CAE writing: part 1 and part 2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5,6

CAE Writing- RULES

Writing will be the 2nd part of your Certificate in Advanced English exam. CAE Writing is 90 min. long and it consists of 2 separate tasks:

1. Writing Part 1 (compulsary) you have to read 3 points on a topic and then write an essay  based on 2 of them. In your answer you have to point out which of the 2 points are more important. Your essay has to be 220-260 words long. 

2. Writing Part 2 you get 3 different assignments to choose from. There are 4 possible types of assignments: a proposal, a review, a report and a letter. Again, it must be 220-260 words long.

How many questions do you get in the first part of the writing exam?

1. three
2. two
3. four
4. one

The essay is always compulsory?

1. Not true it could be a letter as well.
2. Not true I can choose my own format for both questions.
3. True, the first question is always compulsory and an essay.
4. Not true, the rapport is always compulsory.

Your content must be relevant to the task:

1. yes, if I write an essay I need to have four paragraphs.
2. No, it shouldn't be relevant.
3. yes, I have to address the question and not use my own creativity.
4. No, I can ignore the question and write the essay I've memorised.

Communicative achievement means that:

1. I have to use short sentences.
2. I have to have a mix of simple and complex ideas.
3. I have to use easy words.
4. I have to use a lot of slang.

Organisational skills mean:

1. That I use linking words to create flow between paragraphs.
2. That I number the paragraphs in my essay.
3. That I have the same amount or words in each paragraph.
4. That I underline important ideas in my essay.

It is important that I show a range of vocabulary?

1. True
2. False

The discursive essay

* Topic

* 3 bullet points and 3 quotes

* need to give an opinion and support it with reasons

* between 220-260 wprds

* have 45 minutes (total of two tasks is 90 minutes)

* answer ALL the parts of the question;

Writing part 1: The Discursive essay

(example of the assignment)

Your class has listened to a radio discussion about how adults can be a good influence on younger people. You have made the notes below:

1. Ways adults can influence how younger people behave:

• giving rules;
• setting an example;
• offering advice;

Writing part 1: the Discursive essay

example of the assignment

2. Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

“Sometimes it’s fun to break the rules!”

“If you admire somebody, you try to behave like them.”

“Young people don’t always listen.”

Writing part 1: the Discursive essay

example of the assignment

Write an essay discussing two of the ways in your notes that adults can influence younger people’s behaviour. 

You should explain which way you think is more effective, giving reasons to support your opinion.

Make a Mind Map...

...to organise your thoughts and generate new ideas

Write a 4-paragraph discursive essay!

1. Use 2 of the 3 points given with an explanation, examples and opinions. Each point is 1 paragraph;
2. Say which of the 2 points you think is most significant and why (this will be body paragraph 1);
3. Use a formal or neutral style.

Basic do's of the discursive essay

1. Write in a formal, impersonal style.

2. Introduce each point in a separate paragraph.

3. Use topic sentences for each paragraph.

4. Write well-developed paragraphs.

5. Give reasons and examples for each point.

6. Use sequencing (deciding upon the correct order)

7. Use linking words and phrases.

Paragraph 1- Introduction

about 50 words

1. Title sentence
2. Reflect on the essay title and the topic
3. Briefly describe the topic
4. Attention grabber

Opening-attention grabbers

1. Stating what the controversy is about;
2. Summarising the views in a balanced way;
3. Using a quotation (from an expert?)
4. Using an illustrative opening to create a picture;
5. Using an anecdote to grab the attention. 

Paragraph 2- Evidence

about 75 words

1. Review the notes in the intro;
2. Choose your most convincing ideas for the essay; 
3. Justify why this point / idea is so convincing.

Paragraph 3- analysis

about 75 words

1. Review your notes and choose your best argument
2. How does your second point add to and/or contrasts with paragraph 2;
   
3. How can you make this clear to the reader?

Paragraph 4- Conclusion

 about 50 words

1. What is the most important fact / opinion you mentioned?
2. what do you think the future might hold in relation to this topic?
3. How can you leave the reader with something to think about?

While Writing:

• Use the notes you made;
• Write and edit your essay;
• Time yourself;
• Count your words. 

