Category: WRITING

How to Write a Review of a Place

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What is a Review?

A review is a piece of writing where you share your opinions and experiences about a particular place, service, or product. It provides valuable information to potential visitors or users, helping them make informed decisions.

The Rating System

A rating system is a tool to communicate your overall opinion concisely. Here’s a basic guide to a five-star rating system:

  • ★☆☆☆☆ – Very poor (I hated it )
  • ★★☆☆☆ – Below average (I didn’t like it)
  • ★★★☆☆ – Average (I didn’t like it but I didn’t hate it)
  • ★★★★☆ – Above average (I liked it)
  • ★★★★★ – Excellent (I loved it)

Useful Phrases and Vocabulary:

  1. Introduction:
    • I recently visited/ explored…
    • I had the opportunity to visit…
    • Let me share my thoughts on…
  2. Positive Expressions:
    • I was impressed by…
    • The highlight for me was…
    • It exceeded my expectations in…
  3. Negative Expressions:
    • I was disappointed with…
    • It fell short of my expectations in…
    • I found it lacking in…
  4. Overall Opinion:
    • In conclusion…
    • To sum up…
    • All in all…
  5. Recommendation:
    • I highly recommend…
    • I strongly recommend this place because…
    • I would suggest…
    • If you enjoy…, you’ll definitely like…
  6. Comparisons:
    • In comparison to…, I found…
    • Unlike…, this was…
    • When compared to…, this stood out as…
  7. Personal Experience:
    • From my perspective…
    • Personally, I feel…
    • In my opinion…
  8. Rating Explanation:
    • I would give it a rating of…
    • On a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate it…
    • My overall rating is…

Now that you know which parts should be included in a review of a place 📍⭐, let’s see an example:

Pro tips for writing a review of a place

  • Start with a clear introduction
  • Provide specific details about the ambiance, service, or products.
  • Balance positive and negatives
  • Use descriptive language (include a wide variety of adjectives and adverbs
  • Remember to share your personal opinion and your evaluation.

 Time to practice

You see this announcement in a travel magazine.

Review wanted!
Write a review about a place that you have recently visited. It could be a restaurant, a park, a city, or a hotel. You should also provide a score for the place.

Type your answer in the box below, and I’ll give you personalized feedback.

How to Write Emails Arranging a Party

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When writing an email to make arrangements, it’s important to include the following elements:

  1. Greeting: Start your email with a polite greeting, such as “Dear [Recipient’s Name],”.
  2. Introduction: Introduce yourself and state the purpose of your email. For example: “I hope you’re doing well. I am writing to discuss arrangements for a party.”
  3. Request: Clearly state what you are requesting, which is to arrange a party. Be direct and use simple language. For example: “I would like to request your assistance in organizing a party.”
  4. Party Details: Provide essential details about the party, such as the date, time, location, and any specific requirements or preferences. Keep it simple and concise. For example: “The party is planned for [date] from [time] at [location]. We expect around [number] guests and would like to have some music and decorations.”
  5. Assistance Needed: Clearly mention the areas where you need assistance or support. For example: “I would appreciate your help in organizing the logistics, such as coordinating food and drinks, arranging music, and selecting decorations.”
  6. Ask for Suggestions: Politely ask the recipient for any suggestions or ideas they might have for the party. Use phrases like:
    • “I would be grateful for any suggestions you may have to make the party more enjoyable.”
    • “If you have any ideas regarding the theme or activities, please let me know.”
  7. Express Appreciation: Show gratitude for the recipient’s time and assistance. For example: “Thank you for considering my request. Your help is greatly appreciated, and I value your input.”
  8. Closing: End your email with a polite closing. For example: “Thank you once again. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
  9. Sign-off: Use a formal sign-off appropriate for the recipient, such as “Best regards” or “Sincerely,” followed by your name.

