Cambridge/CAE - Writing

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

CAE/CPE 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 CAE/CPE

Formal

Semi-formal

Informal

Essay

Formal letter

Informal letter

Review

Report

Proposal/Article

What do you need to focus on in
'formal writing'?

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 (CAE)

• Formal language
  
• Title: yes
• Subheaders: no
• Follow the task in order to get your lay-out: introduction - body -conclusion
• Often: discuss 2 points

The essay (CPE)

• Formal language
  
• Title: yes
• Subheaders: no
• Follow the task in order to get your lay-out: introduction - body -conclusion
• Summarise & evaluate key points from both texts

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

1. Grab the reader’s attention by using a “hook.” 

Begin the introductory paragraph with a broad, general statement about the paper’s topic or even a question. Try to make it interesting and catchy to encourage your reader to want more information. Remember that the first few sentences give the reader the first impression of your essay; it is extremely important that you make a good first impression.

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.
  

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?

3. Close with a thesis statement that reveals the position to be argued.

• The thesis statement is usually the final sentence of the introduction.
• The thesis statement is an independent sentence. It does not refer to other points or words mentioned earlier in the introduction. By reading this single sentence, your reader should know exactly what you will argue in your essay. 
• The argumentative thesis takes a side of an issue. It is often expressed with the modal verb should (not)).
• The thesis statement does not have personal emphasis (the use of I or we).

The thesis statement is an independent sentence. It does not refer to other points or words mentioned earlier in the introduction. By reading this single sentence, your reader should know exactly what you will argue in your essay. 

The thesis statement is an independent sentence. It does not refer to other points or words mentioned earlier in the introduction. 

Correct: Body scanners should be used at all international      airports.

  

 Wrong: Because of this, body scanners should be used at all international airports.

 Wrong: Therefore, body scanners should be used at all international airports.

    

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!

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.

Example 3 of an introductory paragraph with thesis statement:

John is 38 years old and he has been suffering from pancreatic cancer for more than 8 months. He has no strength left to eat and is tube fed. He needs pain relief 24/7 and wants only one thing: euthanasia. 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. Fatally ill patients should be given the choice to legally end their lives.
2. Most legal systems do not allow doctors to end their patients’ lives.
3. John is 38 years old and he has been suffering from pancreatic cancer for more than 8 months.
4. He has no strength left to eat and is tube fed.

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?  

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

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 &

CAE proposal

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

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

- Description

- Recommendations/suggestions

Report

In a report, you give information and make suggestions.

Often you report on something existing and come up with recommendations or suggestions to make it better.

The task will form your lay-out.

Proposal

A proposal includes factual information to persuade.

In a proposal, you are often asked to come up with new ideas and to make sure that you persuade others of these ideas.

The task will form your lay-out.

You are only allowed to use 'Dear sir/madam' or 'Dear mr/mrs (last name)' in a letter.

1. True
2. False

Which format is this?

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