'. It is also useful to use your own cultural background as topics like food and health often vary greatly from one place to another. Part 5: Writing a Summary In the last part of the 'Use of English' paper you have to read two related texts, answer some short questions on them, and then wtite a summary. Here is a summary of my tips on writing summaries... 1. Bear in mind that you have only 50-70 words to do your summary. You need to focus on the main points only and not get distracted by details and examples. If you have words left over after doing a first draft you can add examples. Remember that both texts A and B are included in the summary. 2. Take note of the words used in the question. If the task says 'summarise the main reasons for the emergence of youth culture in the 1960s' look for reasons and not consequences or impacts. Begin your summary with 'Youth culture in the 1960s' and then use a verb like 'emerged because' or 'stems from' to show that you understand the question. 3. Remember that there are four points given for content, so you need to include four separate ideas in your summary and find a way to link them together. 4. In your first draft it might help to think fours: four main ideas = four sentences. In your plan, use bullet points to outline the main ideas, for example: * change in attitudes in the 1960s in Europe and America

* economic reasons: more money available to spend * new identity: youth emerges as a new social group * innovation: new styles and subcultures 5. When you have your four points, decide on a priority idea which can be used to begin the summary. This first sentence should give an overview of the whole summary: Youth culture emerged in the 1960s when major changes in attitudes transformed societies in Europe and America. Then add your three reasons, linking them together to make one paragraph. The phrases in bold indicate linking techniques: These changes came about primarily as a result of economic growth which meant that young people had more money to spend. The resulting increase in consumer power led to the emergence of new identities with their own innovative styles. Consequently, 'youth' emerged as a specific group in society with its own distinctive subcultures. 6. This summary uses 70 words. If you have less then 70 you can always add details and examples. Use phrases like 'such as' or 'for example' or add brackets. 7. Do not use bullets in your final summary! You get an additional 10 marks on the way you write the summary. 8. Always check your summary for errors. Look out for prepositions, check the subject/verb agreement, and make sure you have used the correct tenses. 9. Get lots of practice summarising what you read every day.