WRITING 6: FORMAL LETTER

FORMAL LETTER

Definition:

A formal letter is used to address a person or organization with whom you are not familiar.  Because of this fact, it is really challenging to write it:  the quality of your content, including spelling and grammar will probably be strongly scrutinized.

Some reasons to write a formal letter are the following:

• Make a complaint
• Request something or give information
• Suggest something

USEFUL FORMAL LANGUAGE

To complain:
I am writing in order to complain about…

I was unsatisfied with…

In the first place…

I suggest that you…

My main criticism is…

I’m afraid to say…

To request and give information: I am writing to inquire…

I would like to know…

Do you think you could tell me…

Would you mind telling me…

The first thing I would like to inform you is…

To suggest:

I am writing to suggest…

I would like to suggest…

A further possibility is…

TIPS

• Underline key information.
• Make a plan – make sure you include all the points in the notes.
• Think about who you are writing to and decide how formal your letter should be.
• Use your own words; avoid using the same words as those in the question.
• Make sure you use a variety of language.

PLAN

1. Use neutral or formal language.  Be polite.
2. Answer or ask all the questions in the original letter.
3. Use set phrases to sound natural.

Paragraph 1

1. Give your reason for writing.

Paragraph 2

1. Ask for or give information.

Paragraph 3

1. Ask any other questions.

Paragraph 4

1. Finish your letter with a set phrase.

EXAMPLE

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you about a recent visit I made to your Museum on 9^th July.  I was particularly interested to come to the Museum as I am studying Science in school and I know you have some special exhibitions.

The recycling plastics exhibition was very interesting because it showed what happens to plastic after we throw it away and how it is turned into other products.

However, I was very disappointed with the show on travelling in space.  I contained very little information and was boring because it had too many technical details in it and not enough on what it is like to travel in space.

Furthermore, I found the restaurant very expensive.  I think you should have a small shop selling snacks. 

I hope you will consider my points seriously and improve the museum for other visitors.

Yours sincerely,

Peter White

LITERATURE PROJECT 3

Board game related with the story read in class with components and rules of playing

Objectives:

                   Students will

·         recognize and relate specific information of the text to produce a game

·         practice their oral skills in the presentation of their board game

·         use their people skills to organize the work in their teams

·         present a quality production according to the specifications

Procedure:

-      Ss will present a board game adapted from the book read in class as well as game components and a presentation of the game play of their game

The board game must include:

-      an illustrated board to play the game

-      a book of rules design by students to play the game

-      game components like tokens, tiles, pieces and dices

-      all of these must be contained in a box also decorated as if it was a real board game

Students will work on the design of their game and the writing of the rules on the week of January 27^th to 31^st and will continue working in that and in the components of their game on the week of February 4^th to 7^th to present their game on the week of February 10^th

Students will have time to test their game and the rules written by them on February 9^th

Presentations will be on February 10^th

Note: You may check this links for ideas: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kakQvPIKyPY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYsA6rIjjw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIIO_UtzHSQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8MLA6lNY0

LITERATURE BOOK 3

Dear students, this time you will read: 

WRITING 5: REPORT

Definition:

An report is a written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated…

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Stating the purpose:
The purpose/aim of this report is to

describe/present

In this report I will…

This report gives a description/presentation…

This report is intended to…

Formal linking words:However,…

In addition…

Furthermore…

Moreover…

As a result…

Final suggestions/recommendations:

I would strongly recommend…

My suggestion is…

If these changes are introduced…

I can recommend…

In conclusion…

In my opinion…

TIPS

• Think carefully about how many sections you need. Use the question to help you.
• Check that the register you have used is consistently formal.
• Use a variety of formal structures.
• Check that you have not repeated points.
• Check you have included all the necessary information and points.

PLAN

1. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of any options and make your report interesting.
2. Use passive voice and set phrases to sound more formal.
3. Use headings to make your ideas clearer.

Paragraph 1

1. Say why you are writing the report.

Paragraph 2

1. Describe the first option.
2. Evaluate the option.

Paragraph 3

1. Describe the second option.
2. Evaluate this option.

Paragraph 4

1. Summarise your arguments.
2. Recommend one of the options/ refer to future action.

EXAMPLE

Transport in my town

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to describe the situation with transport in my town.  It describes what kind of transport the town offers, explains the good points of the system and makes suggestions for improvements.

The transport system

In the town there are buses, local trains and taxis.  The buses run in the centre of town and are fairly regular.  Tickets can be purchased on the bus.  The trains run to the surrounding areas during the main part of the day.  Taxis are always available, especially from the main station.

The good points of the system

Transport is reasonably cheap and also there are special weekly tickets which are cheaper.  In addition, the buses and the trains offer a good service, usually every ten minutes and there are maps to help visitors.

Suggestions for improvements

The buses and trains are very old and quite often there is not enough space.  My suggestion is that the companies should invest in larger, more modern buses and extra carriages on the trains to accommodate all the passengers.