AN ARTICLEAN ARTICLEAN ARTICLEAN ARTICLE

WHAT IS IT?• a piece of writing (in a newspaper

or magazine)• goal: to make an issue interesting

to readers• could be: descriptive, narrative,

argumentative• expresses the writer’s opinion

FORMAT• headline (title) – if it’s not given, you

have to invent it• introduction: gives the idea of what it

will be about (in an attractive way)• body: examines the issue, supports the

headline (title) in one or more paragraphs

• conclusion: rounds up the article (no new ideas!)

CRITERIA• CONTENT(vsebina)• TASK ACHIEVEMENT (sporočilna

vrednost)• VOCABULARY/ REGISTER

(besedišče/ register)• GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY

(jezikovna pravilnost)

CONTENT• WHERE do I find it? – In the PROMPT• 2nd part of the prompt, given as1. bullet points2. headline of the article

examples1. bullets: • which is you favourite restaurant• what kind of food is served• why do you like it2. the HEADLINE/ TITLE of the

article: Meat: To eat or not to eat

• The content is assessed according to how well you develop the ideas which are given in the prompt

• It should support the headline/ title• It should be well written and justified by

specific information• It should not contain any information which is

not given in the prompt (irrelevant inf.)• do not try to be too funny or bizarre

TASK ACHIEVEMENT• WHERE do I find it? – in the prompt• 1st part of the prompt tells you1. WHO you are (social status)2. WHO you are writing for/ to (social status –

social hierachy – formal style)3. WHY you are writing__________________________________THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE P.

TASK ACHIEVEMENT• choose the correct format of

writing• organize the piece of writing

according to the conventions of different formats: article, report, letter/e-mail

VOCABULARY/ REGISTER

• use formal vocabulary• use collocations/ idioms correctly• do not use contracted forms, e.g.

don’t, we’ll, can’t, we’re, I’m, etc.• use vocabulary related to the

theme• be polite

GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY

• try to use complex sentences without grammatical mistakes

• spell the words correctly• use different linking words• organize your ideas in a logical

way

EXAMPLES OF ARTICLES

The English magazine would like to know how you feel about spending holidays with your parents. You have been invited to write an article of about 150 -180 words on this topic in which you should also include your personal experience. Use the heading: Holidaying with parents? Yes, it can be fun.

• The international Reader’s Magazine is trying to get an insight into the reading habits of young people at your school.

• Secondary school students have been asked to write articles on the topic. The best articles will be published in the newspaper.

• You can choose between two titles:1. BOOKS? No, thank you!2. BOOKS? Yes, of course!

• you have been invited to write an article of about 100 -120 words for your school magazine. The title of the article is: On Education – I Do Not Believe In It. You can use two quotations: “Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit –touch it and the bloom is gone.” (Oscar Wilde), “Teachers, leave that kids alone.” (Pink Floyd)

TIPS FOR WRITING• In the INTRODUCTION, refer to the input (prompt) in

your own words. Do not copy it and do not present your opinion yet.

• The BODY: Develop each of the points required in the prompt in separate paragraphs and give opinion if required.

Support your opinion with examples.• A good CONCLUSION may do one of these:

1. restate your opinion2. suggest solution(s)3. return to the idea in the introduction4. refer to the future

USEFUL PHRASES

• RHETORICAL QUESTIONS: Have you ever (wondered why/ if...) What would you do if ... Should ... (it be forbidden/ encouraged)• QUOTING OPINIONS:• the proponents of the idea believe/ say...• CONCLUSION: What will the future of .... be? Let us hope that ... Hopefully, ...

ASSESSMENT – TASK ACHIEVEMENT

• No headline/ title = - 1 point (T.A.)• No conclusion = - 1 point (T.A.)• One paragraph only = - 2 points

(T.A)• If paragraphs are not visible but

“sensible” (as regards content/ organisation) = - 1 point (T.A.)

ASSESSMENT - CONTENT

• follow the headline/ title• support the idea in the headline/

title• one sided only