In order to write a good article you should remember the following:

Key points

• Note what type of publication the article is to appear in – for example, an international travel magazine for adults would require a neutral or formal register, whereas a college magazine aimed at teenagers could be written in a very informal register.

• Make sure the register you use is consistent throughout the article.

• Remember to include an appropriate title.

• Introduce your topic in the opening paragraph.

• Be as clear and informative as possible.

• Engage the reader’s interest throughout.

Follow stages 1-5 to write your article.

Stage 1 Read

• Who is going to read this article?

• Will the readers want lots of factual information, or are they going to read for entertainment and pleasure?

• How formal or informal do you think this article will need to be?

Stage 2 Think

• Decide whether you basically agree or disagree with the issue you are writing about.

• Think of the examples that support your views. Where possible, think of real people, places or events you know.

• What information must you include in the main body?

Stage 3 Plan

• Plan the main topic areas that you are going to discuss. You could follow this pattern:

- Give the article a title.

- Introduce the subject.

- Outline opposing views.

- Discount opposing views.

- Give your opinion and supply supporting information.

- Conclude.

Stage 4 Write

• Remember that you will be given credit for a wide range of vocabulary. You could achieve this in part by including a few idiomatic expressions that you know.

• What would be a suitable way to end your article?

Stage 5 Check

• Read the article again. Have you made your opinions clear to the reader?

• If you have included a piece of direct speech from a character, check that the punctuation is correct.

Now read the rubric and write your own article.

The University where you are studying has asked you to write an article for new students, to be published in the newsletter. In your article, you should point out two or three things students should expect from university life and give suggestions as to the best ways of dealing with them.

• OVERVIEW

For self-assessment you are advised to do the following activities.

1. Vocabulary in use

1. Read the passage and choose A, B, C or D to fill each gap.

The American professor Howard Gardner is best known in educational circles for his theory of multiple intelligences, and his questioning of the (1)…….. of the notion that there exists one single human intelligence that can be assessed (2)………..by standard psychometric instruments. In his ground-breaking book “Frames of mind”, Gardner (3)……….the concept that every human possesses several distinct intellectual faculties, rather than a singe trait called “intelligence”, (4)………..with its own way of developing and operating. Individuals vary in the degree to which they possess these different forms of intelligence; some people may show a dominance of linguistic, musical or logical mathematical intelligence, whereas others may be more (5)………. at tasks requiring spatial or interpersonal intelligence (i.e. social skills). The implications of Gardner's work are particularly significant for educators as they highlight the differences between learning styles and point the way towards (6)………….each individual's potential to the full.

1. A right B validity C exactness D authenticity

2. A tidily B truly C definitely D precisely

3. A meets B introduces C enlists D conducts

4. A all B each C every D any

5. A able B capable C suited D adept

6. A developing B increasing C growing D enlarging

2. Read the passage and choose A, B, C or D to fill each gap.