The social media post: A social media post (la publicación en redes sociales) is a short, public message written to be read fast on a screen — on Instagram, X, TikTok or a school blog. In Paper 1 you choose it when the task asks you to post / publish something to followers or a community. It's part of Unit 2: Text Types, so the marks come from getting its conventions and register right (Criterion C) — a hook, a clear call to action and hashtags — not just the message.
- la publicación / el post
- the post (the message itself)
- el gancho
- the hook — the attention-grabbing first line
- la llamada a la acción
- the call to action (what you ask readers to do)
- el hashtag / la etiqueta
- the hashtag (#…)
- los seguidores
- the followers (your readers)
- el registro cercano y directo
- a close, direct register (you address readers as tú/vosotros)
Spot it in the task: The task names a platform or a feed. “Escribe una publicación para las redes sociales…”, “Publica un mensaje en el blog del instituto…” → a public, online post → punchy register. If it said “Escribe una carta al periódico” you'd switch to a letter to the editor (a different text type). Always read where it's published first.
Keep it short, punchy and direct: Use short sentences, direct address (tú or vosotros), and an energetic, friendly tone. A couple of emojis and a few hashtags are welcome; a clear call to action tells readers what to do next. Avoid long, dense paragraphs and stiff formal phrasing — they break the online register and cost you Criterion C.
Social post — do this
- ¿Sabías que…? 🌱
- ¡No te lo pierdas! Comparte y etiqueta a un amigo.
- #CeroDesperdicio #BarrioVivo
Formal — avoid here
- Estimados seguidores:
- Me dirijo a ustedes para informarles de lo siguiente…
- Atentamente,
Stay consistent: Pick tú/vosotros and keep the close, direct tone from the hook to the hashtags. Verbs, pronouns (te, comparte, etiqueta) and the call to action all have to agree with that choice.
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The four parts: Every social media post follows the same shape. Hit all four parts and you've covered the conventions the examiner is looking for.
Social media post — 4 parts
1
Hook
An attention-grabbing first line — a question, a surprising fact or an emoji. «¿Sabías que…?»
2
Message
The point of the post, kept short and clear: what's happening, when and where. «Este sábado abrimos un mercadillo solidario…»
3
Call to action
Tell readers exactly what to do next. «¡No te lo pierdas! Comparte y etiqueta a un amigo.»
4
Hashtags
A few relevant hashtags so the post is found and shared. «#MercadilloSolidario #CeroDesperdicio»
Hook → message → call to action → hashtags
Don't skip the frame: Students lose easy Criterion C marks by forgetting the call to action or the hashtags. They take seconds and instantly mark the text as a social post — never leave them out.
A model, part by part: Here's a complete social media post built from the four parts above. Read it once for the message, then tap Ver traducción to check the English or 🔊 to hear it.
Modelo: las 4 partes en acción
La publicación escrita, parte por parte
- 🌱 ¿Sabías que cada año tiramos toneladas de comida que todavía se puede aprovechar?
- Este sábado abrimos un mercadillo solidario en la plaza: traemos fruta, verdura y pan rescatados, y todo se vende a precio simbólico para ayudar al comedor del barrio.
- ¡No te lo pierdas! Pásate de 10 a 14 h, comparte esta publicación y etiqueta a un amigo que quiera echar una mano. 👇
- #ComidaParaTodos #MercadilloSolidario #CeroDesperdicio #BarrioVivo
Por qué puntúa — why it scores: This short post earns marks on all three Paper 1 criteria — here's how:
A — Language /12
- Direct, accurate language; tú/vosotros throughout
- Connectors & variety: «todavía», «y todo se vende»
- Correct verbs (tiramos, abrimos, comparte, etiqueta)
B — Message /12
- Clear purpose: announces the event AND rallies support
- Ideas developed (the cause, the details, the action)
C — Conceptual /6
- Post conventions: hook + call to action + hashtags
- Punchy, direct online register (tú/vosotros)
- Emojis and #etiquetas used appropriately
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A toolkit you can reuse: Learn a few ready-made phrases for each part. They make your post sound natural and save time in the exam. Tap 🔊 to hear them.
Para el gancho (hooks)
- ¿Sabías que…? — Did you know…?
- ¡No te lo pierdas! — Don't miss it!
- Atención, [seguidores]: tenemos novedades. — Heads up, [followers]: we've got news.
Para la llamada a la acción (call to action)
- Comparte si estás de acuerdo. — Share if you agree.
- Etiqueta a un amigo. — Tag a friend.
- Pásate, dale a 'me gusta' y coméntanos. — Come along, like it and comment.
Para las etiquetas (hashtags)
- #CeroDesperdicio — #ZeroWaste
- #MercadilloSolidario — #CharityMarket
- #BarrioVivo — #LivingNeighbourhood
Use one from each: One hook, a short message, one clear call to action and two or three hashtags is plenty — and instantly makes the text feel like the real social media post.