CAE article · engaging opener · subheadings · 220–260 words
A C1 article
For a magazine or website
Purpose
interest the reader and share an experience or opinion
Length
220–260 words
Register
semi-formal and lively; a personal voice
Must have
a title · a hook · clear paragraphs · a memorable ending
Structure
Four parts
Title
The Day I Switched Off
Hook
a question, a surprising fact or a short story
Body
2–3 paragraphs that develop the idea with vivid details
Ending
a reflection, a recommendation or a question for the reader
C1 style
Make it vivid and varied
Inversion
Not only did I miss my messages, but…
Cleft
What struck me most was…
Precise vocabulary
genuinely · undeniably · strangely empty · struck up a conversation
Talking to the reader
How long could you survive without…? · Why not give it a try?
Model
Find the hook, the change in the middle and the ending
An article — 235 words
The Day I Switched Off
How long could you survive without your phone? A day? An hour? Last month, I decided to find out, and what I discovered genuinely surprised me.
The first few hours were, I must admit, uncomfortable. I kept reaching into my pocket for a device that wasn't there, and every silence felt strangely empty. Not only did I miss my messages, but I also had no idea what time it was, since I hadn't worn a watch in years.
By the afternoon, however, something had shifted. Instead of scrolling on the bus, I watched the city go by and noticed details I had walked past a thousand times: a mural on a bridge, an elderly couple feeding pigeons, a tiny bookshop I never knew existed. I even struck up a conversation with a stranger, which led to a recommendation for a café that has since become my favourite.
What struck me most was how much calmer I felt. Without constant notifications, my thoughts had space to wander, and I finished a novel I had been meaning to read for months.
I'm not suggesting we all throw our phones in a river. They are undeniably useful. But switching off, even for a single day, reminded me that the most interesting things are often happening right in front of us. Why not give it a try this weekend? You might be pleasantly surprised.
Common mistakes
Where candidates lose marks
In this article I will talk about phones.
→
How long could you survive without your phone?
start with a hook
Very formal and impersonal
→
A personal, lively voice
articles are not essays
Simple sentences only
→
Not only did I…, but I also…
show a range of structures
No ending
→
Why not give it a try this weekend?
finish with impact
Your turn
Say it first, then write it
Plan an article out loud, then write it.
1
Title: "An Experience That Changed My Mind". What is your hook?