TYPES OF WRITING

1. A(AN) (JOB) APPLICATION

Type: formal
Conveying a positive image of yourself without appearing over-
confident or arrogant
Avoid basic mistakes

Useful language:
I am writing to apply for the post of …
I have recently graduated from …., where I completed a degree in …
I have some relevant experience.
I have a high level of spoken English.
My tasks have included dealing with clients by phone.
I would welcome the chance to be part of such a high profile company.
If you require any further information, I would be happy to provide it.
I look forward to hearing from you.

TIPS:
Use appropriate sentences to open the letter
Organize the main body of the letter into clear paragraphs
Use a suitable style
Use formal vocabulary, e.g. require instead of need
Use the conditional sentences, for example: I would welcome the
chance (not I want …)
Be careful not to sound arrogant.
Use the appropriate closing.

PARAGRAPGHS:
Introductory sentence to write why you are writing
P1: Give personal information including skills and qualifications
P2: Talk about any relevant experience you have
P3: Explain why you think you would be suitable for the job
Write a closing sentence
2. AN ARTICLE

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

Getting and keeping reader’s attention.
Using rich a precise vocabulary
Having a clear structure that is easy to follow

Useful language:
Use some synonyms, e.g. these days, at present, today, nowadays …
Use richer vocabulary, e.g. hazardous adventure (instead of risky
adventure)
Use adverbs and adjectives.

TIPS
You should choose points that you could say something interesting
about, or where you can think of any interesting personal examples
There is no fixed structure but it’s important to have clear paragraphs.
Use discourse markers (linkers)
Use a suitable style, not too formal and not too informal.
Make the introduction reasonably short. You could use questions
which then you will answer in the article.
Try to engage the reader by referring to your personal experience.
Vary the vocabulary using synonyms where possible.
3. A REVIEW

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

Summarizing main events in the plot in a concise way
Using a wide range of the vocabulary
Expressing a reasonably sophisticated opinion.

Useful language:
My only criticism is that the plot is somehow / slightly / a little
implausible.
The last chapter (episode) is absolutely fascinating.
The end of the novel is rather / pretty / quite disappointing.
The denouement is absolutely thrilling.

TIPS
Choose a book or film that you know.
Organize your review into clear paragraphs
Use a suitable style, neither too formal nor too informal.
Give reader a brief idea of the plot but do not give away the whole
story.
Use a range of adjectives that describe as precisely as possible how
the book or film made you feel, e.g. gripping, moving etc.
Include both, praise and criticism.
4. A BALANCED ARGUMENT

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

Constructing argument on both sides
Writing effective introduction and conclusion
Using appropriate discourse markers to contrast and balance points

Useful language:
Expressing main points:
The greatest benefit is that …
First and most importantly, …
One disadvantage of … is that …
Another drawback of … is that …

Adding supporting information to the main argument

In addition …
What is more
Not only that, but …
Another point in favor of this …

Weighing up arguments
On the whole
On balance
All in all
All things considered

Refuting arguments
This may have been true in the past but nowadays …
There a number of flaws in this argument.

TIPS
Use neutral or formal style
Write a clear introduction which engages the reader. You could end
the introduction with a question you are going to answer.
An essay is not just a list of ideas and opinions. Link your ideas into a
logical sequence. Use phrases to order, contrast and weigh up the
points in the argument.
Make sure your conclusion is a summary of what you have previously
said and refers back to what you were asked to write about.
5. A REPORT

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

Making sensible recommendations based on your observations
Being clear and concise
Organizing your report under headings

Useful language:

Start with: The aim of this report is …

Expressions for generalizing
In general ..
Generally speaking …
It is generally considered / thought …
The general view is that …
Overall, …
Making suggestions:
We suggest …
It would be advisable …
We propose …
I strongly recommend …
It would be preferable for … to …

TIPS
Look carefully at who the report if for and what they need to know.
Decide what the sections of the report ae going to be and think of
headings for them.
Use an appropriate professional style, avoiding very informal
expressions.
In the introduction state what the aim of the report is
For each paragraph state the situation (strengths and weaknesses)
and make a recommendation
If in an exam you’re going some information, try not to use the same
words.
Use a variety of expressions for generalizing and making suggestions.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ARTICLE AND ESSAY

https://www.bestcustomwriting.com/blog/essay-and-article-writing-what-
are-the-differences
6. A PROPOSAL

https://www.caeexamtips.com/blog/how-to-write-a-cae-proposal

What exactly is a proposal?

A proposal starts by describing the situation in a business, school, club, or

other organisation you might be part of. For example, you might have to
talk about the computer room in your college or the state of the canteen in
your office. Sounds like a report, doesn't it? Well so far it's pretty similar.

The difference between a report and a proposal is that in the latter we

have to give recommendations on improving the situation.

You have to persuade whoever is reading the proposal to make the

changes you think are best.

So:

describe a situation
say how you think it could be better
try to convince someone you are right

You should use headings, and have an intro and conclusion.

Proposal is more personal than a report.

https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Proposal

Don't: write a summary obvious to anyone in the field.

Do: show that you've conducted in-depth research and evaluation to
understand the issue.

Don't: forget to comply with all requirements in the RFP (request for
proposal) document.
Do: go above and beyond the minimum whenever budget allows.

Don't: overuse jargon, obscure abbreviations, or needlessly complex

language ("rectification of a workplace imbalance").
Do: write in plain, direct language whenever possible ("letting employees
go")

Don't: rely solely on generic appeals to emotions or values.

