UNIT 1porr BLefler Wrifing

1'IPES OFLEI IEllS

There are various types of letters, such as:
• letters of application • letters of complaint • letters to the editor etc.
The type of letter you should write depends on the reason for writing (i.e. to give
your news, to invite somebody to a party, etc to make a complaint, to apply for a job.
etc). Depending on the rubric. you may beasked 10 write a letter for more thanone
reason (i.e. 10 give your news and ask for advice.) The most common reasons for
writing a letter are:
• giving/asking about news • congratulating someone
• giving/asking for advice • inviting someone
• giving/asking for information • accepting/refusing an invitation
• apologising for something • making suggestions etc
• thanking someone

1 Read theextracts (A-F) and decide "hat typeof letter each is from (1 -6),
Which key words helped J OU decide'? Underline them. 2 The paragraphs in
the letterbelow arc in
A I really hope you can come [OJ I received your leaflet in the post. I am vel)'
interested in the course and would be grateful if
I jumbled order, Put
them into the correct
to my party. I'm sure we'll
have a wonderful time. you some more . J order, then identify
the type of letter,
[]] I'm writing to ask vou what you E I have enclosed my CV. I would
be grateful ifyou could consider

--
think I do Robert.' I'd A Unfortunately. I won't
really like your advice ashe's been ... my application. I look forward to
-- -.----...... hearing fromvou.
L.,---;--"-----'-
' ----
be able to come asI'll be at
a seminar in Berlin that
I'm having a fantastic time on holiday. I wentJ F I am writing to complain week. It's a pity I'll miss
sailing yesterday and I'mgoing to take part in a about the dishwasherwhich your big day, but I promise
diving competition this afte rnoon. I can't wait! I purch ased from your to make it up to you,
_____ .. company last Monday,
'----'--'---- ---'--
IT:CJ lcttcr of application ITO letter asking for information An)'\vay, thanks again
[II] leiter giving news GO letter of complaint B
for the invitation. 1
rn:=J letter of invitation []I] letter asking for advice \vish you both all the
best for the future.
LAYOUr OFLEI IEllS Love,
All letters should include thefollowing: Margaret
a) an appropriate greeting (e.g. Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Aunt Claire, Dear Mrs Baker, etc);
b) an introduction. in which you write your opening remarks (e.g. Hi! Howareyou?) and
reason(s) for writing (e.g. I'mjust writing to congratulate you onpassing your exams, C Dear Rachel.
I'mwriting toapologise for ... , We were thrilled to hearthat n. , f was sorry to hear.., etc);
I'mwriting to thankyou
c) a main body. in which you write about the specific topics of the letter in detail;
d) a conclusion, in which you write your closing remarks (e.g. Please forgive me - It very much for the invitation
won't happen agaIn, I promise; Looking forward to seeing you .,,1, Please write soon, to your wedding. I'm really
Take eate/, canl
wait to hear from rou,l'dbetlllr sign off now, 11Iafs all tor noWj ; and happy the Iwo of you are
e) an appropriate ending (e.g. Yours faithfulfy + your full name, Lars of love + your first finally tying the knot.
name).

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 Unit 1 Pori BLeiler Wriling

c) SEMI·FORMAL LETTERS
WRmNCl STYLE IN LETTERS
• address & date
The writing style you should use (i.e. informal, formal or seml-tormal). i.e. youraddress in the top right-
depends on who you are writing to. More specifically: hand corner, followed by the date
• when you are writing to someone you know well (l.e. a close relative, • greeting
your bestfriend, etc.) you should use informal style. l.e. Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms+ person's
surname (e.g. Dear Mrs Marcus)
• when you are writing to someone you do not know, orto someone who
is in authority (Le. the manager of a hotel, a doctor, etc) you should use • semi-formal language
formal style. • ending
• when you are writ ing 10 someone you do not know very well , or (e.g. Regards/Best wishes/etc +
someone you want to bepolite and respectful to (i.e. a friend's parents, yourfirst name or full name)
yourteacher, etc) you should use semi-formal style.
(See Appendix II for examples of each style.)

