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In the PAU you may be asked to write different types of texts on any topic. Let’s check what types of text you may have to face and some examples of tasks:
| An argumentative essay (for & against)
Should the right to vote be lowered to the age of 16, instead of 18? What would be the advantages or disadvantages? Write an argumentative article giving opinions for and against this issue. (2014) |
| An opinion essay
Write your opinions about this law intended to protect animals in Britain. Do you think Spain needs a law like this? (2006) |
| An essay
Write an essay about aspects related to learning and using a language. Discuss difficulties, language components or even other kinds of language (art, music, computer language, animal language…). (2006) |
| A narrative
What makes a good teacher, according to your own experience? Write a personal narrative about the best teacher you ever had. Explain why she/he inspired you. |
| A description of a place (Article)
You are a journalist for a travel magazine. Write an article describing a place you know well. Mention the interesting things to see and do there. Comment also on the historical background and cultural traits. Mention any practical things a traveller should take into account: currency, weather, local customs…(2011) |
| An informal letter / email
Write an e-mail to a friend. Explain a trip you have done recently. Talk about the places you visited, when and who with. Mention any interesting or funny anecdotes that happened during the journey.(2011) |
| A formal letter / email
Write a letter to the Spanish Minister for the Environment. Show your deep concern about how water is being wasted in our country. Suggest a few ideas to improve the situation.(2005) |
| An article
Imagine you are a candidate at your class delegate election. Write a school article inviting people to vote and encouraging your classmates to vote for you, explaining your arguments. (2014) |
| A dialogue / conversation
Two scientists are talking about vivisection (tests on living animals to increase medical knowledge of human diseases). One scientist is for this practice, the other is against it. Write this dialogue. (2006) |
| An interview
You are a journalist for Blue Earth magazine. Write an interview with the leader of a Tuareg clan about their way of life in the desert. (2005) |
| Blog / Diary entry
Mame is writing about her daily life in a web log / diary. Write her entry for a most wonderful day. (Use Standard English, avoid informal or shorthand writing. (2007) |
| A biography
Imagine that you have set up a successful business before the age of 25. Write a biography of yourself and include a description of the company and the steps you took to make the company successful. (2016) |
| Informative text
Imagine you are working for the Namibia Tourist Board. Write a text for a promotional campaign addressed to Europeans with the title: “Come to experience the real Africa in the Kunene region” (2012) |
| Presentation
You are an Erasmus student at the University of Bergen (Norway). One professor asks you to talk to your class about the Catalan language and culture. Write the text of your presentation. (2006) |
| Newspaper story
You are a journalist. Write a short newspaper story about the labor exploitation of some groups of immigrants in Spain. (2008) |
| Speech
You are the representative of your country before the United Nations Organization (UNO). Write a speech addressed to the UNO general delegates denouncing the resurgence of slavery.(2008) |
I. Go to the following list and check what type of text you are going to write.
II. You need to take notes on different aspects of the text so that you can explain it later to your classmates.
- What type of text is it?
- What is the structure of this specific text?
- How many paragraphs are there in the text? What idea have you included in each of them?
- What connectors do you mainly use in a text like this?
- In conclusion, what aspects do you need to take into account when writing this type of text?
III. Remember to follow the writing process:
- BRAINSTORM FOR IDEAS:
- Write down all the ideas you can think of.
- Don’t worry whether the idea is relevant.
- Don’t worry about grammar or spelling.
- ORGANISE YOUR IDEAS:
- Decide which ideas to keep and cross out the others.
- Group similar ideas together.
- Organise them in the different paragraphs.
- FOCUS ON LANGUAGE:
- Think of words and expressions you will need in your work.
- WRITE A FIRST DRAFT:
- Write your first draft on the computer or by hand. If you are writing by hand use a pencil. Leave wide margins for notes.
- Leave space between lines for additions and corrections.
- Write quickly. Don ́t worry about neatness or accuracy.
- If you can ́t think of a word in English, write it in your own language. Look up the word in a dictionary later.
- If you can ́t spell a word, write it any way you can. Then check the word in a dictionary or use a spellcheck when you have finished.
- CHECK YOUR WORK:
- Use the Writer Checklist to improve your work.
- WRITE A FINAL DRAFT:
- If you are writing by hand: copy your corrected work neatly onto a clean sheet of paper.
- Use a pen and leave a margin on the left-hand side.
- Make sure your paragraphs are clearly indicated.
Use the Writing Checklist to make sure you took everything into account in the text.
| ORGANIZATION □ I organized my work according to a plan □ Each paragraph has one topic □ My paragraphs are clearly indicated □ My ideas are in al logical order □ I used suitable connectors to link my ideas |
| CONTENT □ My work is interesting and original □ I began with a suitable opening sentence □ I presented my ideas clearly □ I included only relevant ideas □ I supported my ideas with details and examples (opinion, for and against essay) □ I ended with a suitable closing sentences □ I used connectors to link my ideas |
| LANGUAGE □ My grammar is correct (verbal tenses, gerunds and infinitives, prepositions…) □ My spelling is correct □ My word order is correct □ My punctuation is correct □ I used capital letter correctly □ I used adjectives and adverbs correctly |
[Source: Selectivitat Writing Guide by Fina Melgar]
Keep in mind the assessment criteria which are linked to the previous Checklist:
– Grammar (1 mark) : a correct and appropriate use of morfosintactical structures and a wide range and complexity of structures.
– Vocabulary (1 mark): use of a rich and appropriate vocabulary.
– Discourse structure (1 mark): coherence within the structure of the text; correctness and variety of connectors and a correct use of punctuation.
– Reasoning (1 mark): Good knowledge of the topic (clear and mature reasoning, organized structure, thoughtful ideas, creativity, etc.). Use of the appropriate register.