Now that you know the steps to write an email arranging a party, let’s see an example

Useful vocabulary to make requests in emails

  • Would it be possible to + (base form)?
  • I would be most grateful if you could + (base form).
  • I was wondering if I could + (base form).
  • Would you mind + (ing verb)?
  • Could you please + (base form)?
  • Please call me as soon as you hear anything.
  • Your help is greatly appreciated
  • Thank you for considering my request

Writing practice

You’re organizing a surprise party and need to write two emails to make requests – one to the venue for the party, the other to the guests. Decide …

  • … who the party is for.
  • … where it is going to be.
  • … what you would like to happen.
  • … what requests you will make of the venue/the guests

How to Write a Description of an Event

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What is a description of an event?

A description of an event is when we talk about something that happened. It’s like telling a story or sharing details about a specific occasion.

We give information about the event’s name, where it happened, the date, the people involved, and what actually took place.

The purpose is to help others understand what the event was like, to imagine being there.

We want to convey the atmosphere, feelings, and important moments.

Describing events can be done in different situations, such as writing articles, essays, blogs, talking about personal experiences, or discussing historical events.

Why is it important to learn how to describe an event?

Understanding how to describe events using cause-and-effect phrases is important because it helps you explain why things happen and what comes as a result.

It’s about showing the connection between actions and their results. When you describe events using cause and effect, you can provide clear explanations and connect the dots in a logical way. This skill is useful for speaking and writing, whether you’re talking about things that happened, sharing stories, or expressing your thoughts.

It helps you make your point more clearly and convincingly. Being able to show cause-and-effect relationships helps people understand what you’re saying and makes your language skills better. It’s a valuable tool for communicating effectively and improving your English.

How to Describe an Event?

Step 1: Introduce the event

Begin by giving a short introduction about the event you want to describe. Include important details like the event’s name, the date, and where it happened.

For example:

Last weekend, I went to a music concert at the local stadium.

Step 2: Explain the cause

Next, use one of the cause phrases to explain the reason or why something happened. Choose a phrase that best fits the cause-effect relationship you want to describe. Here are some examples:

  1. Because many people wanted tickets…
  2. Due to the rainy weather…
  3. Since they changed the venue at the last moment…
  4. As the main singer got sick…

Step 3: Describe the result or effect

After explaining the cause, describe what happened as a result. Use phrases that show the outcome of the event. Here are some examples:

  1. The concert tickets sold out quickly.
  2. The outdoor event got cancelled.
  3. Some fans missed the first performance.
  4. We decided to leave early and get our money back.

Step 4: Combine the cause and effect phrases

Finally, put the cause and effect phrases together to make complete sentences or a paragraph that makes sense. Here are some examples:

  1. Because many people wanted tickets, the concert sold out quickly. It was a big success.
  2. Due to the rainy weather, the outdoor event got cancelled, which disappointed many people.
  3. Since they changed the venue at the last moment, some fans missed the first performance, which was unfortunate.
  4. As the main singer got sick, we decided to leave early and get our money back. It was a bit disappointing, but we still enjoyed the rest of the show.

By combining cause and effect phrases, you can create clear descriptions of events. Remember to adjust the sentences to match the specific event you’re talking about. Practice using these phrases in different situations to improve your understanding and skill.

Now that you know the steps to describe an event, let’s see an example

Useful language to express cause-and-effect

Cause PhrasesEffect Phrases
BecauseAs a result
SinceTherefore
Due toConsequently
As a result ofHence
The main cause ofThus
One factor that contributes toSo
The reason forAs a consequence
Leads toResult in
Brings aboutLeads to
TriggersCauses
Results inAffects
Is responsible forInfluences
ProducesContributes to

Pro tips for describing an event

Make sure that you:

  1. Introduce the event clearly.
  2. Describe the outcome or result.
  3. Include relevant details to paint a vivid picture.
  4. Use clear and concise language.
  5. Organize your thoughts logically.
  6. Show the connection between the cause and effect.

