Successful Writing Proficiency provides a thorough preparation for the different types of writing necessary for students at advanced levels. The book focuses on the needs of students wishing to sit the Cambridge CAE and CPE examinations as well as any other examinations at a similarly advanced level and prepares students to write all types of composition, including descriptive, discursive narrative, reports, articles, letters, transactional letters and reviews. Each unit starts with a listening activity to stimulate the students’ interest. The lead-in is followed by theory, plans and ful-length model compositions which help students produce successful pieces of writing. Successful Writing Proficiency is accompanied by a separate Teacher's book and a cassette or audio CD. Components Successful Writing Proficiency Successful Writing Proficiency Teacher's Book Class Cassette Class Audio CD @aiS Express Publishing tlPublished by Express Publishing Liberty House, New Greenham Park, Newbury, Berkshire RG19 GHW Tol.: (0044) 1635 817 363 Fax: (0044) 1635 817 463 e-mail: inquiries @expresspublishing,co.uk INTERNET http: /)www.expresspublishing.co.uk © Virginia Evans, 1998 Design & Mlustation © Express Publishing, 1998 ‘All ights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any ‘means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers. First published, 1998 New edition, 2000 ISBN 1-84216-880-0 Acknowledgements ‘Author's Acknowledgements \We would like to thank all the staff at Express Publishing who have contributed their skills to producing this book, Thanks are {due in particular fo: Douglas Stephens (Senior Editor). Paula Frater (Editor), Rania Dunn and Anna Miler (assistant editors). Mary Stevenson (senior Production Controller), €. Mavragani (art director), Helen Mavrodemos (assistant designer) and our design team, Tony Boyle (recording producer) and Bob Crossley, Laura Houston, Annette Person, Lucy Whitman and Ann Doyle for their support and patience. We would also like to thank those institutions and teachers who piloted the manuscript, and whose comments and feedback influenced positively the production of the book. Photograph Acknowledgements Audio Visual for photographs on pages: 11, 16, 30, 38, 39, 42, 43, 67, 136, 139, 150, 151 Photographs © BUENA VISTA PICTURES DISTRIBUTIONS INC All rights reserved for picture on p. 40; © 1984/85 BY MGM/UA ENTERTAINMENT CO. All rights reserved for pictures on pp. 48, 196(c); CBS/FOX for pictures on pp. 50, 97 INTERSCOPE COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved for picture on p. 88; © 1989 WARNER BROS INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION A WARNER COMMUNICATIONS COMP. ll rights reserved for picture on . 89; © 1996 LIVE INTERNATIONAL All rights reserved for picture on p. 139 (fst); © 20th CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION All rights reserved for picture on p, 140; © HOLLYWOOD PICTURES COMPANY All rights reserved for picture on p. 153 Colour Iilustrations: Tasso Sinerpro Virginia Evans As Express PublishingIntroduction To the Teacher Successful Writing Proficiency consists of nine units which cover all types of composition writing (descriptio narratives, letters, discursive essays, articles, reviews) required at advanced levels. Each unit starts with a leac listening activity through which the basic plan for the type of writing the unit deals with is introduced. This also sen as a brainstorming activity, giving the teacher the chance to elicit useful language and ideas on the topic unt discussion. Detailed theory and plans are provided to be used as a reference by students. A variety of models which the theory is applied are followed by exercises to improve students’ writing skills, focusing on register @ style. The exercises are graded, leading to the acquisition of those skills needed for students to be able to w successfully at advanced levels, Topic identification, “discuss and write” sections and study check sections reinfoi students’ knowledge and remind them of the structures previously presented, thus helping them revise the writ areas covered in the book. The Teacher's Book provides answers to the exercises, model plans, transcripts of listening exercises and useful teaching tips. At the back of the Teacher's Book are marked model compositions help teachers mark students’ compositions. The book is accompanied by a cassette with all the listening exercis The units can either be presented in the order they appear in the book or teachers can select the unit they want present according to their own judgement and their students’ needs. The course can be covered in approximat 30 one-hour lessons. Brainstorming Technique The brainstorming technique can be used in all the units in this book. The technique may be applied each time t students come across a new topic, whether in a model or a writing assignment. The technique is used as follows: the teacher invites students to think of as many words or ideas as possible relat to the topic and writes them on the board, The teacher may choose to guide the students further by having them li or categorise related terms. This technique aims to stimulate students’ knowledge about the topic, thus drawing together ideas and vocabule necessary for writing a successful composition. e.g. