LL_U12_Writing_extra
The ABC of email writing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Aim at your target audience: think about who you are writing to. Is the email formal or informal?
Be brief: try not to use too many words. Emails shouldn’t go on for pages.
Communicate clearly: use simple, clear language and simple sentence structure.
Do two drafts: write a first version and then rewrite.
Edit everything: check grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation before sending.
(Antonia Clare)
I. Formal - Informal style
Put an F for formal or an I for informal language. ***Give reasons.
Compare your answers with your partner.
1. I thought I’d drop you a line…
2. I am writing to inquire about…
3. I would appreciate an early
reply.
4. Why not pop up here to see us?
5. Do keep in touch.
6. Well, I think that’s all for now.
7. I am sorry to inform you that…
8. I am writing in connection
with…
9. Please accept our sincere
apologies…
10. I’ve been meaning to write to
you for ages.
II.
III.
11. I am currently working at…
12. I feel I must protest about…
13. Why don’t you come to
dinner…?
14. I’d love to see you again.
15. Thanks for the invitation.
16. Please indicate whether you will
be able…
17. Your presence is required at…
18. I look forward to …
19. Looking forward to …
20. Drop by for coffee sometime…
Answer the questions with Formal (F) or Informal (I):
1) Which email uses full forms of verbs (e.g. I am; I would)?
2) Which email uses contractions (e.g. I’m; I’d)?
3) Which email leaves out words, especially omits pronouns (e.g. Hope to… instead of I
hope to…)
4) Which email sounds more like spoken English?
5) Which email uses longer, more complex sentences?
6) Which email uses opening remarks such as How is it going? I thought I’d drop you a line
to let you know… in the introduction?
7) Which email has a greeting like this Dear Sir?
8) Which email has an opening phrase I am writing to apply for the position of…?
9) Which email deals with frequent use of passive voice?
10) Which email hardly uses phrasal verbs?
Choose the proper option for formal emails:
1. Formal emails are normally sent to
a) people you know well and are on friendly terms with.
b) people in official position or people you don’t know well.
c) someone you know well but are not intimate with.
2. The tone of formal emails is
a) friendly, relaxed, personal ,chatty
b) serious, impersonal.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
IV.
c) personal but respectful.
Formal emails use
a) colloquial expressions, idioms, phrasal verbs, short forms, literary devices, simple
linking devices
b) advanced/sophisticated vocabulary, no contractions, no phrasal verbs, no colloquial
language.
c) indirect questions, formal linking devices.
Formal ending includes
a) final phrase (e.g. Yours faithfully) followed by your first name.
b) final phrase (e.g. Yours sincerely) followed by your full name.
c) final phrase (e.g. Yours/ Love/ Keep in touch/ Best regards) followed by your first
name.
When you sign off, Yours faithfully is used if
a) you don’t know the person’s name you are writing to.
b) you know the person’s name you are writing to.
When you sign off, Yours sincerely is used if
a) you don’t know the person’s name you are writing to.
b) you know the person’s name you are writing to.
After greeting and final phrase a)comma/ b)exclamation mark is put down as a
peculiarity of style rather than punctuation.
Match the opening of the letter on the left with its closing on the right:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
V.
Dear Gentlemen
Dear Miss Smith
Dear Ms. Black
Dear Sirs
Dear Madam
Dear Mr. Green
Dear Ann
Dear Mrs. Wilson
Dear Jack
Hi, Suzy
Lots of love
Yours sincerely
Yours faithfully
Best wishes
Find an extra word or expression in the following word chains:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Best wishes/ Best regards/ Missing you/ Yours sincerely
Further to/ Appreciate/ In reply to/ Fondly
Enclosed/Hi/ As you asked/ Thanks for your letter
Dear Sir/ Dear Ms Green/ Gentlemen/ Dear Alice
In addition/ As requested/ According to / What’s the news?
Could you suggest…?/ Do you have any idea when you will be in York?/ I would be
grateful if you could…/ Can you suggest any cheap hotel?
7. To present information/ To conclude/ To recommend someone or something / To
complain / To apologise
8. How are you doing?/ I am writing in my capacity…/ Hello from sunny Glasgow!/ I would
appreciate an answer at your earliest convenience.
9. Thanks a million for …/ Please accept my apologies…/ Thank you so much…/ It was so
kind of you to…
10. Furthermore,…/Secondly,…/ Finally,…/Tell you what,…
VI.
