Why does an ice cube melt when you take it out from the freezer?
How to write a C1 level article.
Structure
The structure of an article for a newspaper, magazine or website, is usually in three parts:
- introduction – engaging the reader, or outlining the main point of the article to follow
- middle – making clear and interesting points about the topic
- end – a concluding paragraph that draws the points together
Article: Structure
| An attractive title Drawing the attention of readers and indicating the article’s theme. |
| An introduction Clarifying the theme and attracting the reader’s attention. |
| The main body paragraph Articles may also have subheadings for each paragraph. |
| The main body paragraph Articles may also have subheadings for each paragraph. |
| Conclusion Either a summary of the theme or a final opinion, recommendation or comment. |
If the aim of an article is to persuade the reader, then the opening and closing paragraph will outline the writer’s viewpoint and make it most memorable. Subheadings are sometimes used to signpost the content of each.
Language
The language of an article depends upon the purpose and audience; usually, the vocabulary of the article will fit the topic content, and who it is targeted at. For example, you would expect an article about a recent film release to include the vocabulary of actors, scripts and performance.
A catchy, memorable headline is essential to grab your readers’ attention and entice them to read the whole article.
Articles are usually written in Standard English, but colloquial sayings or phrases might be used to emphasise a point. Persuasive devices, such as rule of three, rhetorical questions and alliteration can be used to encourage the reader to agree with your point of view.
Example
Here’s an extract from an article that tries to persuade the reader to eat a more balanced, healthy diet:
Eat Right: Live Longer
It has been scientifically proven that the less junk food a person consumes, the longer they are likely to live. So why isn’t everyone dumping the junk? Jordan McIntyre investigates.
Fast food equals fat
A staple part of twenty-first century British home-life is the weekly takeaway treat: finger-licking burgers, sticky ribs and crispy chicken wings are, for many, the normal Friday night feast. The average national calorie count in the UK is a whopping 4500 a day, a key factor in the obesity cases that are soaring. Fast food is packed with fat and obesity contributes to a range of health issues - most significantly heart disease and depression. So why aren’t we changing our lifestyles?
Short on time
Families these days are spending less and less time at home during the working week. School commitments, work meetings and extra curricular activities mean that time is short and fewer people are prepared to put in the effort to prepare fresh, healthy meals.
And when time is tight, it seems we are even more willing to compromise our waistlines for a little bit of what we fancy – fast fatty food.
Eat yourself healthy
However, Georgia Thomas of the University of Food says, ‘I am convinced that it is possible to live a busy lifestyle AND prepare healthy, satisfying meals. It seems that people have simply got out of the habit of cooking. We are busy people; how do we reward ourselves? You guessed it - food.’ Britain clearly needs to shift the stodge, and fast.
The article uses a short, bold headline using alliteration to get the reader’s interest and present the topic of the article. The rhetorical question in the opening paragraph encourages the reader to challenge the topic. The subheadings direct the reader through the text, and act as mini headlines, drawing the reader’s attention. The writer uses hyperbole, and colloquial sayings to produce a lively, interesting article. This style of language is used throughout with phrases such as ‘little bit of what we fancy’ and ‘shift the stodge’ adding a conversational tone to the whole piece.
The final paragraph uses quotations from an expert to add credibility to the argument. You would expect the article to go on to explore how we can eat healthily and to conclude with an explanation of how easy it is to do this.
seful phrases and expressions
We will finish it with some useful vocabulary mostly used to organize information. Although it is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent and well-organized text.
Agreeing partially
This is partly true…
To (an) (certain) / (some) extent…
In some cases …
Up to a point …
While it can not be denied that …
While it is true that…
Qualifying Statements
There is a tendency to…
A large number of the times…
Usually, they are inclined to…
Generally speaking…
Sometimes/Usually/Often/Generally…
Things appear to be…
In a large number of cases…
In some instances…
Summary / Repetition / Exemplification
In brief…
On the whole…
Overall…
In short…
In other words…
To be sure…
For instance…
In fact…
In any event…
Purpose
Therefore…
With this object in view/mind…
To this end…
For this purpose….
Place and Location
Beyond…
Nearby…
On the opposite side…
Adjacent to…
Over head…
To/on the right…
In the centre…
Over to the left/right….
In the same area….
In the neighbouring town….
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z27cmnb/revision/5
https://engxam.com/handbook/how-to-write-an-article-cpe/
Another sample article writing is available on http://cpesamplewritings.blogspot.com/2012/09/life-and-city.html
Task.- Write a C1 level article about how Technology makes our world smaller in accordance with the following guidelines based on Cambridge standards:
1.- Length between 220 and 260 words divided into 4 or 5 paragraphs.
2.- Include titles and subtitles.
3.- Use the appropriate language taking into account that is your online school magazine.
4.- The content will be focused on the effect in the first paragraph and the causes in the body ones.
5.- Don't forget to include your conclusion in the last paragraph.
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