WRITING

PART 1. ESSAY (Formal register)

1. Introduction (Do not express your opinion)

2. Promp 1 development + reason

3. Promp 2 development + reason

4. Promp 3 development + reason (Your own idea)

5. Conclusion (+ opinion)

You must include:

Direct-indirect questions / No phrasal verbs / Passive / Conditionals

LINKING WORDS AND PHRASES:

To show purpose: to / in order to / so as to / so that /There are those wo say that / It is often said
that / A common opinion is that / A popular belief is that / It can be argued that / It is generally
accepted that

To show a sequence: First of all / then / after that / eventually / in the end / finally

To list ideas: Firstly / secondly / finally / In the first place / Lastly

To contrast ideas: However / although / in contrast / whereas / but / nevertheless / in spite of /

despite / By contrast

To describe a cause: Because / since / as / due to

To add information: In addition / moreover / what is more / besides / too / furthermore / Apart from
this / Additionally

To describe a consequence: Consequently / as a result / therefore / so / thus / for this reason / that is
why

To conclude the topic: In conclusion / to sum up / in short / all in all

To express personal opinions: In my opinion, I believe (that) / I feel (that) / it seems to me / in my

view /as I see it I think / personally / I tend to believe that / I would argue that / Naturally / Evidently

Explaining opinions: What this means is / In other words / That is to say / To be more precise / In fact

Using examples to explain: For instance / A good illustration of this is / If we take an example /
Evidence for this is provided by / We can see this when / One reason for this is / The immediate cause of
this / This has resulted in / As a result

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PART 2

1. FORMAL LETTER OR EMAIL (Formal / No contractions / Full verb forms)

1. Salutation
to apply for part-time or vacation work (application letter)
2. Opening
to apply for study or scholarship opportunity (application letter) 3. Main content
to complain about something (complaint letter) 4. Closing
5. Final salutation
to make suggestions about something
6. Sign your name
to request information (enquiry letter)

1. Salutation

If you know the name: Dear Mr Simpson / Dear Mrs Flanders. If you dont know the name: Dear Sir /
Dear Madam

2. Opening

I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus. [applying for a
scholarship]
I am looking for an outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply for the position of
hotel lifguard assistant which I say advertised in my university's student newspaper. [applying for a job]
I have seen your advertisement for the post / vacancy / job of advertised in the local newspaper on 16 June.
I am writing because I would like to apply for the job. [applying for a job]
I am the secretary of my college Science Club. I saw your advertisement for the exhibition "The Next 100
Years" and I am interested in organising a group visit. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about it.
[requesting information]
I am writing (in order) to complain about the advertisement for your new game. Having just played the game,
I realise that the advertisement is misleading. [complaint letter]
I am writing with regard to ... I am writing with reference to... I am writing in response to...
Thank you for /your letter of 9 May... /for your letter regarding...
In reply tor your letter of 8 May, ...

3. Main content (application letter) 4. Closing

#1 Opening (first paragraph)
#2 About you (age, where you live,
education-training and/or work experience
relevant to the job, languages ...)
#3 Reasons for applying (why you are
suitable for the job)
#4 Conclusion (availability for interview,
further questions, ... - if necessary)
5. Final salutation / 6. Sign your name
I look forward to hearing from you soon / I look forward to
receiving your reply
I look forward to receiving a full refund (in a complaint letter)
I would like to know what you are going to do about this situation
(in a complaint letter)
I would like to thank you in advance for this information (in a
enquiry letter -requesting information)
If you require/Should you need further information, please do
not hesitate to contact me/feel free to contact me.

Yours sincerely/ Yours faithfully

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2. INFORMAL LETTER OR EMAIL

1. Salutation
1. Salutation: Dear Ben, / Hi Ben,
2. Opening
3. Main content
2. Openings:
4. Closing
5. Final salutation
How are you? / How have the family been? / I hope you are well.
6. Sign your name
Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter / postcard.
It was good / nice / great to hear from you again.
I was so surprised to hear that...
Im sorry I havent written / haven't been in touch for such a long time.
Its ages since Ive heard from you. I hope you're well / you and your family are well.
How are things? / How are you? / Hows it going?

Referring to news / giving news Apologies

Great news about Glad to hear that Sorry
to hear about
Listen, did I tell you about ? Youll never
believe what
Oh, and another thing 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 ?
Invitations
Im / Were having a party on Friday 19th and I /
we hope youll be able to come.
Would you like to come / go to see Room With
a View with me at the weekend?
I was wondering if youd like to go to the
theatre / come on holiday with us.
Im writing to apologise for missing your party
but Im afraid I was with flu.
Im really sorry that I forgot to send you a
birthday card but I was busy with my new job.
Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck
Im writing to thank you for your hospitality / the
wonderful present.
It was so kind of you to invite me to stay with you.
I really appreciated all your help / advice.
Congratulations on passing your exams / your
excellent exam results!
I wish you good luck / Good luck in / with your
exams / your driving test / your interview.
Dont worry, Im sure youll do well / pass.
Do be on time, wont you, and dont forget to

Could you let me / us know if you can come / Requests

youd like to join us? Im writing to ask for your help / you (if you could
Thank you very much for your invitation. Id love do me) a favour.
to come. I wonder if / I was wondering if you could help me
Thank you for asking / inviting me to but Im / do me a favour.
afraid I wont be able to I hope you dont mind me asking but could you
(possibly) ?
Making suggestions and recommendations
Why dont you ? / Maybe you could ? / How Id be very / really / terribly grateful if you could
about ?
You cant leave New York without (...doing sth)
Im sure you will enjoy (...doing sth). If you like,
we can
3. Main
Do visitcontent:
... / Dont forget to ...
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You must use: Informal language / conditional sentences / perfect and continuous tenses / indirect
questions / phrasal verbs / contractions / question tags / Connectors.