Fill in the blanks with the proper prepositions:
1. ___ reply ___ your letter ___ 13 September we are glad to inform you that the terms of
the contract have been approved.
2. The contract was signed ___ 22 February.
3. According ___ your request we sent you our price list enclosed.
4. ___ reference ___ our telephone conversation we confirm the following.
5. We are obliged ___ your letter ___ 7 May.
6. ___ accordance ___ the contract the goods will be delivered ___ 25 March.
7. We look ___ ___ seeing you again.
8. I am writing to complain about the service provided ___ your agency.
9. I am writing ___ regard ___ your advertisement ___ The Guardian ___ 10th February.
10. ___ reference ___ your advertisement ___ the Evening Gazette ___ Thursday 16th
November, I am interested ___ applying ___ the position ___ part-time waiter.
11. Please note that I am available to attend an interview ___ any time.
12. Thank you ___ your kind attention.
13. I am writing ___ the ZXF camera I recently purchased ___ your company.
14. I wish to inform you that I was deeply offended ___ the rudeness ___ one ___ your shop
assistants.
15. I must insist ___ a full refund immediately or I shall be forced to take the matter further.
VII.
Fill in the gaps in the email with suitable words from the word box. There are two extra
words in the box.
Confirm, accept, evaluate, appreciate, business, response,
acknowledge, forward, hesitate, sincerely , further, within
Dear Miss Mint,
In __1__ to your letter of January 21, I am pleased to __2__ that we are ready to __3__ your
order and do __4__ with your company. We __5__ the receipt (подтвердить получение) of
your order #5478. It is being processed at the moment and will be delivered to you __6__ a
week.
We are looking __7__ to pleasant business relations with your company. If you require
any__8__ information, please do not __9__ to contact us.
Yours __10__,
Anna Black
VIII. Match the beginnings and the endings below and say which letter is informal, is to a
newspaper, is applying for a job.
A. Dear Mr Wooster,
I am writing in my capacity as secretary of the college social club to say how concerned we were to
read about the decisions taken at the committee meeting held on the fourth of last month.
B. Dear Mark,
I am writing to let you know about a marvelous opportunity that I have heard about and that I think is
exactly what you’re looking for.
C. Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am writing to express my interest in the position of part-time library assistant that I saw advertised
in your newsletter dated 13th June.
1. As I’ve said, this really is too good a chance to let slip by. I honestly don’t think it will be very
difficult for you of all people to qualify. So why not give it a go? Write and let me know how you get
on.
Say hello to everyone for me,
Lots of love,
Jill
2. I hope that you will consider me for the post. I enclose a copy of my CV, together with two letters of
reference. I look forward to hearing from you and having the opportunity to discuss this matter
further.
Yours faithfully,
Kate Lowe
3. I trust you will give this issue your urgent consideration and will take the opinions of the students into
account. Thanking you in anticipation for your cooperation on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Graham Wiseman
IX.
Match the beginnings and the endings and say which are formal/informal.
1. I am writing to apply for the post
advertised in yesterday’s Independent. I
have four years’ experience as a graphic
artist, as well as a degree in Fine Art,
and believe I am the perfect candidate
for the position.
2. I am writing to you about last Sunday’s
dinner. I would like to apologise for my
inappropriate remarks.
3. Hi! I haven’t heard from you for ages.
What have you been up to recently?
4. I’ve got a worrying problem and I would
really appreciate some advice.
5. I’m writing to you from my summer
cottage on the lake. I’d love it if you
could come and spend the weekend with
us.
6. I appreciate the invitation to the opening
of your art gallery. I am afraid I am
unable to attend due to prior
commitments.
7. I received your letter concerning the
property which you have recently
inherited. I believe the best course of
action is to contact an estate agent.
8. I was delighted to receive your letter. I
would be honoured to attend your dinner
party on 28th May.
a. I am enclosing a curriculum vitae
together with two references. Please do
not hesitate to contact me if you require
any further information.
b. Please write soon and tell me your news.
c. We’d love to see you again. Please call
and let us know if you can make it.
d. Please accept my sincere apologies for
my unseemly behaviour.
e. I look forward to seeing you. Please let
me know if the dinner party will be
formal so that I can dress accordingly.
f. Tell me what you think I should do.
Write back soon.
g. I trust you will accept this advice. I am
also including the name and address of a
real estate office which can help you.
h. I am sorry to miss the opportunity to
meet the artists, but I can view their
work at the gallery soon.