Writing a CPE Essay Tips

8/17/2019 Writing a CPE Essay Tips

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Ideas for writing a CPE essay

Ask yourself the following questions to help you getstarted:

• What are the key points in each extract?

• How do the points in each text relate to each

other?

- Do both texts have diferent points o view?- Do the texts complement each other in anyway?

• Now make some notes about your reaction to the

key points in each text:E.g. Is exible working something employersshold eel positive abot?Do small bsinesses ace too many reglations asit is?

• Whilst making notes think about how you might

paraphrase the key points to avoid copyingsections from the texts?

• o you have any anecdotal evidence to supportyour own views?


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E.g. !"he company I work or is a good exampleo how ...!

• How many paragraphs should your essay have?What will the focus of each paragraph be?

!ead the two texts below"#dentify the key points from both texts" $se your own wordsthroughout as far as possible"

Modals of Flexible Working

Over recent years many companies have moved away from the notion of fixed working

hours, following the standard nine-to-five, Monday-to-Friday pattern. There is far more

provision today for staff to take advantage of flexible working opportunities of various

kinds. With high-speed Internet connections available to many, home-working has

become a practical option for companies and members of staff. This modal of flexible

working has been particularly beneficial for staff working on projects that entail

spending little time in the office. The introduction of formal job-sharing also benefits

employees who wish to have a greater work-life balance, particularly those with young

children. Finally, employees often have access to flexi-time, the chance to 'bank' hours

by working overtime and 'withdrawing' hours when time off is needed.

KEY POINTS:

1__________________________________________________________________

2__________________________________________________________________

Employer Concerns

A recent survey of UK small-businesses discovered an underlying sense of disquiet

about the issue of flexible working. Many companies feel under pressure to agree to

requests out of fear they will be taken to court by their employee should they refuse.

However, business advisers point out that employees have the right to request flexibleworking not the right to have it agreed. It might not be feasible for a company to agree

to requests if the business depends on particular modals of operation, or if such a


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request would require significant change for a small business. As well as reassuring

small businesses of their legal position, companies are also being encouraged to see

flexible working as an opportunity rather than a threat. Experience shows it will often

benefit both the company and its employees by having a positive impact on motivation

and efficiency.

KEY POINTS:

1___________________________________________________________________

2___________________________________________________________________

Writing criteria

Content

Should include asummary of the key points in each text. The essay should also

include anevaluation of these key points including the writer's own views on the

subject.

Communicative achievement

Should befairly formal as that is consistent with the requirements of an academic

essay. The reader would geta clear summary of the two texts along with the

writer's point of view.

Organisation

The essay must be divided intoclear paragraphs and these should be linked

appropriately. The format should be that of a standard essay, i.e.without headings in

the body of the essay

Language

Language of evaluation, discussion, comparison (between the two texts) narrative (use

of a personal anecdote) and speculation (possible results of various schemes).

Vocabulary for describing working conditions (e.g. 'part-time/full-time', 'job sharing

scheme', 'flexible working conditions', 'homeworker/homeworking' etc.) could be used.


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Does not have to be completely accurate butany errors should be minimal.

What%s in the Writing paper?In the two parts of the Cambridge English: Profciency Writing paper, you have to showthat you can write dierent types of text in English.

Summary

Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of parts:

Number of questions: !art 1" one compulsory #uestion

!art " one #uestion from a choice of four

Set texts

$et texts for Cambridge English: Profciency %anuary 01& ' (ecem)er 01*"

• E. +. orster" Howards End -any edition

/eachers may choose to prepare candidates for #uestions on this set text )y

studying the lm directed )y %ames Ivory -1 as well as, or instead of, the novel.• 2ic 4orn)y" An Education -screenplay and lm directed )y 5one $cherg -00.

6andidates should not attempt the optional set text #uestion in !art unless they

have the necessary understanding of the text to answer the tas set.


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/eachers are )est placed to 7udge which, if any, of the set texts and8or lm versions

may )e appropriate and stimulating for a given teaching situation.

Part 1

What's in Part 1? $ome material to read -two texts, each

approximately 100 words. 9sing the

information in this material, you have to write

an essay.

What do I hae to pra!tise? Writing a discursive essay in which you have

to summarise and evaluate the ey points

contained in two texts of approximately 100

words each. 6andidates must integrate a

summary of these ey points, an evaluation of

the a)stract arguments involved and their

own ideas on the topic in a coherent essay.

"ow many questions are

there?

:ne compulsory #uestion.

"ow mu!h do I hae to write? &0';0 words

Part #

What's in Part #? < choice of four #uestions -'*. or=uestions '&, you may have to write an

article, a letter, a report or a review.

What about $uestion %? If you read one of the set )oos and want to

write a)out it, you may decide to try =uestion

*. >ou have a choice of two tass, *-a or *-)

for this #uestion. >ou may have to write anarticle, essay, letter, report or a review.


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What do I hae to pra!tise? Writing dierent types of text as specied

a)ove, )ased on a given context.

"ow many questions are

there?

:ne #uestion from a choice of four.

"ow mu!h do I hae to write? ;0'30 words

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Writing a CPE Essay Tips