EOI Matrícula Libre C1 WRITING

-FORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

TASK 1 – 200 WORDS
(A4 = 14 x 15 words) -INFORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

-ESSAY
2 HOURS

-REPORT
-PROPOSAL
-REVIEW
TASK 2 – 300 WORDS -ARTICLE
(A4 = 20 x 15 words)
-Blog Entry
-Presentation of a Topic
-Personal Profile
-Fictional text
 Theme that sums up the main idea of the whole paragraph,
‘TOPIC SENTENCE’ and around which to group the other sentences, ensuring
unity.

1. Question to answer > Brainstorm

2. BODY: Topic Sentence (for each paragraph) > rest of the
WRITING PROCESS paragraph
Steps 3. INTRODUCTION
TIPS
4. CONCLUSION: On-paragraph summary built with the
IN
Topic Sentences or a result/conclusion of them
GENERAL

-To name but a few, …

-Needless to say, …
-…, not to mention…
GREAT EXPRESSIONS -…to say the least.

-If need be / If necessary

-Come what may / Whatever happens
1. FORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

A. SENDER´S NAME
B. DATE

C. RECEIVER´S NAME and ADDRESS

1. Dear Sir/Madam, or To the Editor, or To whom it may concern,

-I am writing with regard / reference to…

-I am writing to express my concern about / apologies for / disapproval
2.1. for / disappointment with / dissatisfaction with…
REASON FOR
WRITING -I would like to draw your attention to…
-I would like to point out certain inaccuracies…
-I should like to make it clear to readers that…

2.2. -Firstly… / To begin with… / I should like to point out…

2. BODY

PARAGRAPHS -In fact… / Moreover… / Furthermore… / In addition…

-I feel I must also (dis)agree with…
*Rephrasing the -According to… / It has been stated… However…
input material -I am convinced that issues like these would be of interest to…
*One point per -(Readers) who are unaware of this situation might learn a great deal
paragraph from an article on it.

2.3. -I would appreciate it / be very grateful if you would…

DESIRED -It seems only fair that you should…
OUTCOME / -I look forward to receiving / seeing…
REQUEST -I trust / very much hope you will…
FOR ACTION -Please find attached [email] / enclosed [letter]…

5. Yours sincerely / faithfully, or (With) best / kind wishes / regards,

6. SENDER´S SIGNATURE
e.g. Marta Gonzalez
Hostel Manager (or other)
RESIGNATION LETTER – Some expressions

1. I would like to resign my position as [job] with [company] to leave on [date].

2. I would like to take the opportunity to say that making this decision has been difficult, as
working at [company] has been such a positive experience and one for which I am grateful.
I have gained much here and enjoyed working with you and my other colleagues in [depart-
ment].

3. My decision is irrevocable as I am now legally bound by having signed a contract.

4. I wish [company] every success in the future and thank you for all the opportunities I have
been given during my time here.

LETTER OF APPLICATION

1. Dear Sir / Madam,

2. REASON FOR WRITING -I am writing to express my strong interest in the position of… as
(1 paragraph = 1-2 sentences) listed…

3. RELEVANT PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE
(1-2 paragraphs)

4. EXPRESSING SUITABILITY -I am convinced that issues like these would be of interest to…
AND DESIRE FOR THE JOB -I would very much like to have the opportunity to…

1. Looking forward to hearing from you.

5. ENDING 2. Your sincerely / faithfully,
3. SENDER´S SIGNATURE
2. INFORMAL LETTER/EMAIL
* Informal register.
* Expressing opinions / feelings, being persuasive, etc.

1. Dear Amy,

-I hope this email finds you well. / (I) hope you're fine.
-Thanks (a lot) for your…
-(It’s) great / lovely to hear from you (after so long)
2. REFERENCE TO
-Apologies / Sorry for this late reply / not having replied sooner / not
PREVIOUS LETTER
having written / not having been in touch (for so long)
-Sorry to hear about your…

-Just a quick note / line to say…

PERSUADING

-You’d get so much out of it.

3. BODY -It’d be a wonderful / marvellous opportunity for you to…
(2-3 paragraphs) -Just think of (all the people you’d meet)
-Just imagine how it would (improve your cv), not to mention (the
*Responding to your money you could earn).
friend’s enquiries
*Use phrasal verbs!
ADVISING

-Whatever you do, make sure you…

-It’s (not) worth / There’s no / little point in + gerund
-If I were you, I’d / wouldn’t …
-You’d be much better off + -ing.

-Write back soon and let me know how it goes .

