2. 0. General introduction - all types of compositions & parts of the exam
1. Part 1 - An essay
2. Part 2 - A formal email
3. Part 2 - A review
4. Part 2 - A proposal
5. Part 2 - An informal letter
6. Part 2 - A report
7. Part 2 - An article
Writing guide: Table of contents
3. 0. Writing guide - general introduction
•An essay
•A report
•A formal letter /email
•A proposal* *only C1
• An article
•An informal letter / email
•A review
Types of compositions
Formal Informal
4. 0. Writing guide - general introduction
•The reader is typically a representative
of an institution
•Full verb forms (I am, do not, have not,
etc.)
•Passive voice
•Inversion
•Impersonal narrative (One, we, people)
•No slang or colloquial expressions
•No highly emotional language (excited,
terri
fi
ed, horrible)
•No direct personal references
references.
•The reader is typically a friend or a
colleague
•Short verb forms (I'm, You've, She's,
etc)
•Avoid using too much inversion or
passive voice
•Personal references and examples
•Use of emotional language
•Colloquial expressions are accepted
Language
Formal Informal
5. 0. Writing guide - general introduction
Parts of the exam
Part 1
One obligatory task
Part 2
One task to choose from 3 options
B2
B2
140 -190
words
•An essay
• An article
•An informal letter / email
•A review
•A report
•A formal letter / email
•A proposal (only C1)
C1
220 -260
words
C1
7. 1. Part 1 - An essay B2 40 min
Characteristics and skills
•Based on 2 points provided in the instruction
•+ 1 personal idea
•Formal register
•Academic language
•Providing and evaluating facts, reasons and opinions
•Analyzing a given issue from multiple perspectives
•Comparing and contrasting
•Agreeing and disagreeing
8. 1. Part 1 - An essay C1 45 min
Characteristics and skills
•Based on 2 contrasting points of view
•Formal register
•Academic language
•Providing and evaluating facts, reasons and opinions
•Analyzing a given issue from multiple perspectives
•Comparing and contrasting
•Agreeing and disagreeing
9. Part 1 - An essay
Types of essays
•A descriptive essay (describing a problem, process or situation)
•A discursive essay (analyzing the problem from various perspectives without
direct opting for any of them)
•An argument/ opinion essay (investigating a topic and offering a perspective)
The exam task does not specify the type of essay which the candidate should produce. Thus, the candidate must
analyze the task instruction carefully and decide which format would be appropriate.
10. Part 1 - An essay
Structure
Introduction
Argument 1
Argument 2
(Argument 3)
General introduction of the topic.
Presenting the problem which you
are going to discuss in general,
without revealing too much details.
Catching the reader's attention.
Further development of ideas:
arguments, reasons, opinions
consequences, examples
Drawing conclusions from what has
been said above and presenting
fi
nal personal statement / opinion.
Conclusion may also include
recommendations, future
predictions, suggestions.
Personal opinion and conclusion
11. Part 1 - An essay
Introduction - tips
Idea 1: Start from presenting a general truth. Present a well-known fact or a
commonly accepted opinion.
.... has been gaining popularity in recent years.
Most people would agree that ....
We live in a world where ...
... is of the most common topics of public discussion nowadays.
12. Part 1 - An essay
Introduction - tips
Idea 2: Include a contrasting opinion using a rhetorical question:
.... has been gaining popularity in recent years, however, does it mean we should ...?
Most people would agree that .... , but is it really the case?
We live in a world where ... . Therefore, what can be done to ... ?
... is of the most common topics of public discussion nowadays, but should we really ...?
13. Part 1 - An essay
Developing an argument - tips
Idea 1: The pyramid method: Start from a general idea. Provide more detailed
explanation in the second sentence. Finish the paragraph with an example or a
conclusion.
Working from home can be extremely time and energy ef
fi
cient. Since there is no need
to commute, employees gain at least 30 minutes every day for extra sleep or time with
their families. That results in them being well rested and more enthusiastic at work.
14. Part 1 - An essay
Developing an argument - tips
Idea 2: The snowball method: Start from an example or a particular situation. Provide
further conclusion in the second sentence. Finish the paragraph with a generalization.
