Report

Register: Formal, impersonal, cold and factual. DO NOT USE: · Contractions · Colourful language (gorgeous/stunning/awesome etc.) · Informal phrasal verbs (meet up/break down/check out etc.) · “I/we think….” (too personal)	Forms and Conventions: Title: Report into ……. Paragraph Titles: Introduction, Strengths, Weaknesses, Conclusion. Fixed introduction: The aim of this report is to evaluate/put forward ideas for/examine etc. *Word limit: CAE: 220-260 CPE: 280-320*
Introduction: The purpose/aim of this report is to…. This report sets out to… The report will comment on… Below is an explanation of… The focus of this report is… This report will offer an in depth critique of… Fake survey/questionnaire: It can be a good idea to base the report on a survey/questionnaire. This report will present the findings of/This report is based on the findings/results of an extensive survey completed by… Ending Introduction: 1. It will go on to give recommendations regarding…	Expressing general opinions/info: ….is considered/thought/said to be… …is highly regarded in (place)…(good reputation) There is widespread agreement that… Opinions are divided regarding… It is common knowledge that… Recent research indicates that… Interviewees who had first-hand knowledge of the situation stated… There is considerable disagreement regarding… Survey Results: Virtually everyone who completed the survey stated that.. Over (60%) of those interviewed stated that… The vast majority of people interviewed believe that… A small percentage of those surveyed agree/disagree with…
Strengths: The (school system) in this country undoubtedly has many strengths such as …. And… … is particularly effective due to the fact that… … has achieved impressive results owing to … Another clear strong point is… … is something the country can be proud of due to…	Weaknesses: Despite the strengths mentioned above, there are also some areas that require attention. … is failing to live up to expectations because… Another clear weakness is… … leaves a lot to be desired … is not up to the required standard
Advantages/disadvantages: …’s advantages clearly outweigh its disadvantages. *advantages* benefits/pros/strengths *disadvantages* downsides/weaknesses/drawbacks	Giving Recommendations: In light of the above, we believe the following measures should be adopted… My recommendations are as follows:… Urgent improvement is needed in the field of… I highly recommend + bring about change in the area of… To improve the situation, we recommend… It is recommended that…
Concluding: -To sum up,…To conclude,… -I hope that the plan outlined/presented in this report meets with your approval… -I hope that the recommendations outlined/ presented in this report will receive your serious consideration. Should the recommendations outlined in this report be carried out, I have no doubt that …. Will be a resounding success.	Grammar check list Have you included? · An inversion (not only/no sooner/seldom) · An inverted conditional (Were we to…) · A participle clause (Being…/Having gone…) · A double comparative (The more we… the more) · A cleft sentence (What is most crucial is…) · Linkers (Nevertheless/despite/due to/consequently) · Impressive verbs (bring about change/undergo development)

Example Introduction

The aim of this report is to evaluate the current state of….. This report is based on the results of an extensive survey completed by (students at … school). It will present the results of the survey and go on to give recommendations regarding…

Informal Letter

Opening · It’s been ages since we last spoke. · Sorry for not writing back sooner · I’ve been snowed under with exams lately. · How’s life treating you? · What are you up to these days? · So you wanted to know about… I’d be happy to help.	Giving News · Guess what. I’ve… · I’ve got some fantastic news. · I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. · Bad news, James…
Responding to News · I’m so happy for you! · I was disappointed to hear that you’ve… · I’m so glad to hear that you’re… · I’m thrilled for you · What great news! · Sorry to hear that… · Congratulations!	Offering, accepting, declining invitations · I’d love for you to come to… · Have you got any plans for summer? · Do you fancy coming to…? · I’d love to come! · Count me in! · Count me out, I’m afraid. · I wouldn’t miss it for the world. · I wish I could but… · I’ll take a rain check.
Giving advice/recommendations · If I were you, I’d… · If I were in your shoes, I’d… · You simply have to… · By far and away the best thing to do is… · Have you thought about …ing? · It wouldn’t be a bad idea to… · … is worth a try. · Something that I found really useful is… · What seems to work for a lot of people is…	Closing · Well that’s all for now. · I’d better go, I’ve got an early start in the morning. · I must dash/go · Pass on my regards to your family · Let me know how it goes · Can’t wait to…. · All the best · Hugs and kisses · Take care

Letter of Application

Dear Sir or Madam, / To whom in may concern,

Paragraph 1:

I am writing in response to your advertisement in ______________ (name of publication from task). I am interested in applying for the role of ________________ (name of job)

Paragraph 2:

As you will see from my attached CV, I have spent the last _______ (number) years at ____________(workplace). During this period I was promoted from _____________(lower level job) to the position of ____________ (great job). I was responsible for ____________ (verb in gerund) and ____________, as well as _____________ and _____________. I had the privilege / opportunity to learn / improve / develop ___________ and ____________.

