{"id":41396,"date":"2019-12-11T16:14:04","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T15:14:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=41396"},"modified":"2019-12-11T16:14:04","modified_gmt":"2019-12-11T15:14:04","slug":"how-to-write-a-great-article-in-the-cambridge-b2-first-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/how-to-write-a-great-article-in-the-cambridge-b2-first-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Great Article in the Cambridge B2 First Exam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Writing in your only language can be a challenge, but writing in another language can be a complete nightmare<\/strong><\/em><\/span> ! Where do you even begin?<\/p>\n

If you are taking your Cambridge B2 First exam you\u2019ll have to write two texts in an 80-minute period. In part 1 you must write an essay<\/a> but in part 2 you will be able to choose between a number of options. This could be could be an email, a letter, a report, a review<\/a> or an article.<\/p>\n

Read more about the format of the Cambridge B2 First exam<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In this writing guide, we\u2019ll focus on how to write an article for the Cambridge B2 First Writing paper – part 2. We\u2019ll also share with you some tricks and tips for passing this part of the exam. You\u2019ll learn how to plan your article, structure it, use rhetorical questions<\/strong><\/em><\/span>, exclamation marks – and lots more. By the end, you\u2019ll have the confidence to write an amazing article in English!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is an article and how do you write one for the B2 First?<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

You’ll find lots of examples of articles in magazines, newspapers and internet blogs. In these texts, writers share information, guides and opinions on specific topics. The idea is to write in a way that grabs the reader’s attention and keeps them interested until the very end.<\/p>\n

In the Cambridge B2 First Writing Paper – part 2, you could be asked to write about a variety of topics. However, it\u2019s often something you\u2019ve recently learned to do or know a lot about. For example, the question might be about a concert you\u2019ve been to recently, you favourite hobby or your hometown.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example of a B2 First article question.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s look at how to get started!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to write an article in three simple steps<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

You\u2019ve got the question in front of you, so now it\u2019s time to start writing your article, right?<\/p>\n

Wrong! If you do that, you\u2019ve missed an essential stage: planning.<\/p>\n

You can compare writing an article to preparing your favourite meal. No good tortilla de patatas was ever made without carefully preparing the ingredients first. It\u2019s exactly the same with your writing – only, you\u2019ll need fewer onions. Time management<\/strong><\/em><\/span> is also important. You only have about 40 minutes total so you need to plan your time carefully.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/p>\n

&nsbp;<\/p>\n

Step 1: Make a plan (10 minutes)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Think about the question<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Really focus on the question. Decide who your role model is. Is he or she a sporting hero you really admire? Or someone closer to home? It could be a family member that you look up to<\/strong><\/em><\/span> or a person in the community who\u2019s done something amazing. Think about why they inspire you and make some notes on your ideas.<\/p>\n

Think about the tone<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Consider the best blogs you read on the internet. Are they relaxed and friendly? Or do they sound like boring school essays? The truth is most articles are quite conversational. They are somewhere between semi-formal and informal. They are often informative, whilst entertaining and engaging the reader. You can also try to add some humour<\/strong><\/em><\/span> in too!<\/p>\n

Think about the structure<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Structuring your article is key and there\u2019s normally more than one way to do it. Decide which structure makes sense for the question. Try to keep it logical and include different ideas in different paragraphs.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example structure:<\/p>\n