Informal Letter/Email (finished)

Before you start writing:

 Make sure you understand why you are writing (asking for or giving information, complaining about
something, giving advice, saying thank you for something, saying sorry for something, etc..)
 Make note of any ideas you have about the task, making sure you cover all notes if relevant.
 Decide which ones are the best.
 Organize the best ideas and make a plan for your article.
Plan
Opening
Use an informal greeting.
Hi …, / Hello …, / Dear …,
Paragraph 1
Thank the reader for their letter/email and say why you are writing. Give a small piece of news.
How are you? / how’s it going? / I hope you and your family are well.
Thanks for your letter/email. / it was so nice to get your letter/email. / it was great to hear your news!
I’m writing to … / I think I told you that … / And that’s the reason I’m writing.
Paragraphs 2-4
This is the main body of your letter/email. Use friendly, informal language to expand on your ideas,
supporting them with examples and reasons if relevant.
I’d love to … / It would be great if we could …
I’m sorry, but … / I’m afraid I can’t …
Why don’t we …? / Let’s …
The best thing to do is … / If I were you , I’d …
Paragraph 5
End your letter, making reference to the future or to the fact that you would like a reply if relevant.
Don’t worry too much. / Everything will be OK soon. / It won’t last forever.
I can’t wait to … / I’m really looking forward to …
Let me know if ... / Don’t forget to …
I hope my advice has helped. / Let me know what happens.
Closing
Use an informal phrase for ending your letter/email and sign off.
Bye for now. / See you soon! / Take care! / Keep in touch! / Write soon!

When you have finished writing, check that:

 You have followed your plan.
 Your letter starts and ends appropriately.
 You have covered all the notes if relevant.
 You have used friendly, informal language
Finally, check your work carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Formal Letter/Email (not finished)
Before you start writing:
 Make sure you understand why you are writing (asking for or giving information, complaining about
something, making suggestions, applying for something, apologizing etc.).
 Note down any ideas you might have, making sure you cover all notes if relevant.
 Make a plan for your letter/email.
Plan
Opening
Use a formal greeting
Paragraph 1
Introduce the topic of your article in an interesting way, so the reader wants to continue reading. You
probably... , but... , / It’s true that... , but... , /Did you know that... ?
Paragraphs 2 and 3
This is the main body of your article. Expand one of your ideas in each paragraph. Start each
paragraph with a topic sentence and use linking words. Support your opinions with facts and examples.
First of all, … / Firstly, …
Secondly, …
Finally, … / Lastly, …
I believe/think (that) … / In my opinion, ....
According to … , /Some/Lots of people say/believe/think (that) …
It is true (that) … / We (all) know (that) …
For example, …
… , such as ...
Paragraph 4
End your article by giving the reader something to think about.
It is important that … / … shows that ...

When you have finished writing, check that:

 You have followed your plan.
 You have given your article a title.
 You have introduced the topic in an interesting way in paragraph 1.
 You have started each paragraph with a topic sentence.
 You have supported your ideas with facts and examples.
Finally, check your work carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Email/Letter (finished)
Before you start writing:
 Make sure you understand why you are writing (e.g. asking for information, giving information,
describing something, saying thank you for something).
 Note down any ideas you have.
 Make a plan for your email/letter.
Plan
Beginning
Use a friendly greeting.
Hi, …! / Hi there! / Dear …,
Paragraph 1
If you are replying to an email/letter, thank the reader for their email/letter. Explain why you are writing to
them, giving them any useful information.
Thanks for your letter/email. / It was nice to get your letter/email. / It was great to hear your news!
How are you? / How’s it going? / I hope you are well.
I need your help with something. / I told you that … / And that’s the reason I’m writing.
Paragraphs 2-4
This is the main part of your email/letter. Use friendly language to describe, explain, or give information.
Use linking words to join your ideas. If you are asking for information, remember to use indirect
questions to be more polite.
Firstly,/First of all, / Secondly, / Finally,/Lastly,
Could you (please) tell me …?
Would you be able to tell me …?
I would like to know … .
I was wondering … .
Ending
Use a friendly phrase to end your email/letter and sign off.
Thanks! / Take care! / Write back soon! / Can’t wait to hear from you. / Please answer me soon/as soon
as possible. / I’m really looking forward to hearing from you.