 Practice time

You are going to write a post describing an event you went to. It can be a real event or you can invent one. Think about:

  • when and where the event was and why you went there.
  • who you went with and what it was like
  • anything that was unusual about the event and why
  • what the best part of it was and why

Write your post in the comments below to get feedback

🤔 How to Write a Report About a Graph

teacherjulieta20 Comments

Sometimes in proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge, you may be asked to describe a graph. But what exactly is a graph?

A graph is a visual representation of data or information. It helps us understand and analyze different trends, patterns, or comparisons in a clear and organized way.

In these exams, you may come across various types of graphs that you’ll need to describe. Let’s take a look at some common types of graphs:

When you talk about graphs in these exams, it’s important to give a clear and short summary of the main things you see.

It’s good to learn how to describe graphs because it helps you understand and explain information better. You can use this skill to study and share data in your writing.

Here you have the basic guidelines to write a report to describe a graph:

📋📊What is a report describing a graph?

A report describing a graph is a way to explain and share information about a graph you see. A graph is a picture that shows data or information in a clear and organized way.

When you write a report about a graph, you look at the different parts of the graph and describe what you see. You talk about the important points, like the highest or lowest values, the trends or patterns you notice, or any comparisons between different parts of the graph.

Writing a report describing a graph helps you understand and communicate the information in the graph to others. It’s like telling a story about the graph and what it shows.

🗹 Parts of a report describing a graph

1 Introduction

  • Start by explaining what the survey is about, who did it, and when.

Example: “This report tells us about a survey on [topic].

  • Use the passive to do this:

Example: The survey was done in [month/ year]/ by [organization/ person]

2 Main findings

  • Begin with the most important discovery in the first sentence.

Example: “The most important thing we learned from the survey is that [state the discovery].”

  • Use numbers and facts to support your main finding. Use words like “but,” “different,” or “compared to” to talk about contrasting information.
  • If there is more than one topic or discovery, talk about each one in a different paragraph.
  • Use words like “but,” “different,” or “while” to show contrasting information.
  • Use simple words and phrases like “most people,” “almost two-thirds,” or “a lot” to describe numbers.

Conclusion

  • Explain what you think the survey results mean using phrases like “show,” “seem,” or “tell us.”

Example: “The survey results show that [interpretation of findings].”

  • Give a suggestion or advice based on the survey results.

Example: “From these findings, it would be a good idea to [suggested action].”

💡 USEFUL VOCABULARY

Now that you know the parts of a report and the steps to follow, let’s see a report sample for the IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge or Duolingo tests

Survey Question: How many hours per week do you spend following the news?

Results:

Useful language to describe a graph

StageVocabulary and Phrases
Introduction– The picture/graph shows…
– This picture/graph has information about…
– The horizontal line is for…
– This picture/graph gives a general idea of…
– This report presents the findings of…
– The purpose of this report/survey was to…
Describing the graph– Overall, we can see that…
– The results show that…
– The graph goes up/down a lot…
– The numbers/values show…
– The graph keeps changing/stays the same/goes up and down.
– The highest point is at…
– The lowest point is at…
– There is a big/small change from… to…
– There is a big/small change from… to…
– The numbers show a pattern of…
Comparisons– Compared to…
– Similarly
– In contrast…
– There is a big difference between…
– There is a big difference between…
– Two things are different:…
– On one side, … On the other side, …
– While…, …; But…, …
Specific data and statistics– According to the graph, the percentage/number is…
– The graph shows that…
– Most/Some/Many…
– Almost two-thirds/half/one-fourth of…
– About/Around…
– It’s important to notice that…
Concluding the report– In conclusion/To finish,…
– Overall, we can say…
– This picture/graph helps us understand…
– From the graph/ diagram/ survey, we can see…
– Based on the information, we can tell…
– This survey/ graph/ diagram suggests that…

Pro tips for writing reports

Make sure that you:

  • wrote a title that shows what the report is about
  • divided the report into clear paragraphs with subheadings
  • did NOT use contractions or informal words
  • Used connectors and formulaic expressions (useful language)
  • Used the correct verb tenses, word forms and punctuation
  • your ideas are easy to read and understand

 Practice time

You have been asked to write a report about a media survey.

