WRITING TIPS

Planning (5 min)
 Read the question well and make sure you understand what you are
asked to do in the task
 Write a simple scheme of your main ideas
 Think of useful vocabulary, expressions and connectors
 Consider if you have to write a formal/informal writing
 Make sure you know the structure of the writing

Writing

 Base your writing in your previous plan

 Make sure you include connectors, vocabulary…
 Think of useful grammar structures

Revision (5 min)
 You included everything in the question
 You’ve used a variety of sentence lengths
 The spelling is correct
 You haven’t repeated the same vocabulary too often
 REPORT
 What is a report?
A report, or report, is a type of writing in which a past event or experience
is analysed and will usually offer suggestions or recommendations for
improving that event or experience.
 Purpose of a report
In a report you analyse point by point a topic, and in general, you highlight
those relevant aspects both positive and negative, and offers
recommendations to improve the negative aspects.
 Linguistic register
Formal (neutral point of view, without contractions, no phrasal verbs,
inversions, could/would…)
 Opinion and recommendations
In general, in a report you don’t share your personal opinion, its an
OBJECTIVE writing. We should also include some recommendation to
improve.
 Common topics in a report
Excursions, things you can do in a city…

STRUCTURE REPORT
4 paragraphs with titles
Title
1. Introduction
2. Positive aspects
3. Negative aspects
4. Suggestions/recommendations

 The aim of this report is to present… / to analyse… 

 The purpose of this report is to outline… / to talk about…
 In this report, we will go over… / we will see how… 
EXAMPLE REPORT
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to outline the best and worst parts of our
club, which I gathered speaking to other members, as well as to
recommend improvements to the facilities.
The best aspects of the club
Most members seem to enjoy the swimming pool with it’s daily water
exercise classes and the opportunity to swim in 50-metre lanes. It also
appears that offering a child care programme is appreciated by the
majority of our members since many of them have families, but still would
like to use the facilities of the club.
The worst aspects of the club
According to most of the members I have spoken to, the café does not
meet their expectations with below-average food and slow service.
Another problem is the state of the gymnasium which, in general, is
avoided by many because of broken equipment and a lack of staff during
peak times.

Suggestions to improve the club’s facilities

Based on the findings of this report the best solutions seem to be to
improve the quality of the menu and the service at the café as well as the
maintenance schedule and number of staff at the gymnasium. If it is
decided to follow my recommendations, I am sure that the experience for
our members can be improved even more.
 ARTICLE
 What is an article?
An article is a very common type of text in everyday life. We can find
articles of all kinds in magazines, blogs, newspapers, etc.
 Purpose of a report
The goal of an article is usually to talk about a topic you like or are an
expert on. You also have to engage de reader in your writing.
 Linguistic register
Formal with informal aspects (relaxed tone, contractions, phrasal verbs,
rhetorical questions…)
 Opinion
In an article you always have to express your opinion.
 Common topics in a report
Internet, technologies, health and fitness, music, hobbies…

STRUCTURE
Title
1. Introduction
2. One thing I like
3. What I like the best
4. Conclusion
EXAMPLE ARTICLE
The most useful thing I’ve ever learned
Have you ever learned something that completely changed your life? I can
remember exactly how it was for me when I got interested in learning
English and who helped me become the person I am today.
I had always been in love with English music and I put in some work by
myself, but only when I ended up in the English class of Mr. Weiss I got
completely hooked. His amazing style of teaching struck a chord and my
skills skyrocketed in no time.
Feeling confident, I took the leap and moved to beautiful Australia where I
was able to travel and even call it home for over seven years. And you
know what?! I became an English teacher and now help people who are
just like I used to be with the same passion as Mr. Weiss.

I really think that I wouldn’t be teaching English had it not been for Mr.
Weiss and his inspirational lessons. So, looking back, I hope my experience
inspires others to find ways to help the people around them as well.
REVIEW
 What is a review?
A review is a critical appraisal of a book, play, film, series, television
program, restaurant…
 Linguistic register
Formal with informal aspects (relaxed tone, contractions, phrasal verbs,
rhetorical questions…)
 Opinion
In a review you always have to express your opinion.