FCE / B2 First Writing

How to write an ARTICLE (with examples + practice)
Keyboard ←→ Space HomeEnd
Teacher tip: Use slides 9–13 as in-class tasks.
Writing Part 2 • Audience-focused • Engaging style

Writing an Article (FCE / B2 First)

An article is a piece of writing for a magazine, a school website, a blog, or a newsletter. Your job is to interest readers, give clear points, and sound natural (not too formal).

What examiners want

  • Content: you answer all parts of the question.
  • Communicative achievement: right tone (lively, friendly), clear purpose.
  • Organisation: paragraphing + linking + logical flow.
  • Language: range + accuracy (B2 level).
Typical length: about 140–190 words (check your coursebook/exam format). Keep it tight and focused.

Articles usually include

Title (catchy) Hook (first lines) 2–3 body paragraphs Examples / reasons Conclusion / recommendation

You can use rhetorical questions, direct address (you), short sentences, and personal experience.

Slide goals

  • Know the structure that always works.
  • Learn useful language that sounds like an article.
  • Practice with exam-style tasks + feedback checklists.
Step 1 • Understand the task

Read the prompt like a detective

Look for 4 things

  • Where will it appear? (school magazine / website / blog)
  • Who is the reader? (teenagers? classmates? general public?)
  • Purpose: inform? advise? persuade? entertain?
  • Two content points: usually the question asks for 2 ideas + your opinion.

Mini prompt

Your school website wants articles about healthy lifestyles. Write an article suggesting two ways students can be more active, and explain why they work.

Audience: students • Style: friendly + motivating • Must include: 2 ways + reasons.
Common mistake: writing a “report” (too formal, no hook, no direct address).
Step 2 • Plan fast

The 3-minute plan (simple + powerful)

Template that works

  • Title (4–7 words)
  • Intro: hook + topic + promise (what readers will get)
  • Body 1: point 1 + example + mini conclusion
  • Body 2: point 2 + example + mini conclusion
  • Ending: summary + recommendation / call to action
Rule: one paragraph = one main idea. Keep sentences clear. No giant blocks of text.

Plan for the mini prompt

TITLE: Move More, Feel Better INTRO: Question + quick reality + promise P1: Active commuting (walk/cycle) + why it’s realistic + example P2: Micro-workouts (10 minutes) + why it’s easy + example END: Encourage + challenge + friendly closing
Step 3 • Article voice

Sound like an article (not an essay)

Do

  • Use a catchy title.
  • Start with a hook (question, surprising fact, mini story).
  • Write to the reader: you / your.
  • Add examples from real life.
  • Use varied sentences (short + longer).
Hook ideas: “Have you ever…?” • “Imagine this…” • “Here’s the thing…”

Avoid

  • Very formal language: “It is of paramount importance…”
  • Bullet-point lists as your main text (fine for planning, not final).
  • Writing like a report: headings such as “Introduction / Conclusion”.
  • Repeating the same linker again and again.
Too formal → sounds unnatural for a magazine/blog.
Step 4 • Organise clearly

Paragraph structure you can reuse

Body paragraph recipe

  • Topic sentence: introduce the idea.
  • Explain: why it matters.
  • Example: show it in real life.
  • Mini wrap-up: link to the reader / next idea.
Linking: use a mix of linkers (addition, contrast, result) + referencing words (this, these, such).

Useful linkers (B2)

To begin with What’s more On top of that However That said As a result In the end Overall

Don’t overdo it: 4–7 linkers in 170 words is usually enough.

Step 5 • Language toolkit

Language that feels “article-ish”

Engaging phrases

  • Let’s be honest, …
  • Here’s the good news: …
  • If you ask me, …
  • The best part is …
  • One thing you can try is …
  • Why not …?
Direct address: “If you’re like most students, you…”

Opinion + recommendation

  • I’d definitely recommend … because …
  • In my view, … is the most effective option.
  • It’s worth giving it a go.
  • Don’t worry if … at first — it gets easier.
Register: friendly and natural; avoid slang that could sound rude.
Model answer • ~170 words

Model article (annotated)

Prompt (example)

Your school website wants articles about healthy lifestyles. Write an article suggesting two ways students can be more active, and explain why they work.

Plan: 2 ideas + reasons + reader-friendly style.