Look at the following chart.

Write your report in the comments below.

Don’t Make These Writing Mistakes – Tips for English Learners

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As a high-intermediate English learner, you’ve likely already gained a lot of proficiency in the language. However, there are still some common writing mistakes that can prevent you from reaching your full potential. Here are five of the most common writing mistakes made by high-intermediate English learners, along with some tips on how to avoid them.

1. Using the wrong verb tense

One of the most common mistakes that English learners make is using the wrong verb tense. This can happen for a number of reasons, including confusion about the rules for each tense, or simply not having enough practice using them. To avoid this mistake, take the time to review the different verb tenses and their uses, and try to practice using them in context as much as possible.

Example:

Wrong: Last night, I see a movie with my friends.

Correct: Last night, I saw a movie with my friends.

In this example, the incorrect verb tense is “see”. The past tense of “see” is “saw”. To correct the sentence, we need to use the past tense of the verb “see”, which is “saw”. So the correct sentence is “Last night, I saw a movie with my friends”.

Remember, in English, the verb tense must match the time period you are describing. By paying attention to the verb tense you are using, you can avoid common errors and communicate more effectively in English.

Review and practice verb tenses 👇

Click to access ReaderVerbTenses.pdf

Click to access VerbTensesAccessibleFebruary2020.pdf

2. Misusing articles

Another common mistake made by English learners is misusing articles (i.e. “a”, “an”, and “the”). This can happen when learners are unsure about whether to use a definite or indefinite article or when they simply forget to include an article altogether. To avoid this mistake, try to pay close attention to the way that articles are used in English, and practice using them in your writing.

Learn more about articles 👇

Articles (Part 1)
Articles (part 2)

3. Failing to use subject-verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is another important aspect of English grammar that many learners struggle with. This mistake can occur when learners don’t understand the rules for matching the subject and verb in a sentence, or when they don’t pay enough attention to the subject-verb agreement when writing. To avoid this mistake, practice using subject-verb agreement in your writing and seek feedback from your English teacher or language tutors.

Learn more about subject – verb agreement 👇

Click to access subject-verb-agreement.pdf

4. Poor sentence structure

This can include writing super long and confusing sentences, incomplete sentences, and incorrect use of punctuation. To avoid these mistakes, focus on writing clear, concise sentences and review punctuation rules regularly.

One of the best ways to improve sentence structure is to read extensively in English. This will expose you to a wide variety of sentence structures, and help you develop a better sense of how sentences are constructed.

If you struggle with long and complicated sentences, try breaking them down into shorter sentences. This will make your writing easier to read and understand.

Learn more about sentence structure 👇

Click to access Common-Sentence-Structure-Problems.pdf

5. Lack of coherence

Coherence refers to the logical flow of ideas in a piece of writing. High-intermediate English learners often struggle with this, as they may have difficulty connecting ideas or organizing their thoughts. To improve coherence, make an outline before you start writing, and use transitions and linking words to connect your ideas.

Learn more about coherence 👇

Click to access ielts_writing-_coherence_cohesion.pdf

Click to access cohesion-coherence.original.pdf

Click to access Regent-Writing-Lab-Coherence-and-Cohesion.pdf

Click to access coherence.pdf

You can avoid common writing mistakes by reviewing grammar rules, paying attention to word choice, practising spelling, focusing on sentence structure, and improving coherence.

By addressing these areas, you can improve your writing skills and communicate more effectively in English.

How to Write a Movie Review

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For the B2 FCE Cambridge exam

A movie review is an informal piece of writing that describes and evaluates a movie. Movie reviews are usually written by experts giving their opinion about the movie and published in newspapers, magazines, or blogs.

Parts of a movie review

1. Title

This should include the movie title and an eye-catching heading

2. Introduction

This paragraph should include the name of the movie, the genre, the director, the stars and any prizes they have won. You can also include information about the place and the time the movie is set and filmed. The purpose of this paragraph is that you engage the reader and give them a general idea of the type of movie you are going to review.

