Paper Two: Writing - Paper two consists of two tasks:

1. A compulsory question for all candidates, usually a

letter in response to an article or some other prompt.

2. An essay question chosen from three options OR a

question on one of the Literature texts.

Question 1 on the Writing paper is compulsory for

everybody and always follows the same format: a short
extract of text, usually from a magazine article or report,
in response to which you have to write a letter.

Here are some tips on answering this question effectively:

1. Plan your writing before you start writing

You have one hour to complete this task, so there is no
need to rush. Use the first 10-15 minutes to plan what
you are going to say.
You have a maximum of 350 words. That usually means
4-5 paragraphs. The examiners reward structured
writing in paragraphs and are looking for some content
points. So it is worth planning what each paragraph is
going to be about and how the paragraphs will follow on
from each other, making sure that the content is relevant
to the extract given.

2. Think Threes
As the first paragraph will be your introduction (see next
point), your letter will probably have room for three main
points/three main paragraphs (80-100 words per
paragraph). As you plan your ideas, try to put them into
three groups with an example for each one based on your
own experience.
So, for a letter about nutritional advice [exam paper June
2003] you might have the following three idea groups:

* 'conflicting advice' among nutritional 'experts' (agree or

disagree?) + example
* 'healthy eating habits': need to listen to advice but also
make up our own minds + example
* health is one issue, but there are other factors in
nutrition: pleasure, experimenting with new tastes,
culture etc

3. Focus the Introduction

In a letter in English it is perfectly Ok to begin with 'I'
and to state the purpose of your letter. Here are some
possible opening sentences:

Dear Editor,
*I am writing to respond to the recent article in Food and
Health on nutritional advice and healthy eating habits.
*I read with interest your recent article on healthy eating
and would like to contribute to the discussion about so-
called 'food experts'.
*As a parent of two children in full-time education, I
would like to take issue with your recent article on
healthy eating habits.

In your first sentence you need some phrase which

recognises the theme of the extract and summarises it,
eg. 'nutritional advice and healthy eating habits'. This
focuses your letter and shows the examiner that you have
read and understood the extract before giving your own
opinions.

It would also be Ok to quote the extract:

Referring to your recent article on healthy eating habits,
I would like to share my own experience of being on the
receiving end of 'conflicting advice' about food.

4. Use your Experience

It is always a good idea to stick to what you know in the
exam. They usually choose accessible topics - food, travel,
media - that everyone can comment on.
Use your own personal experiences about food and eating
and try to include some specific examples of 'conflicting
advice'. It is also useful to use your own cultural
background as topics like food and health often vary
greatly from one place to another.

Part 5: Writing a Summary

In the last part of the 'Use of English' paper you have to

read two related texts, answer some short questions on
them, and then wtite a summary.

Here is a summary of my tips on writing summaries...

1. Bear in mind that you have only 50-70 words to do

your summary. You need to focus on the main points only
and not get distracted by details and examples. If you
have words left over after doing a first draft you can add
examples. Remember that both texts A and B are
included in the summary.

2. Take note of the words used in the question. If the task

says 'summarise the main reasons for the emergence of
youth culture in the 1960s' look for reasons and not
consequences or impacts. Begin your summary with
'Youth culture in the 1960s' and then use a verb like
'emerged because' or 'stems from' to show that you
understand the question.

3. Remember that there are four points given for content,

so you need to include four separate ideas in your
summary and find a way to link them together.

4. In your first draft it might help to think fours: four

main ideas = four sentences. In your plan, use bullet
points to outline the main ideas, for example:
* change in attitudes in the 1960s in Europe and America
* economic reasons: more money available to spend
* new identity: youth emerges as a new social group
* innovation: new styles and subcultures

5. When you have your four points, decide on a priority

idea which can be used to begin the summary. This first
sentence should give an overview of the whole summary:

Youth culture emerged in the 1960s when major changes

in attitudes transformed societies in Europe and
America.

Then add your three reasons, linking them together to

make one paragraph. The phrases in bold indicate linking
techniques: These changes came about primarily as a
result of economic growth which meant that young people
had more money to spend. The resulting increase in
consumer power led to the emergence of new identities
with their own innovative styles. Consequently, 'youth'
emerged as a specific group in society with its own
distinctive subcultures.

6. This summary uses 70 words. If you have less then 70

you can always add details and examples. Use phrases
like 'such as' or 'for example' or add brackets.

7. Do not use bullets in your final summary! You get an

additional 10 marks on the way you write the summary.

8. Always check your summary for errors. Look out for

prepositions, check the subject/verb agreement, and make
sure you have used the correct tenses.

9. Get lots of practice summarising what you read every

day.