3 Range and appropriacy of language

You will be assessed on the range of vocabulary and structures you use and the appropriacy of your language for the type of writing.

• Have you used a style and register appropriate to the task?

Check that you haven’t used language that is too formal or informal for the task and that you have been consistent. For example, you shouldn’t use features of informal language in a formal letter, report or proposal (see Register table Unit 4 p 62, correction of register mistakes Unit 3 page 47).

• Have you used a variety of structures and vocabulary?

Try to vary the way you start your sentences, by using participle clauses, inversions, etc, where appropriate.

4 Accuracy

You will be assessed on the range of grammatical structures you use and how accurate your writing is.

• Have you made any basic mistakes in grammar, spelling and punctuation?

Make sure that you check tenses and verb agreements – basic mistakes such as ‘he don’t’ and misuse of capital letter create a very bad impression. (See correction of mistakes Unit 1 page 19.)

5 Overall impression

• Is your writing interesting and enjoyable to read?

You will have a better chance if the examiner enjoys reading your work!

Be careful that you don’t:

• forget to answer the compulsory question in Part 1

• forget to use the input given in Part 1 as the basis of your answer

• include information that is not relevant to the question you are interesting

• use too many connecting words and phrases – they should be used when necessary, not in every sentence

• writ more than the number of words required

• take longer than one hour for each composition.

Your timing should be:

10 minutes thinking and planning

40-45 minutes writing

5-10 minutes checking

There is no advantage in taking one and a half hours over one answer and then only having 30 minutes for the second. You should spend an equal time on each answer.

A checklist for different task types

Part 1

All task types must use the given input as the basis of the answer, and the focus will be discursive.

An article is written for unknown readers often to raise issues or provoke thought.

• involve presentation and/or discussion of a point of view supported by evidence

• have an introduction which states the overall topic

• be divided into clear paragraphs according to the topic of each

• return to the question or round off the argument in the conclusion

• use a variety of structures and vocabulary to retain the reader’s interest

• use a style appropriate to the specified audience.

An essay is written for a tutor or a specific reader and is usually academic. It should:

• involve presentation and/or discussion of a point of view supported by evidence

• state the general position in the introduction and outline the frame of the essay

• be divided into clear paragraphs according to the topic of each

• return to the question and state the writer’s own opinion in conclusion

• use a formal style.

A proposal is written for a specific reader or readers, for a specific purpose and focuses on the future. It should:

• involve discussion of a situation and recommendations for future action, supported by evidence

• have an introduction giving background information to the current situation

• be divided into clear sections (possibly with headings) and topic paragraphs

• summarise the proposal in the final paragraph with recommendations

• use a formal style.

A letter may be personal (either formal or informal) or it may be written for publication in a magazine or newspaper. It should:

• involve presentation and/or discussion of a point of view with supporting evidence

• use appropriate phrases for the register and focus of the task (formal or informal)

• be divided into clear topic paragraphs

• make recommendations or call for action in the final paragraph

• begin and end appropriately.

Part 2

Answers will be more descriptive than discursive. The article, proposal and letter should follow the same guidelines as given for Part 1, but the answers will be more descriptive than discursive.

A report is written for a specific group of readers for a specific purpose and focuses on a past or present situation. It should:

• involve description of a past or present situation or event in an official context

• have an introduction giving background information

• be divided into clear section (possibly with headings) and topic paragraphs

• make recommendations or suggestions in the final paragraph

• use a formal style.

A review is written for unknown readers to give information about a place, film, book, etc. with evaluation and advice. It should:

• involve presentation of a point of view supported by evidence

• have an introduction which states the overall topic

• be divided into clear paragraphs according to the topic of each

• return to the question or give a final opinion or verdict in the conclusion

• use a variety of structures and vocabulary to retain the reader’s interest

• use a style appropriate to the specified audience.