3. Summary

This part should include an outline of the main events along with general information about the characters and the plot. Your summary should NOT spoil the film. Therefore, you should not mention anything about the ending of the movie.

4. Analysis

In this section you should share your opinion about the movie. Your review should examine the plot, the actors, the special effects and the soundtrack. You can also compare the movie you are reviewing to a similar film in the same genre. In this section you can also give examples of the good elements and the bad elements in the movie.

5. Conclusion

In this part you should summarize your thoughts on the good and bad elements of the movie. Finally, you should evaluate the movie (give stars ⭐⭐⭐, thumbs up 👍 or thumbs down 👎) and make a recommendation. You should mention why you recommend/ don’t recommend the movie.

Now that you know which parts should be included in a movie review 🎞️🍿, let’s see an example:

Check the movie trailer out to learn more about “Little Boy”

Useful language to describe movies

Movie genre

  • an action movie
  • an animated movie
  • a drama
  • a historical movie
  • a horror movie
  • a musical
  • a romantic comedy
  • a science fiction movie
  • a thriller
  • a war movie
  • a western

People and things in movies

  • audience
  • cast
  • cinematography
  • extra
  • plot
  • review
  • scene
  • script
  • sequel
  • soundtrack
  • special effects
  • star
  • subtitles

Adjectives to describe movies

PositiveNegativeNeutral
funny
hilarious
exciting
interesting
moving
first-rater
original
imaginative
legendary
inspiring
insightful
thought-provoking
flawless
first-rate
suspenseful
riveting
intriguing
heart-warming
stellar
standout
stunning
must-watch		tragic
violent
too boring
too scary
uninteresting
too slow
too long
weak
flawed
second-rate
third-rate
silly
disappointing
bloody
predictable
confusing
ordinary
disgusting
suspenseful
low-budget
big-budget
dramatic
highly-charged
sentimental
romantic
fantasy
slow
romantic
satirical
fast-moving
oddball
picaresque
wacky

Verbs and phrases

  • It was directed by …
  • It was written by…
  • It was dubbed into [languge]
  • The movie explores themes of …
  • The movie shows…
  • [Actor] played the part/role of [character]
  • It is set in…
  • It is based on the book…
  • It was shot on location in [city]
  • It’s about…
  • One of the main storylines is…
  • It stars…
  • In the end…
  • My favourite scene is…
  • I strongly recommend the movie because…

Pro tips for writing a movie review

  • Remember to write the movie’s title.
  • Write an eye-catching heading.
  • Remember to mention the genre of the movie.
  • Don’t forget the audience. Who is the movie for?
  • Don’t forget to include the names of the characters, the year the movie was made and if the movie or the actors have won any awards (For example, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, an MTV Movie Award, etc).
  • Never ever mention the ending!!! You don’t want to spoil the movie.
  • Remember to share your personal opinion and your evaluation.
Download PDF

Time to practice

You see this announcement in your English school magazine.

Review wanted!
Write a review about a movie you enjoyed or a film that you didn’t like. It could be a recent film or a movie that you watched a long time ago. Explain that is it about, why the main character is interesting/ boring and if you recommend it or not.

Type your answer in the box below, and I’ll give you personalized feedback.

Writing tips for Spanish speakers

teacherjulietaLeave a comment
5 minutes

(En español 🇪🇸)

Si tienes dificultades para escribir de forma coherente en inglés, quizás el problema sea que también tengas problemas para escribir correctamente en español.

Algunas de las causas de este problema pueden ser:

  • Falta de vocabulario: desconoces los sinónimos y antónimos de las palabras.
  • Desconocimiento de la gramática básica: no sabes las conjugaciones básicas ni en qué contextos utilizarlas. No sabes como expresar la misma idea usando diferentes estructuras gramaticales. Tampoco sabes distinguir entre diferentes grupos de palabras, por ejemplo: sustantivos, verbos, adjetivos, adverbios, artículos y preposiciones.
  • Desconoces las reglas básicas de puntuación: no sabes como estructurar una oración simple ni como conectar tus ideas de forma coherente en un párrafo. Tampoco sabes como usar conectores para hilar tus ideas de forma fluida.

