CAE writing exam
Essay Report Proposal Formal letter Review
Title Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Sub-headings No Yes Yes No Own decision
Paragraph 1 Introduce the topic State the purpose State the purpose of the Dear … Catch reader’s interest
(general -> specific) clearly proposal
Reason for writing Background information
End with a question/ (exhibition?)
statement
A brief account of what
is being reviewed
Paragraph 2 Start with a topic sentence Describe the current Describe the current (depends on Evaluation (positive
(your first argument) situation situation assignment) and/or negative)
Provide reasons to support Make sure that what Provide background Mention a few aspects
your argument you write is of interest information (e.g. songs when it
to a bigger public, it concerns an album)
Use a final concluding/ shouldn’t be too You may invent
transitioning sentence personal statistics/comments by
interviewees
Paragraph 3 Start with a topic sentence Recommendations Recommendations (depends on
(your second argument) assignment)
You can use bullet You can use bullet
Provide reasons to support points, not too many, points, not too many
your argument around 3 (around 3)
Use a final concluding/
transitioning sentence
Paragraph 4 Point out clearly which of Conclusion Include a final sentence I look forward to … Recommendation
the two discussed aspects is that summarizes your
more important, on the If you want to provide opinion If you have a name, use:
basis of what you have your opinion, this is the Yours sincerely, …
written above place to do so If you don’t have a
name, use Yours
faithfully, …
Things to take Formal style Semi-formal style Persuasive, semi-formal Formal style Persuasive style
into account tone
Use 2-3 bullet points, but Coherent information Miss = unmarried Title should catch
don’t copy them (i.e., Based on the future woman, Ms. = not sure reader’s interest
paraphrase) Based on what already
exists (past, present) ≤ 5 paragraphs
Use expressions!
Essay Report Proposal Formal letter Review
Title Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Sub-headings No Yes Yes No Own decision
Paragraph 1 Introduce the topic State the purpose State the purpose of the Dear … Catch reader’s interest
(general -> specific) clearly proposal
Reason for writing Background information
End with a question/ (exhibition?)
statement
A brief account of what
is being reviewed
Paragraph 2 Start with a topic sentence Describe the current Describe the current (depends on Evaluation (positive
(your first argument) situation situation assignment) and/or negative)
Provide reasons to support Make sure that what Provide background Mention a few aspects
your argument you write is of interest information (e.g. songs when it
to a bigger public, it concerns an album)
Use a final concluding/ shouldn’t be too You may invent
transitioning sentence personal statistics/comments by
interviewees
Paragraph 3 Start with a topic sentence Recommendations Recommendations (depends on
(your second argument) assignment)
You can use bullet You can use bullet
Provide reasons to support points, not too many, points, not too many
your argument around 3 (around 3)
Use a final concluding/
transitioning sentence
Paragraph 4 Point out clearly which of Conclusion Include a final sentence I look forward to … Recommendation
the two discussed aspects is that summarizes your
more important, on the If you want to provide opinion If you have a name, use:
basis of what you have your opinion, this is the Yours sincerely, …
written above place to do so If you don’t have a
name, use Yours
faithfully, …
Things to take Formal style Semi-formal style Persuasive, semi-formal Formal style Persuasive style
into account tone
Use 2-3 bullet points, but Coherent information Miss = unmarried Title should catch
don’t copy them (i.e., Based on the future woman, Ms. = not sure reader’s interest
paraphrase) Based on what already
exists (past, present) ≤ 5 paragraphs
Use expressions!
