Writing Workshop How to do a writing task

A GET IDEAS USEFUL LINKERS

Adding ideas
• Read the task carefully and identify what kind of text
you need to write. For example, an informal email, a To begin a sentence: Also, … • Moreover, …
review, etc. • Furthermore, … • In addition (to this), …
• Make notes of any key ideas. Don’t write full • What’s more, …
sentences. To join words / clauses: … and (also) … ,
• If you can’t think of many ideas straight away, • … as well as … , • … in addition to …
don’t panic! Remember, there are no ‘right’ or
To end a sentence or clause: … , too. • … as well.
‘wrong’ answers. You will get marks for the way you
organize and express your ideas. Contrasting ideas
To begin a sentence: However, … / Nevertheless, … /
B PLAN
Nonetheless, … • On the one hand, … . • On the other
• Choose the best ideas from your notes. hand, …
• Think about useful language to include. To join words / clauses: … but … • … yet … • … although /
• Organize your ideas into a paragraph plan. Always though / even though / despite / in spite of …
include a clear beginning and end. For example:
Expressing reason
Essay: Is homework necessary? Discuss. To begin a sentence: Because … • Since … • As …
• Due to / Because of (+ noun) • For this / that reason, …
Paragraph 1 Introduction most students do it
– many dislike To join clauses: … because / since / as … • … due to /
Paragraph 2 Arguments helps you to because of (+ noun) / because (+ clause) …
for remember info Expressing result
good way of testing
progress To begin a sentence: Therefore, … • As a result, …
• As a consequence, … • Consequently, …
Paragraph 3 Arguments can take a lot of
against time To join clauses: … , so …
extra stress for Expressing reason and result
students
… so (+ adjective) that … • … such ((a / an) (+ adjective) +
Paragraph 4 Conclusion not too much! noun) that …
and personal overall, good idea
opinion Expressing purpose
To begin a sentence: In order that … • In order to
C WRITE (+ infinitive) • to (+ infinitive)

• Use your paragraph plan as a guide. To join words / clauses: … in order that … • … so (that) …
• … in order to / to (+ infinitive) • ... so as to ...
• Use linkers to create longer sentences.
• Use a variety of language, including different Making conditions
tenses and grammatical structures as well as To begin a sentence: If … • As long as …
vocabulary. • Provided that … • Unless …
D CHECK To join clauses: … if … • … ,but only if …
Read your composition carefully afterwards. • … as long as … • … provided that … • … unless …
• Have you fully answered the task? Ordering an argument
• Have you used the right number of words (if you’ve • First of all, … • Firstly, / Secondly, / Thirdly, ... • Next, …
been given a word count)? • Thirdly, … • Finally, / Lastly, ...
• Is your composition easy to read and logically
organized?
Ordering a narrative
• Have you avoided repetition where possible? To begin a sentence: At first, … / To begin with, …
• Do your grammar, vocabulary, spelling, • Then / Next, / After that ... • In the end, … / Finally,
punctuation and word order seem correct? To join clauses: … before … • … after … • … , then …
• ... as soon as ... • ... as ... • ... while ...

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 1

 Writing Workshop A narrative

In a narrative you describe a past event or tell a story.

