Writing - Advanced 1
ARTICLE
An article is a piece of writing written for a large audience, e.g., a magazine or newspaper, on a
particular topic, which is meant to be of interest to the reader. It will express a certain viewpoint or
perspective — this can be positive or negative depending on the topic.
The purpose of an article is often to inform and persuade the reader. Articles give information
about a certain topic and can either persuade the reader that a certain viewpoint is correct
(one-sided article; also called opinion article) or provide a balanced argument that lets the reader
make up their own mind about the topic (two-sided article). You have the option to choose
between writing a one-sided article or a two-sided article.
How to write an article
The Tone and Register of an Article
In the exam, the article is often for your school magazine or your teacher and rarely for the local
newspaper.
If it’s for your school magazine, then the audience of the article is the students at your school and
possibly the teachers or parents. The tone and register required, therefore, is rather semi-formal.
If, on the other hand, the article is for your teacher or the local newspaper, then the tone and
register required is formal.
Useful expressions
Adverbial time phrases Generalization
● Nowadays/these days/currently ● Almost all
● Most/many
● Every day/week/year
● A large number of / The vast majority (of)
● Recently/for many years/decades ● Several/some
● In the past ● Not many/hardly any/ few
● 10 years ago ● In almost all cases
● In the last (few/five) ● In the majority of cases
● In a large number of cases
(days/weeks/months/years/decades)
● In most cases
● In some cases
● On the whole/ Overall
● Students
Useful expressions
To express your opinion To conclude
● In my opinion ● In conclusion
● In my view ● To conclude
● I concur/agree ● To sum up
● To reiterate
● I believe that
● On the whole
● I think … ● All in all
● I admit … ● All things considered
● It seems to me that ● After weighing the benefits and drawbacks
● I am in favour of ● It can be concluded that …
● I am against the idea of ● I believe that …
● I am strongly opposed to ● Thus, I am of the opinion that …
● I disagree / I cannot accept ● Given these points
Essays
Essay - definition
An essay is just a formal and comprehensive piece of literature, in which a particular topic is discussed
thoroughly. It usually highlights the writer’s outlook, knowledge and experiences on that particular topic. It
is a short literary work, which elucidates, argues and analyzes a specific topic.
An essay is written with the intent to convince or inform the reader about something. Further, for writing an
essay one needs to have good knowledge of the subject to explain the concept, thoroughly. If not so, the
writer will end up repeating the same points again and again.
Components of an essay
● Title: It should be a succinct statement of the proposition.
● Introduction: The introduction section of the essay, should be so interesting which instantly grabs
the attention of the reader and makes them read the essay further. Hence, one can start with a
quote to make it more thought-provoking.
● Body: In the main body of the essay, evidence or reasons in support of the writer’s ideas or
arguments are provided. One should make sure that there is a sync in the paragraphs of the main
body, as well as they, should maintain a logical flow.
● Conclusion: In this part, the writer wraps up all the points in a summarized and simplified manner.
What is the difference between an article and
an essay?
Letters
Informal letters
Informal Letter
● Write your full name and address even if it is an informal letter.
● Divide your letter into small paragraphs.
● Keep your writing simple.
● Make a good choice of words especially if you are writing an apology letter or a letter to express
your condolences in case of a death.
● Most people close the letter with phrases like ‘Yours affectionately/With love/All the best/Take care’
etc.
Informal Letters
Informal letters, also known as personal letters, are written to friends, family, or acquaintances. The tone of
informal letters is personal and friendly, and the language used is less formal than in formal letters.
Characteristics of Informal Letters
● Personal, friendly tone
● Use of first name or nickname
● Contractions and informal vocabulary
● Less formal grammar and sentence structure
● May include personal anecdotes and emotional language
Tips for writing informal letters
● Start with a friendly greeting, such as “Dear [Name],”
● Use a personal and conversational tone
● Avoid formal language and technical terms
● Use contractions, such as “can’t” instead of “cannot”
● Share personal news and feelings
● End with a friendly closing, such as “Take care,” or “Love,” followed by your signature and name.
In informal letters, it’s important to be yourself and write in a way that reflects your relationship with the
recipient.
Formal letters
Let us understand a few ground rules while writing formal letters:
● You need to write your full name, address, and date before you begin the letter
● Address the person you are writing the letter to with the correct name and designation.
● It is always advisable to start the letter with ‘Respected Sir/Madam’ or ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ and then
mention the name and the address.
● Before beginning to write the letter you must state the purpose of the letter in one line titled
‘Subject’.
● Your letter should be very crisp giving out only the information which is required.
Formal letters
Formal letters are used in professional or academic settings, and they require a more formal tone and language. Formal letters
typically follow a specific format and may include specific information such as addresses, dates, and reference numbers. In
formal letters, it’s important to be clear, concise, and professional. Make sure to use the appropriate tone and
language, and follow the format and structure to ensure your message is taken seriously.
Characteristics of Formal Letters
● Professional, respectful tone
● Use of formal vocabulary and grammar
● Use of titles (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.) and surname
● Specific format, including heading, date, reference number, and clear structure
● Avoidance of contractions and colloquial language
Sources
● ESL Kings
● ESL Buzz
● FluentU
● Engxam
