Writing Tips - Article and Competition Entry

Articles can be formal or informal depending on who your reader is. However, in the CAE
exam they are almost always informal and give you the opportunity to really show the
examiner that style that you have and all that language that you know. Imagine you are
chatting to the reader and, above all, make it interesting and entertaining.

As with all writing it will really help you to make a plan – note the main points you want to
make in each paragraph and impressive language / vocabulary you could include in that
section; then expand this into sentences, adding appropriate linking devices and
examples.

Remember that the first thing the examiner looks at when marking your work is that you
have answered all the points in the question, so read the task carefully and write down the
things it says you must include. (This may sound simple but you'd be surprised by the
number of people who get low marks for this reason, although their article is full of
fantastic language and vocabulary.)

Main features of an Article

1. An imaginative title – e.g. 'Scoring that goal', 'Lights, camera, action!', 'She's the
one', 'Logging on'
2. The first sentence should make the reader interested in the article and want to
read on.
3. Answer all the points required in the task. This could be the difference b+etween
passing and failing.
4. Direct everything at the reader – so make sure you're clear on who that is.
5. One or two rhetorical questions can give your article a great style ( but ensure
they are appropriate and don't use too many as it will then sound unnatural ).
6. Use a good range of appropriate vocabulary and some informal expressions or
phrasal verbs.
7. Use different types of sentences to avoid it becoming boring, eg. Cleft sentences,
participle clauses.
8. Ensure that it is easy to read and each thing follows on from the previous one by
using linking devices (but don't be over formal ).
9. The last paragraph should leave the reader with something to think about and
relate back to the introduction. Some writers like to finish with a question.
10. Read the finished article to look for places which don't connect well, sentences
which are difficult to understand and grammar, spelling and punctuation errors and
make some final adjustments.

Competition Entry

These are articles but you need to include one or two sentences in which you say why
your entry should be considered and persuade the reader that you deserve to win the
prize / competition. This is usually done in the last paragraph but you could also mention it
in the introduction if you wished.