Al extrapolar estas deficiencias al inglés, entonces terminas escribiendo frases muy largas e incoherentes que son muy difíciles de entender.

Un consejo que quizás suene aburrido, es que estudies un poquito de gramática básica en español. No tienes que volverte experto en gramática, pero si saber lo más básico. 

Otro consejo que también es de gran ayuda es la lectura. ¡LEE! Generalmente un buen lector, también es un buen escritor. Mientras más leas, más variedad de recursos léxicos (frases, palabras, expresiones) tendrás. Al mismo tiempo, tu cerebro aprenderá de forma natural a organizar y categorizar ideas y pensamientos.

Uno de los errores más comunes al escribir en español es el uso excesivo de las comas. 

Veamos el siguiente ejemplo tomado del blog de Diana P. Morales, escritora española y ganadora del premio Ignotus 2020.

EL LABERINTO DE LAS COMAS

“Aquel era un bonito día de primavera, uno de esos  en los que apetece salir a pasear y  gozar del placer que te brinda la naturaleza, Laura viendo todo esto desde la ventana de su habitación  decidió salir a dar un paseo, poniéndose un calzado, cómodo, salió a la calle dispuesta a caminar por los senderos del monte, contenta, feliz, pensando en sus cosas, el día se estaba terminando, ella seguía caminando sin darse cuenta de las horas que pasaban”

Vamos a analizar por qué este texto es confuso y difícil de leer:

  1. Las frases son muy largas. 
  2. No se puede distinguir en dónde comienza una idea y en dónde termina. 
  3. Este párrafo tiene muchas ideas, pero están todas mezcladas en un solo párrafo.
  4. Este párrafo tiene muchísimas comas.

Truquitos para evitar este error:

Un consejo para darnos cuenta si la información que hemos incluido en un párrafo es confusa, es que leas en voz alta el párrafo. Debes dar una pausa muy breve para las comas y una pausa mucho más larga para los puntos.  

También podemos pedirle a otra persona que lea el texto en voz alta, así nos podremos dar cuenta si nuestras ideas son coherentes y si hemos usado los signos de puntuación correctos.

¿Cómo usar las comas (,) de forma correcta?

Ahora brevemente te explicaré como usar las comas de forma adecuada en español (secreto: el uso de la coma es muy similar en inglés, aunque hay algunos casos un poquito diferentes). Las comas se utilizan para separar frases y hacer pequeñas pausas en una oración o párrafo.

Una frase u oración es un conjunto de palabras que tienen un sentido lógico y están compuestas de:

  • Un sujeto ( el que realiza la acción)
  • Un verbo (la acción realizada)
  • Un complemento (es opcional ). Puede ser:
    • un objeto directo (¿qué?)
    • un objeto indirecto (¿a quién?)
    • un adverbio de lugar y tiempo

Podemos combinar varias frases (oraciones) entre sí para formar una oración compleja. Para poderlo hacer necesitamos un nexo que puede ser:

  • Una conjunción: Palabra que se utiliza para unir dos o más partes de una oración o dos o más oraciones. Ejemplo: María estudiaba mientras su madre cocinaba
  • Una coma (,): María estudiaba, su madre cocinaba y sus hermanos jugaban en el patio.

NOTA: La coma se usa solamente para separar ideas que ocurren al mismo tiempo. (He ahí la importancia de saber un poquito de gramática y tiempos verbales). Un error muy común que cometen los estudiantes es usar comas para separar ideas que ocurren en tiempos diferentes.

Ejemplo: María estudiaba, su hermano fue al parque, su madre lava la ropa, son una familia feliz.

