First ImpressionsCount!A few simple suggestionsDebbie LahavRuppin Academic Center

Read the following. There are five main problems with text. Can you name them?

hey… we r a chan of retailers chic rags based in tel aviv and are loking for a manufacturer how can suppli us with a wide range of sweaters 4 the men’s leisurewear market we wer impressed by the knew designs displayed on your stand at the hamburg menswear exhibition last may us we usually place large orders we would ecpect a quantity discount in addition to a 20% trade discount off net list prises are turms of payment are normally 30-day bill of exchang d/a we hope to hear from u soon peter

Right! There are five main problems with the text. missing capital letters missing punctuation no paragraphing inappropriate language spelling errors

CAPITAL Letters

Do you remember…Why English uses capital letters?When to use a capital letter?

CAPITAL Letters Capital letters have meaning. They show the reader:

the beginning of a new sentence◦ The company earned $100,000 last year.

the word is “I”◦ My sister and I went to the movies.

names of people, organizations and places◦ My friend Mike works at Ruppin Academic

College near Netanya.

Punctuation

Do you remember…When do you use a full stop?When do you use a comma?

Full Stop

A full stop tells the reader:End of the sentence.

◦Mike ate a cookie.

Always put a full stop at the end of the sentence.

Comma: Some basic rulesComma after the greeting and closing

of an email or a letter.Dear Tom,How are you? I am fine.Sincerely,Debbie

Comma to separate the day or month from the year. ◦ January 10, 2013.◦ Friday, May 16, 2013

Comma to separate things in a series. ◦The office needs new desks, chairs,

and lights.◦My favorite colors are blue, orange,

and green.

Use a comma after common introductory words in a sentence, like however, clearly, and well. ◦However, we are going to have to

raise the retail price of the new phone.

Comma

Paragraphs

Do you remember…What is a paragraph?Why do we write in paragraphs?

HeyWe are a chain of retailers,Chic Rags, based in Tel Aviv and are looking for a manufacturer. We need a firm that can supply us with a wide range of sweaters for the men’s leisurewear market. We were impressed by the new designs displayed on your stand at the Hamburg Menswear Exhibition last month.As we usually place large orders, we would expect a quantity discount in addition to a 20% trade discount off net list prices. Our terms of payment are normally 30-day bill of exchange, D/A.We hope to hear from you soon. Peter Crane

Read the following. What is the problem with this email?

Right! There aren’t any paragraphs. Itis a list of sentences. In a paragraph:• The sentences that are about one

main idea are together. • They follow one another. • They help the reader “see” the text as

a whole.Do NOT begin each new sentence on a

new line!

Language

Formal or Informal Language?

b or be c or see r or are u or you y or why r or are4 or for 2 or to, too

Hey…We r a chain of retailers,Chic Rags, based in Birmingham and r looking 4 a manufacturer. We r looking 4 a firm that can supply us with a wide range of sweaters 4 the guy’s clothes market. Your stuff is really cool! We saw u at stand at the Hamburg Menswear Exhibition last month.We want 2 c more of your designs. We hope 2 hear from u soon. Pete

Read the following. What is the problem with the email?• How many examples of inappropriate

language can you find?

Hey…We r a chain of retailers, Chic Rags, based in Birmingham and r looking 4 a manufacturer. We r looking 4 a firm that can supply us with a wide range of sweaters 4 the guy’s clothes market. Your stuff is really cool! i e saw u at stand at the Hamburg Menswear Exhibition last month.We want 2 c more of your designs. We hope 2 hear from u soon. Pete

If you found the examples of

inappropriate language…

Great Job!Now… how would you

fix them?

Spelling

And yes… spelling counts!

Hey…We are a chane of retailers, Chic Rags, based in Tel Aviv and are looking for a menufacturer. We need a form that can to supply us with a wide renges of sweaters for the mn’s clothes market. We where impresed by the news designs desplayed on your stand at the Humburg Menswear Exhibision on the last mouth.Our terms of paymint are normaly 30-day bell of axchange, D/A.We hope to here from you soon. Peter Crane

Read the following. • How many spelling errors can you find?

Deer Mr. Chn,We are a chane of retailers, Chic Rags, based in Tel Aviv and are looking for a menufacturer. We need a form that can to supply us with a wide renege of sweaters for the gay’s clothes market. We where impressed by the knew designs desplayed on your stand at the Humburg Menswear Exhibision in Mertz this yer.Our terms of paymint are normaly 30-day bell of axchange, D/A.We hope to here from you sun. Peter Crane

Deer Mr. Chn,We are a chane of retailers, Chic Rags, based in Tel Aviv and are looking for a menufacturer. We need a form that can to supply us with a wide renege of sweaters for the mn’s clothes market. We where impressed by the knew designs desplayed on your stand at the Humburg Menswear Exhibision in Mertz this yer.Our terms of paymint are normaly 30-day bell of axchange, D/A.We hope to here from you sun. Peter Crane

If you found 20 examples of spelling

mistakes…

Great Job!Now…correct the spelling mistakes!

Dear Mr. Crane,We are a chain of retailers, Chic Rags, based in Tel Aviv and are looking for a manufacturer. We need a firm that can to supply us with a wide ranege of sweaters for the men’s clothes market. We were impressed by the new designs displayed on your stand at the Hamburg Menswear Exhibition in March this year.Our terms of payment are normally 30-day bill of exchange, D/A.We hope to hear from you soon. Peter Crane

When the red line under the word does not miraculously appear…Homonyms – words that sound the

same but are spelled differently◦ deer – dear / here – hear / knew – new

It is a word in English – but not the word you wanted. They may sound similar to you. ◦ where – were / bell – bill / form – firm

It is a cognate (same word in your language) and you spell it like it sounds in your language ◦ Mertz ( מרץ) - March Not sure… Use a

dictionary!

Check before your send!Proofread your work for capital

letters, punctuation, and spelling.

Ask a colleague to read the letter or email.

Remember: Your goal is to make a GREAT first impression!