Paragraph 3:

Given the experience I have acquired at __________________ (workplace), I consider myself well-equipped to respond to the challenge of working in your _____________. I feel I have the necessary personal qualities to deal with the demands of the post. For instance, I see myself as a ____________ (adjective) person who works well under pressure. My experience working with ______________ (people / animal / computers etc.) at ___________________ (workplace) has helped me to be more ____________ (adj) and _______________ (adj).

Paragraph 4:

I would therefore be grateful if you could consider my application. I am available for interview between the ________ and the ________ of _________. I look forward to hearing from you.

Taking all this into account, I hope that you will consider my application. I am available for interview between the ________ and the ________ of _________. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for taking the time to read my application, I hope you will consider me for the post. I am available for interview between the ________ and the ________ of _________. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Name

Letter of Complaint

Opening

· Dear Sir or Madam, / To whom it may concern,

· I am writing to express my disappointment with/dissatisfaction with the service I received in…

· I would like to lodge a formal complaint against your company for the reasons outlined below:

· I feel compelled to write to you in order to describe the

Listing Problems

· First of all,

· Not only was there a hair in my wife’s soup, but the main course also arrived cold.

· On top of that…

· As if that was not enough…

· To top it all off…

· The straw that broke the camel’s back was…

Complaining Expressions

· The standard of the… was not up to scratch.

· The… was not up to the expected standard.

· The… left a lot to be desired.

· The… failed to live up to our expectations.

· We were left bitterly disappointed by…

· The quality of the customer service we received was woefully inadequate.

· The… was an absolute disgrace. (v.strong)

· Overall, our visit to your (restaurant) was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish.

Requesting Action

· It seems only fair that you should… (offer a full refund)

· I would appreciate it if you…

· I would be grateful if you…

· Should these demands not be met, you will be hearing from my lawyers.

· I expect to receive compensation to the tune of (€2000) for the…

Making Recommendations

· I strongly recommend that your organisation…

· It would be advisable to…

· I suggest re-evaluating your procedures regarding…

Sign off

· I look forward to receiving your reply.

· I expect to receive a prompt reply to this letter.

· Yours faithfully,

Letters objecting to someone’s plans
I am writing to express my concern /disappointment / alarm at hearing …
I was extremely alarmed/sorry/distressed to hear about your plans to …
As I think you know, …
May I point out that …
I feel I really must object to …
I am extremely concerned at the thought that …
It must be very clear that …
If these proposals go ahead, … will happen.
Another threat to … , if these proposals go ahead, would come from …
I dread to imagine what damage this will cause.
May I respectfully suggest that you …
I was wondering if you had considered this alternative?
Would it not be possible to … ?
Letters of complaint
I am writing to complain about …
I am writing to tell you how disappointed/annoyed I feel about …
I was amazed/distressed/horrified to find that …
As you must realise, …
I am sure you know that …
I am sure you can imagine …
I am sure you will appreciate that …
It goes without saying that …
At the very least, I look forward to receiving …
Unless you … , I am afraid that I will have to take this matter further.
Letters of recommendation
I am writing to you on behalf of …
I have known X for … years.
She / He has shown herself/himself to be extremely …
X would seem to fit the requirements of this job perfectly.
I have no hesitation in recommending X as a …
Letters to the editor
I am writing about the article on … , which appeared (in last night’s paper).
I am writing with reference to the article you published (in last month’s issue).
I have just read your article on … and I feel I must …
You raised some issues which I feel strongly about.
At the start of your article, you appear to claim that …
I am afraid I totally disagree.
I am completely in agreement.
I am sure readers will agree with me when I say that …

Proposal

Introduction:

The principle _____ of this proposal is to _____ forward ideas in _______ to _______ improvements to the appearance of …(town’s name). It will then go ____ to describe the possible effects ______ changes will have on the town.

Making recommendations:

· I strongly recommend/suggest buying new chairs so that students are more comfortable.

· I recommend/suggest that we buy new chairs so that students are more comfortable.

Use a gerund

· Buying new chairs would be a great way to increase students’ comfort.

· Investing in new chairs would lead to an increase in student comfort.

Use a passive

· New chairs should be bought so that students are more comfortable.

· It is believed/obvious that investing in new chairs would lead to an increase in student comfort.

Use an advanced conditional

· If we were to invest in new chairs, students would be more comfortable.

· Were we to invest in new chairs, students would be more comfortable.

It would be + adjective

· It would be advisable/practical to invest in new chairs in order to increase student comfort.

Effect of changes

· Installing new chairs would lead to/give rise to…

· Building a new common room would provide students with a place to unwind.