Do: tie the issue to the audience's interest or mission statement as directly as
possible.

Don't: include objectives that are vague, impossible to measure, or don't

relate to the stated problem.
Do: detail responsibilities and time commitments on the level of
departments or individual staff.

http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/writing/how-to-write-a-proposal.html

A proposal needs to contain basic information such as:

Why are you doing this project

What will you be doing
How will you be doing it
What does your customer want
How long will it take
How much will it cost

In addition to this basic information, a carefully worded summary that

specifies exactly what the customer wants is a great way to start the
proposal. It will be the customer’s first impression, so write it last

7. A LETTER TO EDITOR

A letter to editor is more or less like an article, the outline, though is slightly
different.
In this link you’ll find an example:
http://cpesamplewritings.blogspot.com.es/p/how-to-write-letter-to-
editor.html

Link to some tips on formal letters:

http://cae-tips.blogspot.com.es/2011/03/writing-task-formal-letter.html

8. A LETTER OF REFERENCE

In the following link you’ll find an example:

https://aprobarelcae.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/reference_letter/
MORE TIPS:

WRITING TIPS

1.-Writing a composition
a- Choose the topic of the composition you wish to write.
b- List all the ideas that you can think of connected to that topic.
c- Choose the main idea and write your topic sentence from
it.(First paragraph=introduction)
d- Underline two supporting ideas and write the body of your
composition.(Your next paragraphs= ‘the middle’, where the
‘meat’ goes)
e- Paraphrase the topic sentence to conclude the composition
(Last paragraph: conclusion/summary)

2.- Logical order

It is important to put your ideas into a logical order, for example,
chronological order, comparison and contrast or cause and effect. Each
kind of order has its own special words and phrases which show how the
ideas link together.

3.- Writing a full sentence

Always remember to check you have written a full sentence and not
just part of one. A full sentence must contain one main clause. Pay
attention to conjunctions and connecting words, they often introduce
subordinate clauses only. Look at the examples below:
Because the food was very bad in the restaurant. (a
subordinate clause, not a full sentence)
Because the food was very bad in the restaurant, we refused to
pay the bill. (a full sentence)
For instance, the price of a meal in a fast-food restaurant (a
subordinate clause which needs a main verb)
For instance, the price of a meal in a fast-food restaurant is
relatively cheap today. (full sentence)

4.-‘Choppy’ sentences
Students often write ‘choppy’ sentences, that is, sentences that are
too short and simplistic. It is considered poor writing style to use short
sentences all the time. The solution is to use conjunctions and connectors to
from more complex sentences.
Some students study at private schools. Some students study at
government schools.
 Some students study at private schools while others study at
government schools.
I will have to buy a computer soon. I am going to study
computers at university.
I will have to buy a computer soon because I am going to study
computes at university.

5.- Adjectives and adverbs

You can expand a basic sentence by adding adjectives and
adverbs. The use of adjectives and adverbs will add interest and variety to
your writing. Remember not to use the same adjective or adverb too often.

6.- Using expressions

Using certain expressions can improve the style and quality of your
writing. Some expressions also act as connectors and link ideas together.

7.- Paraphrasing
One of the keys to writing a good summary is the ability to
paraphrase the main idea in your own words. Remember that we often
paraphrase a text when we answer a comprehension exercise. Always
check your grammar when you paraphrase.

8.- Using personal experience

Very often our personal experience influences our opinion. Therefore,
we can use it in an essay to support our argument. Describing a personal
experience can help to persuade the reader to agree with your point of
view.

9.- Organization
One way of writing an argumentative composition is to present all the
similarities first and then all the differences, or all the advantages and then
the disadvantages- and to close the composition with a concluding
comment. Another way is to make the comparison point by point
throughout the composition.
10.- Formal and informal words
Use formal or informal language according to the kind of writing you
have to do; for instance, you can choose from the word money (informal)
or financial (formal), tell (informal) or inform (formal).

11. Proofreading: Before submitting your contribution, look for grammatical

and spelling errors (a spell-checker is recommended) and correct them.

12. Revising: Make sure everything flows smoothly.

REDUCED LIST OF CONNECTORS

Although/even though/ though

Contrast or opposing ideas
Comparison
Reason, cause and effect
Time and sequence
Result and consequences
Addition and example
Whereas, while, despite, in spite of,
but, yet, however, nevertheless, on
the one hand… on the other
(hand), in contrast to/contrary to,
unlike
Like, be the same as, similarly,
both, likewise
Because, since, as, because of,
due to, owing to, in order to, so
that/in order that
When, while, whenever, first of
all/firstly, secondly… finally, later,
next, in short, in conclusion
Therefore, consequently, thus, as a
result (of)
Moreover/ furthermore/ in addition
For example/for instance, such as,
as well (as), in addition to, also
SOME DOS AND DON’T’S

1. Check your text for concordance, i.e. plural / singular

Another people - wrong, other people – correct
He have a dog – wrong; he has a dog – correct
A fascinating people – wrong; fascinating people – right
This tables- wrong; these tables - correct
2. Use variety of tense, but be careful and don’t mix the past tenses with the
present tenses in the same sentence or even paragraph.
3. Do not use double subject, and don’t forget subjects, i.e is very nice –
wrong; it’s very nice – correct.
4. Do not translate from your mother tongue.
5. Use a variety of synonyms and antonyms. Use adjectives and adverbs.
6. Don’t make your sentences either too long or too short. Use variety.

GOOD LUCK!