Writing LettersWriting Letters

Letters are Letters are written towritten to

a a person person

or a group of or a group of people…people…

To a person:To a person:Your pen Your pen friend; a friend; a newspaper newspaper editoreditor

To a group To a group of people:of people:The The students’ students’ society; the society; the local sport local sport clubclub

Letters are written for a specific reason: Letters are written for a specific reason: to give some advice, to get some to give some advice, to get some information, to make a complaint.information, to make a complaint.

According to their style letters can be divided into following groups:Informal lettersInformal letters to people you to people you

know well – a close relative, know well – a close relative, your best friend, etc. You should your best friend, etc. You should use informal or a personal use informal or a personal chatty style.chatty style.Formal lettersFormal letters to someone you don’t to someone you don’t know, or to someone who is in know, or to someone who is in authority - to the officials, to authority - to the officials, to managers of a hotel, a doctor, etc. managers of a hotel, a doctor, etc. You should use a polite formal style.You should use a polite formal style.Semi-formal lettersSemi-formal letters to people you to people you don’t know well or people you don’t know well or people you know, but you want to sound polite know, but you want to sound polite and respectful – teachers of yours, and respectful – teachers of yours, your friend’s parents, etc. You your friend’s parents, etc. You should use respectful semi-formal should use respectful semi-formal style.style.

What should all letters What should all letters include?include?

A main body, in which you write about the specific topics of the letter in detailA conclusion, in which you write your closing remarks. The Complimentary close of the letter should be finished with an excuse to stop writing.e.g. Please, write soon;Can’t wait to hear from you;I’d better sign off now;That’s all for now … An appropriate ending and name. Write a closing salutation and the signaturee.g. All the best;All my love, etc + your first name (informal)Yours faithfully/sincerely + your full name (formal) 

Some drilling exercises.Some drilling exercises.

You can use in informal letter:1. Anyway, that’s my news for now2. I hope you’re enjoying the holidays as much as I am3. Write back soon and let me know how are you getting on4. Firstly5. What is more 6. Really love7. I’ve been meaning to write to you for ages8. Don’t worry9. By the way10. I’ll pick you up

Mark the phrases as F (for Formal) or I (for Mark the phrases as F (for Formal) or I (for Informal)Informal)

I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction with…Please accept my sincere apologies…I am writing in response to your advertisement…I would also appreciate some information about…Well, I must go now…Thanks for invitation to your party…You are cordially invited to attend…I look forward to meeting you in person…I won’t take no far for an answer…I’m so sorry to hear you’re having problem with…Just a quick note to tell you…Please do not hesitate to contact me…We regret to inform you that…Write back soon…I am writing to bring to your attention the…

In which part of informal letter you can use these words and expressions; which of them are linking words:Well, I’d better go now as I have to do my homework.Thanks a lot for your letter.Keep in touch.Lots of loveAs for meIt was great to hear from you (again)SoAll my loveActuallyI’m glad you passed your English testI’m sorry I haven’t answered earlier, but I was really busy with my schoolwork.By the wayI’ve (got) to go now. It’s time for (my favourite TV-show)Hope to hear from you soonWrite back soonWellI can’t wait to hear from youAnywayDrop me a letter when you can

An introduction

A conclusion with closing remark

An ending Linking words/phrases

1. Thanks a lot for your letter

2. It was great to hear from you (again)

3. I’m glad you passed your English test

4. I’m sorry I haven’t answered earlier, but I was really busy with my schoolwork.

1. Well, I’d better go now as I have to do my homework.

2. I’ve (got) to go now. It’s time for (my favourite TV-show)

3. Write back soon

4. Keep in touch5. Drop me a

letter when you can

6. Hope to hear from you soon

7. I can’t wait to hear from you

1. Lots of love2. All my love

1. Actually2. Well3. By the way4. Anyway5. So6. As for me

So, today we have talked about writing letters.So, today we have talked about writing letters.

How can we divide letters according to their style?( informal, formal, semi-formal)

What should all letters include? (a greeting, a main body, a conclusion, an ending)Don’t forget:Write the logical paragraphsCount the words in your letterIn informal letters you can use short forms like hasn’t, don’t, haven’t been Have you got any questions?