Post CPE Group - Feedback On Writing

I have now had a chance to look over the writing exercise from last Saturday. While I intend to give individual feedback in the next lesson, I thought I would take the opportunity to make some general comments and observations now.

• All the letters were clearly structured and contained a good range of vocabulary including a natural use of fixed phrases and collocations
• Verb Structure: There are some persistent errors with verb structure, so this is an area of grammar that we need to review in the new year. E.g. Intend to do something/have the intention of doing something, prevent someone from doing something
• Vocabulary - Word Choice: Start exploring connotation and register when choosing your words. Several of you used uncivil when describing rude or bad mannered behaviour. Did you intend to be that restrained in your criticism?
• Vocabulary - Verb/Noun + Preposition Collocations: Think of these as fixed phrases rather than little bits of grammar. to be in the limelight, a threat to someone/something, to be pregnant with her first child 
• Sentence construction and style: Work on developing a lean, succinct style of writing - eliminate repetitive or redundant words, "throat clearing"phrases and get straight to the point. Think about your use of discourse markers and how you could join clauses and phrases without using conjunctions.