Truquitos para evitar este error:

1. Reemplazar las comas por conjunciones

Si tienes duda si poner una coma o no, intenta remplazar la coma por una conjunción (y, mientras, ni etc.)

Ejemplo: María estudiaba mientras su hermano fue al parque y su madre lava la ropa y son una familia feliz.

Como te puedes dar cuenta, la oración anterior es incoherente. Es decir, carece de sentido y es muy confusa.

Si la coma no se puede sustituir por una conjunción, entonces será necesario que reestructures tus oraciones.

2. Usar frases breves

  • Las frases breves son claras y concisas. Evitan la confusión.
  • Las frases breves llaman la atención y son fáciles de leer.

Una vez que hayas dominado la escritura de frases breves, notarás que poco a poco podrás escribir frases más largas que sean elocuentes y muy interesantes.

Aquí te comparto un ejemplo ilustrativo sobre como suena un párrafo compuesto solo de frases breves y otro que tiene una combinación de frases breves y frases largas pero coherentes.

esta-frase-tiene-cinco-palabras-traduccion-autorquia El peligro de las frases muy largas... (y la magia de las breves)

Espero que esta explicación te ayude a visualizar y organizar tus ideas al momento de escribir.

How to write a report for the B2 (FCE) test

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for B2 Cambridge First

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A report is another piece of formal writing. It is based on facts (you’ll probably have to invent those ‘facts’ for the exam, and that’s okay). By writing a good report in English you will demonstrate that you can organize and communicate factual information using a formal tone. As with other pieces of formal writing (for example, essays, formal emails, articles, etc.), there is a special format used to write reports in English.

Parts of an English report
1. Title

This part will give the reader a general idea of the topic of your report.

Make sure that you follow the capitalization rules for titles. You can find more information about how to write titles in English here.

2. Introduction

In this section, you should state clearly the purpose of your report and what information you are going to include.

Try to paraphrase (use your own words) to write the information given in the instructions.

3. Topic points

In these paragraphs, you will give most of the information and details of your report. It should be factual and clear. It shouldn’t sound like a story or like a novel.

You should write at least 2 topic points. One topic point per paragraph. Each paragraph must contain a topic sentence.

What is a topic sentence?

A topic sentence is a sentence that includes the main point (idea) of a paragraph. It has the information that readers need to understand what is the most important point in the paragraph.

The topic sentences guide readers and protect them from confusion. They usually appear at the beginning of each paragraph.

Click here to learn more about topic sentences.

4. Your suggestions/ recommendations

This is the last part of the report. You need to finish it up by writing your recommendations. You must base your recommendation on the facts that you wrote in the topic paragraphs.

Make sure that your recommendations are well-connected with the topic points that you wrote in the previous paragraphs.

Steps to writing a report

Step 1: Make a plan

Step 2: Write it

Step 3: Check it

Now that you know the parts of a report and the steps to follow, let’s see an article sample for the B2 (FCE) Cambridge writing test.

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Useful language

For the introduction:

  • This report describes…
  • This report is based on …
  • The purpose of this report is to …

For the topic points:

  • Currently …
  • To begin with …
  • It appears that …
  • It seems that …
  • Furthermore/ In addition
  • In general/ Generally speaking
  • It is generally believed that …
  • almost always/ nearly always
  • Most/ The majority of + noun
  • noun + tend to be + adjective

For your suggestions/ recommendations:

  • All things considered …
  • Based on the findings of this report I recommend/ suggest + verb-ing
  • I would recommend/ suggest + verb-ing
  • Although both… I think that …
  • It would be advisable that …
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Pro tips for writing reports

Make sure that you:

  • wrote a title that shows what the report is about
  • divided the report into clear paragraphs with subheadings
  • answered all the parts of the question
  • did NOT use contractions or informal words
  • Used connectors and formulaic expressions (useful language)
Practice time

You have been asked to write a report about entertainment in your city for a travel magazine. Write your report in the comments below.