USEFUL LANGUAGE
Example task: Write about an exciting experience that you’ve had. Describing feelings
I was / felt (terrified, delighted, etc.)
It was a terrible shock / wonderful surprise.
A GET IDEAS
I’ve never been / felt so … before / in my
• Think of an event or story to write about. Remember, it doesn’t whole life.
have to be true. … was so (adjective, e.g. sad) that …
• Make notes to answer these questions:
What happened? When did it happen? Adverbs to comment on events
Where did it happen? Who did it happen to? Amazingly, … Incredibly, …
How did people feel? What happened afterwards? Luckily, … Fortunately, …
Sadly, … Unfortunately, …
B PLAN
Time expressions
• Put your ideas in order. What happened first / next / in the end?
I (past simple) while / when / as I (past
• Organize your ideas into paragraphs. For example:
continuous)
Paragraph 1 Introduction to the story for / since / just / ever / never / already / yet
Paragraph 2–3 The main events (before / during / after) (with past perfect or present perfect)
Final paragraph How the experience affected you Last year / Yesterday / A few days ago (with
past simple)
Before I (past simple), I (past perfect)
C WRITE After / Because / By the time / When I (past
perfect), I (past simple)
Give an interesting Suddenly, … / Just then, … / At that
The day of my achievements ceremony at
beginning moment, …
school was the most exciting day of my life
Use time so far. In my neighbourhood, we celebrate Other narrative sequencers
expressions and this day in a very unusual way.
sequencers to
At first, / First, / In the beginning, / First of
Every year, local teenagers hire luxury cars all, …
connect events to take them to the ceremony. Weeks
Next, … / Then, … / After that, … , Later ...
Use different beforehand, everyone had been boasting
Eventually, … / Finally, … / In the end, …
narrative tenses about the cars they would hire. Unfortunately,
I didn’t have enough money to do the same. Reflecting on events
Describe feelings
On the big day, I was getting ready, when I It was the (best, worst, most frightening, etc.)
as well as events
heard excited voices from outside. I rushed day of my life!
Say how the event out to see my brother who was greeting It was a day / time I’ll never forget.
affected you the driver of a black Ferrari. I thought I was
I’ll remember this day / time forever.
Bring your narrative dreaming when he hugged me and opened
the door for me to get in. I have never been
to a clear end Tips for … narratives
so excited in my life.
 Choose a simple story.
Riding in a Ferrari was unforgettable and the
 Give your story a clear beginning, middle
experience of a lifetime for me. But apart
and ending.
from being thrilled, I also realized how cool
 Use the past continuous to set the scene
my brother is!
and to show longer actions, the past simple
for main events, and the past perfect for
events that happened earlier.
 Describe atmosphere and feelings as well
as what happened.

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 2

 Writing Workshop A review

In a review you give your opinion of a book, film, concert, etc., USEFUL LANGUAGE
and say whether or not you recommend it. Describing books / films / TV
Example task: Write a review of your favourite book. programmes
It’s set in …
It’s based on the (book, etc. by … )
A GET IDEAS
It’s about / It tells the story of …
• Think of a book, film, etc. to write about. Choose something The main character is …
you know well.
(film / TV) It stars …
• Make notes about what you remember about the book, film,
It’s written / directed by …
etc. Then choose the most essential details.
It’s a (thriller, comedy, romance, etc.).
• Decide whether you generally liked or disliked it. It might help
It’s a (science fiction, fantasy, crime, etc.)
you to choose a rating: STARSTARSTARSTARSTAR
• Make notes about what you liked and didn’t like, and why. Giving opinions
What I loved / hated about … was …
B PLAN
The best thing about … was …
Organize your ideas into paragraphs. For example: The most memorable part was ...
The … could have been better.
Paragraph 1 I ntroduction, including the title, author /
One criticism (I have) is ...
director etc., characters and setting
Paragraph 2 Summary of the plot Adjectives
Paragraph 3 What you liked and didn’t like + action-packed / believable / excellent /
Paragraph 4 Conclusion and a recommendation to others exciting / gripping / interesting / realistic
– average / badly-acted / badly-written /
boring / disappointing / dull / predictable
C WRITE
Making comparisons
Start with a general … isn’t (quite) as good as …
My favourite book is The Maze Runner, the first
description
book in a futuristic trilogy by James Dashner. … is just as good as …
Use a range of The main character is a brave young boy called … is even better than …
extreme adjectives Tom, who arrives in the Glade, which is an … reminds me of …
and / or modifying open area surrounded by huge walls leading
adverbs to Making a recommendation
to a monster-filled maze. Like the other Glade
emphasize your boys, Thomas can’t remember anything before This will / won’t appeal to ...
opinion he arrived there. He’s determined to become a I (strongly) recommend that …
Talk about how maze runner in order to find a way to get out of I certainly wouldn’t recommend …
you / other the Glade. Don’t bother reading / seeing …
people felt The book is written from Thomas’s point of
view, which can make things slightly confusing Tips for … reviews
Give reasons for
your opinion
at the beginning as he’s lost his memory.  Don’t include too much factual
However, this is what I loved about it as it adds information about the plot, etc.
Sum up your to the suspense of the novel and makes you  Don’t tell readers what happens at
opinion want to keep reading to find out what happens. the end!
Give a clear In my opinion, it’s a very well-written modern  Readers want to know your opinion, not
recommendation classic. Anyone who’s a fan of futuristic novels just read a summary!
should get a copy of it.  Remember to end with a
recommendation to your readers. It can
be positive, negative, or mixed.

