Writing Workshop

Unit 18: Supply Chains & Global Trade

Writing Task: The Proposal

In the context of global trade, a proposal is the most professional and practical task. It requires you to identify a problem (e.g., supply chain disruptions) and suggest actionable solutions to a decision-maker.

Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced)

Scenario: You work for a large international retail company. Recently, the company has faced significant delays and rising costs due to disruptions in its global supply chain. Your manager has asked you to write a proposal outlining the current issues and suggesting two ways to improve the efficiency and reliability of the company's logistics.

Write your proposal. Word count: 220–260 words.

Tips (en español)

• Structure: Utiliza subtítulos claros (e.g., Introduction, Current Challenges, Proposed Solutions, Conclusion) para que el lector identifique rápidamente la información.
• Register: Mantén un tono formal y profesional. Evita contracciones (don't, won't) y lenguaje coloquial. Usa un lenguaje persuasivo pero objetivo.
• Linking: No te limites a firstly o secondly. Usa conectores avanzados para unir ideas compleas, como furthermore, nevertheless, o consequently.
• Hedging (Cautela): En un nivel C1, no afirmes cosas de forma absoluta. Usa "softeners" como it would appear that, it is highly likely that, o could potentially lead to para sonar más profesional.
• Evaluación de ideas: No solo presentes soluciones; explica el beneficio y el impacto potencial de cada una. Esto demuestra capacidad de análisis.
• Time management: Dedica 5 minutos a planificar la estructura, 35 minutos a escribir y los últimos 10 minutos a revisar errores gramaticales y de ortografía.

Useful language

Model answer

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Proposal for Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience

Introduction The purpose of this proposal is to outline the current logistical challenges facing our company and to suggest strategic improvements to ensure long-term stability in our global trade operations.

Current Challenges At present, our supply chain is increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical instability and fluctuating shipping costs. These disruptions have led to significant delays in inventory replenishment, resulting in lost sales opportunities and increased operational expenses. Furthermore, our heavy reliance on a single geographical region has proven to be a critical weakness, as any local disruption immediately impacts our global availability.

Proposed Solutions To mitigate these risks, it is recommended that the company adopts a "multi-sourcing" strategy. By diversifying our supplier base across different continents, we can reduce dependency on any single region and ensure a more consistent flow of goods.

Additionally, investing in advanced AI-driven logistics software would be highly beneficial. Such technology would allow for real-time tracking and predictive analytics, enabling us to anticipate delays before they occur. While the initial investment may be substantial, the long-term efficiency gains would likely offset the costs.

Conclusion In conclusion, while the current volatility in global trade presents significant hurdles, they can be overcome through strategic diversification and technological investment. Implementing these changes would not only safeguard our supply chain but also provide a competitive advantage in an unpredictable market.

(242 words)

Marking checklist

• Content: ¿Has respondido a todas las partes de la tarea? (Problemas + dos soluciones). ¿La información es relevante para el lector?
• Communicative Achievement: ¿El tono es formal y profesional? ¿Has usado el formato de proposal (subtítulos) correctamente para persuadir al lector?
• Organisation: ¿Las ideas fluyen de manera lógica? ¿Has usado conectores avanzados para unir párrafos y argumentos?
• Language: ¿Has demostrado un vocabulario de nivel C1 (e.g., mitigate, volatility, replenishment)? ¿La gramática es precisa y variada (uso de condicionales, voz pasiva, etc.)?