FCE Essay Writing: Common Mistakes to Avoid
1 Introduction
Writing Coach Jenny explains that many students struggle with FCE essays when they’re unprepared. Common problems include poor organization, weak coherence, and inappropriate register. Let’s look at an example of how NOT to write an FCE essay, written by Maria under exam pressure.
Key Terms
- organization
- the way parts of something are arranged
- coherence
- logical connection between ideas
- register
- level of formality in language
2 Poor Writing Example
Essay Topic: Do mobile phones have a positive or negative effect on teenagers?
Now read Maria’s poorly written essay:
Nowadays, many people think that mobile phones are bad for teenagers. I think mobile phones are good and bad. First, phones help teenagers to talk with friends. Second, they can play games and have fun. Third, they can do homework with phones.
However phones are also bad because teenagers spend to much time on them. They dont study enough and get bad marks. Also they dont sleep good because they use phones at night.
In conclusion, I think mobile phones have good and bad things. Parents should control how much time teenagers spend on phones.
Key Terms
- nowadays
- in the present time
- however
- used to introduce a contrasting point
3 How Many Errors Did You Spot?
Before we analyze Maria’s essay in detail, take a moment to identify the problems. Look for issues with punctuation, spelling, linking words, and development of ideas. How could this essay be improved?
Key Terms
- punctuation
- marks used in writing to separate sentences and phrases
- spelling
- the correct way to write words
- linking words
- words that connect ideas in writing
- development
- the process of expanding and explaining ideas