How to Write an Article for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET)

teacherjulieta14 Comments
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An article is an informal/ neutral piece of writing that is written for a specific audience. The purpose of an article is to share an opinion, or knowledge on a particular topic, or offer suggestions and pieces of advice to the readers. Newspapers, magazines, and journals usually publish articles. For that reason, articles have to be easy to read.

Parts of an Article
  • Title: It should be short and informative. Try to choose an interesting title, so the reader wants to read your article to learn more about the topic.
  • Author’s name: A line having the name of the person who wrote the article (optional)
  • Main paragraphs: This is the main part of your article, it should include the following parts:
    • Introductory paragraph: Here you introduce the topic. The introduction should be short, catching, and interesting.
    • Descriptive paragraph: Here you give examples and reasons.
    • Additional information: only if needed.
  • Conclusion: This is the ending paragraph of the article that should be a summary of your article.
Steps to write an article

1 Think of the topic that you are going to write about carefully.

2 Identify the target audience. Who are going to read your article: students, young people, adults, elderly people, or professionals?

3 Find the objective of writing the article. Do you want to give advice? Are you going to give some useful tips? Do you want to teach your readers how to do something?

4 Identify the details that are more significant and think of some examples.

5 Organize your ideas and arrange the information and the facts in a coherent and logical way.

Now that you know the parts of an article and the steps to follow, let’s see an article sample for the B1 Cambridge writing test.

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You see this announcement in your English school magazine.

Articles wanted!

Write an article telling us how to make your home safer when children visit you.
What are the most dangerous places in a house for children? Why?
The best articles answering this question will be published next month.
Useful language for writing an article

For the introductory paragraph:

  • Have you ever thought about …?
  • What would you do if …?
  • Do you like + verb+ing …?
  • How important is it for you to …?
  • What would life be like if …?

Giving your opinion:

  • In my opinion, …
  • From my point of view, …
  • As far as I’m concerned, …
  • I guess that …
  • I’m under the impression that …
  • I have no doubt that …
  • I have the feeling that…

Giving advice:

  • Don’t forget to …
  • Remember to…
  • Make sure you…
  • You should + base form
  • You should have + past participle
  • Never + base form
  • What about if …?
  • Let’s consider…
  • Why don’t you …?

Adding more details and examples:

  • Above all…
  • In addition, …
  • Above all, …
  • On top of that, …
  • Moreover, …
  • Another advantage/ disadvantage of …

Reasons:

  • … in case
  • … so (that)
  • … because it might + base form
  • The evidence shows (that) …
  • The facts suggest (that) …

Writing Practice 1

You are going to write an opinion article for a school magazine about the best places to visit in your city.

Plan the content

1 Think of at least 2 interesting/ touristic places

2 Think of an interesting introductory paragraph

3 Write your introduction

4 Write your descriptive paragraphs. Write one paragraph per place

5 Write your conclusion

6 Type your answer in the box below, and I’ll give you personalized feedback.

Checklist

  1. Introduction:
    • Did you write a clear introduction that introduces the purpose of the opinion article?
    • Does the introduction include a sentence with your opinion on the best places to visit?
  2. Body paragraphs:
    • Have you included separate paragraphs for each recommended place?
    • Did you provide detailed descriptions of each place, highlighting their attractions and unique features?
    • Have you supported your opinion with specific examples or personal experiences for each place?
  3. Conclusion:
    • Does the conclusion summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs?
    • Does it restate your opinion on the best places to visit in the city?
    • Does it provide a strong closing statement or call to action?

Writing Practice 2

You are going to write an article for a school magazine. Choose one of the titles below>

  • How to stay safe if you are hiking in the mountains.
  • How to stay safe on a day at the beach.
  • How to stay safe online.

Plan the content

1 Think of at least 3 useful tips

2 Think of an interesting introductory paragraph

3 Write your introduction

4 Write your descriptive paragraphs. Write one paragraph per tip.

5 Write your conclusion

6 Type your answer in the box below, and I’ll give you personalized feedback.