Wk 36 - Writing Part 2

• newEditor
• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 4

Wk 36 - Writing Part 2

Everything is judged based on these parameters

Content

Focuses on how well you fulfilled the task

• Did you answer the questions fully?

• Did you write 140-190 words?

• Were all of the points relevant to the question?

Communicative achievement

Focuses on how appropriate your writing is to the task

• Is your writing easy to understand?

• Does the writing hold the attention of the reader?

• Format? (No sub-headings in an essay)

• Register (formal - semi formal)

Organisation

Focuses on the way you put your writing together

• Are the ideas well organised and well linked?

• Did you use appropriate paragraphs to organise and present ideas?

• Did you use discourse markers (Firstly, ....Secondly,..... As a result, etc.)?

Language

Focuses on grammar, vocabulary and range and accuracy

• Did you use a wide range of vocabulary?

• Did you use synonyms to avoid repetition?

• Did you use idioms?

• Did you spell and form the words correctly?

• Did you use a wide range of grammar structures?

 Article

- Purpose: Entertain & engage readers

- Tone: Informal/semi-formal

- Structure: Title → Introduction (hook) → Main body → Conclusion

 Letter

- Purpose: Communicate a message (formal/informal)

- Tone: Formal (polite, structured) / Informal (friendly, conversational)

- Structure: Greeting → Opening → Main body → Closing → Sign-off

 Report

- Purpose: Present factual information

- Tone: Formal, objective

- Structure: Title → Introduction → Sections with headings → Conclusion/Recommendations

 Review

- Purpose: Evaluate & recommend

- Tone: Semi-formal, engaging

- Structure: Title → Introduction → Main body (opinions) → Conclusion

Informal letter

Purpose of Informal Writing

Informal emails share news, give advice, respond to experiences, and make suggestions in a friendly way.

Informal Register Use

Use contractions and natural spoken expressions to maintain an appropriate informal tone.

Flexible but Clear Structure

Organize messages with greeting, opening, body paragraphs, and natural closing with informal sign-off.

Examiner Expectations

Ensure full task completion, avoid overly formal language, and use lively, authentic tone with paragraphing.

The informal email or letter is written to someone the writer knows well, such as a friend, family member, or classmate. Its main purposes include sharing news, giving advice, responding to experiences, or making suggestions in a personal and friendly way. From an examiner’s viewpoint, the most important feature of this text type is an appropriate informal register. Candidates are expected to use contractions such as “I’m” and “don’t,” as well as natural, spoken-style expressions like “It was great to hear from you” or “Guess what happened.” The structure is flexible but should still be clearly organised. A typical informal email begins with a friendly greeting, followed by an opening paragraph that refers to previous contact or explains the reason for writing. The main body usually consists of one or two paragraphs that address all points in the task, often with personal examples or opinions. The final paragraph should close the message naturally, for example by inviting a reply or mentioning future contact, and it should end with an informal sign-off such as “Best wishes” or “Take care.” To achieve high marks, candidates should ensure they answer every question in the task fully and avoid being too brief. At the same time, a common mistake is sounding too formal by using expressions like “I would like to inform you,” which are inappropriate in this context. Examiners also look for a lively, engaging tone that sounds authentic rather than memorised. Paragraphing, even in informal writing, remains important, as it helps the reader follow the message easily. Strong informal writing combines natural language with clear organisation and full task completion.

Formal letter

Purpose of Formal Writing

Formal letters and emails are used for official communication such as complaints, requests, and applications.

Polite and Conventional Tone

Use polite openings like 'Dear Sir or Madam' and avoid contractions, slang, or personal language in formal writing.

Clear Organisation

Present information logically with each paragraph focusing on a single main idea and use formal linking words.

Proper Closing and Sign-off

End with polite closing phrases and appropriate sign-offs like 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully'.

The formal email or letter is used when writing to someone the writer does not know personally, such as a company, organisation, or authority. Typical purposes include making a complaint, requesting information, applying for something, or giving formal feedback. Examiners expect a consistently formal register, which means avoiding contractions, slang, and overly personal language. The opening should be polite and conventional, for example “Dear Sir or Madam” when the recipient’s name is unknown. The first paragraph must clearly state the purpose of writing, often using phrases such as “I am writing to enquire about” or “I am writing in connection with.” The main body paragraphs should present information logically, with each paragraph focusing on a single main idea, such as explaining a problem or providing details. A formal letter or email usually ends with a polite closing paragraph that indicates what action is expected next, for example “I look forward to receiving your response.” The sign-off must also follow convention, using “Yours faithfully” when no name is given or “Yours sincerely” when the recipient is named. From an examiner’s perspective, clarity and politeness are essential. Candidates often lose marks by mixing formal and informal styles, for instance by starting formally but ending with an informal phrase. Strong answers demonstrate control of formal linking words such as “however,” “in addition,” and “as a result,” and maintain a respectful, neutral tone throughout. Accuracy is particularly important in formal writing, but complex language should only be used if the candidate can control it confidently.

