Useful phrases and clues for the writing paper FCE, CAE, CPE

ESSAY
clear introduction, outline the situation as it is / had been recently. Rhetorical question to lead into the main body.
Clear paragraphs, each covering a particular point in your argument or aspect of the subject.
Identify whether the task demands balanced or one-sided approach. If one-sided mention the alternatives briefly in the conclusion.
Support your ideas with brief examples.
Use connectors to link your sentences and ideas.
Conclusion should 'echo' the introductory paragraph.

ARTICLE

Notice what kind of article you have to write (for a newspaper / magazine / etc.) and who your readers will be then choose correct register and layout, keep it consistent throughout the article.
Use descriptive verbs, adjectives and adverbs to make events more interesting, use rhetorical questions to enhance reader's interest..
Introduction should have impact on readers.
Use direct speech only where appropriate
Conclude article forcefully and leave readers with sth to think about.

FORMAL LETTER

Think about the purpose of your letter and who your readers will be. Letter to a newspaper will aim to give and opinion and make a point about some matter, a letter of complaint will give details about an event or situation that has not lived up to your expectations.
Refer to the situation or event in an unemotional, reasonable way. Make sure you support your arguments or point of view.
Organise the letter carefully, (1 ? your reason for writing, 2 ? detailing your concerns or views, 3 ? supply further information, 4 ? concluding remarks / suggestions / requests.
Only include details which are strictly relevant.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Sirs,

I am writing with reference to the article on... published in one of your latest issues.
I have just read an article published in...
I am writing to express my disappointment with the content of the article, concerning..., published in...
I have read the article commenting on the debt problem of developing countries and would like now to share my views with other readers.
I wish to protest about the article which makes totally false claims.

I hope you will not take amiss what I am going to say.

To begin with...
Furthermore...
Moreover...
What we also need to consider is...
A good example of this would be...
This is due to / This can be attributed to...
There's another factor as well...
Apart from this / that...

I am looking forward to seeing my letter published in one of the next issues of your newspaper.

LETTER OF COMPLAINT
I am writing to complain about...

To add insult to injury...
Moreover...
What is more...
Not only ... but also ...

I must insist on a full refund plus compensation or I will have no choice but to take further legal action.
Please investigate the above matter as a matter of urgency and...
I am very unhappy about this. I would like you to arrange a full refund to me.