FCE Writing prep

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• Middelbare school
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• Leerjaar 5

FCEE Writing formats

Lesson goals:

• Recognise essay writing structure 
• How to write a strong thesis statement 
•  Know the 5 different writing formats and understand the difference
  

Name the 5 different writing
formats for FCE

Het gaat hier om de verschillend teksttypes die gevraagd worden bij een writing paper: essay, review, report, article, (in)formal letter/email

Formal

Semi-formal

Informal

Essay

Formal letter

Informal letter

Review

Report

Proposal/Article

Voor FCE schrijven ze geen proposal; een artikel is wel een optie.

What are some things to keep in mind for
'formal writing'?

Geen samentrekkingen

Geen slang

Gebruik signaal- en voegwoorden

High level (=fancy) vocabulary

Writing in general

• No contractions → can’t = cannot / won’t = will not
  
• Formal language
  
• Empty line between each paragraph
  
• Do not use questions
  
• Do not use ‘I’ (often)
  
• Use linking words
  
• Show your vocabulary!
• Focus on your point, do not make it a story.

The essay (FCE)

• Formal language
• Title: yes
• Subheaders: no
• Follow the task in order to get your lay-out: introduction - body -conclusion
• Discuss 3 points: 2 are given, 1 is your own idea

What is the purpose of an argumentative essay?

1. to compare and contrast two different or similar things.
2. to convince the reader by using logic and evidence
3. to answer a question through research of the relevant literature
4. to analyze a piece of literature from different angles

Argumentative essay

• A piece of writing in which you persuade/convince your audience of a statement.
  
• In order to do so you use several arguments in favour (pros) of your statement.
  
• You also give some counter arguments (cons), but you refute those, so that they eventually support your statement.
  

Leg hier kort uit wat refute betekent

Structure outline 

1. Introduction: attention grabber, hook, thesis statement

2. Pro (+ Con refuted)

3. Pro (+ Con refuted)

4. Pro (+ Con refuted)

5. Conclusion 

But how do you write a good thesis statement?

Introduction

Your introduction tells the reader (=teacher) what your essay is about. Rewrite the question that is asked in the assignment and include your answer to that question.

Introduction

Question: Without failure there can be no success. Do you agree? Talk about motivation, experiments and your own idea.

Introduction: Success cannot exist without failure. Success needs experiments, which often fail.

Introduction

Question: University should be free for everyone. Do you agree?
Talk about taxes, equality of opportunity and your own idea.

Introduction: Even though it will raise taxes, university should be free for everyone so that not matter your background you have the opportunity to attend.

The argumentative thesis takes a side of an issue. It is often expressed with the modal verb should (not)).

For example:

•   Governments should ban further construction of nuclear       power plants.
•    Mobile phones should not be allowed in schools.
  
•    Smoking should be banned in all public places.
  

The thesis statement does not have personal emphasis (the use of I or we).

Correct: Television has no beneficial effect upon a child’s development.

 Wrong: I believe television has no beneficial effect upon a child’s development.

 Wrong: We don’t think television has any beneficial effect upon a child’s development.

Thesis statement formula:

Claim (your position) + reason (evidence) = thesis statement 

Strong thesis statement:

Claim (your position) + reason (evidence) x 3 = strong thesis statement!

This is a little above their level, as the original presentation was on CAE(c1)/CPE(c2) level writing, but I think it's good to spend some time on how to write a good thesis. For analysis purpopses, I've kept the following few slides in.

Example 1 of an introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

A difficult problem that is facing society today is euthanasia, which is another word for mercy killing. Thousands of people are mortally ill because of an incurable disease. They are kept alive in artificial ways. They have no chance to recover completely, but most legal systems do not allow doctors to end their patients’ lives. Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to? Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

What's the thesis statement in this introductory paragraph?

1. A difficult problem that is facing society today is euthanasia, which is another word for mercy killing.
2. Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to?
3. Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.
4. They are kept alive in artificial ways.

Example 2 of an introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

Every day, terminally ill patients suffer horrendously and are begging to die. They are kept alive in artificial ways. They have no chance to recover completely, but most legal systems do not allow doctors to end their patients’ lives. Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to? Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.

What's the thesis statement in this introductory paragraph?

1. Why should all these people suffer if they don’t have to?
2. Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.
3. Every day, terminally ill patients suffer horrendously and are begging to die.
4. They are kept alive in artificial ways.

Time to try it out! 

• Mobile phones should be banned in school - agree or disagree? 
• After lockdown, online lessons should still take place once a week - agree or disagree?  

Remember to already mention at least two point that support your view!

Mobile phones should be banned in school - agree or disagree?

Hou hier zelf de tijd in de gaten; het is niet realistisch om maar af te wachten tot ±30 kids iets hebben ingevuld. Je kan onderin de balk zien wie nog niks ingevuld hebben. 

Achterin de klas gaan staan zodat je schermen kan zien en kan zien wie wel/niet meedoen kan ook goed helpen hier wat tempo in te houden.

After lockdown, online lessons should still take place once a week - agree or disagree?

The letter (formal!)

• Formal language
  
• Start with / end with:

- Unknown = Dear sir/madam, / yours faithfully

- Known = Dear mr/mrs [last name], / yours sincerely

• Always refer back to why you are writing
• Empty lines

The review

• Semi-formal language
  
• Title: yes
  
• Subheaders: are allowed - not necessary
  


• Follow the task in order to get your lay-out: Say what you review - Give more details - Give your opinion + recommendation

Report

• Formal - for superior / Semi-formal - for peers
  
• Title: yes
  
• Subheaders: yes
• Lay-out:

- Outline the purpose: The purpose/aim of this eport is to...

- Description

- Recommendations/suggestions (this is the only part where you as the author matter!)

How many words should you use in and FCE writing task?

1. 140-190
2. 220-260
3. as many as you want
4. Not too long, but no limit

What type of text is focused on providing information in a clear and organized manner?

1. Letter
2. Essay
3. Review
4. Report

What type of text provides a critical evaluation of a book, film, or product?

1. Narrative
2. Review
3. Report
4. Article

What should students include in a report's structure?

1. Introduction, findings, recommendations, conclusion
2. Opinions, personal anecdotes, rhetorical questions

What are the features of a formal letter in the FCE Cambridge Writing paper?

1. Lack of recipient's address, informal tone, vague purpose
2. Addressing the recipient, formal language, clear purpose
3. Formal language, lack of clear purpose, personal opinions
4. Informal language, personal anecdotes, ambiguous tone

What should be included in a review for the FCE Cambridge Writing paper?

1. Detailed analysis, no personal opinion, criticism only
2. No description, impersonal analysis, ambiguous conclusion
3. Personal anecdotes, vague description, contradictory opinion
4. Description of the item, personal opinion, recommendation

What elements are important in a report for the FCE Cambridge Writing paper?

1. Introduction, findings, recommendations
2. No introduction, opinions, personal experiences
3. Detailed analysis, no findings, emotional appeals
4. No recommendations, biased analysis, anecdotal evidence

Hierna mogen leerlingen zich gaan voorbereiden op de USO of werken aan een ander vak als er nog tijd over is in de les.

Laat ze vragen stellen bij het materiaal dat ik op Classroom gepost heb voor ze om ze te helpen met voorbereiden.