How to practise writing on your own for STANAG 6001 LEVEL 3?
What do you need to know to write a successful STANAG 6001 letter/email?
What writing topics can you expect in the STANAG 6001 exam in level 3 writing?
What expressions do you need to know to write it?
In this post, you will learn how to improve your writing for level 3 using an example of letters of invitation.
5 IMPORTANT STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL WRITING
1. TASK/INSTRUCTION and PLANNING
Analyse your task/instruction and make a plan of your text. I wrote about planning two weeks ago: HOW AND WHY TO PLAN YOUR WRITING
2. FORM AND STRUCTURE
Remember to use the right form and structure of your letter or email. Read more about the letter structure and greetings here: WRITING FORMAL LETTERS AND E-MAILS
3. LANGUAGE
Make sure you use appropriate register. In level 3 writing formal language is required in all written tasks. I wrote more about formal language requirements here: FORMAL LANGUAGE
4. FUNCTIONS
It's important to demonstrate the knowledge of language functions and expressions used to introduce them.
Examples can be found here:
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Expressions used to ask for information can be found here: ASKING FOR INFORMATION
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Expressions used to suggest and recommend can be found here: GIVING ADVICE
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Expressions used to complain: COMPLAINING
5. EDITING
Edit your text. Read it carefully after you have finished writing to look for possible mistakes.
HOW TO PRACTISE ON YOUR OWN?
It's a good idea to create for yourself a model of a formal letter and use it every time you need to write one. It will require the knowledge of letter/email structure and expressions for different language functions, such as asking for information, complaining, etc.
If you create models for different types of letters/emails, in the exam you will only need to fill it with content in accordance with the instruction.
It is also very important to edit your writing and be able to correct your own mistakes, but it's a topic for another article. I will write about it soon.
Last but not least, or maybe most importantly, in writing, practice makes perfect. So, what you need to do is WRITE as much as you can.
INVITING
Here is an example of an exam topic which requires using expressions connected with inviting.
LETTER OF INVITATION
You have been tasked with organising a museum of military equipment. Write a letter to your supervisor 1) inviting him to the opening ceremony of the museum, 2) informing him of the details of the event and directions (e.g. time, date, refreshments, coffee breaks, opening speeches), and 3) asking for information related to his visit (special arrangements necessary?, transport, etc). Write a minimum of 120 words.
And a topic in which you need to accept and/or refuse an invitation.
LETTER ACCEPTING/REFUSING AN INVITATION
You have been invited to participate in the exercise in the UK as an observer and to take part in the military scientific conference afterwards where you were asked to give a speech on the area of your expertise. Write a letter to the organiser of both events 1) accepting the invitation to participate in the exercise, 2) refusing the invitation to the conference and giving reasons for your refusal, 3) suggesting another opportunity where you could offer the speech. Write a minimum of 120 words.
