ELT-UNIVERSITY

CAE WRITING

CAE WRITING
MEMO
All cliches, useful phrases and criteria in one place, ready to be used
with a quick overview of the task in question, target reader, register
and an effective plan
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 1. ESSAY

Who are you writing for? – A teacher, an academic tutor

Register – semi-formal or formal

PLAN
Para 1 (Intro): What are you going to write about?
Para 2: One of the points in detail
Para 3: Content point 2 in detail
Para 4 (Conclusion): Decide which point is more
important/effective and why?

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Expressing an opinion
It is probably true to say that ...
There can be no doubt that .. .
It is simply not the case that .. .
Commonly held views
It is widely believed that ...
No one would dispute the fact that ...
Few people would contest/dispute (the fact) that ...
It is generally agreed that ...
Saying what other people think
There are those who argue that ...
It has been suggested that ...
It is often claimed that ...
Opponents/Supporters/ of (hunting) argue that...
Referring to sources
All the evidence suggests that ...
A recent survey proved that ...
Judging by the comments made by ...
Interviews with (students) have revealed that ...
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CAE WRITING

PART 2. FORMAL LETTER/EMAIL

Who are you writing for? – The editor of a newspaper or a magazine, the
director of a company, a school or college Principal or a peer.
Register – semi-formal or formal

PLAN
Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Mr Johnson / Ms Johnson (if
you know the name)

Para 1: Say why you are writing

Para 2: Explain the situation, give details. Try to
remain factual and polite.
Para 3: Give further details.
Para 4 (if necessary): Don’t forget to answer all of the
questions.
Para 5: Finish on a positive note. Leave comments
about future contacts.

Yours faithfully, / Your sincerely,

A.N.Other

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Reason for writing
I am writing with regard/reference to ...
I am writing to express (my concern about/
disappointment with/disapproval of/apologies for)
I would like to draw your attention to/point out ...
Introducing points
(I feel) I must also (dis)agree with .. .
I should also like to point out that .. .
Your (article) states that ... However, .. .
Request for action
I would appreciate it/be grateful if you would .. .
I look forward to receiving/seeing ...
I trust/very much hope you will ...
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. INFORMAL LETTER/EMAIL

Who are you writing for? – The editor of a newspaper or a magazine, the director
of a company, a school or college Principal or a peer.
Register – informal or neutral

PLAN
Dear John
Para 1: Say why you are writing
Para 2: Explain the situation, give details.
Para 3: Give further details.
Para 4: (if necessary): Don’t forget to answers all of the
question.
Para 5: Finish on a positive note. Leave comments about
future contacts.

Best/Kind regards/wishes/ All the best (if you are writing

to someone you know fairly well)
Love/With love, (if you are writing to someone you know
very well/family member)
Darren (just your name)

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Beginning the letter
Great/Lovely to hear from you (after so long).
Thanks (a lot) for the letter.
Sorry to hear about your ...
Sorry I haven't written/been in touch for so long.
Persuading
You'd get so much out of it.
It'd be a wonderful/marvellous opportunity for you to ...
Just think of (all the people you'd meet).
Just imagine how it would (improve your CV), not to mention (the money you could
earn).

Advising Ending the letter

Whatever you do, make sure you ...
It's (not) worth/There's no/little point
+gerund
I'd/I wouldn't .. . if I were you.
You'd be much better off+ gerund
Write back soon and let me know how it
goes.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Can't wait to see you again.
(Give my) love/regards to ...
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. PROPOSAL
Who are you writing for? – A superior, a boss, a college Principal, a group
of colleagues.
Register – semi-formal or formal

PLAN
Heading

Subheading: Introduction
Make it clear where the proposal is coming from
Subheading 1:
Describe the 1st point/ main problematic area
Subheading 2:
Describe the 2nd point/main problematic area
Subheading 3:
Describe the 3rd point/main problematic area
Subheading 4: Recommendations
Conclude with your suggestions
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. PROPOSAL

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Stating the purpose of the proposal
The principal aims/objectives of this proposal
are to...
This proposal is intended to...
In this proposal I
describe/evaluate/present/assess...

Background information
Comments made at the end of the questionnaires suggest...
Following a survey among families of young children...
Concerned members of the local community were invited to attend...
A number of concerns with regard to the most recent street party
were expressed by locals...

Making recommendations and suggestions

A working group should be set up by...
There should be an enquiry into...
I recommend that a larger survey should be conducted before a final
decision is reached...
The results of the survey/questionnaire suggest that the introduction
of heavier fines would seem to be the best option/choice/solution.
If these recommendations are implemented, the situation is bound
to improve.
Unless these suggestions are implemented, it is unlikely that there
will be any improvement in the short term.
Should these recommendations be carried out, the event is bound to
be a resounding success.
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. REPORT
Who are you writing for? – A superior, a boss, a college Principal, a group
of colleagues.
Register – semi-formal or formal

PLAN
Heading

Subheading: Introduction
List the aims of your report and say where you got
your information.
Subheading: Current Situation (as an example)
Describe the current situation/ state of affairs
Subheading: Strengths and Limitations (as an example)
Report the results of the survey/interviews. Use
numbers or bullet points for lists.
Subheading: Recommendations
Express your opinion or a general view on how the
situation can be improved.
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. REPORT