4. APPROPRIATE -Looking forward to hearing from you.
ENDING -Can’t wait to see / meet you again.
-(Give my) love / regards to…

FRIENDS = All the best / Best wishes / Bye for now

5. SIGNING OFF
CLOSE FRIENDS / RELATIVES = Lots of love / Love / All my love

6. Marta (xx)
3. ESSAY

*Formal register with impersonal language (in 3rd person / no 1st person pronouns)
*Addressed to a teacher.
*The best essay answers to ´HOW´
*It must be united by a central idea / thesis, which provide point and purpose.
TIPS

*WRITING ORDER:
BODY (Topic Sentences > rest of paragraphs) >> INTRO >> CONCLUSION

1. INTRO
‘To what extent’
2. ARGUMENTS TOWARDS and AGAINST
or
3. (SYNTHESIS)
‘How far’
4. CONCLUSION

1. INTRO
STRUCTURES

‘Compare, contrast and give a solution’ 2. AREAS 1-2-3 (similarities and differences)
3. CONCLUSION
TYPES
and

SPRE 1. INTRO (Situation / Problem = causes and effects)

[Situation-problem-response- 2. SOLUTIONS 1-2-3 (Evaluation)
evaluation] 3. CONCLUSION

1. INTRO
‘Discuss’ 2. FOR and AGAINST OPINIONS
3. CONCLUSION

-All the evidences suggest that…

-It is probably true to say that… -A recent survey proved that…
Expressing Referring to -Judging by the comments made by…
-It is simply not the case that…
opinions sources -Interviews with (students) have revealed
-It is my firm belief that…
USEFUL VOCABULARY

that…

-There are those who argue that…

Saying what -It has been suggested that… Agreeing -It cannot be denied that…
other people -It is often claimed that… with a -There can be no doubt that…
think -Opponents/Supporters/Proponents of (x) statement -It is true to some extent that…
argue that…

-It is widely believed that…

-It would be wrong to argue that…
Commonly -No one would dispute the fact that… Disagreement -I would dispute the claim that…
held views -Few people would contest/dispute (the with a -It is difficult to accept the idea
fact) that… statement that…
-It is generally agreed that…
ESSAY

1. BACKGROUND (setting the scene / context: outline, perspectives,

definition)
1. INTRODUCTION *Using a HOOK

50 words 2. REASON FOR THE PROPOSITION (brief rephrasing of the essay title)
2-3 sentences
3. THESIS STATEMENT (question to be address) and DIRECTION (how
it will be addressed)

1. TOPIC SENTENCE (strong supportive point)

2. ILLUSTRATION

2. BODY 3. EXPLANATION (concrete evidence, example)

PARAGRAPH
200 words STRUCTURE
2-3 paragraphs 4. CONCLUSION STATEMENT TIED TO THE
THESIS

5. TRASITION TO NEXT PARAGRAPH (except for

the final paragraph)

1. RE-STATEMENT OF THE THESIS and SUMMARY OF MAIN

POINTS
*To sum up / In short / To conclude

3. CONCLUSION 2. PERSONAL CONCLUSIO and REASONS (how you answer the essay
50 words question)
3-4 lines
3. WIDER APPLICATIONS
4. FURTHER SUGGESTIONS

5. ENDING STATEMENT
4. PROPOSAL

1. RELEVANT TITLE -Proposal for…

Paragraph 1
‘INTRODUCTION’

-[Site] is well equipped to deal with / perfectly suited for (such

events).
Paragraph 2 -It is conveniently located / ideally situated / well connected to…
‘SUITABLITY’
2. BODY -There is little doubt that it would be a resounding success / of
great benefit to the town / company.
5-6 paragraphs
1 paragraph = 1 area
-There is no shortage / a wide selection of (hotels / cinemas) to
*Answers related to
the planned event Paragraph 3 choose from.
‘AMENITIES / -The town / conference centre / school boasts an impressive
*Brief paragraph FACILITIES’ range of amenities / facilities.
headings -Few cities / schools can offer such a large choice of…

-It is within easy reach / walking distance / driving distance of

Paragraph 4 the (centre/hotel).
‘TRAVEL AND -It is just a short walk / drive / bus ride / train ride from the
TRANSPORT’ (coast / station).
-The (town) has easy access to (the motorway network).

