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Writing Forms
The following includes templates and general tips on the different writing forms of FCE, CAE and
CPE.
An Article
Overview:
Usually written for an English-language magazine or a newspaper.
The reader is assumed to have similar interests as the writer.
The main purpose is to interest and engage the reader.
Some opinion or comment is needed.
Suggested preparation reading: English magazines.
General Tips:
A catchy title is necessary.
Colourful and lively language will be needed.
Descriptions, examples and anecdotes are often appropriate.
Reported speech, amusing stories and descriptions may be included.
Direct and indirect questions are effective.
Use a combination of opinions and facts.
The central idea of a paragraph is usually clearly defined in its first sentence.
Suggested Structure:
Eye-catching title
Introduction that clearly defines the topic to be covered and keeps the readers attention.
Two or three paragraphs of further detail. Each paragraph should be centred around one main idea.
Conclusion, which summarises the topic or gives a final opinion, recommendation or comment.
A competition Entry
Overview:
Written for a judge or panel of judges.
You will need to nominate yourself or someone else for something.
This will include persuasion and a reason/some reasons why your suggestion is best.
General Tips:
Catch the attention of the reader.
A strong final paragraph is vital.
Please ask me for more information on this type of writing.
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A Contribution to a Longer Piece
Overview:
Written for someone in the process of collecting information for a larger document.
The larger document could be a book, a guidebook or a piece of research.
The purpose is to supply information and opinion.
General Tips:
This should be clearly organised and may include headings.
The register/tone depends on the purpose of the larger document. For example, guidebooks
are factual and neutral, whereas a book may be more discursive.
Please ask me for more information on this type of writing.
An Essay
Overview:
Usually written for a teacher.
The main purpose of the task is the development of an argument or a discussion of issues
surrounding a certain topic.
General Tips:
This should be well organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropriate
conclusion.
Opinions needs to be followed with reasons.
You can agree or disagree or discuss both sides but agreeing and disagreeing should be in a
formal or a neutral register.
Paragraphing, linking words and phrases are especially important.
Suggested Structure:
If a title is given, use this. If not pick a title on the overall idea of the essay.
The first sentence should create a context for the essay idea/question. The second sentence and the
rest of the first paragraph should outline what the main point being explored is and your stance on
it.
The second paragraph should build on the overall essay idea in relation to the first point you are
given.
The third paragraph should further build on the overall essay idea but in relation to the second point
you are given.
If you are giving three points, follow the above structure with the fourth paragraph. If not conclude.
The conclusion should bring together all of the ideas of the essay and answer the overall essay idea.
It should do this without much repetition so reformulation is important. Here is also an opportunity
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to further expand upon previous ideas taking into consideration the whole essay. However,
completely new ideas should not be introduced at this stage. You need a clear conclusion regardless
of whether it is that you agree/disagree/are torn/apples are green etc.
An Information Sheet
Overview:
Written for someone in need or advice, instruction or information.
The purpose of the sheet should be clear.
General Tips:
It should be clear, factual and on topic.
It should also be clearly organised and can include headings.
Please ask me for more information on this type of writing.
A Formal Letter (General)
Overview:
Written for an editor a magazine/newspaper, the director of an international company, a
school/college principal or a friend.
It could also be a reference for a friend.
It could include a narrative element of personal experience or it may be more concerned
with giving factual information.
General Tips:
The following is general advice. Different tasks will require you to apply the below in
different ways.
The opening salutation and closing phrasing are vitally important. i.e. Dear Mr Smith, Yours
Sincerely or Dear Sir or Madam, Your Faithfully.
Clear paragraphing and linking words are also important.
A sign of a good letter is that all paragraphs are even but the middle paragraphs are slightly
longer than the first and last.
Use the language as specifically referred to by the writing task, i.e. if it asks you to
recommend, use language like I unreservedly recommend etc.
Refer back to the writing task information e.g. as specified/mentioned in your letter
Avoid contractions.
Use the vocabulary document on letters
Suggested Structure:
Dear Sir or Madam or Dear Mr Smith/Miss Robinson or Dear Elliot
The first sentence should explain what the letter will be about.
