Writing an Essay for FCE

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

FCE Writing

Paper 1 = Essay(compulsory)
Paper 2 = Choice: Letter/email (in)formal
A report
A review
An article

A story
Time for question 1 & 2 = 1 hour 20 minutes.

BRAINSTORMING AND ORGANISING YOUR IDEAS

You can improve your writing by brainstorming ideas and then organising them before you begin writing.

Mrs Corrigan's Tip: ALWAYS MAKE A PLAN BEFORE STARTING YOUR WRITING ASSIGNMENT

The exam 

'You have been asked to write an essay for your teacher on subjects that should be compulsory at school.'

NOTE: An essay is always written for the teacher, it should anwer the question by addressing both content points and providing a new content point of your own. 

Which of the subjects you study at school do you think are most useful?

How much freedom should young people have to decide what subjects they study at school

Typical essay question

All young people should study a foreign language as part of their education. Do you agree? 

Notes: Write about

1. Working life
2. travel and holidays
3. .................. (your own idea)

The essay should be....

Well organised with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion and should be written in an appropriate register and tone (relatively formal and objective tone).

While it is possible to argue one point of view (agreeing or disagreeing), it is probably easier to have a balanced discussion comparing advantages and disadvantages or ideas for and against.

How to write the essay.

• Read the essay question and prompts VERY carefully. Then you will know what you have to do. 
  
• It is important to keep the focus of the question and that ALL your ideas and opinions are relevant to the question.
• Support your opinions with reasons and examples.
• Think of a third idea of your own.
• Ideas need to be expressed in a clear and logical way.

It is advisable to use 5 paragraphs

1. Introduction (Don't express your opinion here)
   
2. Topic sentence  1 + reason(s)/example(s)
3. Topic sentence 2  + reason(s)/example(s)
4. Topic sentence 3 + reason(s)/example(s) (own idea)
5. Conclusion (you may include your opinion here)

Remember: 140 - 190 words

Task 1

All young people should study a foreign language as part of their education. Do you agree? 

Notes: 

Write about:

1. Working life
2. travel and holidays
3. .................. (your own idea)

Task 2

Do you think life would be boring/interesting if we all held the same opinions?

Notes:

Write about:

1. fashion
2. music
3. .................. (your own idea)

Get in pairs and decide which task you are going to choose from slide 13

Work Alone and write a plan for your essay:

Write down as many ideas as possible (no sentences) you have 2 minutes

Ideas - Compare your plan with your partner's ideas

organise your ideas

now you need a great introduction

It's often difficult to start writing, because you don't know what to say in the first sentence.
1st sentence is really important, it's the reader's introduction to you.
How could you get their attention?
One way to get their attention is to ask a question.

THE INTRODUCTION SHOULD BE QUITE SHORT AS OTHERWISE YOU WON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME/WORD COUNT TO DEAL WITH THE REST OF THE TASK

A good introduction for task 2 (slide 13)

Most of us encounter different opinions and this is a good thing. If we didn't come across viewpoints other than our own, not only would the world be a boring place, but we'd also risk never learning new things. 

Essay linking words and phrases

• To express personal opinions: In my opinion, I believe that, I feel that/ it seems to me/ in my view/ as I see it / I think/ personally. 
• To show purpose: to / in order to / so as to / so that
• To list ideas: Firstly/secondly/ finally/ In the first place/Lastly
• To contrast ideas: However/ although/ in contrast/ whereas/ but/ nethertheless / in spite of / despite. 

Essay linking words and phrases (continued)

• To describe a cause: Because/ since/ as/ due to
• To show a sequence: First of all/ then / after that / eventually/ in the end / finally
• To add information: In addition / moreover / what is more / besides / too / furthermore / and
• To conclude the topic: In conclusion / to sum up? in short / all in all

clicks.aweber.com

Model answer for task 2 (slide 13)

Most of us encounter different opinions and this is a good thing. If we didn't come across viewpoints other than our own, not only would the world be a boring place, but we'd also risk never learning new things. 

firstly, it would be dull if we all had the same tastes in fashion. It's nice to walk down a street and see so many people wearing different things. In my view, when people all wear uniforms, for example in the army, they cannot express their own identity.

Secondly, It's good that people have different tastes in music. Generally speaking, I son't like a lot of music that my friends do, but that's fine. It makes it more special when I find womeone who likes the same bands as me. 

Finally, the world would be a more boring place if we all liked the same sports. We would never be able to try anything new, or develop different skills if there were only a few to choose from.

In conclusion, if everyone had the same views, we wouldn't be individuals. Moreover, we would never be tempted to experience new things.