WRITING:A NOTE

Petr NovotnýGymnázium Dr. Karla Polesného Znojmo

INTRODUCTION

• The types of notes may include:– Notes of apologies– Thank-you notes– Notes of request / inquiry– Notes of congratulations (birthdays, anniversaries)– Notes of appointment– etc.

THE LAYOUTDear Sarah,

Thank you so much for the wonderful present! Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Again, thanks so much and I hope to see you soon.

Love,Judy

Salutation(Dear ...,)

Message

Complimentaryclosing

Your (first)name

SALUTATION

• If your note is informal, use: Dear / Hello / Hi + first name (Dear Jane,)

(Dear is more formal than Hello or Hi)• If your note is formal, use:

Dear Mr / Mrs / Ms + last name (Dear Mrs Jones,)

• After the salutation use a comma (,) or nothing

THE MESSAGE • The style depends on the person you are writing to.

It may range from informal to semi-formal or formal. • If appropriate, write the date and time in the right

upper corner.• Be direct; keep the note short and to the point.

Avoid ambiguity and irrelevant information.• Sign your name. If your note is formal, sign your full

name.

NOTES OF APOLOGIESUseful phrases:• I am very / extremely / awfully sorry about ...• I (sincerely) apologize for ...• I regret to say / tell you that ...• Please accept my apologies for ...• Unfortunately, ...

THANK-YOU NOTESUseful phrases:• I would like to thank you for ...• Thank you so much for ...• I don't know how to express my thanks for ...• It was a great pleasure to ...

NOTES OF REQUEST / INQUIRYUseful phrases:• Would / Could you (please) ...• Would you mind -ing ...• I wonder if you could ...• Would it be possible (for you) to ...• Thank you very much in advance.

NOTES OF CONGRATULATIONSUseful phrases:• Congratulations on ...• Please accept my congratulations on ...• (Please accept) best of wishes from all of us.• Best of luck to you now and in the future.

NOTES OF APPOINTMENTUseful phrases:• I will be pleased to meet you ...• What about meeting ...• Could we meet on ...• Is tomorrow / next Tuesday / ... convenient to you?• Does this date / time suit you?• Let me know if this is convenient for you.• I'm sorry / afraid, I won't be able to make it ...

COMPLIMENTORY CLOSING• If your note is informal, use:

Best wishes,Yours,(Many) thanks,Best wishes,(With) best regards,Love,Lots of love,

• If your note is formal, use:Sincerely,Sincerely yours,

Respectfully,Respectfully yours,

TASK 1 (INFORMAL)Imagine you have lost a valuable book which you borrowed from your friend Tom. Write a note to Tom where you:

• Apologise for losing the borrowed book.• Explain how you lost the book.• Suggest how you will compensate the loss.

TASK 2 (SEMI-FORMAL)Imagine your aunt, who lives in another town, is goint to celebrate a birthday jubilee next week. Send her a birthday card with a note where you:

• Say congratulations to the birthday.• Say that you cannot visit her at this moment because

you are too busy with your school duties.• Explain that you are planning to see her personally

during the holidays.

TASK 3 (FORMAL)Imagine you became ill and will not be able to attend classes during the rest of the week. Write a note to your class teacher where you:• Say that you will be absent from school and explain

why.• Say when you will probably be back at school.• Say what you will do to keep up with the other

students.