The document provides tips on different types of writing such as job applications, articles, reviews, balanced arguments, reports, proposals, letters to editors, and letters of reference. It discusses the key success factors, useful language, and tips for each type of writing. The types of writing are meant to convey different goals such as applying for a job, summarizing information, expressing opinions, presenting balanced perspectives, making recommendations, and writing to editors. Overall, the document serves as a guide for developing different writing skills.
The document provides tips on different types of writing such as job applications, articles, reviews, balanced arguments, reports, proposals, letters to editors, and letters of reference. It discusses the key success factors, useful language, and tips for each type of writing. The types of writing are meant to convey different goals such as applying for a job, summarizing information, expressing opinions, presenting balanced perspectives, making recommendations, and writing to editors. Overall, the document serves as a guide for developing different writing skills.
The document provides tips on different types of writing such as job applications, articles, reviews, balanced arguments, reports, proposals, letters to editors, and letters of reference. It discusses the key success factors, useful language, and tips for each type of writing. The types of writing are meant to convey different goals such as applying for a job, summarizing information, expressing opinions, presenting balanced perspectives, making recommendations, and writing to editors. Overall, the document serves as a guide for developing different writing skills.
The document provides tips on different types of writing such as job applications, articles, reviews, balanced arguments, reports, proposals, letters to editors, and letters of reference. It discusses the key success factors, useful language, and tips for each type of writing. The types of writing are meant to convey different goals such as applying for a job, summarizing information, expressing opinions, presenting balanced perspectives, making recommendations, and writing to editors. Overall, the document serves as a guide for developing different writing skills.
Type: formal Conveying a positive image of yourself without appearing over- confident or arrogant Avoid basic mistakes
Useful language: I am writing to apply for the post of … I have recently graduated from …., where I completed a degree in … I have some relevant experience. I have a high level of spoken English. My tasks have included dealing with clients by phone. I would welcome the chance to be part of such a high profile company. If you require any further information, I would be happy to provide it. I look forward to hearing from you.
TIPS: Use appropriate sentences to open the letter Organize the main body of the letter into clear paragraphs Use a suitable style Use formal vocabulary, e.g. require instead of need Use the conditional sentences, for example: I would welcome the chance (not I want …) Be careful not to sound arrogant. Use the appropriate closing.
PARAGRAPGHS: Introductory sentence to write why you are writing P1: Give personal information including skills and qualifications P2: Talk about any relevant experience you have P3: Explain why you think you would be suitable for the job Write a closing sentence 2. AN ARTICLE
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
Getting and keeping reader’s attention. Using rich a precise vocabulary Having a clear structure that is easy to follow
Useful language: Use some synonyms, e.g. these days, at present, today, nowadays … Use richer vocabulary, e.g. hazardous adventure (instead of risky adventure) Use adverbs and adjectives.
TIPS You should choose points that you could say something interesting about, or where you can think of any interesting personal examples There is no fixed structure but it’s important to have clear paragraphs. Use discourse markers (linkers) Use a suitable style, not too formal and not too informal. Make the introduction reasonably short. You could use questions which then you will answer in the article. Try to engage the reader by referring to your personal experience. Vary the vocabulary using synonyms where possible. 3. A REVIEW
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
Summarizing main events in the plot in a concise way Using a wide range of the vocabulary Expressing a reasonably sophisticated opinion.
Useful language: My only criticism is that the plot is somehow / slightly / a little implausible. The last chapter (episode) is absolutely fascinating. The end of the novel is rather / pretty / quite disappointing. The denouement is absolutely thrilling.
TIPS Choose a book or film that you know. Organize your review into clear paragraphs Use a suitable style, neither too formal nor too informal. Give reader a brief idea of the plot but do not give away the whole story. Use a range of adjectives that describe as precisely as possible how the book or film made you feel, e.g. gripping, moving etc. Include both, praise and criticism. 4. A BALANCED ARGUMENT
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
Constructing argument on both sides Writing effective introduction and conclusion Using appropriate discourse markers to contrast and balance points
Useful language: Expressing main points: The greatest benefit is that … First and most importantly, … One disadvantage of … is that … Another drawback of … is that …
Adding supporting information to the main argument
In addition … What is more Not only that, but … Another point in favor of this …
Weighing up arguments On the whole On balance All in all All things considered
Refuting arguments This may have been true in the past but nowadays … There a number of flaws in this argument.
TIPS Use neutral or formal style Write a clear introduction which engages the reader. You could end the introduction with a question you are going to answer. An essay is not just a list of ideas and opinions. Link your ideas into a logical sequence. Use phrases to order, contrast and weigh up the points in the argument. Make sure your conclusion is a summary of what you have previously said and refers back to what you were asked to write about. 5. A REPORT
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS
Making sensible recommendations based on your observations Being clear and concise Organizing your report under headings
Useful language:
Start with: The aim of this report is …
Expressions for generalizing In general .. Generally speaking … It is generally considered / thought … The general view is that … Overall, … Making suggestions: We suggest … It would be advisable … We propose … I strongly recommend … It would be preferable for … to …
TIPS Look carefully at who the report if for and what they need to know. Decide what the sections of the report ae going to be and think of headings for them. Use an appropriate professional style, avoiding very informal expressions. In the introduction state what the aim of the report is For each paragraph state the situation (strengths and weaknesses) and make a recommendation If in an exam you’re going some information, try not to use the same words. Use a variety of expressions for generalizing and making suggestions.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ARTICLE AND ESSAY
https://www.bestcustomwriting.com/blog/essay-and-article-writing-what- are-the-differences 6. A PROPOSAL
A proposal starts by describing the situation in a business, school, club, or
other organisation you might be part of. For example, you might have to talk about the computer room in your college or the state of the canteen in your office. Sounds like a report, doesn't it? Well so far it's pretty similar.
