FCE Writing - A Report

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Report writing for FCE

A REPORT is usually written for a superior (e.g. a teacher) or a peer group (e.g. members of an English club). You are expected to give some facts and make suggestions or recommendations. A report should be clearly organised and may include headings.

Paper 2 - Part 2 of the FCE Written Exam

You will be asked to select one question from a choice of three and complete the task given in 140 - 190 words. 

Things that you will be asked to choose from are; letters/emails, reports, stories and reviews. 

I think reviews and letters/emails are a good choice!

Key points:

Who are you writing to?

What would be an appropropriate style for a report? 

Key points:

What do you need to mention? 

• Buying more computers
•  improving the library
• make recommendations where the money should be spent

Layout: Use subheadings

Introduction 

The aim of this report is to/ The following report relates to the ...........Blah blah blah 

Buying more computers

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Improving the library

Blah blah blah blah. Blah blah blah blah

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Recommendations

To sum up / Taking everything in to consideration/ On balance, I am of the opnion .......blah blah blah blah

Dear Sir,

I'm writing this report about buying computers or books.

• Introduction
• The aim of this report is to compare the advantages of buying additional computers and of improving the library and to suggest ...

Can you find three mistakes

• Use subheadings-underline if you want to
  

• Use your own words to say why you are writing
  
• Formal tone

Name some Advantages: 

Name some Disadvantages:

Buying Computers

Improving the library

Buying Computers

Improving the library

1st Body Paragraph

Use subheadings in a report - (never in a letter or an essay)

Edit your notes to write only about this topic in the 1st  body paragraph

Buying more computers

First of all/Firstly, ..... students thought that this was a good idea , saying computers were useful for: 

• Using the internet
  
• Playing games
  

2nd body paragraph

Secondly/ Furthermore/Moreover, the majority of students preferred this suggestion because 

• Many do not have a quiet place to work at home
  
• more up to date reference books are needed even though most students use electronic dictionaries
• They want to be able to read books for young people without having to buy them.

Conclusion/ Recommendations

Do not add new issues here.

Keep it short

Don't end the report like a letter.

Yours sincerely

Susan Corrigan

Recommendations

It was felt by most students that improving the library would be more useful and that adding to the workspace and buying more books would benefit most students. I would therefore recommend spending money in this way.

Now check out the model answer on the next slide.....

DO state the aim of the report

DO use headings, this 

makes information

easier to find

Do include two or three points.

Use bullet points or numbers

Don't include irrelevant details

Do use semi-formal language in your report

Don't begin with Dear Sir, like a letter 

DO say how you got the information

Don't use lots of adjectives like you do in a story.

Do use a range of specific vocabulary and set phrases.

Don't give opinions UNTIL the conclusion/

recommendations

Now you try

Page 76 Exercise 4, 5 and 6 

Exam Tip 

organise your report under headings and include numbers or bullet points to make your points clearly

Remember to make a plan

Advantages of the Self Study Centre

Disadvantages of the Self Study Centre

How sucessful has it been?

Should our college have one?

The aim of this report is to outline the advantages and potential problems of ................................. (add a few more sentences).

Introduction

Body P.1

Body P2

Body P3

Recommendations