BZB – Englisch

The FCE Writing (FCE for schools)

The Basics:

The Writing Part of the FCE exam consists of 2 parts. Part 1 does not offer a choice. In part 2, you can choose from 3 different tasks

o Part 1 is always an ESSAY.o Part 2 is either a LETTER/EMAIL/APPLICATION or an ARTICLE or a REVIEW or

a STORY * Both parts are equally important and they are assessed the same way. For both parts you will have to write between 140-190 words. To write these two texts you will have 1 hour and 20 minutes time.

* you will have to choose 1 from 4 tasks (1 task, however, is based on the so-called set-text, which is a literary text that you must have read before. If you haven’t read the book, you can’t choose this task.)

The Assessment of your Writing:

The experts will look at the following criteria: TASK COMPLETION: Have you answered/focused on the actual task/question? Did

you do all tasks? Did you include all necessary information? Did you respect the word limit?

RANGE OF VOCABULARY/STYLE: Have you used a nice and appropriate range of vocabulary and expression? Did you repeat yourself? Did you cheat and copy expressions from the instructions? Did you find the best possible words to express what you wanted to say? Did you write your text in the correct writing style?

ORGANISATION: Have you organised your text nicely and appropriately? Did you use paragraphs? Did you work with linking words? Did you structure your text logically? Did you plan your arguments/ideas so that the text has a good flow?

LANGUAGE LEVEL: Have you used correct language? Did you check spelling? Did you check word order? Did you check for grammar mistakes?

So: Make sure that you always use this list as a checklist before you hand in your writing!

The 4 Steps:

1. READ the instructions carefully and focus on the task. Do what you have to do – not more, not less! (1 min)

2. PLAN you answer carefully using prompts, mindmaps, key words, etc. Make sure you didn’t forget anything and that your ideas must be structured logically. (8-10 mins)

3. WRITE your text using paragraphs (minimum 4), a good range of vocabulary, the correct style, linking words and a good level of grammar and spelling (18-22 mins)

4. REVISE your text: Read it again and make sure you get rid of as many mistakes as possible (grammar, word order, spelling). (5-10 mins)

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Overview of the different Tasks:

(A) ESSAY (compulsory) (Erörterung, Aufsatz)

The essays are about various everyday topics. The idea is that you bring across various arguments (pro and con arguments if necessary) and ideas (based on different aspects/perspectives related to the topic). It is also important that you express your own opinion. Make the text interesting, lively and attractive so that the reader is engaged to read your text (this specifically includes a good title and introduction). Maybe use a rhetorical question to engage the reader.Structure you text systematically using linking words and paragraphs. Your text should have an introduction with makes the reader want to read your text and it should have a conclusion at the end. Make sure you use a semi-formal style.

The Method1 paragraph = 1 argument

1 argument = 1 topic sentence, details/explanation and example/closure

red topic sentence

yellow explanation of topic sentence / details regarding statement

green example / closure

(B) LETTER (email, informal letter, (semi)formal letter, letter of application) (Brief, Email, Geschäftsbrief, Bewerbung)

There are various types of letters you will have to write. It is based on the instruction if your text must be informal (writing to a friend), formal (a business letter or an application). Therefore it is extremely important to carefully read the instructions and find out who you are writing to and which style you will have to use!Structure your letter using linking words and paragraphs. Make sure you use correct forms of address and salutations.

(C) ARTICLE (Zeitungsartikel)

An article is a text that informs and/or entertains the reader. Some articles are more formal, others are more informal, depending on the target reader (newspaper, youth magazine, etc.). Therefore it is important to find out who your reader is, so that you can adapt your writing style accordingly. Make the text interesting, lively and attractive so that the reader is engaged to read your text (this specifically includes a good title and introduction). Maybe use a rhetorical question to engage the reader.An article is usually written in a semi-formal, natural style. Structure your article appropriately so that it is easy for the reader to follow you. Use linking words and paragraphs to do this. Make sure you use appropriate vocabulary and precise expressions to make clear what you want to express. (Writing style is similar to the Review)

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(D) REVIEW (Kritik, Rezension)

A review analyses a movie/book/piece of art/disco/music album/event... and it gives more information on the topic to the reader. A review is based on facts, but it is also written in an attractive way, so that the reader is both informed and entertained. A review should include various aspects, factors and perspectives. At the end of the review, the writer must his own opinion and/or give a recommendation.A review is semi-formal and natural in writing style and it must be clearly structured in paragraphs, using linking words and a clear logic. Make sure you use appropriate vocabulary and precise expressions to make clear what you want to express. (Writing style is similar to the article)

(E) STORY (freie Erzählung, Fortsetzung einer Geschichte)

The story that you write should entertain the reader, it should be interesting and easy to follow. The text should be creative on the one hand, but also logical in structure and very well-planned on the other hand. Only choose this writing task when you have a very clear idea what you would like to write.Usually the writing style is semi-formal to informal and your text should be well-structured using paragraphs and linking works. Make sure you use lively vocabulary and precise descriptions of people, places, feelings etc. The text may include direct speech. It must be written in the past (using past simple, past continuous and past perfect).