The difference between a report and a proposal is that in the latter we
have to give recommendations on improving the situation.
You have to persuade whoever is reading the proposal to make the
changes you think are best.
So:
describe a situation say how you think it could be better try to convince someone you are right
You should use headings, and have an intro and conclusion.
Proposal is more personal than a report.
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Proposal
Don't: write a summary obvious to anyone in the field.
Do: show that you've conducted in-depth research and evaluation to understand the issue.
Don't: forget to comply with all requirements in the RFP (request for proposal) document. Do: go above and beyond the minimum whenever budget allows.
Don't: overuse jargon, obscure abbreviations, or needlessly complex
language ("rectification of a workplace imbalance"). Do: write in plain, direct language whenever possible ("letting employees go")
Don't: rely solely on generic appeals to emotions or values.
Do: tie the issue to the audience's interest or mission statement as directly as possible.
Don't: include objectives that are vague, impossible to measure, or don't
relate to the stated problem. Do: detail responsibilities and time commitments on the level of departments or individual staff.
A proposal needs to contain basic information such as:
Why are you doing this project
What will you be doing How will you be doing it What does your customer want How long will it take How much will it cost
In addition to this basic information, a carefully worded summary that
specifies exactly what the customer wants is a great way to start the proposal. It will be the customer’s first impression, so write it last
7. A LETTER TO EDITOR
A letter to editor is more or less like an article, the outline, though is slightly different. In this link you’ll find an example: http://cpesamplewritings.blogspot.com.es/p/how-to-write-letter-to- editor.html
https://aprobarelcae.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/reference_letter/ MORE TIPS:
WRITING TIPS
1.-Writing a composition a- Choose the topic of the composition you wish to write. b- List all the ideas that you can think of connected to that topic. c- Choose the main idea and write your topic sentence from it.(First paragraph=introduction) d- Underline two supporting ideas and write the body of your composition.(Your next paragraphs= ‘the middle’, where the ‘meat’ goes) e- Paraphrase the topic sentence to conclude the composition (Last paragraph: conclusion/summary)
2.- Logical order
It is important to put your ideas into a logical order, for example, chronological order, comparison and contrast or cause and effect. Each kind of order has its own special words and phrases which show how the ideas link together.
3.- Writing a full sentence
Always remember to check you have written a full sentence and not just part of one. A full sentence must contain one main clause. Pay attention to conjunctions and connecting words, they often introduce subordinate clauses only. Look at the examples below: Because the food was very bad in the restaurant. (a subordinate clause, not a full sentence) Because the food was very bad in the restaurant, we refused to pay the bill. (a full sentence) For instance, the price of a meal in a fast-food restaurant (a subordinate clause which needs a main verb) For instance, the price of a meal in a fast-food restaurant is relatively cheap today. (full sentence)
4.-‘Choppy’ sentences Students often write ‘choppy’ sentences, that is, sentences that are too short and simplistic. It is considered poor writing style to use short sentences all the time. The solution is to use conjunctions and connectors to from more complex sentences. Some students study at private schools. Some students study at government schools. Some students study at private schools while others study at government schools. I will have to buy a computer soon. I am going to study computers at university. I will have to buy a computer soon because I am going to study computes at university.
5.- Adjectives and adverbs
You can expand a basic sentence by adding adjectives and adverbs. The use of adjectives and adverbs will add interest and variety to your writing. Remember not to use the same adjective or adverb too often.
6.- Using expressions
Using certain expressions can improve the style and quality of your writing. Some expressions also act as connectors and link ideas together.
7.- Paraphrasing One of the keys to writing a good summary is the ability to paraphrase the main idea in your own words. Remember that we often paraphrase a text when we answer a comprehension exercise. Always check your grammar when you paraphrase.
8.- Using personal experience
Very often our personal experience influences our opinion. Therefore, we can use it in an essay to support our argument. Describing a personal experience can help to persuade the reader to agree with your point of view.
9.- Organization One way of writing an argumentative composition is to present all the similarities first and then all the differences, or all the advantages and then the disadvantages- and to close the composition with a concluding comment. Another way is to make the comparison point by point throughout the composition. 10.- Formal and informal words Use formal or informal language according to the kind of writing you have to do; for instance, you can choose from the word money (informal) or financial (formal), tell (informal) or inform (formal).
11. Proofreading: Before submitting your contribution, look for grammatical
and spelling errors (a spell-checker is recommended) and correct them.
12. Revising: Make sure everything flows smoothly.
REDUCED LIST OF CONNECTORS
Although/even though/ though
Contrast or opposing ideas Whereas, while, despite, in spite of, but, yet, however, nevertheless, on the one hand… on the other (hand), in contrast to/contrary to, unlike Comparison Like, be the same as, similarly, both, likewise Reason, cause and effect Because, since, as, because of, due to, owing to, in order to, so that/in order that Time and sequence When, while, whenever, first of all/firstly, secondly… finally, later, next, in short, in conclusion Result and consequences Therefore, consequently, thus, as a result (of) Addition and example Moreover/ furthermore/ in addition For example/for instance, such as, as well (as), in addition to, also SOME DOS AND DON’T’S
1. Check your text for concordance, i.e. plural / singular
Another people - wrong, other people – correct He have a dog – wrong; he has a dog – correct A fascinating people – wrong; fascinating people – right This tables- wrong; these tables - correct 2. Use variety of tense, but be careful and don’t mix the past tenses with the present tenses in the same sentence or even paragraph. 3. Do not use double subject, and don’t forget subjects, i.e is very nice – wrong; it’s very nice – correct. 4. Do not translate from your mother tongue. 5. Use a variety of synonyms and antonyms. Use adjectives and adverbs. 6. Don’t make your sentences either too long or too short. Use variety.
