CAE writing: part 1 and part 2

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

CAE Writing

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.

Organisation

Introduction: about 50 words

1. Essay Title
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. 

Organisation

Paragraph 1: 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.

Organisation

Paragraph 2: 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 1;
   
3. How can you make this clear to the reader?

Organisation

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 against 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.