Checklist while reading

  • Is there a title?
  • Does the introduction hook the reader?
  • Are there two clear points?
  • Are there examples?
  • Does it end with a recommendation?
Move More, Feel Better Have you ever finished a school day feeling tired… even though you’ve sat down for hours? The truth is, our bodies need movement — and it doesn’t have to mean joining a gym. To begin with, try active commuting. If you live close enough, walking or cycling to school turns “dead time” into exercise, and you’ll arrive more awake. Even getting off the bus one stop earlier can make a difference. What’s more, micro-workouts are perfect for busy students. Ten minutes of stairs, a quick dance session or a short YouTube routine at home can boost your mood, and you can fit it in before dinner. Overall, the best plan is the one you’ll actually do. Pick one small change this week and stick to it — your future self will thank you!

Tip: In class, ask students to label: title / hook / point 1 / point 2 / ending.

Fix it • Improve it

Common mistakes (and quick fixes)

Mistake → Fix

  • No title → add a short, catchy title.
  • Too formal → use contractions (don’t), direct address (you), friendly tone.
  • Only ideas, no reasons → add “because…” + a real example.
  • Weak paragraphing → 4–5 paragraphs is perfect.
  • Repeating linkers → vary: To begin with, What’s more, However, Overall.

Upgrade formal sentences

Formal: It is essential for adolescents to engage in physical activity on a regular basis. More like an article: Let’s be honest — we all feel better when we move a bit more.
Goal: natural, friendly, but still correct English.
Practice • Exam skills

Exercise 1: Spot the features

Instructions

Read the short article extract. Tick the features you can find.

  • Title
  • Hook (question / mini story)
  • Direct address (you / your)
  • Two clear points
  • Example(s)
  • Recommendation / call to action
The Secret to Better Revision Ever opened your notes and instantly felt sleepy? You’re not alone. The trick is to revise in short bursts. First, set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on one topic. After that, stand up and stretch. Second, test yourself instead of just re-reading. Try making five questions and answering them without looking. Give it a go today — you might be surprised by how much you remember!

Your answers






Practice • Tone

Exercise 2: Make it sound like an article

Task

Rewrite the paragraph. Keep the meaning, but make it more engaging for a school blog.

Many students do not sleep enough. This can cause concentration problems in class. Students should avoid screens before bed and they should follow a regular schedule.
Targets: hook + you + friendly tone + clear advice

Your rewrite

Practice • Organisation

Exercise 3: Put the paragraphs in order

Task

Choose the best order (1–4) to make a clear article.

A) Overall, the key is to start small. Try one change this week, and you’ll soon feel the difference. B) What’s more, studying with a friend can make revision less boring. You can quiz each other and stay motivated. C) Have you ever promised yourself you’d start revising early… and then didn’t? Don’t worry — there are easy ways to make revision manageable. D) To begin with, break your work into mini-goals. Twenty minutes on one topic is better than two hours of panic the night before.

Hint

  • Start with the hook.
  • Then point 1 + point 2.
  • Finish with a summary/recommendation.
Practice • Linkers

Exercise 4: Linkers gap-fill

Choose the best linker

Options: To begin with • What’s more • However • As a result • Overall

______, don’t try to do everything at once. Pick one habit and focus on it.

Many students want to exercise, ____ they feel they have no time.

Try walking part of the way to school. ______, you’ll feel more awake in the first lesson.

______, studying with a friend keeps you motivated and makes revision more fun.

Teacher extension

  • Students write two extra sentences using However and As a result.
  • Swap texts and underline linkers + referencing words (this, these).
Full practice • Timed writing

Exam-style task (write your article)

Prompt

An English-language magazine for teenagers is asking for articles about free-time activities. Write an article describing two activities you think are great for teenagers and explain why you recommend them.

Plan: Title + hook • Activity 1 (reasons + example) • Activity 2 (reasons + example) • Ending (recommendation).

5-minute planning box

Write your article (140–190 words)

Improve • Final check

Self-check (2 minutes before you finish)

Quick checklist

  • Content: Did I cover both points?
  • Style: Is it friendly and engaging (not too formal)?
  • Organisation: Clear paragraphs + linkers?
  • Language: Variety (B2) + accurate grammar?
  • Word count: roughly 140–190?
Upgrade trick: add 1 rhetorical question + 1 specific example.

Peer feedback

Swap articles. Underline:

  • Title + hook
  • 2 strongest phrases
  • One sentence that is too formal → rewrite it
  • One place to add an example
Teacher tip: students give 2 stars ⭐⭐ + 1 wish 🌱.
Finish

Article formula you can always use

TITLE HOOK + topic + promise POINT 1 + reason(s) + example POINT 2 + reason(s) + example OVERALL summary + recommendation / call to action

Want more practice? Duplicate slide 13 with new prompts and keep the same structure.

Note: I couldn’t access the full content of the BookWidgets link (it appears to be script-embedded/permissioned in this environment), so the presentation is based on standard B2 First article requirements and classroom best practices.