When you have finished writing, check that:

 You have followed your plan.
 Your email/letter starts and ends appropriately.
 You have used polite, friendly language.
Finally, check your work carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Article (finished)
Before you start writing:
 Note down any ideas you have about the task.
 Decide which ones are the best.
 Organize the best ideas and make a plan for your article.
Plan
Title
Paragraph 1
Introduce the topic of your article in an interesting way, so the reader wants to continue reading.
You probably … , but … . / It’s true that … , but … . / Did you know that … ?
Paragraphs 2 and 3
This is the main body of your article. Expand one of your ideas in each paragraph. Start each paragraph
with a topic sentence and use linking words. Support your opinions with facts and examples.
First of all, … / Firstly, …
Secondly, …
Finally, … / Lastly, …
I believe/think (that) … / In my opinion, …
According to … , / Some/Lots of people say/believe/think (that) …
It is true (that) … / We (all) know (that) …
For example, …
…, such as …
Paragraph 4
End your article by giving the reader something to think about.
It is important that … / … shows that …

When you have finished writing, check that:

 You have followed your plan.
 You have given your article a title.
 You have introduced the topic in an interesting way in paragraph 1.
 You have started each paragraph with a topic sentence.
 You have supported your ideas with facts and examples.
Finally, check your work carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Postcard/Note (finished)
Before you start writing:
 Make sure you understand what the task is asking you to do (e.g. give information, make
suggestions, give directions, give advice).
 Note down any ideas you have for the task.
 Make a plan for your postcard/note.

Plan
Beginning
Use a friendly greeting.
Hi, …!
Hi there!
Dear …,
Main Paragraph
Write in a clear way, making sure you use the correct verb forms and time expressions. Join your ideas
with linking words. Use phrases to give advice and the imperative to give directions.
First / next / then / until / when
Also / and / too / because / but
I think you should …
It would be a good idea to …
How/What about …? / Why don’t you …?
Ending
Use a friendly phrase to end your postcard/note and sign off.
Thanks! / Take care! / Bye for now! / See you soon!

When you have finished writing, check that:

 You have followed your plan.
 You have used correct verb forms and time expressions.
 You have used linking words and phrases correctly.
Finally, check your work carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Leaflet (finished)
Before you start writing:
 Decide what information you need to include.
 Note down any ideas you have.
 Think of a heading for each part of your leaflet.

Plan
Paragraph 1
This is the introduction. Say something general.
Welcome to …
Paragraphs 2-4
This is the main body of your leaflet. Introduce each of your ideas, supporting them with examples. Use
conditional sentences to say what kind of people would enjoy something. Make sure you use a heading
for each paragraph.
If you like/enjoy …, you should …
If you are interested in …, visit/go to …
Paragraph 5
Tell the reader where to find out more and, if appropriate, end with a wish or an appropriate command.
For more information, …
We hope you enjoy your stay! / Enjoy your stay!

When you have finished writing, check that:

 You have followed your plan.
 You have used headings.
 You have told your reader where to find out more information.
Finally, check your work carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
 Story (finished)
Before you start writing:
 Brainstorm by asking yourself questions about the sentence or situation you have been given.
 Note down any ideas you have for the task.
 Make a plan for your story.

Plan
Paragraph 1
This is the introduction. Say something general.
Welcome to …
Paragraphs 2 and 3
This is the main body of your story. Expand on your ideas, using time expressions to help the reader
follow your story more easily. Keep the story moving and describe the action.
After
Afterwards / later
(just) as / suddenly / then
During / when / while
still
Paragraph 4
Bring your story to an end, explaining how the main characters feel to make them seem more real.
Delighted/excited/happy, proud
Angry, disappointed, nervous, scared, tired, worried

When you have finished writing, check that:

 You have followed your plan.
 Your story fits the sentence or situation you were given.
 You have used past forms and time expressions correctly.
Finally, check your work carefully for mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation