F.A.Q: What´s the difference between an article and an essay?

We asked 6 CPEs (people who have successfully passed the Cambridge Proficiency in English exam) and this is what they said to us:

CPE1: "An article is a piece of writing where a topic, either serious or light-hearted, is tackled from a personal point of view, including personal experience or arguments. Its purpose is generally to both inform and entertain. On the other hand, an essay is a piece of writing tending towards the academic: the topic in discussion is of a more serious nature and the writer is expected to provide an idea plus the arguments that discuss it. In doing so, they will have to refer to specific points about the issue in question and will generally have to use more precise language."

CPE2: "Article, informative, based on facts. Essay, develops an argument, involves opinions (so does a for an against article, oops!)."

CPE3: "As far as I´m concerned essays are more academic, you need to analyse both sides of the topic, and provide arguments to back you up, whereas articles are somehow more flexible and can have a more neutral tone."

CPE4: "I think an essay develops arguments and has always your opinion. An article gives information, although sometimes you can write your opinion."

CPE5: "As far as I know, an article is a piece of writing in which the writer chooses a topic and develops it giving his/her own opinion throughout the text. The language used can be fun and eye-catching as usually an article is meant to get as many readers as possible. An essay, on the other hand, is a rather formal piece of writing with a usually 4-5 paragraph structure, where usually the last paragraph carries the writer´s opinion."

CPE6: "Well, I think an essay is normally more academic and analytical, when the writer supports his views usually has to make reference to factual information and other people's or authors' views and findings. An article is basically aimed to inform or entertain the reader, it can be formal or informal depending on the topic and publication it appears whereas an essay is rarely informal. An article is published mainly in magazines or newspapers, for example a school´s newspaper, while an essay is normally a university assignment. Some essays might be of more than three pages, but for international exams we have to keep them short. The tone of an essay is generally serious, compared to the one of an article which might sound more relaxed and include some humour. I hope I have contributed with something."

CPE Speaking Paper- Videos

The Cambridge Proficiency in English exam has 4 components, none of which should be neglected. These are Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. In Cpesamplewritings we are experts in essays, articles and letters but we believe in the importance of preparing for the speaking part of the CPE exam as well. 

CPE Paper 4 Speaking / Info about the exam

The exam is divided into three parts, and it lasts approximately 15 minutes.

In Part 1 of the exam the interlocutor asks each student a question or a couple of questions about their life or background.

Part 2 of the exam is a two-way conversation between candidates. Candidates are given prompts in different topics such as the environment, economy, the media, etc to talk about. Their ability to evaluate, speculate and give opinions is tested.

Part 3 of the exam is know as the long turn or the solo part. Here each candidate takes turns to answer a written question and is asked to talk non-stop for about 3 minutes.

Videos of the Speaking Paper

There are a some videos available on Youtube for you to watch:

CPE/CAE Practice tests

A new year has started and you are probably thinking it is high time to take the Proficiency in English exam. In preparation for it you have been doing your local library Cambridge ESOL past papers but you still feel like you could do with a little bit more prep? Well, check out this selection of very useful (and free) Internet web pages which offer extra practice activities.

FLO-JOE
www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/

EXAMENGLISH
www.examenglish.com/cpe/




ENGLISH-ONLINE
http://www.english-online.org.uk/cpefolder/cpehome.php?name=Practice%20for%20the%20Cambridge%20Proficiency%20English

ESL-LOUNGE
http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/proficiency.php

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
http://www.ihbristol.com/free-english-exercises/esol

POST A CPE SAMPLE WRITING

Are you taking CAE or CPE this year? Have you got a letter/ essay/ article/ or story you would like to share with us? Send your Word document to gustavo.albarracin.q@gmail.com

We will read it, edit it a little together if necessary and post it straight away. See it as an opportunity to help other fellow teachers or students become proficient.  THANKS a lot.

CPE Writing Paper 2013 / Part 1 Essay by guest blogger Javi Montoliu from Barcelona

Task: Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your answer. You should write 240-280 words. (Texts are about "Positive Psychology", see Proficiency Expert book)

Positive Psychology

Both texts discuss the way positive psychology affects people’s lives. The first one advocates that it has a beneficial effect on those who put it into practice. The second one, on the other hand, states that it might not be favourable for everyone.

The first passage argues that people who buy into positive psychology attain a more joyful life not only for themselves but also for the wider society, but claims that experts of the field compare it to the frivolous self-help books. I personally feel this last statement will resonate with many people because therapies of this kind tend to be fairly senseless and unrealistic, for they tell you what to do but not how to do it. As reported by the text, this particular psychology enhances the person’s well-being and quality of life, thereby giving rise to a much more cheerful and healthy population.

In contrast, the second text proposes that a specific group of people called defensive pessimists react negatively to positive psychology thus stating that it is not suitable for everyone. Whilst we might think these so-called defensive pessimists really expect the worse, they actually adopt a pattern of behaviour which helps them be successful in life, they trick themselves into thinking they’ve performed badly. I would agree that being pessimistic might help them reach their own targets in life; nevertheless, I feel it isn’t beneficial for them to get fully involved in this pessimism.

In conclusion, it could be argued that joy and optimism are not what make us succeed in life. In my opinion, everyone has their own quirks that help them overcome their problems; therefore, any forced beliefs or behaviour will result in an unfavourable response.

Javier Montoliu

Proficiency exam sample article

Task: You have been asked to write an article for an international environmental magazine on the topic: Crisis, what crisis? 300-350 words

The crisis we can stop

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the environment has been seriously damaged, whether or nor we are still in time to do something about it is yet to be discovered.

Denying things like Global Warming or a probable future lack of natural resources seems nowadays absurd. Nevertheless most people fail to realise the innumerable ways in which they can contribute to a future crisis by contaminating the world on a daily basis. I say it is high time we analyse our own lifestyles and embrace a new more environmentally-friendly style of living.

There are simple things we can start doing that would really make a difference. I myself have recently taken up cycling as a way to both save energy and avoid polluting the air with exhaust fumes. I have also begun to recycle plastic bottles and paper and to turn off the lights whenever I am not at home.

There are some other activities that require a bit more organisation but that can be done by universities, schools or members of any other communities. Some ideas on what to do include picking up rubbish from natural areas such as beaches or parks, reforesting or planting new trees and launching educational campaigns on how to save the planet.

Last week my sister and I took a group of children from our neighbourhood to a trip organised by our local school. We camped by a beautiful crystal-blue lake in the outskirts of town. Sadly, though, we discovered that other groups of campers had been there before and dropped their litter litterally everywhere but in the dustbins. Great was our surprise when two of the youngest kids voluntarily started cleaning a spot near our tent. Soon we followed in their footsteps inspired by them.

Is it too late to turn things round and make things better? Can we help prevent future wars for oil and water just by teaching our sons to take better care of the existing resources? I may be an optimist but I certainly hope so.

Gustavo Albarracín 

Are you ready for CAE/ CPE? Try this "Phrasal verbs with DO quiz" to find out !

What do these phrasal verbs mean?


1. Do sb in.
Example "The mugger threatened to do me in if I didn´t give him my wallet."

A. Rob
B. Kill
C. Hit

2. Do sth up.
Example "We are doing up an old house we bought in the outskirts of town".

A. Repair
B. Sell
C. Rent

3. Do with sth.
Example "Are you busy? I could do with some help here, if you are free".

A.Relate
B. Demand
C. Need

Answers


1. B

2. A

3. C