Article

Purpose and Audience

Articles target broad audiences and use lively, personal styles to engage and interest readers effectively.

Structure and Organization

Clear paragraphs and linking expressions help present ideas logically and guide the reader smoothly through the text.

Style and Language

Use rhetorical questions, expressive vocabulary, and varied sentence structures to keep writing natural and engaging.

Effective Conclusion

Conclusions should leave a strong impression by summarizing key points or encouraging reader action.

Do not use subheadings

An article in the B2 First exam is usually written for a magazine, website, or school publication and is designed to interest and engage a broad audience. Unlike formal writing, articles allow for a more personal and lively style, often using rhetorical questions, direct address to the reader, and expressive vocabulary. The purpose may be to describe an experience, give an opinion, or explain why something is enjoyable or useful. A successful article typically begins with a catchy title and an introduction that immediately attracts attention, for example by asking a question or presenting a surprising idea. The main body is divided into clear paragraphs, each developing one aspect of the topic, such as benefits, problems, or personal experiences. Candidates are encouraged to include examples and opinions to make the article more vivid and convincing. The conclusion should leave a strong final impression, often by summarising the main point or encouraging the reader to take action. From an examiner’s point of view, articles should sound natural and enthusiastic without becoming too informal or disorganised. One common weakness is writing an article that reads like an essay, with overly formal language and no attempt to engage the reader. High-level responses show a good range of vocabulary, varied sentence structures, and a clear sense of audience. Organisation remains important, and linking expressions such as “for example,” “as a result,” and “in contrast” help guide the reader smoothly through the text.

Report

Purpose

A report is usually written for a teacher or authority figure and aims to present information clearly and make recommendations

Structure and Organization

It uses a formal or neutral register and often includes headings such as “Introduction,” “Findings,” and “Recommendations

Style and Language

Examiners expect reports to be impersonal, often avoiding the use of “I” and instead using structures like “It was found that” or “It is recommended that. Use the passive tense.  Much more formal. 

No conclusion, only recommendations

Within the conclusion, write opinions impersonally. 

Clear headings and bullet-point style paragraphs are acceptable and often encouraged, as they improve readability

Reports and reviews are two distinct text types in Writing Part 2, but both require clear organisation and purposeful language. A report is usually written for a teacher or authority figure and aims to present information clearly and make recommendations. It uses a formal or neutral register and often includes headings such as “Introduction,” “Findings,” and “Recommendations.” Examiners expect reports to be impersonal, often avoiding the use of “I” and instead using structures like “It was found that” or “It is recommended that.” Clear headings and bullet-point style paragraphs are acceptable and often encouraged, as they improve readability. A review, by contrast, is more personal and evaluative. It may focus on a book, film, restaurant, or place and should combine description with opinion. A strong review introduces the subject, describes key features, and then evaluates them, explaining what was good or disappointing and why. The conclusion should include a clear recommendation, indicating who would enjoy it and under what circumstances. From an examiner’s perspective, reviews must go beyond simple description and show balanced judgement, while reports must provide practical suggestions rather than vague comments. Candidates often lose marks by confusing the two styles, for example by being too personal in a report or too factual in a review. High-scoring answers demonstrate clear awareness of purpose, reader, and appropriate tone for each format.

Reviews

Purpose

A review is personal and evaluative. It may focus on a book, film, restaurant, or place and should combine description with opinion.

Structure and Organization

A strong review introduces the subject, describes key features, and then evaluates them, explaining what was good or disappointing and why. 

Conclusion

The conclusion should include a clear recommendation, indicating who would enjoy it and under what circumstances. 

 Report

- Purpose: Present factual information

- Tone: Formal, objective

- Structure: Title → Introduction → Sections with headings → Conclusion/Recommendations

 Review

- Purpose: Evaluate & recommend

- Tone: Semi-formal, engaging

- Structure: Title → Introduction → Main body (opinions) → Conclusion

 Article

- Purpose: Entertain & engage readers

- Tone: Informal/semi-formal

- Structure: Title → Introduction (hook) → Main body → Conclusion

 Letter

- Purpose: Communicate a message (formal/informal)

- Tone: Formal (polite, structured) / Informal (friendly, conversational)

- Structure: Greeting → Opening → Main body → Closing → Sign-off

Cambridge exam, you get given the choice to do one of three. 

Could be:

Article

Report

Review

Informal letter

Formal letter

Based on what you know now, what do you think you are going to write in your cambridge Exam?

1

Review

2

Report

3

Article

4

Informal letter

5

Formal letter

What would your second choice be?

1

Review

2

Report

3

Article

4

Informal letter

5

Formal letter

What would your third choice be?

1

Review

2

Report

3

Article

4

Informal letter

5

Formal letter

 Article

 Letter

 Report

 Review

Why do you think I asked these questions?