Cambridge report 2

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

Your reports: Form

Which one is correct?

Which one is correct?

1. the first with the paragraphs
2. the second with the letter form
3. the third with the headings

So when are you going to take notes?

The following slide was shown last time:

Form

Several paragraphs with headings  

Skip lines between the paragraphs

Comment on this opening:

Tops:

menace - threat: synonyms are used.

Contractions have been avoided

Tips:

Be straightforward: The purpose of this report is ...

Formal language: avoid  words  like a few (some)  - also (additionally) - I would like to  (I intend to to) -  great (major) - I am getting quite worried (this development is a cause for concern)

Also: not logical here. Use therefore

Errors our future on this world; great threats

Tops:

Without the first sentence this paragraph would be a great opening of the report.

Tips:

Content: 'The Netherlands' should be mentioned

                    The first sentence is superfluous (not relevant to the task): leave it out and it's great!

Organisation: no 'hard returns' within a paragraph

                     Never start anything at all with 'Hello'. Use headings.

Register should be formal: avoid  words  like heartbroken (use an understatement: not positive)                - quite easy (manageable) - also (as well)                               

              avoid contractions

Language avoid repetition: environment is used twice (some solutions for these menaces).

Comment on this paragraph:

Tops:

straightforward, no-nonsense

Tips:

Avoid repetition state-state (describe, define, report, ...)

                                   maybe also threats - threats (use: 'them')

comment on this middle paragraph

Tops:

Language: Great phrases (the most obvious one; a broad consensus, )

Use of passive (it is seen)

Organisation and register: Formal linking words (as, however)

Tips:

Content: Don't talk about yourself (don't use I)  (Commencing with the most obvious one, ..)

Register: More formal words (seen-regarded; start-commence)

Language: Error (a broad consensus ON )

comment on this middle paragraph

Tops:

Use of idiom (a hard nut to crack)

Formal linking words (as, however)

Use of passive (are tackled)

Tips:

Be complete (Fighting pollution at a national level)

Errors (revolving - involving; on global scale - on a global scale/ at the global level)

comment on this closing paragraph

Tops:

There is a title

Tips:

All information must be relevant to the task (first sentence: this was the starting point, so nothing new. The rest: there is hardly any information, apart from the invitation to contact the writer. )

Be more formal:  less personal (avoid 'I', 'we', 'I think')  and use the passive (These issues can be solved)

Errors: 'want' requires a verb (want to have) / I have informed you enough

Comment on this conclusion

Tops:

There is a title

It rounds off the report, mentioning its purpose

Tips:

Be more formal:  I will be able to - I will be capable of 

Error: An if-sentence requires 'will': I will be able to ... if needed

Use of 'I':

In this case it is no problem: it's functional.

Tops:

There is a title

There is a linking device (referring back to an earlier-mentioned item: 'this issue'.)

Tips:

Content: A report should only list some facts (Who are 'we'? Who are 'you'?)

Organisation

             Form:  Written like a letter, addressing people.

Language: use 'will' for the future: I hope you will understand ...

Another possible conclusion: comments, please!

Tops:

There is a title

It is clear and succinct

Summarizing in this kind of report is quite effective

It closes with a stimulating remark

Tips:

Use synonyms (improve - correct, enhance, lift, fortify)

Errors: -be consequent in using gerunds (reducing, improving)

            - preposition the threats OF our environment? (use to)

            - Use of definite article THE delta works (it is particular, not general) and OUR river banks

Now check a classmate's report

-Use the checklist in Som

-If you work at home: check the work of the person who normally sits next to you (ask him/her to send it by email)

-If this is not available, choose a report attached in Som

-Learn from each other's strong and weak points