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REMEMBER!

Read the question carefully
Make sure you answer it correctly
Think about who you are writing the article for.
Check your spelling and grammar
Check the number of words
Plan your answer carefully
Really, really, really make sure you have answered the question!

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1. A Title/Heading

Why should you give your article a title?
a) It tells the reader what they are going to read
b) It reminds you to keep your focus
c) It looks good!

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Let’s return to the question:

‘You have been asked to write an article about an interesting place you have visited. You have to include good points and bad points about this place. You have to write between 100 and 120 words.’

One student decides to write about a visit to the National Gallery in London.

What title should they give their article?

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1. A Title/Heading

Here are some suggested titles. Comment on them and decide which one you like best.
‘The National Gallery’
‘Life is short, art is long’
‘My Visit’
‘Pleasure in Art’
‘More than just paintings’
‘The finer things in life’
‘The Best Art Museum in the World’

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2. Sub-headings

Remember the question from before?

How would including sub-headings help you organise your writing?
How would you divide this into paragraphs, and what sub-heading would you give each paragraph?

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2. Sub-headings

Sub-headings are not obligatory but they help you to break up your writing. If you give a 100-120 word article four sub- headings, you know that you need to write approximately 25-30 words under each sub-heading.
They help organise your work into clear paragraphs which make it easier to read.

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2. Sub-headings

•

You have 100-120 words to write, including good and bad points.

Sub-heading 1 = Introduction Sub-heading 2 = Good Points Sub-heading 3 = Bad Points Sub-heading 4 = Conclusion

It really is very easy!!!!
Now your writing is organised and you already know you are going to write four paragraphs – you’ll get some marks before you even start writing!

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3. Interesting Language

Remember – a teacher will read your article. If it’s boring, you won’t get many marks!
Use a variety of language – verb tenses, nouns, adjectives. Don’t just use the present simple and say everything is ‘nice’ or ‘boring’ – that doesn’t make your article ‘nice’ – it makes it very ‘boring’!!!!!

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3. Interesting Language

Compare these two paragraphs. Why is the second one better?
‘The National Gallery has lots of paintings. There are lots of different rooms. People from all over the world visit it. It is very famous.’
‘The National Gallery has lots of monuments. You’ll find a number of different rooms. It has been visited by people from all over the world because of its fame.’

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3. Interesting Language

Now look at this paragraph. Can you think of different words to replace the underlined adjectives?
The National Gallery is nice. The paintings are very nice. I had a nice time there. The rooms are nice but some people think they’re boring. I saw some nice art there. Art is sometimes boring. London is nice and the people there are nice. I think writing articles is very boring.

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3. Interesting Language

How many synonyms can you think of for ‘people’ in a composition about the National Gallery?
Everyone/Everybody
Tourists
Some
Foreigners
Critics
The English
Visitors
Fans

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4. Paragraphs

You’ve already used sub-headings to divide your composition into paragraphs.
Now you need to think how you could begin each paragraph to make it interesting for the reader.
Any suggestions?

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4. Paragraphs

Here’s an idea:
Start each paragraph with a question.
Then answer the question with your second sentence.
For example:
Introduction
‘What makes the National Gallery worth visiting? It’s incredibly diverse art collection, of course.’
Then continue the paragraph with information about the National Gallery and your visit.
This makes your composition more interesting.

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4. Paragraphs

Now you try.
Think of an opening question and answer for paragraphs two and three – Good Points and Bad Points.
Remember – the question should make the reader want to know the answer.

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5. Linking Words

What do we use linking words for?
To link ideas!
They help organise our writing.
You will always get more marks in an exam if you use linking words correctly!
Can you think of any linking words?

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5. Linking Words

We use linking words to order information: Firstly, Secondly, Finally etc.
We use linking words to add information: Furthermore, In addition, Moreover etc.
We use linking words to contrast ideas: However, In contrast, Nevertheless, On the contrary, On the one hand…on the other hand etc.
We use linking words to summarise or reach a conclusion: In conclusion, In sum etc.
Write these linking words in your notebook and translate them into Spanish.

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Practice

Look at the handout. It is an article about the National Gallery.
How could you improve it?
Work in pairs to re-write the article.

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The National Gallery

The National Gallery is big. It contains lots of paintings from different painters which are very beautiful.

It is free, which is very important because everybody can visit it.

It is very well organised. There are different rooms for the different kinds of painting and each painting has the explanation of the painting below it. If you want a guide person for a group of people, you ask at reception and it costs about £25 per 2 hours.

You can go to the souvenir shop and get whatever you want from a variety of different books, guides etc. There is also a café where people sit and chat or read. These are both very expensive.

I believe it is the most interesting one that I have ever seen in London.

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The National Gallery

Introduction

What makes the National Gallery worth visiting? It’s incredibly diverse art collection, of course. The National Gallery is one of the biggest and most famous in the world, containing lots of paintings from different painters, which are extremely beautiful.

Good Points

What are the good points about the National Gallery? Well, firstly, it is free, which is very important because everybody has the opportunity to visit it.

Secondly, it is very well organised. There are different rooms for the different kinds of painting with an explanation of the work below it. Furthermore, if you want a guide for a group of people, you ask at reception and it costs about £25 per 2 hours.

Bad Points

So what are the bad points? The gallery may be free, but not everything else is. Although you can go to the souvenir shop and get whatever you want from a variety of different books, it is very expensive. There is a café where people sit and chat or read which is also not cheap.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe the National Gallery is the most interesting art museum that I have ever seen in London.

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Homework

You’re going to write an article for homework.
This is the question (Copy it into your notebook):
‘You have been asked to write an article about Seville for students from another country. You have to include good points and bad points. You have to write 100-120 words.
What do you need to remember before you start writing your article?

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Homework

1. A Title/Heading – what will you call your article?
2. Sub-headings – how many and what will you call them?
3. Interesting Language – nouns, verbs and adjectives – try not to repeat words.
4. Paragraphs – how many and how will you begin them?
5. Linking Words – try to include two in each paragraph.

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Homework

REMEMBER!!!!!
Read the question carefully
Make sure you answer it correctly
Think about who you are writing the article for.
Check your spelling and grammar
Check the number of words
Plan your answer carefully
Really, really, really make sure you have answered the question!