FCE Writing an Article
FCE Writing Exam (part 2)
Articles
Articles in First Certificate are usually written for English magazines or newsletters. The main thing is to make your articles interesting to read, and to give your opinions on the topic.
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EngelsMiddelbare schoolvwoLeerjaar 2
This lesson contains 23 slides, with text slides.
Lesson duration is: 50 minItems in this lesson
FCE Writing Exam (part 2)
Articles
Articles in First Certificate are usually written for English magazines or newsletters. The main thing is to make your articles interesting to read, and to give your opinions on the topic.
Slide 1 - Slide
Frequently Asked Questions
Q - Do I have to use British spelling?
- A - No. You can use American spelling.
- Q - How important is spelling and punctuation?
- A - You aren't expected to be perfect, but if a mistake stops the reader from understanding what you want to say, that's quite bad.
Q - How important is the word count? What happens if I write too many words?
Slide 2 - Slide
Q - How important is the word count? What happens if I write too many words?
- A - If you do the task properly you will write the correct number of words. You won't lose marks if you write 5 words too many. Focus on writing what you have to write, and the word count will take care of itself. Don't waste time in the exam counting how many words you have written!
Slide 3 - Slide
FAQ
Q - My handwriting is terrible! Will I lose points?
A - Just make sure a human can read it - if you are very messy, write a little bit slower. If you usually end up with lots of things crossed out - you need to plan better!
Slide 4 - Slide
Today's lesson: Unit 2 - page 30 in Gold Experience
What is she doing?
Look at the photo on page 30
How does she feel?
How do you know?
How would you feel in the same situation?
Slide 5 - Slide
Today's lesson: Unit 2 - page 30 in Gold Experience
1. Are you interested in water sports? What type of activity would you like to learn when you are on holiday?
For example, "I like swimming but I'm not that good at it yet. I'd like to try surfing one day. .......
Slide 6 - Slide
Do exercise 2 very quickly!
In pairs: Think of some things that can make a holiday enjoyable, or can spoil it!
Good
Bad
Slide 7 - Slide
Exercise 3 (p30)
You are going to write your own article about a holiday.
- Read the task and underline what you have to do.
- Read the article: Have you ever experienced anything similar?
- Briefly write your own answer to this question and hand it to your partner.
Slide 8 - Slide
1. Look at the writing task and underline the points you MUST write about.
What do you need to include in this task?
- What are the best things that happened
- What are the worst things?
- Is it a holiday or a day trip
You see this notice in an English language magazine for teenagers.
Slide 9 - Slide
Exercise 4
Read the article again and copy any phrases that you think are useful for this type of writing.
- Can you find four good things about it?
Slide 10 - Slide
Exercise 5
You are going to read another article:
Read in pairs and find four things that are wrong with this article.
Slide 11 - Slide
We will continue tomorrow
Do exercise 6 and 7 ( page 31) for homework tonight please
Slide 12 - Slide
What do you think is the main purpose of an article?
Possible answers: (click to reveal)
- to interest and inform the reader
- to entertain the reader
- to use interesting language appropriately
Exercise 6:
Slide 13 - Slide
Exercise 7 : Linking Words
Concession
Though the weather was attrocious, we went for a picnic
We went for a picnic even though the weather was attrocious.
Although
Even though,
Though*
+
Clause
Slide 14 - Slide
Exercise 7 : Linking Words
Contrast
The weather was attrocious. However, we went for a picnic
The weather was attrocious but we went for a picnic
However,
Even so,
+
Clause
Slide 15 - Slide
Exercise 7 : Linking Words
Cause and effect (result)
It was a gorgeous day and so we went for a picnic
It was a gorgeous day, we went for a picnic
Since
As
*Because
+
Clause
Slide 16 - Slide
Exercise 8
exam tip: article, look at page 169
Use your personal feelings and opinions to make your article sound more interesting
Slide 17 - Slide
An article should have a title
Notice the adverbs. You will get higher marks if you use a range of vocabulary.
Instead or using the same word again, use different words with similar meanings. eg. shy - timidly
Good to have a small joke at the end!
Slide 18 - Slide
Tomorrow, you are going to write your own article to answer the writing task in exercise 3.
Before your write:
- decide on a title for your article which will encourage people to read it.
- decide how many paragraphs you need, the subject of each paragraph and write a short plan.
- think about some vocabulary you can use.
See slides 20-22 for extra tips.
Slide 19 - Slide
An article should have a title
Good things about your holiday
bad things about your holiday
Good to have a small joke at the end!
Use the template opposite to make a plan for your article.
You can bring it with you tomorrow!
Brief introduction
Slide 20 - Slide
Extra tips for an article
see the link on the following slide.
Slide 21 - Slide
https:
Slide 22 - Link
Common mistakes students make in articles
The language is too formal and more suited to essays. Avoid words like:
to sum up, some people say, nevertheless, on one hand etc.
They don't use quotes or examples
They either use not enough, or too many, questions. The questions, called rhetorical questions because they don't require an answer, shouldn't be more than one per paragraph.
Good examples are:
Have you ever ……..?
What do you think about ……..?
Are you one of those people who thinks that ……?
What would life be like if ……?
Will the future bring us ….. ?
