Strategy 7 - Paper 2 article
This time we will have a closer look at an article. It may be one of the choices in Part 2 of the FCE writing Paper, both on the basis of set reading books and not.
Below you will find a few example tasks:
A magazine for young people has asked readers to send in articles describing a person they have known for along time. Write an article (120-180 words) for the magazine.
A local tourist magazine has asked you to write a composition about sporting events that are taking place in your area in the next few weeks and which will be of interest to international visitors. Write your article (120-180 words).
An international magazine for schools has asked you to write an article telling their readers about an interesting or unusual sport that you know about. Write your article (120-180 words).
The director of tourism in your area is worried about the number of young tourists who hire bicycles without knowing enough about local traffic conditions to us them safely. You have been asked to write an article called Safe Cycling , in which you give useful advice to English-speaking tourists. Write your article (120-180 words).
It should take you 45 minutes to answer one question.
Below you will find an example of a properly written article:
An international music magazine has asked for contributions on stars whose careers have had a big influence on pop music. Write your article (120-180 words).
“The King” is dead – long live “The King”
They called him “The King”, but was this title justified? How much influence did the career of this fifties singing star really have on the development of pop music?
Elvis Presley became, during the 1950s, the idol of teenagers everywhere. He sold millions of records and by the early sixties he had a string of No 1 hits. Not only was he a successful pop star, but he also made many popular films. And although his popularity decreased during the sixties, he made a comeback in the early seventies. The music world was shocked by his early death in 1977 and some people still refuse to believe he is really dead.
What was so special about Elvis? The rock’n’roll age probably began with Bill Haley, but Elvis made pop music sexy. Parents were horrified but teenagers loved everything about Elvis – his hairstyle, his clothes and, above all, his music. He was young, energetic and different and he helped teenagers to find a new identity.
Elvis the man died in 1977, but Elvis the idol lives on.
On the basis of the above example we will find some characteristics of a well written article.
1. It is interesting to read. The title (underlined) attracts the readers’ attention.
2. It involves the reader from the very beginning. By the interesting and engrossing introduction (the result achieved by asking a question), the reader wants to read on.
3. It is written in a style that in not too formal, but not too conversational either.
4. You can include your own ideas and opinions as well as facts.
5. You should use any opportunity there may be to show your ability to describe people, places or objects.
6. Try to end by making the reader think about what he or she has read.
7. Remember to divide the article into clear paragraphs, here:
- 1 – introduction
- 2 – biography
- 3 – what was special about him
- 4 – rounded off ending
Below there is a “pre-processed” answer to an exam question. Try to write the full answer yourself:
An international magazine for young people is holding a competition for writers. The rules say that you must write an article about a useful gadget that you use a lot. You should include information about how it works, what it is used for, why you think it\'s important and any other facts you know about it.
Write your article (120-180 words).
Plan and write your article.
Remember to give your article a heading and underline it.
Paragraph 1
This needs to catch the reader\'s attention. As this is about a product that is useful in your daily life, you could talk about what it is and how often you use it. Since this is an article for a magazine for young people, the language and style need to be fairly informal, and you may address the reader directly if you like.
Paragraph 2
Talk about what the product does and how it works. If possible, give some of the history of the product or talk about how long you have had it.
Paragraph 3
Say a little about some of the other advantages of the product, and explain how it has changed your life.
Paragraph 4
You could finish by addressing the reader - say how much the reader would probably like it, give details about where it can be bought, etc.
Check your writing for spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes.
TEST
