Prepared for English Language I

by Prof. Graciela Obert

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ecmg6_tom-and-jerry-the-cat-s-me-ouch_funn

Why does Jerry decide to write a letter?

What kind of letter does he write?

How does his life change after he writes

the letter?

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Addressed to people in official position / not well-known

Style: formal; polite, impersonal tone

Information: logically and clearly presented

Purpose: application, complaint, request / give information, etc.

Addressed to people you know well / friends or relations

Style: informal; personal tone

Information: clearly presented / personal

Purpose: personal matters

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Vocabulary: unlike everyday speech - I am writing to enquire whether …

Formal linking words and phrases: Therefore – However Consequently - For this reason

Vocabulary: similar to face-to-face speech Idiomatic and colloquial expressions

Simple linkers: then, later, so

Underlining for stress and emphasis Special forms of punctuation: ! / ¿?

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Passive voice: I can be contacted …

Polite forms without contractions: I would be grateful if …

Indirect questions: I would appreciate it if you could - I would like to apply …

Active voice

Contracted forms, abbreviations: I’d like to …

Direct questions: Can you find a hotel room for me …?

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Complex sentences Impersonal subjects:

This is to inform you

Modals: would /could

AVOID: short forms / phrasal verbs / idioms

colloquial expressions feelings

Simple sentences Personal subjects:

I’m writing to tell you about …

Modals: can / should

USE: short forms / phrasal verbs / idioms

colloquial language / slang

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Heading: sender + date + receiver’s address; top, left-hand corner

Formal greeting: Dear Sir / Madam; Dear Ms Green

Introduction: opening remarks, reasons for writing: e.g. I am writing to apply for the position of …

Main body: main subject of letter in detail Conclusion: closing remarks: e.g. I look

forward to hearing from you as soon as possible …

Formal ending: Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely + full name

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Carrie Markson14 Pulpwood TrailMadison, MO 35928

September 10, 2014

Professor Ryan O’Connell15 University DriveCollege Town, MO 35930

Dear Professor O’Connell,

I am writing to you concerning my enrollment in your International Marketing course, MK 3004. As you are aware, I have been dealing with an ongoing illness for several weeks. I appreciate everything you have done thus far to accommodate my needs, as I do not wish to drop out of school this semester due to my illness. Your agreement to excuse my documented absences and accept my late assignments has been greatly appreciated.

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As you know, I am recovering well and have caught up with all of my homework assignments to date. I have been released by my physician to fully resume all of my activities. However, due to the delays I have experienced thus far, I do not foresee being able to complete a thoroughly researched paper on my topic by September 28th. I would greatly appreciate your consideration for an additional 10 days to complete this assignment. If you are in agreement, I would like to submit my completed midterm paper to you on October 8, 2013.

Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, as well as your consideration for this request. Please let me know your answer at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Carrie Markson

Heading: includes your address and the date; top, right-hand corner

Salutation or greeting: Dear … , Body: main text or message /

paragraphs Closing: short capitalized expression

followed by a comma Signature Postscript (optional): P.S.

(afterthought)14/04/23 11

311 East Duke StreetStanley, N.C. 28164August 15, 2014

Dear Phil,

How has your summer been? Not too hot I hope. Did you get to visit your grandparents? Did you go on your trip to Toronto as you had hoped? They say Toronto is a beautiful city.

This is my second season at Camp Bellaire. I just passed my swimming test. Now I can swim out to the raft and also use the boats. To pass I had to jump into the water with my clothes on (as if I had just fallen out of a boat). Then I had to take them off down to my trunks, even my shoes and socks, and finally swim back to shore. It was tough, but I did it!

I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. There is lots of news to catch up on!

Your friend,

Mike

FORMAL LETTER Sender’s address Date Receiver’s address Salutation Body Closing Signature Sender’s name

INFORMAL LETTER Sender’s address Date

Salutation Body Closing Signature

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INTRODUCTION (also reference): refers - to a letter previously received or - to an event which has prompted you to

write

PURPOSE: explains reasons for writing

CONCLUSION: “rounds off” the letter, usually with a polite wish - e.g. expressing the hope to see somebody soon, sending regards, etc.

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FORMAL Block style

14 Penrose St.,Reading,Essex, England.March 19th, 2015

INFORMAL Block style or

indented style

14 Penrose St., Reading, Essex, England.March 19th, 2015

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Street St. Road Rd. Square Sq. Avenue Ave. Place Pl. Lane Ln. Boulevard Blvd. Drive Dr. Rural Route RR Highway Hwy.

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FORMALDear Sir or Madam,Dear Sir,Dear Sirs,Dear Madams,Dear Mr./Mrs. Vogue,Dear Dr. + nameDear Chris MillerTo whom it may

concern

INFORMALDear Alan,My dear Susan, Dear Dr Johnson,Dear Uncle Tom,Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss

Bailey,

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FORMAL Yours faithfully, Yours (very)

sincerely, Respectfully, Yours affectionately, Sincerely yours, Respectfully yours, Yours truly, Very truly yours,

INFORMAL Love, Best wishes, Kind / warm

regards, Yours, All the best, Take care,

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FORMALReceive / obtainRequestPermitAttemptThank you very

muchManChild

INFORMALGetAskLetTryThanks a lotChap, fellowKid

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asap = as soon as possible cc = carbon copy (you send a copy of a

letter to more than one person) enc. = enclosure (you include other papers

with your letter) pp = per procurationem (Latin phrase: you

sign the letter on somebody else's behalf) ps = postscript (you add something after

you've finished and signed it) pto (informal) = please turn over (to

make sure the other person knows the letter continues on the other side of the page)

RSVP = please reply14/04/23 20

Evans, Virginia (1998).Successful Writing Upper Intermediate. UK: Express Publishing.

Obee, Bob and Virginia (2003). Upstream Upper-Intermediate. Berkshire, UK: Express Publishing.

http://www.letterwritingguide.com/http://www.usingenglish.com/

resources/letter-writing.php

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In all cases materials have been adapted.

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/matching/wordtowords/

http://esl.about.com/library/lessons/blwrite_informalletter.htm

http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-english/business-letters.html

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