FCE Writing Overview Activity– teacher’s notes

Description

A matching activity to give students an overview of some of the different text types in the FCE Writing paper.

Time required: 45-60 minutes

Additional materials required:

sample tasks (FCE Handbook pp 23-4).

Aims: to raise students’ awareness of the different text types found in Paper 2 by highlighting features such as text organisation, register and text-specific conventions.

Procedure

1. Ask students to brainstorm in pairs/small groups what types of texts they usually write (e.g. email, letter etc.), either in English or their own language. Give them 3 minutes to do this. Collect some feedback, writing the different text types on the board as a spidergram.

2. Now ask students how often they write each different text type. Ask them, for example, which they write most/least.

3. Divide students into A’s and B’s, and then put the A’s in pairs small groups, and B’s in pairs/small groups. First, give the A’s a copy of the Part 1 task (FCE Handbook p.23) and B’s a copy of Part 2 tasks (p.24). Then give each student a copy of worksheet 1. Ask each pair to discuss the questions in relation to their part (Part 1 or Part 2). Give them 5 minutes for this.

4. Now put the students into new pairs, A’s with B’s. They compare their answers in relation to both parts and discuss the main differences.

5. Check the answers in class, and deal with any queries. Go through the different types of task focus. Point out that students should only attempt question 5 if the set texts are included in their exam preparation.

6. Elicit/Explain which of the text types are in the exam. These are: letter, email, article, essay, report, review, story.

7. Tell students that they are going to look at some opening excerpts from each of the different written texts that are found in the exam.

8. Give each student a copy of worksheet 2. Ask them to read each of the excerpts and match each one to the relevant text type. In pairs/groups, they then discuss which features of each helped them to decide.

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9. Check the answers in class.

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Suggested follow-up activities/questions (and answers)

Give students a simplified version of the mark scheme (FCE Handbook p.28) and a copy of each of the sample answers (FCE Handbook pp. 30-36, with the ‘Marks awarded‘ comment blanked out). In a large class, give each student/pair one sample answer each, otherwise give 2-3 answers to each student/pair. Go through the simplified mark scheme in class and then ask them to read their sample answer and predict which mark their answer would receive. Ask them to justify their answers, before telling them which mark each was awarded.

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FCE Writing Overview Activity – answer keys

Key to Students’ worksheet 1

Part 1 Part 2

1 How many questions do you have to answer?

One One

2 How many questions can you choose from?

One – this is the compulsory task

4 – question 5 is the set text question

3 What type of text should you write?

Letter or email Article, essay, letter, report, review or story (Q2-4),

Article, essay, letter, report or review (Q5)

4 How many words are you allowed to write?

120 – 150 words 120 – 180 words

5 Is there any extra information, apart from the question, to help you write your answer?

Yes – candidates are required to deal with input material of up to 160 words. They must include all content points in their answer, and expand them where appropriate with relevant ideas and information.

Yes – input material is specified in no more than 70 words, and should help students determine the target reader of the text and the required register.

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Key to Students’ worksheet 2

Article:

Top teacher Tania! I’ll never forget the first day I met Tania. She looked at me and said, “You must be Pablo. You have beautiful eyes”. I really felt that she was talking to me, and I knew my eyes were shining with happiness. From that moment on, she was my favourite teacher.

The main purpose of an article is to interest and engage the reader, so there should be some opinion or comment, and an eye-catching heading will help.

Email:

To: Sara Martins Sent: 29th July Subject: Restaurant I just received your message and…

An email is written in response to the situation outlined in the input material. Candidates should be aware that they will be expected to write grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and punctuation in a style suited to the situation and target reader.

Essay:

It’s easy to claim that country life is better than city life, but a balanced approach must take in both sides. An essay is usually written for a teacher and may be written as a follow up to a class activity. It should be well organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropriate conclusion. The main purpose of this task is the development of an argument and/or discussion of issues surrounding a certain topic. Letter:

Dear Andrew, How are you doing?

This is an informal letter, which would be written to a known reader, e.g. a pen friend, and would usually be intended to interest the reader in some way. A formal letter would be written to an individual or an organisation, e.g. to apply for part-time work.

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Report:

Keeping healthy in Bratislava This report includes advice on how to stay in top shape while living in Bratislava, with practical suggestions on where to eat and where to do sport.

A report may be neutral or formal in style, but the style should be consistent. It should be well-organised, with clear sections. Section headings can help to make the report easy to read.

Review:

I recently went to the cinema to see a film. It was the best film I have ever seen… A review is usually written for an English language magazine, newspaper or website. The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a film, a product, a holiday, a website etc.). Story:

Alice knew that it was going to be a very special day for her.

A short story is often written for a magazine; its immediate purpose would be to engage the interest of the reader, so a strong beginning is important.

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FCE Writing Overview Activity– Student’s Worksheet 1

How much do you know about the FCE Writing paper? There are two parts to the paper. Your teacher will give you either a Part 1 or Part 2. Look at the exam paper and answer the following questions: 1 How many questions do you have to answer? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 How many questions can you choose from? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 What type of text should you write? ………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 4 How many words are you allowed to write? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5 Is there any extra information, apart from the question, to help you write your

answer? ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Now compare your answers with a student who was looking at a different part. What are the main differences between the two parts? Look at the table below, showing the different text types that are found on the FCE Writing paper. Which of the following text types were on the sample paper you looked at? Discuss this in pairs. Part 1 Part 2 Letter Email

Article Essay Letter Report Review Story

In Part 1 the task is compulsory. The task might focus on advising, apologising, comparing, describing, explaining, expressing opinions, justifying, persuading, recommending or suggesting.

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FCE Writing Overview Activity – Students’ Worksheet 2

In Part 2, you choose one task from questions 2-5. Question 5 has two options and is based on one of two stories. (Only choose this task if you have studied one of the set texts in your examination preparation). The focus of the task may include: advising, comparing, describing, explaining, expressing opinions, justifying or recommending.

Look at the following. These extracts are all from the beginning of the seven different types of written texts that you can expect to find in the FCE Writing paper. Match each one to the type of text it introduces. Think about what helps you decide.

Article Email Essay Letter Report Review Story

Dear Andrew,

How are you doing? Keeping healthy in Bratislava This report includes advice on how to stay in top shape while living in Bratislava, with practical suggestions on where to eat and where to do sport. To: Sara Martins Sent: 29th July Subject: Restaurant I just received your message and… Alice knew that it was going to be a very special day for her… Top teacher Tania! I’ll never forget the first day I met Tania. She looked at me and said, “You must be Pablo. You have beautiful eyes”. I really felt that she was talking to me, and I knew my eyes were shining with happiness. From that moment on, she was my favourite teacher. I recently went to the cinema to see a film. It was the best film I have ever seen… It’s easy to claim that country life is better than city life, but a balanced approach must take in both sides. © UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms of Use at http://www.teachers.cambridgeESOL.org/ts/legalinfo FCE Writing Overview Activity– teacher’s notes www.teachers.cambridgeesol.org Page 7 of 7