Joy English
Joy English

B2 Writing

B2Articles30 min

An article for a website

Write an engaging article for a website: catch the reader's attention, develop your ideas in clear paragraphs and finish memorably.

An article is written for a website, magazine or newsletter, and its main aim is to interest and engage the reader, not just to inform them. Articles usually have an eye-catching title, an opening that draws the reader in (for example with a question or a surprising fact), well-organised paragraphs that develop the topic, and a memorable ending. The style is often semi-formal: lively and personal, but still carefully written.

Model text

Why everyone should learn to fix things

When was the last time you repaired something instead of throwing it away? If you are like most people, you probably can't remember. Yet learning a few simple repair skills could save you money, reduce waste and even make you happier.

Consider the obvious benefit first: money. A loose chair leg, a broken zip or a dripping tap can often be fixed in minutes with basic tools and a short online tutorial. Calling a professional or buying a replacement, on the other hand, can be surprisingly expensive.

Then there is the environment. Every item we repair is one less item thrown away, and one less new product that has to be manufactured and transported. Small repairs, multiplied across millions of households, really do add up.

But perhaps the greatest reward is personal. There is a special kind of satisfaction in bringing a broken object back to life with your own hands. Many people who join community repair cafés say they enjoy the sense of achievement as much as the savings.

So next time something breaks, don't reach straight for your wallet. Reach for a screwdriver instead. You might be surprised at what you can do.

Useful language

TechniqueExamples
Ask the reader a questionHave you ever wondered why ...? / When was the last time you ...?
Start with a surprising fact or ideaBelieve it or not, ... / Most people have no idea that ...
Speak directly to the readerIf you are like most people, ... / Imagine you ...
Signpost your ideasConsider ... first. / Then there is ... / But perhaps the most important ...
Use vivid, precise vocabularya dripping tap / bring something back to life / surprisingly expensive
End memorablySo next time ..., why not ...? / You might be surprised ... / Give it a try!

Exercise 1 of 2

Engaging the reader

Choose the best option for an article.

  1. Which is the most engaging title for an article about walking to work?

  2. Which is the most effective opening sentence for an article about sleep?

  3. Which is the most memorable ending for an article about trying new hobbies?

  4. _____ it or not, octopuses have three hearts.

  5. First, there is the money you save. _____ there is the time.

  6. Which sentence speaks directly to the reader?

  7. The old bicycle was covered in _____ dust.

0 of 7 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Article, essay or report?

Read each sentence. Choose the type of text it most probably comes from.

  1. Recommendations: It is recommended that the café should extend its opening hours.

  2. Ever tried cooking without a recipe? Trust me, it's more fun than it sounds!

  3. On the one hand, uniforms reduce pressure to wear expensive clothes. On the other hand, they limit self-expression.

  4. The aim of this document is to summarise the results of the staff survey.

  5. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your trainers and get outside!

  6. In conclusion, while technology has clear advantages, its drawbacks cannot be ignored.

0 of 6 answered

Your turn

Writing task

You see this announcement on a website for young people: 'Articles wanted: The skill everyone should learn. Tell us about a practical skill you think everyone should have, explain why it is useful and persuade our readers to try it.' Write your article.

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Sample answer

Cooking from scratch: the skill that feeds your future

Imagine opening your fridge, seeing a few random ingredients and turning them into a delicious dinner in twenty minutes. Sounds like magic? It isn't. It's simply the result of knowing how to cook, and it is a skill anyone can learn.

Let's start with your health. When you cook for yourself, you decide exactly what goes into your food: how much salt, how much sugar and how many vegetables. Ready meals and takeaways, however convenient, rarely give you that control.

Then there's your wallet. A bag of rice, a few onions and some lentils cost very little, yet they can feed a family for days. Once you know a handful of basic recipes, you'll be amazed at how much you save each month.

Finally, cooking brings people together. Sharing a meal you have made yourself is one of the simplest ways to show friends and family that you care, and it often leads to the best conversations.

So, why not start this weekend? Choose one easy recipe, invite a friend to help and see what happens. Your future self will thank you.

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Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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