It has been proven that workers who work from home are better rested more
enthusiastic at work. That may result from the fact that they have no need to commute,
which saves them long hours in traf
fi
c. Therefore, there is no doubt about the fact that
working from home is much more time and energy ef
fi
cient.
15. Part 1 - An essay
Conclusion - tips
Idea 1: Use a concluding and a contrasting linking word
Therefore, it can be said that although working from home has its drawbacks such
as distractions or the feeling of isolation, there is no doubt about the fact that
due to its convenience it is here to stay.
16. Part 1 - An essay
Conclusion - tips
Idea 2: Suggestions or recommendations
Therefore, despite all the disadvantages of working from home, it can be
concluded that the businesses who want to stay on the surface will need to adapt
to the modern standards. Similarly, workers who have not been exposed to
remote work before might need to change their lifestyle in order to stay relevant
on modern job market.
18. Part 2 - A formal letter
•A type of formal communication in business, public institutions, organizations, etc.
•Clear objective,e.g. requesting information or help, giving information or
directions, making a suggestion, making a complaint, apologizing
•Fixed structure and expressions
•Formal: describing, explaining, requesting, complaining, suggesting, apologizing
Always UNDERSTAND YOUR OBJECTIVE before you start writing!
Characteristics and skills
B2 40 min
B2
140 -190
words
C1
220 -260
words
C1 45 min
19. Part 2 - A formal letter
Structure
Dear ...(surname or title)
Background description of the problem /
situation
Suggest solutions / ideas
Explaining what type of action you expect
I am looking forward to your reply / a
positive solution of the problem.
Formal greeting and introduction:
State the purpose of your letter. You
need to specify whether you want to
ask for information, respond to a
job offer, apologize for an
inconvenience, complain about
service etc.
Give more details about the
issue. Present the situation,
suggest ideas of how the
situation could be solved or
improved, and specify what
type of action you expect from
the reader.
Formal closure - ONE SENTENCE
I am writing in order to ... (purpose)
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
Formal "goodbye"
20. Part 2 - A formal letter
Tips & Suggestions
•Remember to use formal language: full verb forms, no contractions, no colloquial
expressions, formal linking words
•Make sure that the reader understands what type of action you expect from them
•Follow the formal structure
22. Part 2 - A review
•An informal text
•factual information and opinion about something (e.g. a book,
fi
lm, place,
course, event...)
•Informative but entertaining
•Appears in magazines, blogs, websites, etc.
•Describing, giving opinions, evaluating
Characteristics and skills
B2 40 min
B2
140 -190
words
C1
220 -260
words
C1 45 min
23. Part 2 - A review
Structure
A catchy title
More detailed information about the
book,
fi
lm, etc...
Personal opinion
Reviews appear in magazines or on
websites. Therefore, you need to
attract the reader's attention by
using a catchy title, for example:
"Why you shouldn't waste your time
on Titanic 2 - Zombie apocalypse
Start from providing basic
information describing the book,
fi
lm
or place. Those could be: the date of
release, author, genre, main
characters, etc. In terms of a place:
the location, type of place, etc.
Basic information about the thing reviewed
Conclusion and recommendation
Summarize what you've said above
by giving a rating or a one-sentence
general impression. Say whether you
recommend this thing to others or
what could be improved.
Give more detail about the
reviewed thing.Say what you liked
and didn't like about it giving
reasons and arguments. Remember:
in case of a
fi
lm or book there's no
need to write a summary!
Present your personal opinion
24. Part 2 - A review
Tips & Suggestions
•Use informal and communicative language.
•Provide examples supporting your opinion
•Do not just describe: evaluate
•You don't need to stick to the facts 100%. (If you don't remember the date of the
release of a
fi
lm, you can make it up or give an approximate time)
26. Part 2 - A proposal
•Formal text
•The objective is to inform about an idea, product, service or issue and make a
suggestion / offer
•You need to convince or persuade your reader to your idea
•Fixed structure
•Describing, presenting ideas, persuading, suggesting
Characteristics and skills
C1
220 -260
words
C1 45 min
27. Part 2 - A proposal
Structure
Title, e.g. "Students' language exchange"
Introductory overview: key aspects
Your idea/ project description
Possible complications and solutions
Formal and purely informative
title
Formal introduction in which you
explain the purpose of writing
this proposal
The aim of this proposal is to...
