FCE part 1 essay

A woman’s place is in the home. Do you agree?

probably not ...

but can you think of any reasons why it might be a good idea for one family member to be at home while another member of the family is at work?

And what about one-parent families … ?

• Some parents teach their children at home rather than sending them to school. Is this a good or bad thing for the children?

• Teenagers are too young to teach other people about anything. Do you agree?

• Every country in the world has problems with pollution and damage to the environment. Do you think these problems can be solved?

• Some parents teach their children at home rather than sending them to school. Is this a good or bad thing for the children?

advantages and disadvantages• Teenagers are too young to teach other people about

anything. Do you agree?

give your opinion• Every country in the world has problems with

pollution and damage to the environment. Do you think these problems can be solved?

describe the problem and suggest solutions

So what’s the difference between the old Part 2 essay question and the new Part 1 essay question?

First, the obvious stuff …..

In Writing part 1 you have to:• write an essay in which you discuss and answer a question on a topic

and give your opinion

• use both the ideas in the notes given to support your argument

• include your own idea as a third point to support your argument

• keep this idea clearly separate from the other two points (although not necessarily in a separate paragraph - this depends on the plan you make)

• keep your ideas separate from your opinion or conclusion

• write between 140-190 words

How many paragraphs should it have?• That depends on your plan. It could have four or five

paragraphs. But it should have a short introduction and conclusion, with the points clearly laid out in two or three central paragraphs.

Can I use contractions? • No - this is formal writing.

Should it have a title?• Yes - use the statement or question to help you form

the title. But remember to use your own words as far as possible.

How can we help students to organise their ideas?

1) Brainstorming (to choose the best approach)

It is better to live in the country than in the city. Do you agree?

2) Insist that students make a plan

3) Give them the language they need • linking words and phrases• contrast words• reference words• vocabulary for the topic

What should we look out for when correcting?ContentIs the target reader fully informed - have all the points been clearly

addressed? Has the question been answered? Do we know the opinion of the writer?

Communicative achievement Does the answer successfully communicate the idea and does it do so

using the appropriate style, format, and conventions?

OrganisationParagraphs? Use of linking words, reference words and other

organisational devices? Clear evidence of logically organised structure?

LanguageControl and range of structures? Range of appropriate vocabulary? Only

errors which do not prevent understanding?

• Critical thinking (how to approach the topic)

• Logical thinking (how to plan and organise the topic)

• Language (what structures and vocabulary are needed)