The discursive essay

Assessment criteria:

1. Content: has the task been completed well?
2. Communicative Achievement: how appropriate is the writing in terms of genre?
3. Organisation: coherence and connectivity
4. Language: vocabulary and grammar (range of vocab and grammatical structures)

Edit: check your work using the  assessment criteria:

1. Content: 

* I wrote about 2 main points:

* I concluded my opinion, explaining which point I felt was most significant;

* I wrote between 220-260 words

CAE Writing: Part 2

Formal Letter or Email

Characteristics of a formal style of writing:

• NO abbreviations (except for e.g.)
• Use formal language: difficult grammatical structures &  longer sentences.
• Have an objective approach: main points are stated and then supported by arguments;

Formal Letter or Email

Characteristics of a formal style of writing continued:

• Formal writing is not a personal writing style:

therefore:

Sound dispassionate & do not use the word "you" in the sense of "You should have seen this" or "if you know what I mean.

& do not use words like kids, big, etc. Use sophisticated words and synonyms.

Structure formal letter

Aronskelkweg 1 (your Address)​

2555 GA Den Haag​

The Netherlands​

Date: Month - day - year e.g. June 15, 2023

Name Addressee: The Guardian

 (c/o Mr Peter Peterson)​

(Address:) Kings Place, 90 York Way

 London  N1 9GU

 United Kingdom

Structure formal letter

Dear Sir, Madam, (If you do not know the name of the person)​

Dear Mr / Mrs / Ms Peterson,  ( If you do know the name of the person)​

Letter: ​

Divide in paragraphs: each topic has its own paragraph (paragraph 1 = Introduction; last paragraph = conclusion)​

Finish with:​

Yours faithfully If you start the letter with Dear Sir, Madam,​

Yours Sincerely If you start the letter with Dear Mr Peterson​

To remember....

• Capital letters are important: days of the week; months of the year; names of buidings, newspapers, companies & I always with a capital letter; school subjects as well.​
  
• Plural words never with ‘ (an apostophe): so it is photos, CDs.​
  
• Commas before but, so, for, nor, 
• Commas when you tell something about a person or thing: Mr Brown, a 60-year-old busdriver, was…………​
• Don’t forget ????? When you write a question​. and do not forget a full stop behind your sentence.

Review

• Usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website;
• purpose: to describe and express a personal opinion about something the writer has experienced (film, ho,liday, play, product, website etc.;
• & to give the reader a clear impression of the item discussed

Review

Structure:

1. Title and Introduction;
2. Main Content: 2 body paragraphs: first thing mentioned in paragraph 1, second thing mentioned in paragraph 2;
3. Recommendation (=Conclusion): contains your general impression and your verdict.

Review

• In your assignment find: the description part &  the discussion part;
• Also: find the target reader (=always specified)

Proposal

• Written for a peer group (colleagues or club members) or a supervisor (boss or college principal);
• You are expected to make one or more suggestions supported by factual information and evaluation;
• Goal: to persuade the reader of a course of action. 

How to write a Proposal

• Begin by stating the purpose of your proposal;
• Use an impersonal, (semi-)formal style; 
• Use a clear lay-out with headings;
• express opinions and make recommendations in the last section of your proposal;
• Include a final sentence summarising your opinion.

Structure/ Format Proposal

1. Title (optional) + introduction: The aims of this proposal are to .... 
2. Main body: 1st - 2nd paragraph
3. Subheading 1; Paragraph 1: describe the current situation;
4. Subheading 2; Paragraph 2: Describe the current situation;
5. Final recommendations: Make your recommendations in at least 2-3 sentences.

Report

• Written for a superior e.g. a manager or a director;
• You will have to describe and evaluate a situation;
• Usually you will have to suggest some cause of action that you would recommend.

Report

Three main areas of focus:

1. Present factual information: facts may be made up but must be presented as if they were factual;
2. Effective and efficient text organization: paragraph structure, reloevant headings, linking words and expressions;
3. Making suggestions and/or recommendations at the end of the report.

Report: Structure

1. Introduction: the purpose of this report is.... 
2. Main content: Paragraph 1 + Subheading (give the relevant facts) 
3. followed by  Paragraph 2 + Subheading (give the relevant facts);
4. Conclusion: Make your recommendations.