Writing skills
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el plan
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All Flashcards in Topic 4.2
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4.2.114 cards
el plan
the plan — your quick outline before writing
el guion
the outline / running order of your text
la idea clave
a key idea — one of the points you develop
el gancho
the hook — an opening line that grabs the reader
la despedida
the sign-off / closing line
el conector
a connector / linking word (además, por eso…)
desarrollar una idea
to develop an idea (with detail and examples)
¿Qué elementos lleva un buen plan?
Tipo de texto, 2–3 ideas clave, un gancho, una despedida y vocabulario/conectores útiles.
¿Cuánto tiempo dedicas a planificar el Paper 1?
Unos dos minutos antes de empezar a escribir.
What are the four planning moves?
Decode → Brainstorm → Order → Note vocab.
Which criterion does a clear plan help most?
Criterion B (Message) — it gives an organised, well-developed answer.
Why develop only 2–3 points rather than many?
Depth with examples beats a long list of shallow points — undeveloped ideas lose Criterion B.
Should you write your plan in full sentences?
No — note form, five short lines; the plan is scaffolding for you, not text for the examiner.
Why order your points before writing?
A clear order keeps the reader following you from opening to close, protecting Criterion B.
4.2.214 cards
el tipo de texto
the text type — the form you must write
las convenciones
the conventions / features that mark out a text type
¿Qué convenciones lleva un blog?
Título, dirigirse al lector y una despedida; registro semiformal.
¿Qué convenciones lleva un correo formal?
Estimado/a, el registro usted y una despedida como Atentamente; registro formal.
¿Qué convenciones lleva un artículo?
Un titular, subtítulos y un gancho de apertura; registro semiformal.
¿Qué convenciones lleva un discurso?
Un saludo al público y preguntas retóricas; registro según el público.
textos personales
personal text types: el correo (a un amigo), el blog, el diario
textos profesionales
professional text types: la carta formal, el informe, la propuesta
textos de los medios
mass-media text types: el artículo, la reseña, la entrevista, el discurso, el folleto
What are the four moves for the text type?
Find the named form → Recall its conventions → pick the Register → Frame the opening & closing.
Why not write a generic essay in Paper 1?
The task names a specific form; a generic essay misses its conventions and loses Criterion C.
Where do you find the text type in a prompt?
It's almost always printed in the prompt — «blog», «correo», «artículo», «discurso» — so underline it first.
How do you decide the register for a text type?
From the form and its reader: a formal letter is usted, a blog is semiformal, a speech depends on the audience.
Which criterion does the right text type protect?
Criterion C (Conceptual) — the conventions and register of the named form.
4.2.314 cards
el registro
the register — how formal or informal the language is
el destinatario
the audience / addressee — the reader you write to
informal (tú)
informal register, using tú — for friends and peers
formal (usted)
formal register, using usted — for officials, teachers, companies
el saludo
the greeting (¡Hola! informal vs Estimado/a formal)
la despedida
the sign-off (Un abrazo informal vs Atentamente formal)
¿Qué marcas lleva el registro informal?
tú, ¡Hola! y una despedida como Un abrazo.
¿Qué marcas lleva el registro formal?
usted, Estimado/a y una despedida como Atentamente.
¿Qué registro usas para una empresa o un profesor?
El registro formal (usted).
What are the four moves for register?
Identify the reader → Choose tú or usted → Match greeting/sign-off/vocab → Keep it consistent.
Which markers move together when you switch register?
The greeting, the verb forms, the possessive and the sign-off — change all four or none.
What's the most common register mistake?
Mixing tú and usted in the same answer — usually hidden in verb endings and possessives.
Which criterion does a consistent register protect?
Criterion C (Conceptual) — register matched to the reader and held throughout.
How do you catch register drift before finishing?
Re-read every verb ending and possessive against your chosen register (tú or usted).
4.2.414 cards
el conector
a connector — a linking word/phrase between ideas
la cohesión
cohesion — how smoothly ideas link and flow
además / también
moreover / also — connectors of ADDITION
sin embargo / no obstante
however / nevertheless — connectors of CONTRAST
aunque
although — a connector of CONTRAST
porque / ya que
because / since — connectors of CAUSE
por eso / por lo tanto / así que
that's why / therefore / so — connectors of CONSEQUENCE
primero / luego / finalmente
first / then / finally — connectors of SEQUENCE
por ejemplo / es decir
for example / that is — connectors that give EXAMPLES
What are the four steps to build a cohesive paragraph?
Topic sentence → Develop with a connector → Add an example → Conclude or transition.
Why use a range of different connectors?
Repeating «y» or one linker caps Criterion A; variety shows range of language.
How do connectors help your IB criteria?
They lift Criterion A (range/accuracy of language) and help Criterion B (organised, clear ideas).
Why is «Porque…» as a standalone sentence an error, and what fixes it?
It leaves a fragment; open a result sentence with «Por eso…» and keep «porque» inside a sentence.
Which connector shows a RESULT/consequence to open a sentence?
«Por eso» (that's why) — also «por lo tanto» or «así que».
4.2.514 cards
el registro
register — formal (usted) or informal (tú); never mix them
la extensión
length — your answer must reach 250–400 words
el tiempo verbal
verb tense — present, past, future; keep it correct and consistent
el tipo de texto
text type — blog, email, article…; use its conventions
desarrollar una idea
to develop an idea — expand it with reasons and examples, not just name it
la concordancia
agreement — gender and number must match (la casa blanca)
¿Qué criterio afecta mezclar tú y usted?
El Criterion C (convenciones y registro).
¿Qué criterio afecta un texto demasiado corto?
El Criterion B (mensaje); no llegas a desarrollar las ideas.
¿Qué criterio afectan los errores de tiempos verbales?
El Criterion A (lengua).
What are the five steps of the final-check routine?
Words → Register → Conventions → Verbs → Ideas.
How long should you reserve for the final check?
About five minutes at the end of the exam.
What's the fix for a mixed register?
Fix one register (tú OR usted) from the greeting to the sign-off and keep it consistent.
Why does avoiding errors beat using rare vocabulary?
A clear, consistent, well-developed answer with correct verbs scores higher than a flashy one full of slips.
What's the fix for listing ideas without developing them?
Develop 2–3 ideas with reasons and examples instead of naming many.
Topic 4.2 study notes
Full notes & explanations for Writing skills
Spanish B exam skills
Paper structures, command terms & tips
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