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 3

 Writing Workshop A formal email

In a formal email you write to a person in an official role (for USEFUL LANGUAGE
example, an employee at a company) for a particular purpose Greetings and endings
(for example, to make an enquiry).
If you know their name:
Example task: Write a formal email to Mr Colin Blackwell, Dear Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms (+ surname),
Head of Customer Services, to complain about a product you
Yours sincerely, (your full name)
have bought online recently and ask for your money back.
If you do not know their name:
Dear Sir or Madam,
A GET IDEAS Yours faithfully, (your full name)
• Think about why you are writing. For example, to find out You can end formal emails with:
information (what?), to apply for a job (which?), etc. Best wishes, (your full name)
• Make notes of key things to include (e.g. statements or (Best / Kind) regards, (your full name) (use
questions to ask). with either greeting)
Giving a reason for writing
B PLAN
I am writing to enquire about / apply for /
Organize your ideas into paragraphs. Use a new paragraph for complain about …
each new main idea. For example:
… which I read about in …
Greeting (Dear … ) … which was advertised in …
Paragraph 1  hy you are writing
W Polite requests
Paragraphs 2–3 Your main ideas and questions
I was wondering if it would be possible ...
Final paragraph What you would like to happen next (e.g. I
I would like to know more about …
look forward to hearing from you.)
Would you be able to ... ?
Closing expression (e.g. Best regards, Yours
I would be grateful if you could …
sincerely, etc.)
Adding and sequencing ideas
C WRITE In addition, … Moreover, …
Furthermore, … Firstly, / First of all, …
Secondly, … Finally, …
Always include
Dear Mr Blackwell,
a name if you Including other documents
are given one I am writing to complain about a games console
which I bought recently from your online store.
I have attached a CV / photo / sample of
Use a range Although I set up the console using the instructions
work for your reference.
of tenses and included, it did not work properly. As a result, I called Next stages
structures your helpline and spoke with one of your technicians
Please contact me if you require any
Organize your who asked me to send the console back to be
further information.
ideas with tested. He explained that the company had been
I look forward to hearing from you.
sequencers experiencing problems with the specific model and
that if they could not repair it, they would replace it. Thank you in advance for your help.
Use formal
I received the replacement this morning and I have
verbs and Tips for … formal emails
attempted to set it up. However, the new console
expressions  Use appropriate greetings and closing
does not work either. I have also attempted to call
Use modal the helpline again, but I have not been able to get
expressions.
verbs to make through.  Use full forms (I am) not short forms (I’m).
polite requests Therefore, I would like you to refund my money as I
 Use indirect structures to sound more
have lost confidence in this product. I look forward
polite.
Use an
appropriate to hearing from you.  Use formal structures, expressions and
linkers.
closing Yours sincerely,
expression Jan Krakowicz
to match the
greeting

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 4

 Writing Workshop An opinion essay
In an opinion essay you say what you think about a statement or a topic, giving reasons for your views.
Example task: ‘A lot of schools now have CCTV cameras. Is this a good or bad thing for students?’ Discuss.

A GET IDEAS USEFUL LANGUAGE

Giving background information
• Think about the statement or topic. What do you already know?
( = the background information) Some / Many people believe (that) …
• Decide what your own opinion is. Remember, there is no ‘right’ According to (the media, etc.), …
or ‘wrong’ answer! Studies show / suggest that …
• Think of as many arguments as you can to support your It is generally agreed that …
opinion.
Expressing opinions
• Choose two or three of your best ideas.
I think / believe / feel (that) ...
B PLAN Personally, I think (that) ...
I (strongly) agree / disagree that … / with the
Organize your ideas into paragraphs. Use a new paragraph for
statement that …
each main subject or argument. For example:
In my opinion / view, …
Paragraph 1 I ntroduction to the topic and your general Adding and ordering ideas
opinion
Furthermore, … / Moreover, … /
Paragraph 2 Your first main argument
What is more, …
Paragraph 3 Your next main argument
In addition (to this), …
Paragraph 4 Conclusion: summary of your opinion
Firstly / First of all ... , Secondly ... , Finally ...
Contrasting ideas
C WRITE
On the one hand, … . On the other hand, …
However, …
Use linkers of
Nowadays, it is becoming more and more Although … , …
reason, addition
common for schools to have CCTV cameras
and contrast to Giving examples
installed in order to prevent certain behaviours.
connect ideas For example, … / For instance, …
However, the question we need to answer is
Give the main whether this is an invasion of privacy. … , such as … (e.g. illnesses, such as colds.)
idea of the Personally, I believe that CCTV cameras can … , like … (e.g. illnesses, like colds.)
paragraph prevent students from acting badly towards others Highlighting specific ideas
in the first while they are in school or on school grounds. For
sentence example, according to many people, there are
… , especially … ( + ) / … , particularly … ( + )
some students who would bully others if it weren’t … , apart from … ( – )
Use a variety
of opinion for the fact that they were being ‘watched’ by the Concluding
expressions cameras.
All in all, / To sum up, …
Furthermore, in my opinion CCTV cameras can
Give examples In conclusion, / To conclude, …
stop students from damaging school property.
or reasons to In general, I think … . However, …
For instance, it is clear to me that some students
support your
would write on desks or paint graffiti on school
ideas Tips for … writing articles
walls if it weren’t for the fact that they would be
Sum up your seen by the cameras.  Keep on topic and discuss the ideas in the
own opinion at question – do not introduce new ideas!
All in all, I think privacy, which everyone has a right
the end to, is very important. However, I am of the opinion  Introduce the topic at the start. Give
background information or say what other
that if you are not doing anything wrong while you
people think.
are at school, then you have no reason to feel that
CCTV cameras are a threat to you or your privacy.  Use a variety of opinion expressions.
 End with a clear conclusion. You can qualify
your opinion if you don’t 100% agree or
disagree.