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Introducing the report
The aim/purpose of this report is to
examine/evaluate/describe/outline ...
The principal aim/objective/purpose of this report is
to provide a description of... / to provide/to present
results of /to assess the importance of ...
This report describes/provides an assessment of...
/ describes/provides/presents results of...
The aim of this report is to present the findings of a survey into (local
shopping habits) and to make recommendations for improvements in
(facilities and services).
It will also include/consider/suggest/ recommend ...
A survey of / a series of interviews with local council officers ... were
conducted ... responded to an online questionnaire. ... were invited to
attend a focus group...
The report is based on a survey conducted among (college students).
Reporting your results
Most of those responding to the survey stated that/expressed the opinion
that ...
According to ...
A large/considerable/significant/ proportion of
respondents/informants/those surveyed said that ...
Nearly three quarters of the ...
Making recommendations
I would (strongly) recommend that (the school/company) should .. .
In the light of the results of the survey, I would (strongly) advise against ...
I feel it would be to our advantage if ...
Taking all the factors mentioned into account/In the light of the results of
the survey/ questionnaire, ... would appear to be the most viable
solution/option/approach.
I would therefore recommend ...
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. REVIEW
Who are you writing for? – A reader of a magazine.
Register – informal or neutral

PLAN
Heading

Para 1 Introduction: Catch your readers’ attention in the

1st sentence. Give an introduction of the subject of your
review, address the reader, pose a question.
Para 2: Give a brief summary plus your evaluation.
Para 3: Give further details OR give a summary of the
second subject and your evaluation.
Para 4 (if necessary): Compare and contrast the two
main points.
Para 5: Summarize your evaluation briefly and give
recommendations.
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. REVIEW. BOOK

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Introduction:
Seldom do I find the time to…, however when I do
take time out of my hectic schedule, I like nothing
more than…
Being a bit of a film buff/book worm/foody, the news
that … had opened a new restaurant/released a new
film/book had me itching to try/see/read it. So last
week I popped down with a friend to check it out.
Having never seen/read/tried… before I approached … with a sense of
trepidation, not knowing what to expect. Soon however, all my fears were
allayed.

Book reviews:
Vocab to describe the book in general: a page-turner / a white-knuckle ride
/ a tearjerker / a laugh a minute / I couldn’t put it down.
Vocab to describe specific parts: a slow start / a gentle introduction
/gripping climax / nail-biting conclusion / cliff-hanger ending/ a shocking
twist in the tail
Setting: The book is set in ___ (place/time). The action takes place in ___
(place/time); the present day (now); an alternate reality where vampires /
wizards walk the earth; a sleepy village in the USA; the bustling city of New
York.
Plot: The plot centres around / focuses on (the adventures / lives of ___ ).
The plot follows the adventures of ___ (character name).
Characters: Villain / hero / heroine / anti-hero / main character /
protagonist. The characters are believable / well-crafted / a bit 2
dimensional.
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PART 2. REVIEW. FILM/TV

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Film/TV reviews:
an all-star cast;
heavily influenced by the films of..;
glowing reviews;
startling originality;
suspense builds up;
a polished performance;
a bold experiment;
an accomplished actor;
an unmitigated disaster (bad film); a dazzling display of his/her talents;
made a lasting impression on me.
brought a tear to my eye;
like watching paint dry (boring);
I was on the edge of my seat (exciting);
a blockbuster (big commercial film eg Superman);
… sets off an amazing chain of events; Gripping film (exciting);
the director/author evoked a magical atmosphere;
… awakened my interest in…; Hold my attention;
capture the audience’s imagination.
spectacular set-pieces (main action scenes);
… is cast in the role of…;
… is miscast in the role of…;
…gives a(n) (un)convincing performance as…;
The film is let down by a clichéd script.
 ELT-UNIVERSITY
CAE WRITING

PART 2. REVIEW. RESTAURANT

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
Restaurant review:
Hearty meal/Wholesome food;
Piping-hot;
Succulent/juicy (meat);
With a kick (spicy);
Crunchy/crispy; Creamy;
Well-seasoned; Packed with flavor;
A steaming plate of..;
Hungry/starving/ravenous/famished;
Bustling eatery (restaurant);
Lively atmosphere; Service with a smile;
A plate piled high with..
Mouth-watering; To die for; Heavenly;
To lick your lips in anticipation;
Roast; Pan-fried; Grilled; Steamed; Freshly-baked;
To feast/gorge on (eat a lot of); To eat/drink to your heart’s content;
Devour/gobble up; Savour; Nibble; Bite; Lick;
Aromas wafting from the kitchen;
Cheap – economical/reasonably-priced;
Expensive – pricey/costs an arm and a leg;
€20 a head (per person);

Killer Lines:
Were I to sum up … in one word, it would be…;
… left a lot to be desired (wasn’t good enough);
…more than lives up to the hype (is as good as everyone says it is);
… is by far and away the best … you’re likely to … this year;
… really raises the bar (sets a higher standard);
… sets the benchmark for other (others will be judges against how good it
is);
… ticks all the right boxes;
… holds up well in comparison with …;
…comes off badly in comparison with …