As it can be inferred from this proposal…
It is highly advisable to…
In conclusion, this proposal demonstrates..
Conclusion, assessment,
recommendations, suggestions
Develop your idea in the main
body. Use between 2 - 4 short
paragraphs. Write a title for
each paragraph!
28. Part 2 - A proposal
Tips & Suggestions
•Use passive voice, avoid speaking in
fi
rst person
•Use conditionals, inversions, modal verbs
•Divide the information into paragraphs using titles or subtitles
•Use persuasive language: exaggerations, data & statistics, rhetorical question
30. Part 2 - An informal letter / email
•A letter to a friend or colleague
•Written to tell about a personal experience or problem
•Informal, natural language
•Describing an event or a problem, asking for advice, giving advice or suggestions
Characteristics and skills
B2 40 min
B2
140 -190
words
C1
220 -260
words
C1 45 min
31. Part 1 - An informal letter / email
Structure
Hi Susan,
How are you doing these days? I hope
you've passed all your exams. I'm writing
to tell you ...
Informal greeting starting from: Hi,
Hello, Dear.. + name of the
addressee
Catch up: show that you
already have some personal
connection with the addressee:
You can mention their exams,
holiday, new job, etc. Then,
explain why you are writing
the letter (informally).
Develop your ideas and give more
information about what you want to
communicate
As I told you before ...
And guess what!
So
fi
nally I've decided to ...
Here's what happened:
I can't wait to see you again!
Please let me know if you'd like to join me!
Love,
Talk soon,
Best wishes,
Closure: Invite the reader to
further correspondence
Informal and warm "goodbye"
32. Tips & Suggestions
•Informal greetings and goodbye
•First person narrative
•Use the
fi
rst name to address your email
•Use phrasal verbs and contractions
•Short spontaneous sentences, natural language
•Avoid in
fi
nitives and verbs from latin origin
Part 2 - An informal letter / email
34. Part 2 - A report
•A formal text
•Fixed structure
•A formal description or summary of something
•Informative: The aim of the report is to summarize the most important aspects of a
problem or an issue and present suggestions
•Describing, summarizing, presenting a problem, offering solutions
Characteristics and skills
B2 40 min
B2
140 -190
words
C1
220 -260
words
C1 45 min
35. Part 2 - A report
Structure
Title, e.g. "Students' language exchange"
Key aspects, e.g.: Problems with ...
(another key aspect, example:)
Reasons for ...
Formal and purely informative
title
Formal introduction in which you
explain the purpose of writing
this proposal
The aim of this report is to...
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to...
As it can be inferred from this report…
It is highly advisable to…
Conclusion, assessment,
recommendations, suggestions
Develop your idea in the main
body. Use between 2 - 4 short
paragraphs. Write a title for
each paragraph!
36. Part 2 - A report
Tips & Suggestions
•Stick to the standard structure
•Use passive voice and impersonal narrative, avoid speaking in
fi
rst person
•Use conditionals, inversions, modal verbs
•Divide the information into paragraphs using titles or subtitles
38. Part 2 - An article
•An informal text
•A format typical to blogs, websites, social media, etc.
•It must present facts and opinions in an attractive way
•Informative but entertaining
•Communicative and interactive language
•Presenting information, describing, summarizing
•Evaluating
•Agreeing and disagreeing
Characteristics & Skills
B2 40 min
B2
140 -190
words
C1
220 -260
words
C1 45 min
39. Part 1 - An article
Structure
Introduction
Argument 1
Argument 2
(Argument 3)
Title and general introduction of the
topic. Presenting the problem which
you are going to discuss in general,
without revealing too much detail.
Catching the reader's attention.
Further development of ideas:
arguments, reasons, opinions
consequences, examples
Presenting personal opinion of what
has been said above and drawing a
fi
nal conclusion. Conclusion may
also include recommendations,
future predictions, suggestions.
Personal opinion
Catchy title
Conclusion
40. Part 2 - A report
Tips & Suggestions
•Write a catchy title and a captivating introduction
•Use communicative and interesting language, e.g. phrasal verbs, idioms, proverbs.
•Give examples, make comparisons
•Write in 1st person narrative
•Address the reader per "you"
•Provide facts as well as opinions