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The second and third sentence should then complete the first paragraph, which should summarise
any other details required, e.g. that youre more than willing to help/contribute and you are very
interested in the whole thing. It could be other information like how you heard about the
event/opportunity.
The second paragraph will directly answer the first point of the question. These points could be a
range of things including descriptions, recommendations, suggestions.
The third paragraph will directly answer the second point of the question.
If there is a third point to the question, youll need a fourth paragraph.
The final paragraph should be a one or two sentence bringing together of the whole thing. It should
have some variation of let me know if you need any more information.
Closing line, e.g. I am looking forward to hearing from you
Yours Faithfully or Yours Sincerely (very important)
Name
Any title of relevance (not normally needed)
An informal Letter
Overview:
Written for a friend, exchange partner, classmate or peer.
It could also be a reference for a friend.
It could include a narrative element of personal experience or it may be more concerned
with giving factual information.
General Tips:
The following is general advice. Different tasks will require you to apply the below in
different ways.
Be aware of the difference between a letter to your closest friend and for example, your
new exchange partner.
Clear paragraphing and linking words are also important.
A sign of a good letter is that all paragraphs are even but the middle paragraphs are slightly
longer than the first and last.
Use the language as specifically referred to by the writing task, i.e. if it asks you to
recommend, use language like I unreservedly recommend etc.
Refer back to the writing task information e.g. as specified/mentioned in your letter
Use the vocabulary document on letters
Suggested Structure:
Dear Elliot, Hi Kate
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The first sentence should thank them for the letter or say something about being good to hear from
them etc. and then in the second sentence, the purpose of the letter should be made clear.
The second and third sentence should then complete the first paragraph, which should summarise
any other details required, e.g. that youre more than willing to help/contribute and you are very
interested in the whole thing (how the hell are they anyway?)
The second paragraph will directly answer the first point of the question. These points could be a
range of things including descriptions, recommendations, suggestions.
The third paragraph will directly answer the second point of the question.
If there is a third point to the question, youll need a fourth paragraph.
Final paragraph should be a one or two sentence bringing together of the whole thing. To a friend,
this may have a nice little friendly comment about something or other and in either case, it should
have some variation of let me know if you need any more information.
Closing line, e.g. I am looking forward to hearing from you
Yours Sincerely
Name
Letter of Application
Overview:
Written for an editor a magazine/newspaper, the director of an international company, a
school/college principal.
Very similar to a letter but with a stronger persuasive element.
General Tips:
The opening salutation and closing phrasing are vitally important. i.e. Dear Mr Smith, Yours
Sincerely or Dear Sir or Madam, Your Faithfully.
It needs to be engaging so the use of cohesive devices and the ability to make descriptions
engaging are vital.
Clear paragraphing and linking words are also important.
Use the vocabulary document on letters.
Suggested Structure:
Dear Mr/Mrs Surname or Sir/Madam
Introduction: the first sentence should say what position you are interested in and where you heard
about this position. The second sentence should contain when you are available to start.
Paragraph 2: This is about your interest in the position. Here you can talk about any research you
have done into the method. It's often a place to briefly draw on experiences that have created this
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interest. You can mention skills, qualifications and work experience here but they are focused on
more in later paragraphs and its important not to repeat yourself.
Paragraph 3: This paragraph is about your suitability for the position. Here you should talk about
your qualifications but vitally, you need to always refer back to the job and how these
skills/experiences make you suitable for the job. This will probably be the longest paragraph -
although still not long!
Paragraph 4: Conclusion - thank them for taking the time to read your email. Invite them to contact
you for more information.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Your Sincerely/Faithfully,
Your Name
A Report
Overview:
Written for superiors or a peer group.
Similar to a proposal except that the tone should be more neutral and there is less emphasis
on recommendations.
Learning vocabulary around likely areas like transport, leisure, entertainment etc. may be
helpful.
Use separate vocabulary document for useful expressions/vocabulary.
General Tips:
A boring descriptive title is needed.
