Writing LettersWriting Letters

The aim of my presentation isThe aim of my presentation is

►– – getting students to understand the getting students to understand the rules of informal writing;rules of informal writing;

►– – helping students master writing in helping students master writing in English;English;

►– – preparing students for taking the preparing students for taking the state exam.state exam.

LayoutLayout(address)(address)

► Informal Informal

Moscow,RussiaMoscow,Russia

March,24,2011March,24,2011

Greetings for the informal Greetings for the informal letterletter

Dear Clara,Dear Clara,

Hi Tania,Hi Tania,

Hello Bill,Hello Bill,

The introductory paragraphThe introductory paragraph(informal style)(informal style)

should be started with a sentence that piques should be started with a sentence that piques the interest of the reader.the interest of the reader. Make a few chatty Make a few chatty comments or ask a few personal questions.comments or ask a few personal questions.

● ● How are you getting on?How are you getting on?● ● I’m really sorry for not getting in touch I’m really sorry for not getting in touch

sooner…sooner…●● Thanks for writing back so quickly…Thanks for writing back so quickly…●● I just wanted to let you know…I just wanted to let you know…●● Sorry I haven’t written for ages…Sorry I haven’t written for ages…●● Thought I’d better drop you a line to thank Thought I’d better drop you a line to thank

you for helping me…you for helping me…

The body of the informal The body of the informal letterletter

The introduction should flow smoothly The introduction should flow smoothly into the body, where you will talk into the body, where you will talk about the main subject of your letter. about the main subject of your letter. If you are going to be discussing more If you are going to be discussing more than one topic, you can say “To begin than one topic, you can say “To begin with, I need to tell you…”Keep the with, I need to tell you…”Keep the tone of your informal letter on the tone of your informal letter on the conversational level.conversational level.

The complimentary close of the The complimentary close of the informal letterinformal letter

Finish the letter with an excuse to stop Finish the letter with an excuse to stop writing. The appropriate phrases are:writing. The appropriate phrases are:

● ● Must dash now,Must dash now, I have to write my I have to write my History report…History report…

●● Please give my regards to…Please give my regards to…●● All the best,All the best,●● Love,Love,●● Best wishes,Best wishes,●● With love from,With love from,

The complimentary close of the The complimentary close of the informal letterinformal letter

Finish the letter with an excuse to stop Finish the letter with an excuse to stop writing. The appropriate phrases are:writing. The appropriate phrases are:

● ● Must dash now,Must dash now, I have to write my History I have to write my History report…report…

●● Please give my regards to…Please give my regards to…

●● All the best,All the best,

●● Love,Love,

●● Best wishes,Best wishes,

●● With love from,With love from,

The signatureThe signature

InformalInformal

Whether you sign only your first name, Whether you sign only your first name, nickname or full name will depend on nickname or full name will depend on the relationship.the relationship.

Love,Love,

HelenHelen

Informal Informal

► the use of contracted verb formsthe use of contracted verb forms●● I’ve done…I’ve done…● ● Why don’t we…Why don’t we…

► The use of phrasal verbs and idiomatic languageThe use of phrasal verbs and idiomatic language ● ● It’s a piece of cake to do the History project for It’s a piece of cake to do the History project for me.me.

► Appropriate formulas for writing informal lettersAppropriate formulas for writing informal letters► (linking words)(linking words)

The informal letter sampleThe informal letter sample(Zina Romashkina 10A )(Zina Romashkina 10A )

Moscow,Russia3.02.2011

Dear Tom, I’m glad to hear from you. Thanks for your letter. How are you getting on?I’m writing to you to answer your questions about students` independence fromtheir parents. As a matter of fact, the allowance in Russian universities is so low that It’s not enough for pocket money. And it’s absolutely unreal for students to get a well-paid job, so Russian students have to be financially supported by their parents even though they want to be independent. Students can rent a flat only if parents give them money for that. And only nonresident students can live in university hostels. By the way, did you enjoy your trip to Scotland? What places of interest have youvisited? Have you seen the Loch Ness monster? I’m sorry but I must dash now. My mum is coming, we are gonna have dinner soon.Best wishes,Zina

Typical errors when writing an Typical errors when writing an informal letterinformal letter

1. 1. The questions are grammatically incorrect;The questions are grammatically incorrect;

2. 2. Inconsistency in the tenses:Inconsistency in the tenses:

e.g. I was going to town yesterday when a e.g. I was going to town yesterday when a dog bitedog bite me and I ran all the way to the me and I ran all the way to the hospital.hospital.

3. 3. The apostrophe is in the wrong place;The apostrophe is in the wrong place;

e.g. The dog lost e.g. The dog lost it’sit’s collar. collar.

4. 4. The complimentary close is not punctuated, The complimentary close is not punctuated, the name is written on the same line;the name is written on the same line;

e.g. Take care Michaele.g. Take care Michael

Vocabulary differenceVocabulary difference

► Formal Formal Inform meInform meCancelCancelContactContactObtainObtainApologiseApologisePostponePostponeCompensateCompensateEstablishEstablishDiscoverDiscoverHandleHandleInvestigateInvestigateTolerateTolerateIncreaseIncreaseChildrenChildrenMany/muchMany/much

► InformalInformalLet me knowLet me knowDropDropGet in touchGet in touchGetGetSay sorrySay sorryDelayDelayMake upMake upSet upSet upFind outFind outDeal withDeal withCheck up onCheck up onPut up withPut up withGo upGo upKidsKidsA lot ofA lot of

Linking wordsLinking words

► InformalInformalAlso,Also,However,However,Actually,Actually,In fact,In fact,As a matter of fact,As a matter of fact,Anyway,Anyway,As you know,As you know,

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

Kuzmin Sergey,Kuzmin Sergey,

English teacher, Elisavetinskaya schoolEnglish teacher, Elisavetinskaya schoolsergei_752@mail.ruhttp://kuzmin752.ucoz.ru