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of technological progress. Brainstorming: computers, genetic engineering, information networks, unemployment, satellite communicatior cloning, nuclear accidents, medical research, etc. Ss can then be asked to think of the positive and negative aspects of each item. 8.9. Describe a popular shop in your neighbourhood. Brainstorming: T writes the following key words on the board and asks $s to give him/her as many words possible related to each key word. a department store, Ft as push trolleys, supermarket, queue up, jeweller’, browse, ‘pharmacy, racks of clothes, mutti-storey, tty on clothes bookshop, shopping baskets, comer shop, ‘hunt for bargains stationer’s, credit card, High Street, etc boutique trolleys, window displays, etc. shelves, basement, cash register aisles, etc, changing rooms ete.1 Describing People.... 2 Describing Places/Building 3 Describing Object 4 ‘Describing Festive 5 Narratives ... 6 Discursive Essays ...... T Lene... Contents Study Check 1... 0. For and Against Essays b. Opinion Essays... ¢. Essays Suggesting Solutions to Problems Letters of Reques ). Letters Giving Information Letters Giving on Opinio i, Letlets of Advice... {i, Lellers Making Suggestions/Recommendations {il Letters to the Authorities/Edior .. Letters of Complaint Tronsactional Letters... Study Check 2... Reports ..... 4. Assessment Reports b. Informative Reports ¢. Survey Reporls .. 4. Proposal Reports Study Check 3... 132 136 139 144 150 . 154 Arlicles/News Reports/Reviews .. 0. Articles ... b. News Reporls c. Reviews. Study Check 4 Appendix: Linking Words/PhrasesUNIT ] Describing People 1 Look at the people in the photographs and talk about each in terms of appear- ance, personality and life/lifestyle. Appearance: How would you describe each person’s appearance? Whick features of their appearance ure most noticeable? What does theirway of sting, looking, etc suggest? Personality: What do you imagine each persom is lke? Life & Lifestyle: Whar ese do you imagine about each person concerning such things as profession, ambitions, intress|hobbies, daily routine, ete? ‘Acomposition descriting a person should consist of @) an introduction giving brie information about who the person is, where/how you ‘met hiner, how you heard about hiner, ete: 'b) a main body which may include description of sueh things as physical appearance, personaiity/behaviour, manner/mannerisms andlor details of the person's life and iestyle, (hobbies, interests, everyday activties, etc) and €) a conclusion in which you comment on why the person is o intrest, express your feelings/opinion concerning the pe'son, ete © Ina descriptive composition ofa person, you may aiso be asked to explain why this person is successful/admirable/unusual, etc. why he/she made such a strong /pression on you, how he/she has influenced you, etc. (© Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence which summarises the paragraph, Introdvetion The content of the paragraph depends on the topic tself and where the emphasis placed Paragraph 1 © Descriptions of people may be included in several other types of writing tasks such es who the person is narratives, leters, assessment reaorts, etc whenihow you first met! saw himlher Points to Consider Main Bedy © To describe physical appearance, you should give details of the person's Paragraph 2 height/build, age, facial features, hair, clothing, etc. moving trom the most general physical appearance aspects to the most specific details. e.g. Bl, who is in his early twenties, is quite tall Paragraph 3 and well-built, with thick black hair and piercing blue eyes. He is usualy dressed in jowreend a Tone ppersonaiityibenaviour (with @ To describe personality and behaviour, you can support your description with Juesiiemoniavarnles) ‘examples of manner and mannerism: 0.9. Mark is rther unsociable, usually sitting Paragraph 4 silenty in a comer observing others rom a distance. Iteltitestyle/beliets © Todescribe life, lifestyle and beliefs, you should talk about the person's habits interests, profession, daily routine, opinions, etc. Paragraph 5 ‘29, Being both @ university student and a part-time assistant in supermarket, Janet explanation 1 + justification ‘has lite free time to g0 out inthe evenings. Paragraph 6 ‘© Ifthe instructions for tne writing task ask you to describe someone related to the explanation 2 + justification present, e.g. “Describe a person who fs unusual." you wil deserve the person using Present tenses. If you are asked to describe sb relatadto the past, sb who is no longer Conclusion alive, or sb wom you met some me ago ... 8g. “Describe a famous person you met who was not as you expected ..”. you will describe the person using Past tenses. © The use of descriptive vocabulary, e.g. stung, slender, ote. and a vericty of linking words and structures wil make your writing more interesting, Final Paragraph commentsiteelings about person