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Useful Expressions for the different Tasks:

(A) ESSAY

Making pointsMany people feel that ... Some people say that…First and foremost, It is often said that…It is widely believed that ... To clarify the point…It would be ideal if ... Another argument in favour is ...It is clear from the facts that ... The benefits of ... outweigh the disadvantages.There is no doubt that… According to research…A further (dis)advantage is… For instance…Scientists/Experts argue that…

Contrasting pointsOn the other hand ... However, we should not forget that…Other people think ... However, there is also a strong argument for…An opposing argument is ... Although it is true that…

Giving opinionsI personally feel that ... From my point of view/In my view…I find it hard to see why ... It seems to me that…I certainly don't believe that ... I also feel that…It is difficult to believe that ... To sum up/In conclusion…I object to …. On the whole, I think ...I must admit that… You may not agree, but I think that…To be honest…

Organising and linking your ideasFirst of all, … Secondly, … In addition, … So … As a result, … Therefore, …Moreover, … Furthermore, … However, … On the one hand … on the other hand … On the whole …, all in all…Finally, … To summarise, … In conclusion

(B) LETTER

INFORMAL LETTER

Dear (first name),

Thank you/Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard.I’m sorry I haven’t written/been in touch for such a long time. / It’s ages since I’ve heard from you.

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Listen, did I tell you about … You’ll never believe what …/ This is just to let you know that …I thought you might be interested to hear about/know that … / By the way, have you heard about/did you know that …

I’m having a party on Friday 19th and I hope you’ll be able to come.I was wondering if you’d like to …. / Could you let me/us know if ...Thank you very much for your invitation. I’d love to come. / Thank you for asking/inviting me to … but I’m afraid I won’t be able to …

I’m writing to ask for your help. / I was wondering if you could do me a favour.I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly) …?I’d be very/really/terribly grateful if you could …

Why don’t you …? / Maybe you could …? / How about …?I’m sure you will enjoy doing… / If you like, we can …

Give my love/regards to … Say hello to … Hope to hear from you soon.See you soon! Write soon. Once again, thank you for all your help.

Love, / Lots of love, / Yours, / Best wishes,First name

FORMAL LETTER

Dear Mr/Ms (surname), Dear Sir/Madam/Sir or Madam,

I am writing to …I am writing with regard to … / I am writing concerning…I am writing on behalf of …

I would be grateful if … / I wonder if you could …I would particularly like to know … / I would be interested in having more details about …

I am writing to complain about …

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.I look forward to hearing from you/to meeting you soon.Please contact me if you have any further questions.

(If Dear surname) Yours sincerely,(If Dear Sir/Madam) Yours faithfully,First name + surname

LETTER OF APPLICATION

Dear Mr/Ms (surname), Dear Sir/Madam/Sir or Madam,

I am writing to apply for the post/position of … as advertised in …I am writing with reference/in response to your advertisement, which I saw …

I gained some experience while …I am currently working as … / At the moment I am employed by …

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I have been working for … for the last four years.I worked part-time for three years as …My qualifications include … / I have a diploma in … / I graduated from … with a degree in …Please find attached my CV / As you can see from the attached CV …

Please do not hesitate to contact me if/should you require further information.I look forward to hearing from you.I am available for interview at your convenience.

(If Dear surname) Yours sincerely,(If Dear Sir/Madam) Yours faithfully,Yours,First name + surname

(C) ARTICLE

Rhetorical phrases:Have you ever…?What would think if…?Are you one of those people who…?What would life be like if…?Would you also agree if…?

see “Essay” for more useful expressions

(D) REVIEW

The … I would like to review is…It is about… / It has to do with… / It mainly focuses on…Its main power/magic/strength lies in…Its main weakness is…

I was shocked/surprised/glad/thrilled/fascinated/amazed/bored/…It was terrible/awful/emotional/thrilling/captivating/dull/superficial/…

I would recommend … to everyone who…Although I enjoyed it, I wouldn’t recommend it because…It’s one of the most…I would (not) encourage anyone to…I would not hesitate to recommend…

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