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 5

 Writing Workshop An informal email
In an informal email you write to a friend or relative about personal news.
Example task: Write an informal email to a friend, telling him / her your news.

A GET IDEAS USEFUL LANGUAGE

Greetings
• Think about who you’re writing to and why you’re writing.
• Make notes about the key things you want to include. Hi / Hi there / Hey / Hiya / Dear …
• Think of some questions to ask or some suggestions to make. Responding to a message
Thanks for your letter / email.
B PLAN
It’s great to hear from you.
Organize your ideas into paragraphs. For example: Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply.
Greeting (Hi …) Catching up after a break
Paragraph 1 A personal message, e.g. How are things? Sorry I haven’t written for so long, but …
Why you’re writing: Right now, I’m … I haven’t heard from you for ages!
Paragraphs 2–4 The main topics you want to discuss.
Asking about your reader
Final paragraph A closing message, e.g. Let’s meet up soon.
Closing expression (e.g. Write soon! Bye for How’s it going?
now, etc.) What’s new?
Talking about you
C WRITE All good here.
Guess what!
Use an informal
Hi there, I’ve got some great / amazing / sad news.
greeting
and closing How have you been lately? Sorry I haven’t been in Asking about others
expression touch for ages, but it’s been an exciting time here.
Hope everyone’s doing well.
Did you see the photos of my eighteenth birthday Say ‘hi’ to … for me!
Use chatty
party on Facebook? I wish you could have been
colloquial Endings
there – what a night! I had been feeling down in
language
the dumps as I didn’t do so well in my exams this Bye for now,
Ask questions year, but the party really cheered me up. See you soon!
and make Have you noticed that I changed my status? Well, Take care,
suggestions Rob brought his cousin Mari along to the party
and … it was love at first sight. We were flirting Conversational expressions
Use a variety
of tenses and all night, so I decided to ask her out and she said Anyway, …
structures (not ‘yes’! We’ve been going out now for a couple of Well …
just the present weeks and we’re getting on really well. Remember I told you …
simple) How about you and Lauren come double dating Oh yes, …
with us some time? I’m sure Lauren and Mari’ll
Include phrasal
verbs and
have loads in common. How are you two getting Tips for … informal emails
on, by the way?  Use appropriate greetings and closing
idioms to add
interest Call me! expressions.
Ross  Use short forms (I’m not I am).
Just write your
first name  Use a chatty style – avoid formal
expressions and linkers.
 Use phrasal verbs and idioms.
 Ask your reader questions or show
interest in what they’re doing.

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 6

 Writing Workshop A discussion essay

In a discussion essay you consider a topic or statement from

USEFUL LANGUAGE
opposite points of view, before giving your own opinion. Introducing the topic
Example task: ‘The internet is making people better informed.’ Some / Many people think / believe /
Discuss. consider (that) … . However,
others …
A GET IDEAS There are (strong) arguments for and
against this idea.
• What do you already know about the statement or topic?
• List as many arguments as you can for and against. Adding ideas
Furthermore, / Moreover, / What is more, /
For Against In addition (to this), …