· Improving the metro service would enable more residents to use public transport.

· Investing in… would undoubtedly have a positive effect on…

· Refurbishing the library would be extremely beneficial for the whole school.

· Having more… would do wonders for the school’s reputation in the local area.

Should the recommendations o_________ in this proposal be c_______ o_______, I have no doubt that the improvement of the town will be a r___________ s______________.

Review

Register: Informal/neutral

Use: all your colourful vocabulary:

Phrasal verbs/idioms/impressive collocations.

Forms and conventions:

Title: for films/books/restaurants use the name/title or if think up an imaginative title using an idiom/expression.

Planning, 6 step system:

2. Read task, underline content points.

3. Divide content points into paragraphs: Intro, décor, ambiance, service, food, recommendation.

4. WHAT do you want to say? Add your notes to each paragraph in simple form.

5. HOW are you going to say that? Brainstorm advanced grammar and vocabulary for each note.

6. Forms and conventions: Title paragraph titles, fixed introduction.

7. Write! Remember word limit is: 220-260

Introduction:

Personal anecdote to grab attention. Introduce name of book/film, restaurant + location, course, TV show etc.

Seldom do I find the time to…, however when I do take time out of my hectic schedule, I like nothing more than…

Being a bit of a film buff/book worm/foody, the news that … had opened a new restaurant/released a new film/book had me itching to try/see/read it. So last week I popped down with a friend to check it out.

Having never seen/read/tried… before I approached … with a sense of trepidation, not knowing what to expect. Soon however, all my fears were allayed.

Book reviews:

Vocab to describe the book in general:

a page-turner / a white-knuckle ride / a tearjerker / a laugh a minute / I couldn't put it down.

Vocab to describe specific parts:

a slow start / a gentle introduction /gripping climax / nail-biting conclusion / cliff-hanger ending/ a shocking twist in the tail

Setting:

The book is set in _______(place/time)

The action takes place in ______ (place/time)

the present day (now)

an alternate reality where vampires / wizards walk the earth

a sleepy village in the USA

the bustling city of New York

Plot:

The plot centres around / focuses on (the adventures / lives of _________)

The plot follows the adventures of _________(character name)

Characters:

Villain / hero / heroine / anti-hero / main character / protagonist

The characters are believable / well-crafted / a bit 2 dimensional.

Film/TV reviews:

General:

An all-star cast

heavily influenced by the films of..

glowing reviews

startling originality

suspense builds up

a polished performance

a bold experiment

an accomplished actor

an unmitigated disaster (bad film)

a dazzling display of his/her talents

made a lasting impression on me.

Brought a tear to my eye

Like watching paint dry (boring)

I was on the edge of my seat (exciting)

A blockbuster (big commercial film eg Superman)

… sets off an amazing chain of events

Gripping film (exciting)

The director/author evoked a magical atmosphere

… awakened my interest in…

Hold my attention

Capture the audience’s imagination.

Spectacular set-pieces (main action scenes)

… is cast in the role of…

… is miscast in the role of…

…gives a(n) (un)convincing performance as…

The film is let down by a clichéd script.

Restaurant review:

Hearty meal

Wholesome food

Piping-hot

Succulent/juicy (meat)

Creamy

With a kick (spicy)

Crunchy/crispy

Well-seasoned

Packed with flavour

A steaming plate of..

Hungry/starving/ravenous/famished

Bustling eatery(restaurant)

Lively atmosphere

Service with a smile

A plate piled high with..

Mouth-watering

To die for

Heavenly

To lick your lips in anticipation

Roast

Pan-fried

Grilled

Steamed

Freshly-baked

Restaurants cont.

Make a pig of one’s self

To feast/gorge on (eat a lot of)

To eat/drink to your heart’s content

Devour/gobble up

Savour

Nibble

Bite

Lick

Aromas wafting from the kitchen

Cheap – economical/reasonably-priced

Expensive – pricey/costs an arm and a leg

€20 a head (per person)

Killer Lines:

Were I to sum up … in one word, it would be…

… left a lot to be desired (wasn’t good enough)

…more than lives up to the hype (is as good as everyone says it is)

… is by far and away the best … you’re likely to … this year

… really raises the bar (sets a higher standard)

… sets the benchmark for other (others will be judges against how good it is)

… ticks all the right boxes

… holds up well in comparison with …

…comes off badly in comparison with …

Grammar check list

Have you included?

· An inversion (not only/no sooner/seldom)

· An inverted conditional (Were we to…)

· A participle clause (Being…/Having gone…)

· A double comparative (The more we… the more)

· A cleft sentence (What is most crucial is…)

· Idioms

· Phrasal verbs

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