To introduce a topic: Well, you'll never guess who I bumped into yesterday. / I know how much you love tennis,
so I've got us some tickets to Wimbledon. / By the way, did you know that John's got a new job?

To go back to a previous topic: Anyway, as I was saying earlier, I really wasn't very happy there. / Now where
was I? Oh yes, I nearly forgot, Mary asked me tell you about the cinema.

To introduce surprising or bad news: Actually, he came to the party after all. / I'm really sorry but I can't make it.
/ To tell you the truth, I don't really like sports much.

To summarise what you've already said: Anyway, we had a really nice time in the end. / Well, to cut a long story
short, we didn't get there on time.

4. Closing:

Give a reason why you're ending the letter: Anyway, I must go and get on with my work! / I guess it's time I
got on with that studying I've been avoiding.
Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact: Give my love / regards to... / Say hello to... /
Anyway, don't forget to let me know the dates of the party. / I'll try and phone you at the weekend to check the
times. / We must try and meet up soon. / I can't wait to hear from you / Look forward to seeing you again / Hope
to hear from you soon / See you soon / Write soon

5. Final salutation

Closing statement such as Love, Lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes, should be written on a new
line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here too.

6. Sign your name

Signing of: Your first name then follows on another new line.

3. REVIEW is usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website.

1. Title
2. What + get reader interest
3. Opinion 4
4. Paragraph with details
5. Paragraph with details
6. Summarise + recommend
 WRITING

The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion

about something + Recommendation

USEFUL LANGUAGE

What I liked What I disliked Reviews of concerts

What I liked most was .. What I disliked most was .. artist / band / musician /
The thing I liked most was . I was disappointed by/with (bass/lead/rhythm) guitarist /
(backing/lead) singer / drummer /
I was pleasantly surprised by .. soloist / trio / orchestra
.. would appeal to .. Reviews of films auditorium / hall / venue / lyrics /
If you get a chance to . (As for fiction books +): (catchy) tune / score / gig
animation / adaptation / comedy
Reviews of exhibitions
painting / sculpture / Costumes / design / Reviews of TV programmes
handicrafts photography / script / special Chat shows / current affairs
effects / soundtrack programme / debate /
gallery / catalogue / display
lead role documentary / series / soap opera/
Reviews of books sitcom (situation comedy)
star role
Fiction: science fiction / thriller / Host / presenter
fantasy / mystery / historical / star
romance ... star actor/actress Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc
Non-fiction: cook book / travel starring location
book / textbook / manual / coffee- secondary role service
table book ...
He plays a . setting
main character
written by . attractive / disappointing setting
is set in
cast/director/producer owned by
atmosphere / plot
is set in .. run by
author
based on a true story .. head chef (restaurant)
written by
believable waiters (restaurant)
chapter
true to life staff .
factual
not very believable staff at reception .(hotel)
unbelievable
far-fetched hotel facilities .
bestseller
ending reasonable prices ..
ending good/excellent/poor value for
Criticism money ..
The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.
(a bit/somehow) expensive
The plot struck me as completely bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible
overpriced
The characters are appealing and true to life
not worth the money
The dancers were quite brilliant/amateurish
Recommendations always fully booked
Judging from this CD / show ...
book in advance
Overall, if you like ..., you'll love / you should ...
Although some of ... he/she/it's still a great...
You really must/should buy/see/read/visit ...
4. REPORT (To give some factual information and make suggestions or recommendations)
I would definitely recommend seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at ...

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You must: (Dividir los prrafos con ttulos)

Begin by stating the purpose of your report.

You may invent where you got the information.
Use a clear layout with:
o Headings.
o Lists of numbered points or bullets
Divide your report into sections according to the input.
Develop the ideas in the task input. Focus on a maximum of two points.
Give a clear summary of the situation and make a comment/suggestion only in the last paragraph.
Use an impersonal, semi-formal style.

Useful language:

Stating the purpose of the report (paragraph 1)

The main aim/objective/purpose of this report is to ...

Describing how you got the information (paragraph 1)

To prepare for this report, I conducted interviews with... / I visited three of the most popular... I discussed the
issue with...

Reporting your results (paragraphs 2, 3, ...)

According to ...

All those who were interviewed believe that/are concerned that... / It is thought that... / It was commented
upon by a number of people we talked to that...

A cause of dissatisfaction was...

Presenting a list
The arguments against ... are the following:
The following were the main reasons given for supporting ...: firstly, ..., secondly, ...

Points mentioned in favour of/against ... were:

There are several ways in which ... might be ... :

Making recommendations (Last paragraph)

Taking all the factors mentioned into account...

I would therefore recommend ....

Clearly, more could be done to .... I would make the following recommendations: