Writing personal Writing personal lettersletters

Writing personal Writing personal lettersletters

The types of lettersThe types of letters Letters of requestLetters of request Letters giving informationLetters giving information Letters of adviceLetters of advice Letters making recommendationsLetters making recommendations Letters of complaintLetters of complaint Letters of apologyLetters of apology Letters of applicationLetters of application Letters of editorLetters of editor Transactional lettersTransactional letters

A successful letter should A successful letter should consist of:consist of:

An appropriate greetingAn appropriate greeting An introductory paragraphAn introductory paragraph A main bodyA main body A conclusionA conclusion An appropriate endingAn appropriate ending

Style in lettersStyle in letters

Formal

Semi-formal

Informal

FormalFormal

Formal greetings and endingsFormal greetings and endings Formal language i.e. complex Formal language i.e. complex

sentences, frequent use of a passive sentences, frequent use of a passive and advanced vocabularyand advanced vocabulary

No abbreviated formsNo abbreviated forms

InformalInformal

Informal greetings and endingsInformal greetings and endings Informal language and style i.e. Informal language and style i.e.

idioms, phrasal verbs, colloquial idioms, phrasal verbs, colloquial English and omission of pronounsEnglish and omission of pronouns

Abbreviated forms Abbreviated forms

Semi-formalSemi-formal

Formal greetingsFormal greetings Informal endingsInformal endings A respectful tone, depending on the A respectful tone, depending on the

recipient of the letter. Also, pronouns recipient of the letter. Also, pronouns should not be omitted and idioms should not be omitted and idioms should be carefully usedshould be carefully used

Key-phrasesKey-phrasesOpening or beginning a Opening or beginning a

personal letterpersonal letter It was so good to get your last letter and It was so good to get your last letter and

have the new happenings in your life.have the new happenings in your life. ……sounds very interesting.sounds very interesting. I’m sure you’ll enjoy…I’m sure you’ll enjoy… I’m writing to apologize for…I’m writing to apologize for… I’m writing to tell you my wonderful I’m writing to tell you my wonderful

news.news.

Key-phrasesKey-phrasesEnding a personal letterEnding a personal letter

Well, that’s all for now. Write back Well, that’s all for now. Write back and tell me what you’ve been up to.and tell me what you’ve been up to.

I do hope to see you soon.I do hope to see you soon. I’d better sign off now.I’d better sign off now. I think it’s time for me to stop and…I think it’s time for me to stop and… Can’t wait to hear from you.Can’t wait to hear from you.

Personal letters include:Personal letters include:

Thank youThank you Invitation lettersInvitation letters Letters of regretLetters of regret CongratulationsCongratulations

Your nameand address

Tanya Ivanova10 Kulisha StreetTernopil 46016Ukraine

Silverton Tapes Inc.403 Kipp AveHasbrouckHB, NJ 07604USA

Receiver’s address

Tanya Ivanova10 Kulisha StreetTernopil 46016Ukraine

Silverton Tapes Inc.403 Kipp AveHasbrouck HB, NJ 07604USA

Steps in writing lettersSteps in writing letters

Pre-writing activities

Training writing activities

Guidedwriting

Free-writing activities

Pre-writing activitiesPre-writing activities1.1. Some people are crazy about writing personal letters. What kind of Some people are crazy about writing personal letters. What kind of

people do you think are letter fantastic? Give your reasons.people do you think are letter fantastic? Give your reasons.2.2. They say that personal letters can say much about their writers. In pairs, They say that personal letters can say much about their writers. In pairs,

think and decide what can betray the personal character of a writer. think and decide what can betray the personal character of a writer. Rank in the order of importance.Rank in the order of importance.

3.3. Read the following word-combinations and classify them into 3 groups: Read the following word-combinations and classify them into 3 groups: those which in your opinion, can be used at the beginning, at the ending those which in your opinion, can be used at the beginning, at the ending of the letter, or its body.of the letter, or its body.

I thought I’d write and let you know that…I do lots of different things…I’ve dropped you a line to let you know how…Chicago is a really exciting city.Reply promptly.I’ d better end now because…There is so much to chose from:I’ll never forget my sightseeing tour.

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Training – writing activitiesTraining – writing activitiesSample letterSample letter

July24, 2009July24, 2009

Dear Jean,Dear Jean,

It was so good to get your last letter and hear about the new happenings in It was so good to get your last letter and hear about the new happenings in your life. Your new job sounds very interesting and I’m sure you will enjoy your life. Your new job sounds very interesting and I’m sure you will enjoy working there.working there.

