ICFE Writing – Part 2
Task Description
What do candidates have to do?
Candidates read a question with four content points, and then write a report in response. They may have to write to a client, a colleague/fellow accountant or to a senior professional. All the content points must be addressed.
What skill is being assessed?
The focus is on successful communication. Candidates need to write in an appropriate style and register. The focus of assessment is on range of vocabulary and structure and grammatical accuracy. Candidates will be expected to develop finance-related topics and discuss finance-related issues in a non-technical way in their answers.
What are the main language functions candidates are expected to use?
Candidates may be required to present and develop arguments, evaluate ideas, express and support opinions, describe, summarise, explain, recommend etc.
Understanding the Task
To understand better how candidates need to approach this task, it may help you to do the task yourself and analyse what you had to do to produce a successful answer.
Look at this sample Part 2 task from the ICFE Handbook. Make a plan for your answer, thinking about the different factors which you need to consider.
Now look at these questions about how you approached the planning task above and consider your answers.
Things to consider
- What is your role in this task?
- Who is the target reader?
- What area of finance and accountancy does this task deal with?
- What language functions will you need to discuss the main points in this task?
- What register will you use?