Letter writing

1. Prepared for English Language I
by Prof. Graciela Obert
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2. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ecmg6_tom-and-je
 Why does Jerry decide to write a letter?
 What kind of letter does he write?
 How does his life change after he writes the
letter?
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4.  Addressed to people
in official position /
not well-known
 Style: formal; polite,
impersonal tone
 Information: logically
and clearly presented
 Purpose: application,
complaint, request /
give information, etc.
 Addressed to people
you know well / friends
or relations
 Style: informal;
personal tone
 Information: clearly
presented / personal
 Purpose: personal
matters
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5.  Vocabulary: unlike
everyday speech - I
am writing to enquire
whether …
 Formal linking words
and phrases:
Therefore – However
Consequently - For
this reason
 Vocabulary: similar
to face-to-face
speech Idiomatic and
colloquial expressions
 Simple linkers: then,
later, so
 Underlining for stress
and emphasis
Special forms of
punctuation: ! / ¿?
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6.  Passive voice: I can
be contacted …
 Polite forms without
contractions: I would
be grateful if …
 Indirect questions: I
would appreciate it if
you could - I would
like to apply …
 Active voice
 Contracted forms,
abbreviations: I’d
like to …
 Direct questions: Can
you find a hotel room
for me …?
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7.  Complex sentences
 Impersonal subjects:
This is to inform you
 Modals: would /could
 AVOID: short forms /
phrasal verbs / idioms
colloquial expressions
feelings
 Simple sentences
 Personal subjects: I’m
writing to tell you
about …
 Modals: can / should
 USE: short forms /
phrasal verbs / idioms
colloquial language /
slang
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8.  Heading: sender + date + receiver’s address;
top, left-hand corner
 Formal greeting: Dear Sir / Madam; Dear Ms
Green
 Introduction: opening remarks, reasons for
writing: e.g. I am writing to apply for the
position of …
 Main body: main subject of letter in detail
 Conclusion: closing remarks: e.g. I look
forward to hearing from you as soon as
possible …
 Formal ending: Yours faithfully / Yours
sincerely + full name
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Carrie Markson
14 Pulpwood Trail
Madison, MO 35928
September 10, 2014
Professor Ryan O’Connell
15 University Drive
College Town, MO 35930
Dear Professor O’Connell,
I am writing to you concerning my enrollment in your International
Marketing course, MK 3004. As you are aware, I have been dealing
with an ongoing illness for several weeks. I appreciate everything
you have done thus far to accommodate my needs, as I do not wish
to drop out of school this semester due to my illness. Your
agreement to excuse my documented absences and accept my late
assignments has been greatly appreciated.

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As you know, I am recovering well and have caught up with all of
my homework assignments to date. I have been released by my
physician to fully resume all of my activities. However, due to the
delays I have experienced thus far, I do not foresee being able to
complete a thoroughly researched paper on my topic by September
28th. I would greatly appreciate your consideration for an additional
10 days to complete this assignment. If you are in agreement, I
would like to submit my completed midterm paper to you on
October 8, 2013.
Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, as well as
your consideration for this request. Please let me know your answer
at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Carrie Markson

11.  Heading: includes your address and the date;
top, right-hand corner
 Salutation or greeting: Dear … ,
 Body: main text or message / paragraphs
 Closing: short capitalized expression
followed by a comma
 Signature
 Postscript (optional): P.S. (afterthought)
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12. 311 East Duke Street
Stanley, N.C. 28164
August 15, 2014
Dear Phil,
How has your summer been? Not too hot I hope. Did you get to
visit your grandparents? Did you go on your trip to Toronto as you had
hoped? They say Toronto is a beautiful city.
This is my second season at Camp Bellaire. I just passed my
swimming test. Now I can swim out to the raft and also use the boats. To
pass I had to jump into the water with my clothes on (as if I had just fallen
out of a boat). Then I had to take them off down to my trunks, even my
shoes and socks, and finally swim back to shore. It was tough, but I did it!
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. There is lots of news to
catch up on!
Your friend,
Mike

13. FORMAL LETTER
 Sender’s address
 Date
 Receiver’s address
 Salutation
 Body
 Closing
 Signature
 Sender’s name
INFORMAL LETTER
 Sender’s address
 Date
 Salutation
 Body
 Closing
 Signature
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14.  INTRODUCTION (also reference): refers
- to a letter previously received or
- to an event which has prompted you to write
 PURPOSE: explains reasons for writing
 CONCLUSION: “rounds off” the letter,
usually with a polite wish - e.g. expressing
the hope to see somebody soon, sending
regards, etc.
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15. FORMAL
 Block style
14 Penrose St.,
Reading,
Essex,
England.
March 19th, 2015
INFORMAL
 Block style or
indented style
14 Penrose St.,
Reading,
Essex,
England.
March 19th, 2015
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16.  Street St.
 Road Rd.
 Square Sq.
 Avenue Ave.
 Place Pl.
 Lane Ln.
 Boulevard Blvd.
 Drive Dr.
 Rural Route RR
 Highway Hwy.
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17. FORMAL
Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Sir,
Dear Sirs,
Dear Madams,
Dear Mr./Mrs. Vogue,
Dear Dr. + name
Dear Chris Miller
To whom it may
concern
INFORMAL
Dear Alan,
My dear Susan,
Dear Dr Johnson,
Dear Uncle Tom,
Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss
Bailey,
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18. FORMAL
 Yours faithfully,
 Yours (very) sincerely,
 Respectfully,
 Yours affectionately,
 Sincerely yours,
 Respectfully yours,
 Yours truly,
 Very truly yours,
INFORMAL
 Love,
 Best wishes,
 Kind / warm regards,
 Yours,
 All the best,
 Take care,
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19. FORMAL
Receive / obtain
Request
Permit
Attempt
Thank you very much
Man
Child
INFORMAL
Get
Ask
Let
Try
Thanks a lot
Chap, fellow
Kid
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20.  asap = as soon as possible
 cc = carbon copy (you send a copy of a letter
to more than one person)
 enc. = enclosure (you include other papers
with your letter)
 pp = per procurationem (Latin phrase: you
sign the letter on somebody else's behalf)
 ps = postscript (you add something after
you've finished and signed it)
 pto (informal) = please turn over (to make
sure the other person knows the letter
continues on the other side of the page)
 RSVP = please reply
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21.  Evans, Virginia (1998).Successful Writing
Upper Intermediate. UK: Express Publishing.
 Obee, Bob and Virginia (2003). Upstream
Upper-Intermediate. Berkshire, UK: Express
Publishing.
http://www.letterwritingguide.com/
http://www.usingenglish.com/resources/letter-
writing.php
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In all cases materials have been adapted.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/matching/wordt
owords/
http://esl.about.com/library/lessons/blwrite_inform
alletter.htm
http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-
english/business-letters.html

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