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FCE Paper 2 Part 1 - Essay: If Any of The Three Essay Prompts Is Missed Out The Candidate Will Be Penalised

The document provides guidance on writing an essay for the FCE Paper 2 Part 1 exam. It states that the essay should answer the question by addressing the given points and adding your own point, and it should be well-organized with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. While it is possible to take one viewpoint, balancing viewpoints by discussing advantages and disadvantages is generally easier. The document then provides tips on reading the question carefully, supporting opinions with evidence, using paragraphs to develop each point, and employing linking words and a formal register.

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Beatrice Petrașcu
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66 views

FCE Paper 2 Part 1 - Essay: If Any of The Three Essay Prompts Is Missed Out The Candidate Will Be Penalised

The document provides guidance on writing an essay for the FCE Paper 2 Part 1 exam. It states that the essay should answer the question by addressing the given points and adding your own point, and it should be well-organized with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. While it is possible to take one viewpoint, balancing viewpoints by discussing advantages and disadvantages is generally easier. The document then provides tips on reading the question carefully, supporting opinions with evidence, using paragraphs to develop each point, and employing linking words and a formal register.

Uploaded by

Beatrice Petrașcu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FCE Paper 2 Part 1 - Essay

AN ESSAY is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing both content
points and providing a new content point of the writer’s own.

The essay should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion and should be
written in an appropriate register and tone.

While it is possible to argue only one point of view (i.e. either agreeing or disagreeing on a topic) as long as you
bear in mind the other point of view and back up your points, it is probably easier to have a balanced
discussion comparing advantages and disadvantages, or ideas for and against a topic.

 Read the rubric, essay question and prompts very carefully in order to understand what you are
expected to do. This is vital!
 It is important to keep the focus of the topic question and that all your ideas and opinions are relevant
to the question.
 Support your opinions with reasons and examples.
 Think of a third idea of your own in addition to the two given prompts. If any of the three essay
prompts is missed out, then the target reader will not be fully informed and the candidate will be
penalised.
 Ideas need to be expressed in a clear an logical way, and should be well organised and coherent. It is
advisable to use up to 5 paragraphs:
1. Introduction
2. Prompt 1 development + reason(s)/example(s)
3. Prompt 2 development + reason(s)/example(s)
4. Prompt 3 development + reason(s)/example(s)
5. Conclusion (you may include your opinion here)
 Varying the length of the sentences, using direct and indirect questions and using a variety of structures
and vocabulary may all help to communicate ideas more effectively.
 The correct use of linking words and phrases (e.g. but, so, however, on the other hand, etc.) and the
appropriate use of cohesive devices (e.g. using pronouns for referencing) is especially important in
essays.

Hints

 [PLANNING]
- Use the task input to help you plan but try to avoid copying phrases from the input in Part 1. Use
your own words.
 [INTRODUCTION and CONCLUSION]
- Effective introductory and concluding paragraphs - In the introduction, state the topic clearly, give
a brief outline of the issue, saying why it is important or why people have different opinions about it.
- DO NOT express your opinion at the beginning of your essay (develop you essay in such a way that
it guides the reader to the conclusion you draw).
- DO give your opinion in the final paragraph.
 [SECOND and THIRD PARAGRAPHS]
- Structure your argument. - Each new paragraph has one main idea, stated in a topic sentence.
- Include relevant details to support the main idea: these might include examples, rhetorical questions
(do no overdo it), controversial or surprising statements... If you include a drawback, give a possible
solution, too.
 [GENERAL]
- DO use a relatively formal register and an objective tone. Do not be too emotional.
- Remember to use linking adverbials to organise your ideas and to make it easy for the reader to
follow your argument.
- In the exam, allow yourself time to check your grammar, spelling and punctuation thoroughly.

Linking words and phrases

Present your ideas clearly. Use connectors to link your ideas

Make sure you know how to use connectors appropriately (register, punctuation...). If you have any doubts, you
should use a good dictionary to check.

 To express personal opinions: In my opinion, I believe (that) / I feel (that) / it seems to me / in my


view /as I see it / I think / personally
 To show purpose: to / in order to / so as to / so that
 To list ideas: Firstly / secondly / finally / In the first place / Lastly
 To contrast ideas: However / although / in contrast / whereas / but / nevertheless / in spite of / despite
 To describe a cause: Because / since / as / due to
 To show a sequence: First of all / then / after that / eventually / in the end / finally
 To add information: In addition / moreover / what is more / besides / too / furthermore / and
 To describe a consequence: Consequently / as a result / therefore / so / thus / for this reason / that is
why
 To conclude the topic: In conclusion / to sum up / in short / all in all

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