A proposal Formal language

o Explain the aim of the proposal

Introduction o This proposal aims to highlight… / The aim of this proposal is to…
o The proposal will also make recommendations on how to…

o Describe the current situation

o Use passive form (impersonal style)
Current issues
o Avoid the use of “I” or “we”
o Several concerns with regard to… / According to the questionnaire…
o Make suggestions and recommendations for future actions (so as to, in
Recommen- order to, so that…)
dations o Give reasons (with a view to…)
o Use bullet points to order the ideas

o Make a final recommendation and a summarising comment

Conclusion
o If these recommendations are implemented…

A formal e-mail Formal language

o Give reasons for writing and give thanks
Opening o I’m writing in response to… / With regard to your request… /
o I would like to thank the college…

o Identify and outline problems

o It seems to me… / As I see it… / We should never underestimate… / Over and
Middle above all other concerns…
o Suggest a solution
o I would suggest, recommend… / I strongly encourage you to…

o Greeting and saying goodbye

Closing
o Yours sincerely / Yours faithfully

An informal e-mail Informal language

o Identify who the person is and they info. that they want
o Open the email with an acknowledgment
Opening
o Thanks for writing, sorry I haven’t been in touch for a while… / I thought
you’d forgotten all about me!

o Use phrases to give advices and make suggestions

o If I were you… / Have you thought about…?
Middle o Use informal language to be friendly
o Let’s catch up soon!
o Use idiomatic expressions (e.g.: learning something by heart)

o Close the email with a typical signing-off phrase

Closing o Anyway, let me know if you need any more help / Look after yourself and
good luck / I’d better go now ‘cause I’ve lots of work to do
 A story
o Think of a story that matches the topic
o Identify the structure
Exposition
o Set the scene
o It was a freezing cold night…

o Introduce the problem into the story

Conflict o Use variety of forms + participle clauses (feeling tired)
o Use direct speech to make the story dramatic (he said, asked…)

o In this part the conflict, dramatically, comes to a head

Climax o Use different vocabulary, idioms, phrasal verbs…
o I was going to be…

Resolution o In this part we find out what happens in the end

An article Formal or informal language

o Choose a tittle that makes a good summary
Introduction o Make an introduction with humour, rhetorical questions, worrying facts
o It’s high time you wake up to reality! / Isn’t it time we…?

o Inform and engage the reader with interesting information

o We are accepting inequality! / I bet you would… / We need to change…
o Use passive structures in order to be impersonal
Middle
o It can be argued that… / It should be pointed out that…
o Use the structures “it is + adjectives” and “there is/are + noun”
o It is difficult to understand… / There is a great hope…

o Finish with an opinion and persuade the reader of your view

End
o Use adverbs (unsurprisingly, remarkably, undoubtedly, worryingly)

A review (live performance) Formal or informal language

o Make an introduction using a personal anecdote, arresting questions…
Opening o Get the attention of the reader
o Have you ever found yourself…?

o Describe the venue, performers, performance and atmosphere

o Use adjectives and adjectives + noun to give your opinion
Middle o Large place, crowded, frenetic, action-packed performance…
o Use negative adverb inversion for emphasis
o No sooner had the play begun than my blood changed

o Write a summary line in your conclusion

Closing o Sum up your experience and view
o To sum up…
A discursive essay Formal or informal language
o Make an introduction with introductory sentence, a second sentence and a
question
Opening
o Nowadays… - As a result… - Are there disadvantages as well as advantages to
this? / But at what cost?
o Express the main points in favour, add supporting information
o Describe cause and effect
o One major advantage… / Perhaps the greatest benefit… / First and most
Middle
importantly… / A further argument in favour…
o Express the main points against
o The main problem… / Another drawback…

o Weigh up arguments and give your opinion

o Write a conclusion that sums up the arguments
Closing
o In conclusion… / All things considered… / The way I see it… / On balance… / In
light of these arguments…