help to learn language freedom to choose? Giving reasons and results

… , because / as …
• Now choose your two strongest arguments in each category. Because of / As a result of this, …
• Decide what your own opinion is. One result / effect of this is that …
Introducing contrasting ideas
B PLAN
On the one hand, … . On the other hand ... .
Organize your ideas into paragraphs. In spite (of the fact that)
Paragraph 1 I ntroduction to the topic Despite (the fact that)
Paragraph 2 Arguments for / advantages One (dis)advantage of … is …
Paragraph 3 Arguments against / disadvantages An(other) argument for / against … is …
Paragraph 4 Your own opinion Giving examples
According to …
C WRITE It has been shown that ...
(Research) has shown that …
Give a general Making suggestions or
Many people believe that thanks to the internet,
introduction recommendations
people are better informed than they used to be.
Use linkers of Others, however, argue that the opposite is true. … should (not) / ought (not) to …
contrast On the one hand, by surfing the internet, we have Would (noun / + -ing) be a better solution /
Separate access to information and the latest news at the alternative?
arguments for push of a button. As a result, people no longer Expressing your own opinion
and against into have to spend a great deal of time researching
a specific subject. As a result, they can be fully In my opinion / view, …
two paragraphs
informed about it promptly. Although I partly agree that … , overall, I
Give your own think …
On the other hand, some people say that many
opinion at the end
websites publish information so quickly that they
Use modals
Tips for … writing articles
do not have time to edit it properly. The result
to make of this is that some of the information we have  Just give a general introduction in the first
suggestions and access to is inaccurate. paragraph – don’t give your own opinion.
recommendations  Don’t mix up arguments for and against
In my opinion, we must be careful when using the
in the same paragraph.
Qualify your internet as a source of factual information. Only
 Organize your ideas and give examples
opinion if by double-checking information on various sites
to support them.
necessary can we be properly informed about an issue.
 Only give your own opinion in the final
paragraph.

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 7

 Writing Workshop An article

In an article, your aim is to inform, interest and engage the

USEFUL LANGUAGE
reader, and give your opinion or comment. Ordering your ideas
Example task: Social media – does it make people better Firstly, / First of all, …
connected? Let’s start with …
Another advantage of …
A GET IDEAS On top of that, …

• What do you already know about the topic? Adding ideas

• Make a list of points or ideas to include. Furthermore, / Moreover, / What’s more, /
• Now choose three of your best ideas. In addition (to this), …
• Think of examples to support or illustrate your ideas.
Giving reasons and results
B PLAN … , because / as / since
Because of / Due to ...
Organize your ideas into paragraphs. For example:
As a result of this, ...
Paragraph 1  eneral introduction to the topic
G Therefore, … / Consequently, … / , so ...
Paragraph 2 Your opinions and ideas with examples Involving the reader
Paragraph 3 Conclusion and summary
Just imagine … / Imagine you are …
Have you ever … ?
C WRITE How often do you … ?
How would you feel if … ?
Introduce Are you somebody who … ? If the answer
the topic Social media: keeping us connected
is … , you should …
Have you ever wondered what life would be like
State your Expressing your own opinion
without social media? People are social creatures
opinion
and, over the ages, humans have continued to invent (Personally,) I (don’t) think / believe / feel
Order your ways to connect with others. If you ask me, I am (that) …
ideas of the opinion that people are better connected to I am of the opinion (that) …
one another due to one of those inventions – social
Give I personally believe …
media.
examples It seems to me that …
First of all, social media makes us more connected
Involve the In my opinion / view, …
with people that we know well. Because of Instagram
reader If you ask me, …
we can send photos to friends and family quickly and
easily. In addition, we can use Zoom or WhatsApp to It is clear to me that …
Restate your
opinion at see and talk to them instead of calling them on the Summarising
the end telephone. Another advantage is that social media
To sum up, …
allows us to connect with old friends and classmates.
Facebook gives us a way to find people from our In conclusion, …
past and communicate with them. Moreover, we can All in all, ...
use YouTube to upload videos to show them what
we have been doing since we last saw them. On Tips for … writing articles
top of that, social media lets us connect and make  Give your article a title.
friends with people that we don’t actually know. As a  Organize your ideas and give examples
result of social media networks, we can meet people to illustrate them.
anywhere in the world. What’s more, we can find  Support your ideas by giving evidence
people who share our interests in group chats and or thinking about the possible
chat rooms. consequences of any changes.
It’s clear that social media can help to bring people  Give a conclusion and summary in the
closer together. Personally, I believe that all of us want final paragraph.
to be better connected with others, and social media
gives us an easy and efficient way to do this.

Key 2nd edition Level 1 © Oxford University Press Writing Workshop 8