WRITING ASSIGNMENT: PROFILE FOR HOME EXCHANGE + EMAIL

TASK:HOME EXCHANGE (250 words)

WRITING TIPS AND FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE: MAKING ENQUIRIES

I have changed the task and instructions so this is a new pdf, not last year's. Please follow the instructions on the document.

ARTICLES AND ESSAYS: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

How are articles different from argumentative essays? Check out this brief guide with practical exercises.

LEARNING: A SET OF ACTIVITIES

Since we've been dealing with the topic "Learning",here's three things you can benefit from:

- A power point presentation on your performance in the oral interview for the final exam. Full of questions to ask yourselves and helpful tips based on my experience as an examiner.

Feedback on oral from englishbites

- A guide to advanced writing which can help you. Here's the overview of what you can learn from the University of Victoria tutorial.Click on the image to go there.

 

- You can also learn by reading in context. Browse through the website of the University of Victoria's IELTS* preparation courses. Lots of vocab and a downloadable application form if you want to enrol.Click on the image.

*The International English Language Testing System,^[6] or IELTS /ˈaɪ.ɛlts/, is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment,^[6] and was established in 1989. IELTS is one of the major English-language tests in the world, others being the TOEFL, TOEIC and OPI/OPIc.IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand academic institutions, by over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States, and by various professional organisations across the world.

WRITING TASK: A REPORT (GROUPS B+C)

Research indicates that the people who were convicted criminals will often reoffend. Your report should deal with the following points:

- Why is this the case?

- Does the current standard prison system encourage this situation?

- What can be done to solve this issue?

Discuss and give reasons for your answers, including any relevant examples from your own knowledge and/or experience.

USEFUL PHRASES AND CONNECTORS FOR WRITING

This thorough compilation is only meant as a source of useful material to help your writing become more organized and varied, so make use of it as it suits your needs and the type of task you have to carry out. Keep in mind that the register is mostly formal.

Click here to download the file.

WRITING: APPLICATION COVER LETTERS + CHARACTER REFERENCE

The two types of texts connected to the topic WORK are those mentioned in the title of the post: APPLICATIONS and CHARACTER REFERENCES.

For tips about the two formats, see the following presentations: 

Applications

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Reference letter template

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WRITING MOVIE REVIEWS

To help you with this text type, click here to read a useful guide.

HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS WITH CORRECTIONS

I have added 3 more contributions you'd like to read and I have highlighted and/or corrected the mistakes. For those mistakes which I have only highlighted, I'd like you to come up with the correct version of the word/phrase. Go to the post and click on the link again.

HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS WITH A DIFFERENCE: YOUR EXPERIENCE

This is the pdf file where I have put all the contributions people have sent me. It's very interesting and worth reading! Pay attention to the language your classmates have used-you can always learn from each other. 

Click here to see/download the file. 

One of you passed me the link to this video, which is a funny example of weird habits and customs that people from different countries have as far as furniture goes. It's from the sitcom "We love Raymond".
 

WRITING TASK: INTERESTING HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS

I would like you to write about 100 words on the following topic:

Household objects with a difference.

Based on the class discussion with Steven (last Tuesday) and the reading activity in the book (p. 17) write a paragraph about either of these ideas:

-One or two objects that you noticed when travelling in other countries.

-The object(s) you would miss most if you went to live abroad.

Pay attention to the language used in the descriptions on p.17. Underline any interesting/useful expressions and try to incorporate some of them to your description.

IMPORTANT: Either when you handwrite or type a writing assignment, leave double space for me to add corrections and notes, please!!

ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING

Check this link to an excellent site to practise a type of writing you might be faced with: argumentative writing.

WRITING COMPLAINTS

One of the writing formats you need to be familiar with is complaints.
1. The following information and practice will help you improve your command of such type of writing and the language and style associated to it:

PLACE DESCRIPTION: VOCABULARY AND WRITING TASK

Some of you have asked me to assign a writing topic for this Christmas break. In Unit 2 the next point is place description.

WRITING: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

By argumentative essay it is meant a piece of writing where you express a more or less balanced overview of a(n) (often) controversial topic, including arguments in favour (pros) and against (cons) of a given statement about the topic, eg. Bullfighting should be banned by law. 


Now you're going to practise this type of essay:
1.I have chosen a topic which is totally up-to-date and to give you some background and vocabulary, check out an article from The Guardian where I have highlighted useful expressions.
2.To help you with the planning, structure and development of the essay, have a look at the second doc.
3. Finally, check the compilation of useful expressions in for/against essays in the third doc.
4. Get down to writing but ONLY AFTER MAKING YOUR DRAFT.Not having one can only lead to wasting time and not having your info well organised.The title statement for your essay should be: The announced cuts in civil service pay are a fair, necessary measure.
5. E-mail your essay or give it to me in class as soon as you have it.
 

Guardian article emergency cuts

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Writing arguments (pros and cons)

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Useful argumentative essay words and phrases

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GIVING ADVICE

  Giving advice: a letter to the agony aunt from  Cosmopolitan followed by the reply. Analyse the structure and language, and then check the useful expressions for giving advice.
NOTE: Beware of the mistake in the order of pages-page 1 is actually page 2. Sorry!

Giving Advice

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WRITING STRATEGIES

This is a good link to practise different strategies for writing and various types of text.
PRACTISE YOUR WRITING

COMPLAINT LETTERS

These are part of the materials we're going to use in class today:

Review and have further practice of complaint letters. There are two models and a worksheet to do after reading the first letter. If you don't come to class, read the letters, analyse the language and learn the useful expressions.

Complaint Letters

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