FS English Level 2 – April 15, 2023 (Writing : Articles).

1. Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills English
Level 2
Writing an article

2. Exam information
One of the tasks in the Writing Exam is to write an article.
Pearson Edexcel format requirements for an article is to include an
appropriate headline/heading to inform the reader what the article is
about.
Depending on the topic you are given to write about, you may have to
write an article to give information, to express an opinion, or to
persuade the reader of a particular point of view.

3. Level of formality
Articles are often formal, but this will depend on the topic you are
given to write about.
E.G. An article with a serious topic would be formal in language and
tone, whereas a more personal topic would be written in a more neutral
style (not overly formal nor overly informal).

4. Let’s look at an example of an exam writing task for an article...

5. Notice that the prompt box contains
six different viewpoints on the proposal
to ban cars and lorries from the town
centre.
Three viewpoints are in favour of the
traffic ban - three are opposed to the
ban.
You have to discuss the arguments
in favour of the proposed ban and
those against it.
You have to express your own
opinion on whether the proposed ban
should be put into action, and you have
to explain why you have this opinion.
Finally, you have to outline your own
ideas about how the town centre could
be improved.

6. Now let’s look at an example of a plan for the article writing task...

7. Audience - local residents
Register - formal
Short paragraph to introduce subject - recently attended public meeting -
proposal to ban cars and lorries from town centre - will discuss
advantages and disadvantages
Paragraph 1 - Against
cause problems for people getting to work or going to shops
will impact local businesses: staff late for work - local shops will
see takings decrease
public transport can be expensive - not always reliable
Paragraph 2 - For
benefits for pedestrians and cyclists - fewer cars = fewer accidents
cleaner air - less environmental pollution
people save money cycling or walking to work
less traffic congestion - big problem at the moment
Paragraph 3 - my opinion and why I have this opinion
more advantages than disadvantages
take action to minimise negative impact on local businesses
offer more bus services - reduce fares
more cycling lanes/walking routes
maybe a scheme for hiring bikes
Paragraph 4 - my ideas for other improvements to town centre
more benches for people to sit on
bring back Friday food market

8. Here is an exemplar response to the writing task from Pearson Edexcel...

9. Should we ban cars and lorries from the town centre?
Recently I attended a public meeting about a proposal to ban cars and lorries
from the town centre. In this article I will talk about the advantages and
disadvantages of the proposal.
The town centre is famous for its businesses and for the shops on offer.
Preventing people from travelling to the town by car will cause problems for
people trying to get to work or to the shops. This will have an impact on local
businesses as staff will frequently be late for work and local shops will see their
takings decrease.
However, there will be benefits for pedestrians and cyclists as it will be safer
for them because fewer cars will mean fewer accidents. The air will also be
cleaner to breathe for everyone and there will be less environmental pollution.
People will also be able to save money if they leave their cars at home and cycle
or walk to work instead. Finally, there will also be less traffic congestion and we
all know that this is a major problem at the moment.
I believe that the proposal should go ahead as the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages and that we should take actions to make sure that local people and
businesses don’t suffer. I would suggest offering more regular bus services and
reducing fares so that everyone can afford to take the bus. The council should
also introduce more bike lanes and walking routes and consider bringing in a bike
hire scheme.
We could also improve the town centre by introducing more seating areas and by
bringing back the Friday food market. This would encourage more people to come
into the town and find out what it has to offer.
An appropriate headline for the
article
A short paragraph to introduce the
subject of the article
The first bullet point has been
divided into two paragraphs to
make it easier to follow the
arguments for and against the
proposed traffic ban
Own opinion expressed
Ideas for improvement outlined

10. Now let’s take a look at what the Edexcel examiner said about the
response...

11. Should we ban cars and lorries from the town centre?
Recently I attended a public meeting about a proposal to ban cars and lorries
from the town centre. In this article I will talk about the advantages and
disadvantages of the proposal.
The town centre is famous for its businesses and for the shops on offer.
Preventing people from travelling to the town by car will cause problems for
people trying to get to work or to the shops. This will have an impact on local
businesses as staff will frequently be late for work and local shops will see their
takings decrease.
However, there will be benefits for pedestrians and cyclists as it will be safer
for them because fewer cars will mean fewer accidents. The air will also be
cleaner to breathe for everyone and there will be less environmental pollution.
People will also be able to save money if they leave their cars at home and cycle
or walk to work instead. Finally, there will also be less traffic congestion and we
all know that this is a major problem at the moment.
I believe that the proposal should go ahead as the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages and that we should take actions to make sure that local people and
businesses don’t suffer. I would suggest offering more regular bus services and
reducing fares so that everyone can afford to take the bus. The council should
also introduce more bike lanes and walking routes and consider bringing in a bike
hire scheme.
We could also improve the town centre by introducing more seating areas and by
bringing back the Friday food market. This would encourage more people to come
into the town and find out what it has to offer.
The candidate uses an appropriate heading
The candidate clearly explains what the
article will be about
Complex sentences used
The candidate uses organisational markers
such as ‘however’ and ‘finally’.
Complex sentences used
The candidate uses appropriate
language and register, e.g. ‘accidents’
and ‘environmental.’
The response is 283 words long. It isn’t
necessary for candidates to count
words, but they should practise writing
responses that meet the suggested
word count.
The candidate uses appropriate
language and register, e.g. ‘accidents’
and ‘environmental.’

12. To recap...
You must include a headline/heading for an article.
You may be asked to write an article to:
give information
express an opinion
persuade the reader (of a particular point of view)

13. Homework