Advanced Writing
C2 writers can shift genre instantly: research abstract, business executive summary, or publication-ready text aligned to a style guide. This unit builds the habits of professional revision: purpose-first structure, tight wording, and consistent formatting.
SWBAT (Objectives)
- Differentiate the purpose and structure of an abstract vs an executive summary.
- Write a clear abstract (150–250 words) using a standard academic structure.
- Write an executive summary (180–300 words) with outcomes, recommendations, and next steps.
- Apply a style guide consistently (tone, headings, numbers, citations, punctuation).
- Revise writing for publishable clarity: concision, precision, coherence, and formatting.
Genres (What Changes, What Stays)
Summarizes a study: purpose → method → key results → implications. No “sales” tone.
Summarizes a decision document: problem → key findings → recommendation → risks → next steps.
Controls tone, formatting, punctuation, numbers, citations, headings, and terminology consistency.
Abstracts (150–250 words)
- Context / problem (1–2 sentences)
- Aim (what this paper/study does)
- Method (data, design, sample)
- Results (most important findings)
- Conclusion / implications (meaning, limitation)
“This paper examines…” · “We analyze…” · “Findings indicate…” · “Results suggest…”
“A limitation is…” · “These results may inform…”
Executive Summaries (180–300 words)
- Decision context / goal
- Key findings (2–4 bullets)
- Recommendation (clear, actionable)
- Risks / trade-offs + mitigation
- Next steps + timeline/owner (if known)
“We recommend…” · “The preferred option is…” · “Key benefits include…”
“Primary risks are…” · “To mitigate…” · “Next, we will…”
Busy readers: lead with the recommendation, then justify. Use headings and bullets where appropriate.
Style Guides (Consistency = Credibility)
- Headings and hierarchy
- Numbers, dates, units
- Citations and references
- Punctuation norms
- Terminology consistency
Students will apply a simple class style guide: tone, sentence length targets, headings, bullet rules, and “forbidden vague words” list.
Style consistency reduces reader effort—and makes your argument feel more trustworthy.
Revision Workflow (How Professionals Revise)
Does every sentence serve the genre goal (inform / decide / persuade)? Delete or reframe anything that doesn’t.
Strong headings, logical flow, clean paragraph roles (claim → support → implication).
Tight verbs, remove vagueness, improve coherence, apply the style guide consistently.
Practice (Writing + Revision)
Turn a 400-word overview into a 200-word abstract (keep aim, method, results, implications).
Lead with recommendation, add risks, and format with headings + bullets for a busy reader.
Fix numbering, terminology, headings, and punctuation to match the class style guide.
Final Task: Dual-Genre Portfolio
- Write a 170–230 word abstract from a provided report/article.
- Include aim, method (if applicable), results, and implications.
- No promotional tone; precision + restraint.
- Write a 200–300 word executive summary for a decision-maker.
- Lead with recommendation; include risks + mitigation; next steps.
- Use headings/bullets where appropriate.
- Revise both pieces to match the class style guide.
- Submit a short “revision log” listing 6 key changes and why.
Materials & Downloads
- Unit 7 Slides — PPTX
- Genre Comparison Sheet — PDF
- Abstract Templates — PDF · Abstract Samples — PDF
- Exec Summary Template — PDF · Exec Summary Samples — PDF
- Class Style Guide — PDF · Style Checklist — PDF
- Revision Workflow Sheet — PDF
- Practice Worksheet — PDF · Answer Key — PDF
- Task Sheet — PDF · Rubric — PDF
Swap placeholders with real file paths. Keep links consistent:
/levels/c2/assets/.