The use of headings may be needed where appropriate.
Information should be very easy to find.
It should also contain specific vocabulary on the subject.
Personal pronouns are discouraged and passives encouraged.
Recommendations and suggestions should be polite and use a range of persuasive language.
Use bullet points to make the report concise.
Suggested Structure:
Descriptive Title
Purpose and background behind the report
Two sentences explaining the purpose and content of report.
Heading 1 from task
A paragraph addressing findings.
Second paragraph with recommendations.
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Heading 2 from task
A paragraph addressing findings.
Second paragraph with recommendations.
Heading 3 from task (shouldnt have more than three headings)
A paragraph addressing findings.
Second paragraph with recommendations.
Conclusion
Short two or three sentence conclusion summing up and encouraging reader to take
suggestions on board.
Alternatively, have two headings with one focused on findings and the second on recommendations.
A Proposal
Both proposals and reports have aspects that are not used for these exams. These include things like
references, project timelines, qualifications etc. So dont take these tips as a given outside of exams!
Overview:
Written for superiors or a peer group.
Some factual information as well as some suggestions or recommendations to a course of
action are needed.
Similar to a report except that the tone should be less neutral and there is more emphasis
on recommendations.
Learning vocabulary around likely areas like transport, leisure, entertainment etc. may be
helpful.
Use separate vocabulary document for useful expressions/vocabulary.
General Tips:
The title needs to be descriptive but more dynamic/urgent than a reports title.
The use of headings is required.
Information should be very easy to find.
It should also contain specific vocabulary on the subject.
Personal pronouns are discouraged and passives encouraged.
Recommendations and suggestions should be polite and use a range of persuasive language.
Suggested Structure:
Descriptive Title
Brief Summary of Proposal
Two sentences explaining the problem and how your proposal addresses this problem.
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Introduction
A paragraph explaining the problem use passives.
How to Resolve
A paragraph of persuasive language that outlines your proposal.
Proposal Requirements
This paragraph could be further details of your proposal and how it will work or it could be
the costs/various requirements of the proposal.
Conclusion
Short two or three sentence conclusion summing up and encouraging reader to take the
proposal forward.
A Review
Overview:
Usually written for an English magazine/newspaper/website.
The purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something experienced.
This could a review of a film, a holiday, a product or a website.
Suggestion preparation reading: English reviews of anything.
Use separate vocabulary document for useful expressions/vocabulary.
General Tips:
Interesting, engaging title.
Description, opinion and explanation are key functions.
Effective use of a range of strong adverbs, adjectives and lively language is necessary.
There should also be a recommendation to the reader.
Use contractions and use a relaxed, chatty style.
Linking words and cohesive advices are very important here.
Suggested Structure: (structure matches an article. The difference between the two is content)
Eye-catching title (with name of product in it)
Introduction should set out the overall idea of the review and give a little background to the object.
Second paragraph - talk about one aspect of the object being reviewed. For a film, this could be
special effects/the acting.
Third paragraph a second aspect of the film.
Fourth paragraph for CAE/CPE its possibly a third aspect will need to be discussed.
Conclusion, should summarise the main argument with a final opinion and recommendation.
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Usually accompanied by a star rating.
A Story
Overview:
Usually written for an English magazine/newspaper/website.
The purpose is to engage the reader in a short story.
Suggestion preparation reading: short stories.
General Tips:
Interesting, engaging title.
Start with the sentence they give you.
Keep in the same tense.
Most stories are told using mostly past tenses so grammar needs to be well used to keep it
engaging.
Description, speculation and text development are key functions.
Effective use of a range of strong adverbs, adjectives and lively language is necessary.
Linking words and cohesive advices are very important. Dont forget to paragraph!
Feel free to use direct speech.
Set Text
These could be articles, reports, reviews or essays,
The question will ask for some description of the book and for an opinion. Reasons for opinions are
necessary. Understanding of the text and appropriate vocabulary are necessary for this task. Please
ask me if you are considering doing this question. It requires additional specific training but the
freedom it offers can result in higher marks.