How to Write Articles for the FCE

How to Write an Article

·         Focus on the purpose of an article. Remember that  an article must entertain the reader and, almost always, it must  recommend “the things” we are talking about.

·         Language: In general, an article is more informal than an essay, although it will depend on where it is supposed to be published (an international magazine, a teenage magazine, a college magazine, an online blog, a newspaper, etc.). However, the most common case is that we must write a text in an informal or colloquial style. For this reason, our tone must be relaxed, making use of contractions, phrasal verbs and other colloquial expressions. Besides, it is recommended to use rhetorical questions and exclamation marks to engage the reader. You should also address the reader directly in the second person (you, your)

·         Structure: Articles must always have a title. If possible, this must be catchy and witty so as to engage the reader. Then, each paragraph must address a single idea, to which you must add the introduction and the conclusion, where you are usually expected to make a recommendation. It is also a good idea to end your article with a rhetorical question, especially if it is going to be an online article where people could (in theory) leave a comment.

·         Giving your opinion: An article is almost exclusively about giving your opinion, so feel free to do so throught the whole piece of writing. As you are normally asked to write about something you like or enjoy, opinions are expected to be generally positive. You can speak in the first person as much as you like. 

       Useful Expressions to Write an Article

      If you want to know how to write an article, it is very important to have a repository of useful expressions ready to use. So here are some which can come in handy:

• Rhetorical questions:
• Have you ever…?
• Do you ever wonder…?
• What do you think about…?
• Are you a… like me?
• Are you one of those people who…?
• What would you say if I told you that…?

• Introducing new ideas:
• Firstly,
• First,
• In the first place,
• To begin with,
• The coolest thing about
• What attracts me most
• One thing to consider is
• Another consideration is
• Secondly,
• As for
• As to
• Also,
• As regards
• In addition,
• In addition to that,
• Moreover,

• Concluding the article:
• In conclusion,
• On the whole,
• To sum up,
• To conclude,
• All in all,
• … you will not regret it!

• Prompt 1:

  "Write an article for your school newspaper discussing the impact of social media on young people today."
• Prompt 2:

  "Your school is planning to introduce a new school uniform. Write an article for the school magazine discussing the advantages and disadvantages of this policy."
• Prompt 3:

  "Write an article for a local magazine about the benefits of learning a new language."

https://learning.cambridgeinternational.org/classroom/pluginfile.php/218996/mod_label/intro/Writing_an_article.pdf

Should We Ban Dangerous Sports?

[I – The Introduction: Hook & Issue]

Every weekend, people do extreme sports like skydiving and jumping from high cliffs. But should governments ban these dangerous activities?

[B – Body Paragraph 1: Arguments Against]

On one hand, many people say yes, they should be banned. These dangerous sports cost a lot of money when things go wrong. Rescue teams and hospitals have to help injured people, and taxpayers pay the bill. For them, safety is more important than fun.

[B – Body Paragraph 2: Arguments For]

On the other hand, banning these sports takes away our freedom. People naturally want to test their limits and have adventures. Also, extreme sports bring money to local businesses and tourism.

[C – The Conclusion: Final Solution]

In conclusion, a total ban is a bad idea. Instead, governments should make strict safety rules and require proper training. We must keep people safe, but we should not stop them from following their passions.

Article Writing Prompt: Food, Filters, and the Mind

The Context

Today, teenagers are constantly exposed to curated images of "ideal" bodies, extreme fitness challenges, and strict "clean eating" trends on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While some argue this encourages healthy habits, psychologists warn that it often fuels unhealthy obsessions, anxiety, and eating disorders among young people.

The Task

Write an article for your school magazine (about 200–250 words) addressing the following question:

Are social media and modern diet culture destroying our relationship with food and our bodies?

Guiding Questions to Help You Plan (using the T-I-B-C structure):

• Title: Create a catchy title that grabs the reader’s attention.

• Introduction (The Hook): Start with a striking fact or a question about how much time people spend looking at fitness or food trends online.

• Body Paragraph 1 (The Pressure): Discuss how social media algorithms push unrealistic body standards or toxic "wellness" trends.

• Body Paragraph 2 (The Solution / Counter-perspective): What can we do to change this? How can schools, friends, or individuals promote a healthier, more balanced mindset?

• Conclusion: End with a strong final thought or a call to action for your peers.

Useful Vocabulary Bank for Students:

• Body image

• Unrealistic standards

• Obsession / Compulsion

• Toxic wellness culture

• Mental well-being

• Self-acceptance

• Social media algorithms