The key idea
I can study a model text, identify its parts and useful phrases, and use its structure without copying.
What is it for?
Learn how to study example texts and use their structure in your own writing.
What you need to know
- Identify the text's purpose and reader before studying its language.
- Divide the model into parts and explain the job of each part.
- Find useful phrases for openings, links, examples, and endings.
- Keep the structure but change the topic, facts, and examples.
- Write new sentences instead of copying the model.
1. Start with the purpose and reader
A model text shows how a piece of writing can work. It gives you an example to study before you write.
First, ask two questions. What is this text for? Who will read it? These answers help you notice the right features.
- Look at the text type, such as a review, email, or report.
- Notice what the writer wants the reader to know or do.
- Check whether the tone is friendly, neutral, or formal.
A restaurant review helps readers choose where to eat.
The purpose is to share an opinion and useful details.
An email to a teacher needs a respectful tone.
The reader affects the words you choose.
2. Mark the parts and their jobs
A model has parts that work together. Each part has a clear job.
Mark the opening, main information, and ending. Then write a short note beside each part. This helps you see how the text works.
- The opening introduces the topic or purpose.
- The middle gives reasons, facts, examples, or details.
- The ending gives a result, recommendation, or final message.
- Some text types need extra parts, such as a greeting or a request.
Last Saturday, I visited a small food market.
This opening introduces the experience.
I recommend it because the prices are reasonable.
This ending gives a clear recommendation and reason.
3. Find phrases you can reuse
Some phrases are useful in many texts. They help you introduce ideas, give examples, or finish clearly.
Underline these phrases in the model. Write down their jobs, too. Do not learn every sentence by heart.
- Openings introduce the subject.
- Linking phrases connect ideas or add examples.
- Ending phrases give a final opinion or suggestion.
- A useful phrase must fit your new topic and reader.
One reason for this is that the service is quick.
This phrase introduces a reason.
For example, the market sells fresh bread.
This phrase introduces a clear example.
4. Keep the structure, change the content
A model gives you a pattern, not a text to copy. Keep the order of the parts and write new information.
Change the subject, details, reasons, and examples. You can reuse a phrase when it fits, but build your own sentences around it.
- Choose a different topic from the model.
- Keep the same general order of ideas.
- Use new facts and examples that fit your topic.
- Check that your text sounds natural and answers the task.
Model: The library is useful because it stays open late.
This sentence gives an opinion and a reason.
New text: The sports centre is popular because it offers evening classes.
The structure stays similar, but the topic and details change.
How to do it, step by step
- Read the model and identify its purpose and reader.
- Mark each part and write down its job.
- Underline useful phrases and note what they do.
- Choose a new topic and collect different details.
- Write your text, then check its structure and wording.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| The purpose of this text is to ... | The purpose of this text is to recommend a café. | The purpose of this email is to request information. |
| This part introduces ... | This part introduces the main problem. | This part introduces the place I visited. |
| The writer uses this phrase to ... | The writer uses this phrase to give a reason. | The writer uses this phrase to introduce an example. |
| One reason for this is that ... | One reason for this is that the buses are frequent. | One reason for this is that the food is affordable. |
| For example, ... | For example, the shop sells fresh fruit. | For example, the centre offers evening classes. |
| What I liked most was ... | What I liked most was the friendly service. | What I liked most was the quiet reading room. |
| I would recommend ... because ... | I would recommend this café because it serves fresh food. | I would recommend the course because the lessons are practical. |
| To sum up, ... | To sum up, the visit was worth the time. | To sum up, the new timetable suits most students. |
UK / US: British and American English sometimes use different words or spellings. Check which form your reader expects, and use it consistently.
Level up: Replace basic words (good, very, nice) with stronger ones. See our A2 to B1 upgrades page.
Model text
A Review of the New Community Café
Opening
Last month, I visited the new community café near the bus station. I wanted to find a quiet place to study after work, and this café seemed suitable.
The opening names the place and explains why the writer visited. Reusable phrase: I wanted to find...
Main details
The café has comfortable chairs, free Wi-Fi, and a small garden. What I liked most was the peaceful atmosphere, which made it easy to concentrate. The staff were also helpful, although the lunch queue became quite long. For example, I waited fifteen minutes for a sandwich on Friday.
