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CPE Writing Guide: Essays and Articles

Part 1 requires candidates to write an essay summarizing and comparing the main ideas from two short texts of approximately 100 words each. The essay should have an introduction, separate paragraphs summarizing each text and drawing the main ideas, and a conclusion with the candidate's own ideas. Part 2 involves writing one of four text types: an article, letter, report, or review. The article focuses on language sophistication and engaging the audience. The report uses an impersonal tone, passive structures, and subheadings. The letter is formal with a suitable opening/closing. The review balances information and opinion through rhetorical questions and specialist vocabulary. Candidates are advised on structure and style for each text type.

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888 views3 pages

CPE Writing Guide: Essays and Articles

Part 1 requires candidates to write an essay summarizing and comparing the main ideas from two short texts of approximately 100 words each. The essay should have an introduction, separate paragraphs summarizing each text and drawing the main ideas, and a conclusion with the candidate's own ideas. Part 2 involves writing one of four text types: an article, letter, report, or review. The article focuses on language sophistication and engaging the audience. The report uses an impersonal tone, passive structures, and subheadings. The letter is formal with a suitable opening/closing. The review balances information and opinion through rhetorical questions and specialist vocabulary. Candidates are advised on structure and style for each text type.

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MaríaMadrid
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Part 1 - Essay
  • CPE Writing Overview
  • Part 2 - Article
  • Part 2 - Report
  • Part 2 - Letter and Review

CPE WRITING

Part 1: an essay; candidates are required to base their answers on two texts, each
approximately 100 words
Part 2: an article, a letter, a report or a review. There is one text of no more than 70
words. The texts will be based on a variety of authentic, contemporary sources.

WRITING TYPES:
PART 1:
ESSAY: compulsory
-2 short texts; extract main ideas + conclusion
-corpus: introductory text, text1 summary, text2 summary, own ideas/conclusion
TITLE: creative
INTRO: The text considers the role of./ Both texts identify a.
Use your own
TEXT1: The first views /positively, negatively, drawbacks
words when
TEXT2: In contrast, the second text raises the issue of
summarising
OWN IDEAS
CONCLUSION
*Clear organization, logical sequence of ideas
ADVISE:
-Refer to the 4key points clearly in your answer
-Introduce the main argument at the outset
-Include ideas of your won that are relevant.
-Organise your ideas in logical paragraphs
-Make sure your argument is coherent
- Include an effective conclusion
-Use a variety of sentence openers and linkers
-Write in an unmarked register, using an impersonal tone.
-Use your own words wherever possible
Generalising

Specifying

-It is often said


that
-It is usually the
case that
-People tend to
regard
-The reality is
that

-From the
classical
performers
point of view
-X is seen as...
-In terms of X
itself
-As far as X is
concerned

Raising an
argument
-Considering
-On the question
of
-No one would
dispute

Giving one
side
-One argument
in favour of
this is
-In support
of
-It is true
that

Giving the
other side
-At the same
time
-In actual facts
-On the other
hand
-In contrast to
-Set/Weighed
against this is
-This is not to say
that

Introduction
-Nobody can
deny
-This essay
argues
-The text
considers
3RD PERSON

PART2:
1. ARTICLE:

Considers aspects of style and ways of holding the readers


attention. It focuses on sophistication of language and writing an
article for specific audience. TITLE

ADVISE:
-Read the question carefully to decide on an appropriate style.
-Think of a title that will be suitable for the readership
- Plan the content of your article before you start writing
- Decide whether it is appropriate to use headings for the various sections of the
article
- Include an introduction that outlines the articles coverage and ties in with
the title
- Order the paragraphs logically, following your plan.
-Make sure your ideas are expressed effectively and are well linked.
- Summarise your main idea in a conclussion
- Use a range of structures in complex sentences
- Demonstrate your knowledge of vocabulary to the full.
- Check your answers for any slips you have made in spelling or grammar.
2. REPORT: Impersonal language, neutral tone.
Passive structures
Sub-headings and other organising devices such as bullets you will make
your own report easier to read.
ADVISE:
-Make a detail plan: brainstorming, bubble map
-Draft sub-heading for each section
-Add bullets when listing information
-Signpost the information clearly
-Write in a neutral and impersonal style
-Include passive structures
-Use a range of relevant vocabulary.
1. Heading: mini titles
2. Bullet points
3. Signposting expressions
3. LETTER: This will be formal in register and the target reader may be the editor of a
newspaper or magazine. You are not expected to include postal addresses
but the letter should be paragraphed and have a suitable opening and

close.

ADVISE:
-Read the questions carefully to understand the scenario.
-Think about the purpose of your letter what should it achieve?
-Use a suitability polite tine for the target reader specified.
-Write in a consistently formal register
-Use suitable paragraphing and a range of cohesive devices
-State your reason for writing at the outset
-Begging: Dear Sir or madam, to whom may it concern; ending, yours faithfully.
4. REVIEW: book, film, TV programme, concert, media event.
ADVISE:
-Provide a balance info & opinion
-DONT describe the whole plot
-Introduce opinions via linkers
-Use rhetorical questions
-Show your range of vocab including specialist terms.
-Name the thing early in the review.
EXAM ADVICE FOR ARTICLES AND LETTERS:
-Decide on an appropriate style and tine for your L or A
-Spend a few minutes thinking about the angle to take.
-Make a list of possible ideas.
-Order these ideas logically and to best effect.
-Note down relevant vocabulary and expressions.
-Include rhetorical questions to preface opinions.

CPE WRITING Part 1: an essay; candidates are required to base their answers on two texts, each approximately 100 words P
PART2: 1. ARTICLE: Considers aspects of style and ways of holding the reader’s attention. It focuses on sophistication
close. ADVISE: -Read the questions carefully to understand the scenario. -Think about the purpose of your letter

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