For CELPIP Writing Task 1 and Task 2, one of the most important lessons is to make a proper outline! If you do it right at the start, you will have complete marks for task response and structure! What happens is many people just start writing and 15 minutes into the writing, they forget the question. Hence, they start answering something completely different!
know this because we correct 100s of writings and it’s always body 2 onward where the points just don’t make sense. However, if you are able to jot down the exact points relevant to the question, it usually happens at the start, when you are fresh and you are reading the question. At this point, you need to set aside 2-3 minutes to make the outline.
How do you do it?
Simple… For Task 1, you wanna make 2 points per bullet point and for Task 2, it is 2 points per body (2 in body 1 that support your opinion and 2 in body 2 that oppose the other opinion). You will see two examples below with sample outlines:
1. Inviting a friend
You are studying English at a private language school attended by many international students. You are planning a surprise birthday party for a friend who has been feeling particularly sad and homesick.
Write to another classmate and invite him / her to the party. In your letter:
explain the reason for the party
give the date and time of the party
suggest what the classmate could bring to the party
Begin your letter as follows: Dear ________
You should write at between 150-200 words.
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You are homesick + It’s been a while
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date + time
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cake + it will remind us of home
Your local gym has decided to set extra time for group information sessions on nutrition. However, they are also contemplating replacing that with Zumba classes in order to provide a more commonly recognized and proven activity.
In your opinion, which option should the gym undertake? Write about 150-200 words describing your answer.
A: Zumba classes
B: information on healthy eating seminars
Opinion: Zumba classes
B1: proven activity and it’s recognized – exciting and that will draw attention
B2: it is just theory without practical examples – young people will not attend
Do this every time in the exam and this will be the key to keep you super organized!
Cheers!