BEC+Vantage+-+WRITING

= Here you will find tips about the techniques you need to develop for this paper in the exam and also practice material  =

1.1 Timing
This part of the exam lasts **45 minutes**. There is **no time limit for each task**; some tasks may take longer than others and you should be aware of how long you need for different tasks. However, it's worth remembering that some tasks have more items and are, therefore, worth more marks. The answers must be put on the special answer sheet within these 60 minutes.

1.2 Marks
This part of the exam carries 25% of the marks for the whole exam.

1.3 Dos

 * Read the question carefully and underline the important parts.
 * Make a plan before you start writing.
 * Write clearly, concisely and legibly
 * use a range of business words and expressions.
 * Structure your writing with good linkers such as '//firstly//', '//also//', '//however//', '//moreover//', '//nevertheless//' and so on.
 * Write in paragraphs.
 * Check the question and your work again after you have finished writing.

1.3 Dont's

 * copy too many words and phrases from the question paper – try to use your own words.
 * repeat the same words and structures too often.
 * waste time writing addresses for a letter: not required

2) What does the exam comprise
~ an internal company communication using given information. This could be:
 * ** Part ** || ** Number of bullet points ** || ** Text type ** || ** Maximum Number of words ** || ** Marking ** || **Answer sheet** ||
 * 1 || 3 || ** WHAT **
 * a note
 * a message
 * an e-mail
 * a memo

~ a person or people __inside__ your organisation ~ neutral/formal
 * TO WHOM + REGISTER**


 * POSSIBLE TOPICS (= function)**
 * giving instructions
 * explaining a development
 * asking for comments
 * requesting information
 * agreeing to requests

~ read the instructions for the task ~ think about the scenario and your role, e.g are you ~ ensure you know who you should write to ~ ensure you know the type of task ~ include all 3 bullet points in your answer || 40-50 || Both parts of the paper together = 25% of the total score for the BEC Preliminary
 * WHAT YOU NEED TO DO**
 * a manager
 * a trainer
 * an assistant

10 marks || ~ complete your answer directly onto the given paper. ~ do not use correction fluid. ~ cross out mistakes with one line. || ~ a piece of business correspondence, or ~ a report <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">~ a proposal <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">All of these will be based on extra given information.
 * 2 || 3 || ** WHAT **

~ a person or people __outside__ your organisation
 * TO WHOM**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">~ business correspondence, e.g <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">~ reports, e.g. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">~ proposals, e.g.
 * POSSIBLE TOPICS (= function)**
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">explaining
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">apologising
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">reassuring
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">complaining
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">describing
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">summarising
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">describing
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">summarising
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">recommending
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">persuading

~ the instructions for the task + ~ visual or graphic mateiral which may have handwritten notes on it
 * WHAT YOU NEED TO READ**

~ think about the scenario and your role, e.g what type of company you work for and your job there ~ ensure you know who you should write to ~ check what information from the material and handwritten notes is essential ~ <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">a dd relevant ideas and information of your own || 1 20 - 140 || 20 marks || ~ complete your answer directly onto the given paper. ~ do not use correction fluid. ~ cross out mistakes with one line. ||
 * WHAT YOU NEED TO DO**


 * Go to Reading paper **


 * Go to listening paper **


 * Go to speaking paper **