Things are very much the same here. We all miss you, but we understand Things are very much the same here. We all miss you, but we understand that this new job will be a good career move for you.that this new job will be a good career move for you.

I have been busy with the newly organized PTA at the twins school. The first I have been busy with the newly organized PTA at the twins school. The first meeting was last Thursday evening and about 20 parents showed up. We got meeting was last Thursday evening and about 20 parents showed up. We got to meet the new teachers and than became acquainted with some of the other to meet the new teachers and than became acquainted with some of the other parents whose kids are in the same room with the twins. They are so excited parents whose kids are in the same room with the twins. They are so excited that I’m able to help their teacher now that I have decided to be a stay-at-that I’m able to help their teacher now that I have decided to be a stay-at-home mom. That translates into batches and batches of cookies. I’ll be turning home mom. That translates into batches and batches of cookies. I’ll be turning out for school functions.out for school functions.

Think it’s time for me to stop and prepare dinner. Write when you have time Think it’s time for me to stop and prepare dinner. Write when you have time and keep us informed as to how you are getting along.and keep us informed as to how you are getting along.

Love, Alice.Love, Alice.

PTA – Parents-Teacher Association.PTA – Parents-Teacher Association.

1.1. After reading the sample of personal letter, give the equivalents to the After reading the sample of personal letter, give the equivalents to the following:following:

I was glad to receive your letter.Your new job seems to be interesting.I think you’ll like your new job.I think it’ll be important for your future career.About 20 parents were present.We got to know each other.I became a housewife.I’d better end now.

2. Read the sample letter and find the derivatives of the following words:2. Read the sample letter and find the derivatives of the following words:

To happenTo happen Information Information

Acquaintance Acquaintance SeemedSeemed

ExcitementExcitement EnjoymentEnjoyment

DecisionDecision OrganizationOrganization

Preparation Preparation To meetTo meet

3. 3. Read the words and word combinations used by travelers to describe their Read the words and word combinations used by travelers to describe their attitude to their holiday – making experiments. In the box below group attitude to their holiday – making experiments. In the box below group them into positive and negative categories.them into positive and negative categories.

Terrific!We had lots of fun.Wonderful, just wonderful!Tiresome!Magnificent!

4.4. Look at the pictures given below and write the body of a letter about Look at the pictures given below and write the body of a letter about summer rest.summer rest.

PositivePositive NegativeNegative

SuperbSuperb BoringBoring

Guided-writing activitiesGuided-writing activities

1. You have read a letter from Alice to Jean about 1. You have read a letter from Alice to Jean about her daily routine. Imagine that you are Jean. Write her daily routine. Imagine that you are Jean. Write a letter to Alice about your summer holidays a letter to Alice about your summer holidays using the language tips and the communicative using the language tips and the communicative minimum suggested at the beginning of the unit.minimum suggested at the beginning of the unit.

2. Your friend is an experienced hiker and he invites 2. Your friend is an experienced hiker and he invites you to join him in his hiking tour. You’ve decided you to join him in his hiking tour. You’ve decided in favor of the hike and want to let him knew in favor of the hike and want to let him knew about it. Write a letter to him using the language about it. Write a letter to him using the language tips and communicative minimum suggested at tips and communicative minimum suggested at the beginning of the unit.the beginning of the unit.

Free-writing activitiesFree-writing activities

1. Look at the set of pictures and write a letter about your friends experience 1. Look at the set of pictures and write a letter about your friends experience of university life.of university life.

2. Listen to the fragments of songs in different languages and write a letter 2. Listen to the fragments of songs in different languages and write a letter about your friend’s cruise around different countries.about your friend’s cruise around different countries.

3. You’re just back from your favorite band’s concert . You are bursting with 3. You’re just back from your favorite band’s concert . You are bursting with impressions. Write a letter to your friend who is also a music fan to share impressions. Write a letter to your friend who is also a music fan to share your feelings.your feelings.

4. Split into 2 groups. Take turns with your friends miming the events of the 4. Split into 2 groups. Take turns with your friends miming the events of the latest sports competition you participated in. The other group will write latest sports competition you participated in. The other group will write personal letters about the mimes presented. personal letters about the mimes presented.

Literature:Literature:

English Business CorrespondenceEnglish Business Correspondence Successful WritingSuccessful Writing Калініна Л., Самойлюкевич І., Калініна Л., Самойлюкевич І.,

“Getting America-wise: personal “Getting America-wise: personal letters”.letters”.

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