3. POSITIVE
-The town has a reputation for making its guests feel at home, and we feel sure that if the
CONCLUDING
festival were hosted here, it would be a resounding success.
REMARK
5. REPORT

1. RELEVANT TITLE

2. OPENING PARAGRAPH: 1- The aim/purpose of this report is to examine / evaluate / describe /

‘INTRODUCTION’ (heading) outline…
2- It will also include / consider / suggest / recommend…
*Outline of the purpose of the 3- The report is based on a survey conducted among (college students).
report

3. BODY ‘AREA 1’

*2-3 PARAGRAPHS ‘AREA 2’

*1 paragraph = 1 area
*Brief headings ‘AREA 3’

-The outlook for young people / jobs / the

country is (far from) bright / optimistic /
depressing.
PREDICTING THE
-The future looks bleak / remain uncertain / is
FUTURE
promising.
4. FINAL PARAGRAPH:
-This seems unlikely in the near / foreseeable
‘FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS’
future.
*Conclusion addressing the
final point of the task
-I would (strongly) recommend that (the school
/ company) should…
MAKING
-In the light of the results of the survey, I would
RECOMMENDATIONS
(strongly) advise against…
-I feel it would be tour advantage if…
6. REVIEW

1. BOOK TITLE
(or film, concert, play, exhibition, magazine, etc.)

2. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BOOK’S CONTENT

*1 sentence about what the reader will learn from the book
*Use question sentences to engage the reader´s attention

3.1. -Characters
INFO ABOUT -Plot
THE BOOK -Style
-Weaknesses / Strengths
*In sections -etc.

3.2. -…provides a fascinating / valuable / revealing

CRITICAL insight into…
COMMENTARY -I found the plot rather…
3. BODY -The acting is very…
*Describing -On particular strength / weakness of… is…
*2-3 paragraphs *Narrating -The design / characterization / production is
*Use phrasal verbs + idioms. *Evaluating second to none / not its best feature

-Don’t be put off by the title / critics / cover.

3.3. -It will have you roaring with laughter / rushing out to
ENCOURAGING buy the sequel.
OTHERS (NOT) -It is a definitive must-see.
TO READ / -I would recommend it to anyone interested in…
WATCH / LISTEN -I would strongly advice you (not) to go out and buy / see
it.

4. FINAL -…is an excellent read.

RECOMMENDATION -…is entertaining / educational / etc.
*Use phrasal verbs + idioms. -…highly recommended to anyone who…
7. ARTICLE

1. CACHY TITLE
*To state the main topic
*To attract and retain the reader’s attention

2. INTRODUCTION
STRUCTURE *To define the topic and keep the reader´s attention

3. MAIN BODY: VARIOUS SECTIONS (with headings)

*To develop the topic in detail

4. CONCLUSION = SUMMARY + FINAL COMMENT / RECOMMENDATION

WHERE -Written for diverse publications and their readers

is to be published -Suitable style for the publication / media and the target audience

WHO -Suitable style for the target audience

are the intended readers -Giving a personal angle
TIPS

-To convey info / inform

-To describe sth (also including narratives, anecdotes, reported speech)
WHAT
-To compare-contrast
is its aim
-To offer suggestions / advice
-To present opinions / arguments
8. Blog Entry

1. CATCHY TITLE

2.1. PARAGRAPH 1 = MAIN POINT

STRUCTURE 2. BODY
2.2. NEXT PARAGRAPHS = DETAILS

3. FINAL PARAGRAPH Background info and your name

-Friendly and informal style

-Always polite, respectful and informative
-1st person (‘I’)

-Include references to your context and experience, reflections, recommendations, reports, etc.

*Describe rather than tell (‘it was great’ >>> why you enjoyed it)
TIPS

-Try to question your readers and ask for their responses

-Don’t be negative or write about sth you dislike

-Don’t impose your beliefs
DON’T
-Don’t include links to commercial sites, ads or inappropriate material.
-Don’t give personal contact details or other personal info
9. Presentation of a Topic

1. GREET the audience and PRESENT/INTRODUCE YOURSELF

1. TOPIC STATEMENT -I will be talking about…

2. OUTLINE AND STATEMENT -My task will be divided into… / will

OF THE POINTS consist of [number] parts, which
2. INTRODUCTION
are…
-Purpose
.Issues / challenges
.Desired outcome

-Develop the main points to be
addressed in order (under an
organising principle, such as
chronological, theme,
importance, etc)
3.BODY
-Use of evidences / example
-To begin with, I’m going to…
-Firstly… / Secondly… / Finally…
-Another point is… / Moving on to…
-A contrary view to consider is…
-For example / instance…
-[Autor’s name] states that…

-Summary after each point

-Links between ideas

1. Restate the topic and purpose

2. Summarize the points, and their -I’d like to end by summarising the
4. CONCLUSION implications and conclusions main points.
-I think it’s clear…

3. Further suggestions (a call to action)

5. THANK THE AUDIENCE

*PROMPT NOTES (bullet points)

TIPS *EYE CONTACT OR ON A POINT AT THE MIDDLE OF THEIR FOREHEADS
10. Personal Profile

1. INTRODUCTION = BACKGROUND and AGE

2. INTERESTS

3. SKILLS

4. EXPERIENCE (chronological order from more recent to far into the past)