How to Write an Article for FCE Writing Part 2
An
article is a very common type of text nowadays. We can find all kinds of
articles in newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc. For this reason, in order to
know how to write an article for FCE, we must bear in mind
who will be reading our article.
Let’s
take a look at the characteristics of an article :
- Purpose of
an article: The aim of an article is usually to talk about a topic that we like
or that we are familiar with. Besides, one of the features that articles have is
that an article must entertain the reader .
- Language: In
general, an article is more
informal than an essay. We must write a text in an informal or colloquial style. For
this reason, our tone must be
relaxed, making use of contractions, phrasal verbs and other
colloquial expressions. Besides, it is recommended to use rhetorical
questions and exclamation marks to engage the reader. You should also
address the reader directly in the second person (you, your) and can
make jokes if you think they are appropriate.
- Structure: Articles
must always have a title. If
possible, this must be catchy and
witty so as to engage the reader. Then, each paragraph must address a single idea, to which you must
add the introduction and the conclusion, where you are usually expected to
make a recommendation. It is also a good idea to end your article with a
rhetorical question, especially if it is going to be an online article
where people could (in theory) leave a comment.
- Giving
your opinion: An article is almost exclusively about
giving your opinion, so feel free to do so throughout the whole piece of
writing. As you are normally asked to write about something you like or
enjoy, opinions are expected to be generally positive. Any article is usually a very personal piece of
writing, so you can speak in the first person as much as you like. 馃槉
- Common
topics: You may be asked to write articles on a
variety of topics: the Internet, health and fitness, music, plays,
hobbies, etc.
- Number of
words: you are expected to write your article in 140 – 190 words, no more or
less than any other type of FCE Writing task.
FCE Writing Article Example
Now that
we are familiar with the characteristics of an article,
the best way to know how to write an article for FCE
Writing is to take a look at an example
of an article at First-B2 level. So let’s see an example of a task
and a sample answer to that very same task.
Instructions of an Article for the FCE Writing Paper
It is
extremely important to read the instructions carefully,
as you are supposed to obtain all the information you need to write the
article. In this case we can see the following:
- Where our
article will be published: a local magazine
- Topic: their favourite things about the Internet
- Main ideas: things you do with the internet, recommend a web
- It is visually appealing: The structure is clear, leaving space
between paragraphs and defining a clear introduction and conclusion.
- Each paragraph has a clear objective
·
The
introduction presents
the topic in a general way, but making clear what the article is about: the
Internet.
·
The second
paragraph talks
about why I like the Internet and one of the things that I like about it.
·
The third
paragraph makes a
recommendation of a website, explaining why I like it so much.
·
The conclusion is a summary of sorts and asks the reader for
some feedback on their own preferences regarding the use of the Internet.
- The
language is informal:
·
Phrasal verbs: put you up, check out.
·
Contractions: Isn’t that fantastic?
·
Colloquial
phrases: one
of the cool things, I totally recommend it, etc.
·
We address the
reader directly: What about you?
·
Exclamation
marks: …find the answer!
Useful
Expressions to Write an Article for FCE Writing
If you want to know how to write
an article for FCE, it is very important to have a repository of
useful expressions ready to use. So here are some which can come in
handy:
- Rhetorical
questions:
·
Have you ever…?
·
Do you ever wonder…?
·
What do you
think about…?
·
Are you a… like
me?
·
Are you one of
those people who…?
·
What would you
say if I told you that…?
- Introducing
new ideas:
·
Firstly,
·
First,
·
In the rst place,
·
To begin with,
·
The coolest thing about
·
What attracts me most
·
One thing to consider is
·
Another consideration is
·
Secondly,
·
As for
·
As to
·
Also,
·
As regards
·
In addition,
·
In addition to that,
·
Moreover,
- Concluding
the article:
·
In conclusion,
·
On the whole,
·
To sum up,
·
To conclude,
·
All in all,
·
… you will not
regret it!