This part gives details, an opinion, and a specific example. Reusable phrases: What I liked most was... and For example...
Recommendation
I would recommend this café to students and remote workers because the prices are reasonable. It is especially useful in the afternoon, when the garden receives plenty of sunlight. To sum up, the café offers a comfortable place to work, despite the occasional wait for lunch.
The ending gives a recommendation and a final summary. Reusable phrases: I would recommend... because... and To sum up...
Common mistakes
✗ Copying the model's full sentences and changing only the names.
✓ Keep the structure, but write new sentences with different details.
Your text must express your own ideas, not repeat the model.
✗ Choosing a phrase because it sounds impressive.
✓ Choose a phrase that fits your purpose and reader.
A useful phrase must make sense in your new text.
✗ Marking parts without explaining their jobs.
✓ Label each part and state what it does.
Knowing each part's job helps you build your own text.
✗ Using every phrase you underline.
✓ Choose only the phrases that fit your new topic.
Too many borrowed phrases can make your writing sound unnatural.
✗ Keeping the model's examples for a different topic.
✓ Replace the examples with details about your own subject.
Your examples must support the ideas in your new text.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Name the text type, purpose, and reader.
- Mark the opening, main details, and ending.
- Record three useful phrases and their jobs.
- Choose a different topic and list your own details.
Check
- Does my text have the same useful structure?
- Have I changed the topic and all supporting details?
- Do the phrases fit my reader and purpose?
- Have I written my own sentences instead of copying?
Practice
Identify parts and useful phrases
Choose the best answer for each question.
1.Which part introduces the place and explains the visit?
The opening introduces the subject and explains the purpose of the visit.
2.Which phrase introduces a specific example?
For example introduces a detail that supports the main idea.
3.What is the main job of the recommendation part?
A recommendation tells readers what the writer suggests or thinks.
4.Which phrase can introduce a personal opinion?
What I liked most was introduces the writer's main positive point.
5.Which phrase is useful for ending a review?
To sum up signals a final point or summary.
6.What should you do after studying the model's structure?
A new topic and new details help you create your own text.
Match each part to its job
Match each text part with its main job.
1.Opening
2.Main details
3.Recommendation
4.Reusable phrase
5.Final summary
Complete the reusable phrases
Complete each sentence with the exact phrase from the model.
1., the café offers a comfortable place to work.
To sum up introduces a final summary.
2., I waited fifteen minutes for a sandwich on Friday.
For example introduces a specific detail.
3. recommend this café to students and remote workers.
I would completes the model's recommendation phrase.
4. was the peaceful atmosphere.
What I liked most was introduces the writer's main positive point.
5.One reason for this is that the prices are .
Reasonable describes prices that are fair and affordable.
6.The staff were helpful.
Also adds another positive detail about the café.
Check your understanding
Decide whether each statement is true or false.
1.A model text can show how its parts work together.
A model gives an example of how a text is organised.
2.You should copy every sentence from a model.
You should write your own sentences and details.
3.The reader can affect the words and tone you choose.
Different readers may need different language and levels of formality.
4.Every phrase in a model must appear in your new text.
Only use phrases that suit your new topic and purpose.
5.You can keep the structure while changing the topic and details.
The same general order can work for a different subject.
6.Labelling each part helps you understand its job.
A label and a short note explain how each part helps the reader.
Now write
Your task
Read the model review of the community café again. Mark its opening, main details, and recommendation. Underline three useful phrases and write each phrase's job. Then write a 100-140 word review of a different place, such as a library, sports centre, park, or local shop. Use the same general structure, but change the topic, facts, opinions, and examples. Include at least one specific example and a clear recommendation. You may reuse suitable phrases, but do not copy full sentences. Draft to use as a starting point: A new sports centre opened near the town library last month. It offers evening classes, clean changing rooms, and a small café. The prices are reasonable, but the weekend classes fill quickly. I would recommend it to people who want to exercise after work. Add your own details and develop this draft into your review.
Word bank
comfortableaffordableconvenientpeaceful atmospherehelpful staffreasonable pricesone advantageone drawbackfor examplewhat I liked mostI would recommendto sum upworth visitingeasy to reach
Sentence starters
- Last month, I visited...
- The place offers...
- What I liked most was...
- One drawback is that...
- For example, ...
- To sum up, I would recommend...