Writing - B2 Article
Essential strategies and common pitfalls to help you ace the Article for Cambridge B2 Writing exam.
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How to write a B2 Article
In the B2 First Writing Paper you could be asked to write an article about a variety of topics. However, it’s often something you’ve recently learned to do or know a lot about. For example, the question might be about a concert you’ve been to recently, you favourite hobby or your hometown.
The idea is to write in a way that grabs the reader’s attention and keeps them interested until the very end.
If you have to write an article, your task will involve writing for a magazine or website. Just like in real magazines, your article must be entertaining and informative. This means you need to keep your reader interested and engaged from beginning to end.
Differences between articles and essays
B2 First Certificate (FCE) Article: Structure
Step | Details |
---|---|
Title | Think of an interesting title which will make people want to read your article |
Introduction | Start your article in an interesting way. You could ask the reader a question or make a strong statement. |
1st body paragraph | The first paragraph should involve the reader in some way. |
2nd body paragraph | Build on the interest you have raised in the first paragraph by telling the next part of the story |
Conclusion | Finish the article in an interesting way. This could be humorous or thought-provoking. |
B2 First Certificate (FCE) Article: Writing Guide
Title
Articles usually have a title. The title should be informative (give the reader an idea of the subject) and attractive (make the reader want to read the article).
Example:
Example:
Introduction
The start of the article should be linked to the title, introduce the topic and engage the reader. Often, an article starts with a question that introduces the topic which will be discussed in the article.
Example:
Example:
Paragraphs 1–2
Each should be clearly defined, not too long and clearly linked.
Example:
Example:
Paragraph B2: Secondly, your diet is just as important. I suppose you live on a low budget
Conclusion
An ending can state an opinion, give the reader something to think about, summarise the article or even end with a quotation.
Example:
Example:
Let’s summarize! – How to write an Article?
- Give your article a title.
- Try and engage the reader’s attention and interest. Ask questions at the beginning.
- There should be a link between the opening sentence and the title.
- Personalise the article using true stories or anecdotes.
- If you decide to take a light-hearted approach or a more serious one, maintain the same style throughout the article.
- Check your work for accuracy, punctuation and spelling.
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Subject:
A local magazine has asked readers to write an article about their favourite things about the Internet. Write the article talking about the things you do with the Internet and recommend a website to other readers.
- The beginning of the Internet
- Internet Utility
- Your favorite website
Write your article.
Student’s FCE Article Answer:
The Internet: A Great Invention
The Internet has changed the way we live. It started as something that we could access only through a computer, but nowadays it is everywhere, and I love it!
One of the cool things about the world wide web is that you can look up anything you want and and out the answer straight away. Isn’t that fantastic? For example, imagine you are arguing with your friends about how to do something. Easy solution! Go online and find the answer.
However, the greatest thing about the Internet is how you can learn tons of things very cheaply or even for free! In fact, my favourite website is www.udemy.com,where people register to teach and learn about different things: music, website design, making apps, history, etc. So I totally recommend it to everyone.
In conclusion, the Internet has a lot of great things. For me, the best one is finding information and also learning online.
B2 First Certificate (FCE) Article: Writing Checklist
After writing your letter, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.
Content
Communicative Achievement
Organisation
Language
B2 First Certificate (FCE) Article: Tips
B2 First Certificate (FCE) Article: Useful Phrases & Expressions
We'll wrap up with some useful vocabulary commonly used to organize ideas. While it might feel like taking a shortcut, learning a few key expressions for each paragraph type can help you produce a well-structured and cohesive text in your exam.
Rhetorical phrases
Have you ever...?
What do you think about...?
Are you one of those people who thinks that...?
Are you one of those people who...?
What would life be like if...?
Will the future bring us...?
Introducing your first point
Firstly
In the first place
First of all
The first thing to consider is
One thing to consider is
To begin with
Introducing more points
Secondly
Another consideration
Yet another consideration
Another thing to consider is
Added to that
Apart from that
In addition to this
Introducing your final points
In conclusion
To conclude
To sum up
So
Introducing your opinion
I think
In my opinion
Personally, I believe that
In my view
If you ask me
To my mind
My personal opinion is