Agenda:

• Types of letters;• Layout of letters;• Writing style in letters;• Charcteristics of informal, formal and semi-

formal letters

A

I really hope you can come to my party. I am sure we’ll have a wonderful time.

B

I am writing to ask you what you think I should do about Robert. I’d really like your advice as he’s been …

C

I’m having a fantastic time on holiday. I went sailing yeasterday and I’m going to take part in a diving competition this afternoon. I can’t wait!

D

I received your leaflet in the post. I am very interested in the course and would be greatful if you could give me some more information.

E

I have enclosed my CV. I would be grateful if yoy could consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

F

I am writing to complain about the dishwasher which I purchased from your company last Monday.

Do you know the layout of

a letter?

Writing Style in Letters

The writing style you should use (i.e. informal, formal or semi-formal) depends on who you are writing to.

More specifically:• when you are writing to someone you know well (a close relative,your bestfriend, etc.) you should use informal style.• when you are writing to someone you don’t know, or to someone who

is in authority (the manager of a hotel, a doctor, etc) you should use formal style.

• when you are writing to someone you do not know very well , orsomeone you want to be polite and respectful to (a friend's parents,Your teacher, etc) you should use semi-formal style.

Characteristics of informal letters:

• ADDRESS & DATEi.e. your address in the top, right-hand corner, followed by the

date.• GREETING(e.g. Dear John, Dear Mum, etc.)• INFORMAL LANGUAGE(e.g. I've been meaning to write to you for ages; Don't worry;

By the way; It was a piece of cake; We can give it a try, etc)• ENDING(e.g. Yours/Love/Best wishes!Regards/etc +your first name)

Informal LettersOpening remarks in informal letlers may include:• a) questions/Wishes about recent events, the person's health, etc• b) a thank you to the person for their last letter,comments about their

news• c) an apology for a delay in writing/replying• d) the reason why you are writing

Closing remarks in informal letters may include:• e) the reason why you must end the letter• f) greetings to the person's family/friends• g) wishes, a promise (e.g. to write again soon), an invitation, etc• h) a request to the person to reply soon

Informal Style

When writing friendly letters, you normally use informal style. Informal writing is characterised by the use of:

• everyday vocabulary (e.g. I had a great time)• colloquial expressions and ldioms (e.g.drop me

a line)• phrasal verbs (e.g.get on, settle in)• short forms (e.g. can't, don't, I'm, I’ll)

Informal main body paragraphs

• In informal letters you usually talk about more than one topic.

These topics will be discussed in the main body of your letter. You should begin a new paragraph for each topic.

• Para 1: Openingremarks• Para 2: Tell friend about success• Para 3: Describe plans for future• Para 4: Closing remarks

Listening 1

Characteristics of formal letters:• ADDRESS & DATEyour address as well as the recipient's address. Your address in the top, right-hand

corner, followed by the date. The recipient's position, the name and address of the company, organisation, etc on the lefthandside.

• GREETING (e.g. Dear Mrs Davis - when you know the person's name DearSir/Madam – when you do not know the person's name)

• FORMAL LANGUAGE (e.g. I am writing with regard to your advertisement; Iwould appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience; The product which was

delivered, proved to be faulty; etc)• ENDING (e.g. Yours sincerely/ faithfully +your full name)

* NOTE: when you begin with Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Marcus, you should endwith Yours sincerely +your full name.When you begin with Dear Sir/Madam, you should end with Yours faithfully +your fullname.

You can write a formal letter to

apply for a job/course, make a complaint, give/request official information, etc

Formal style is characterised by the use of:

ADVANCED VOCABULARYI am writing to enquire whether… (not: I WANT TO ASK IF FORMAL LINKING WORDS/PHRASES(consequently, however, therefore, for this reason) I have worrked as a primary school teacher for 10 years and therefore have

experience working with children.PASSIVE VOICEI can be contacted (not: YOU CAN CONTACT ME POLITE FORMS WITHOUT CONTRACTIONSI would be grateful if …, I would appreciate it if you could…; I would like to

apply … (not: I’D LIKE …

Colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, idioms and short forms are not used in formal style.

Listening 2

Venn Diagram

Characteristics of semi-formal letters:

• ADDRESS & DATEi.e. your address in the top righthand corner, followed

by the date• GREETINGDear Mr/Mrs/Ms+ person‘s surname (e.g. Dear Mrs

Marcus)• SEMI-FORMAL LANGUAGE• ENDING(e.g. Regards/Best wishes/etc + your first name or full

name)

Listening 3

TRANSACTIONAL LETTERS

Are letters which respond to written information. The information may be in the form of advertising, letters, invitations, notes as well as visual prompts such as maps, drawings, etc.

TRANSACTIONAL LETTERS

• Transaction letters can be of any type!• The style of writing can be formal, semi-formal

or informal, depending on who you are writing to!

Listening 4Look at the

advertisement and the notes

in your handouts.

Listen to the track and tick the points in

the notes A-K which have

been introduced in

the letter.

Writing activity

Reference• Successfu;l writing• OXFORD Wordpower – dictionary for learners of English • Letter Writing & Sample Letters - http://www.letterwritingguide.com/ • Letter Writing Rules - http://englishplus.com/grammar/letrcont.htm• Letter Writing - http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/letterwriting/ • Letter Writing Sample letters -

http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/letterwriting/sampleletters/?view=uk • Useful Phrases Phrases for Personal and Social Correspondence -

http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/letterwriting/usefulphrases/social/?view=uk

• Useful Phrases Phrases for Letters about Employment - http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/letterwriting/usefulphrases/job/?view=uk

• Useful Phrases Phrases for Business Letters - http://www.askoxford.com/betterwriting/letterwriting/usefulphrases/business/?view=uk