CHARACTERISTICS OF: 3 Mark the phra ses as F (for

Formal) or I (for Informal).
a) INFORMAL LETTERS
I would also appreciate
• address & dale
i.e. your address in the lop, right-hand corner, followed bythe date.
some information about ...
2 Well, I must go now ...
• greeting
(e.g. DearJohn, Dear Mum, etc.)
3 Please accept my sincere
apologies
• Informal language
(e.g. I've been meaning to write to you tor ages; Don't worry; Bythe way;
4 You are cordially invited
It was a piece of cake; 1'1/ pick you up; We can give it a try, etc) to attend ...
5 I amwriting in response
• ending
(e.g. Yours/Love/Best wishes!Regards/etc + your first name) to your advertisement ...
6 Thanks for the invitation
to your dinner party ...
b) FORMAL LEITERS
7 I am writing to express my
• address & date strong dissatisfaction with ..............
l.e. your address as well as the recipient's address. Your address in the
8 I look forward to meeting
top, right-hand corner, followed by the date. The recipient's position,
the name and address of the company, organisation, etc on the left- you in person
hand side. 9 Just a quick note to tell
• greeting (e.g. Dear Mrs Davis - when you know the person's name - you ...
Dear Sir/Madam - when you do not knowtheperson's name) 10 I amwriting to bring to
• formal language (e.g. I am writing with regard to your advertisement; I your attention the ...
would appreciate a reply at yourearliest convenience; The product II Please do not hesitate to
which was delivered, proved to be faulty; etc) contact me ...
• ending (e.g. Yours sincerely/ faithfully + yourfull name) 12 I'm so sorry to hear you're
having problems with ...
* Note: when you begin with Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Marcus, you should end 13 Write back soon ...
with Yours sincerely + your full name. When you begin with
Dear Sir/Madam, you should end with Yours faithfully + yourfull
14 We regret to inform you
name. that ...
15 I won't take no for an
answer ...
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 Unit 1 PorI BleilerWriting

4 Read the situation belowand answer the questions that follow. 6) played a big parI !
was very important
This is your last year at school and you are unsure of what course to take at
7) making sure / ensuring
university. You have decided to write a letter to , asking for advice.
8) occasion / whole thing
9) went so well / was such a success
a) What style should ) 'OU use if JOu are writing to: Aa friend? 8 your
10) tell you how much I appreciate I
former teacher? C a careersadvisor?
thank you enough for
b) First match the beginnings and endings and then say which of
the people in part a) each letter is addressed to. Dear Gavin, 0
I) 10
2) for
3) with
1 Dear Karen, 4) for
Hi! How are you? I'm writing because I've no idea which course to take at the end-of-term party.
university next year. I really need your advice!
5) .
2 Dear Mrs Arnold, . 6) .
I hope thisletter findsyou well., am writing to askyou forsome adviceabout in 7) .
which course to take at university nextyear. that the 8) .
3 Dear Sir/Madam , 9) .
I am Writing to enquire whether you can advise me on which course to apply I can't Ip) .
for next year at university. . all your hard work.
Love,
Becky

Dear Mr Conway, G
1) to
2) for
3) with
4) for
the end-of-term party.
5) .
6) .
in 7) .
that the 8) .
9) .
I can't 10) .
5 a) Read the pairs ofexpressions 0 -10) and the letters wh ich follow, ................ .
all vour hard work.
then choose the most suitable expression 10 complete each gap. Best wishes,
Beck)' Jones
1) Hi - just a quick note / I am writing
2) thank you very much / say thanks a lot
3) all your help / your kind assistance b) which letter is inform al, and
4) getting ready I preparations which letter is semi-fo rmal?
5) Your contribution / What you did What type of letter are the)'?
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 Unit 1 PorI BLeiler Writing

6 Match the beginnings to the endings, then identifywhat type oftetter 7 Read the rubr ics below and
each pair is from. Finally, saywhether each pair has been written in answer the questions.
formal or informal style.
A You have seen an
advertis ement in the local

' :1.
newspa per for a teaching job.
Write a letter to the
headmaster of the school,
1 I'm writing to tell you my wonderful news ,..
II applying for the job .

B A friend you haven't seen for

2 ! would. greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with some months is getting married in
information regarding .., the summ er and has invited
you to the wedding. Write a
letter acce pting the invitation.
3 Thanks alotforyour invitation. We'd loveto come
C You have just returned from a
trip to South America. Write a
4 J can't tell you how sorry I am that I ruined ...
I letter to a friend telling him/her
all about it.
5 I am writing to draw your attention to the terrible treatment I received
D You are the secretary of a
languag e school and have
from ";' .... received a letter from someone
6 I am writing to apply for the post of music teacher as advertised in ... I interested in learning French.
Write a letter in reply, informing
the person about the courses
offered at your school.

E You recently boug ht a box of

•
yo ur favourite breakfast cereal.
On opening it, you found that
the box was half empty and the
A Once again, I'dlike to say how very sony I am about... remai ning co ntents were no
longer fresh. Write a letter to the
manager of the cereal company
B 1 enclose my CV and would be glad to attend an interview at your com plaining about it.
earliest convenience.
F Your cousin has recently wo n
first prize in a short story
C Well, that's all for now, Write back and tell me what you've been up to, com petitio n. Write a letter
congratulating them on their
success.
o let meknow if you wantus to bring anything to the party. See you on
the big day! I) What type of letter should you write
foreach rubric?
E I look forwardto receiving the information and would be grateful jf you 2) Who is going to read your letter?
could reply as soon as possible.
3) What style should you use in each
receive your letter?
F 1insist on a written apology. I trust this matter will ..I) Howwould you begin and end each
immediate attention. letter?
5) Can yousuggest appropriate opening
and closing remarks for each letter?
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