Letters:
A good letter should consist of:
1. appropriate greeting
2. introduction clearly stating the reason why you are writing
3. main body in which the subject is developed
4. final paragraph in which you sum up the topics to express your wish for something to be done
5. appropriate ending
Inside adress (only formal) (info of receiver) Heading: (info of writer)
Mrs. René Rios 123 Elm St.
Headmistress NY
Florida Day School USA
Urquiza 923 December 3rd, 2009
Bs.As
Argentina
Formal style:
• salutation (Dear Mr. Mrs. Miss + full name, Sir, Madam) -DO NOT WRITE A JOB AFTER DEAR-
• frequent use of passive
• formal language
• no abbreviated forms nor phrasal verbs
• “I look forward to /ing-noun”
• subscription (Yours faithfully-no name-, Yours sincerely + full name)
Informal style:
• salutation (Dear + name/nickname)
• informal language
• abbreviated forms, pronouns omitted, idioms
• “Looking forward to /ing-noun”
• Subscription (Best wishes, lots of love + name/nickname)
Letters asking advice:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: reasons for writing
Paragraph 2 and 3: description of the problem
Final paragraph: closing remarks, full name
Opening remarks:
(Formal) I would appreciate if you could give me some advice on/ I would be grateful if you could offer your advice on
(Informal) Can you give me your advice on/ I’ve got a problem and I need your advice on
Closing remarks:
(Formal) I would appreciate if you could give me your advice as soon as possible/ I look forward to receiving your advice
(Informal) What do you think I should do? / Please let me know what you think I should do
Letters giving advice:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: thanks for letter/ express understanding of the problem
Paragraph 2 and 3: suggestions + reasons
Final paragraph: closing remarks, full name
Opening remarks:
(Formal) I am writing in reply to your letter asking for advice on / I hope the following advice will be of some help
(Informal) I just got your letter and I think I can help you / I was sorry to hear about your problem. Here is what I think you should do
Suggestions:
(Formal) I strongly recommend you that / I believe the best course of action is
(Informal) Why don´t you / You should / It would be a good idea to
Closing remarks:
(Formal) I trust you will accept this advice / I would very much like to know if this was helpful
(Informal) Let me know what happens / Hope this has helped
Letters of complaint:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: reason for writing
Paragraph 2 and 3: complaints + justification
Final paragraph: suggested actions to be taken + closing remarks + full name
Opening remarks:
(Mild) I am writing to draw your attention to / I am writing on occount of my disgust at
(Strong) I want to express my strong dissatisfaction with / I feel I must protest about
Closing remarks:
(Mild) I hope we can solve out this matter amicably
(Strong) I insist upon a full compensation / I hope not to be forced to take further actions
Expressions: inexcusable, faulty, unacceptable, malfunction, purchased, refund, to make matters worse, what is more, the las straw. You would be wise to guard against such appalling tratment of your customers in the future / As a regular customer of yours, I feel disappointed with the way I have been trated and I hope that steps will be taken to rectify the situation
Letters of apology:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: reason for writing
Paragraphs 2 and 3: reasons to explain the inconvenient cause
Final paragraph: express understanding / regret / promise to make up for the situation + closing remarks, full name
Opening remarks:
(Formal) Please accept my sincerest apologies for/ How can I apologize enough for / I must apologise profusely for
(Informal) I owe you an apology / I can´t describe how sorry I am and how guilty I feel
Closing remarks:
(Formal) Once again, sincerest apologies for / I hope my opologies will be accepted
(Informal) I hope you believe how sorry I am / I beg you forgive me for
Expressions: In an attemp to make up for the inconvenience caused, we are sending you a complimentary gift
Letters of invitation:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: reasons for writing
Paragraphs 2 and 3: details + directions
Final paragraph: closing remarks + full name
Opening remarks:
(Formal) I cordially invite you to / We would be honored if you
(Informal) I’m writing to invite you to / I’d love it if you could come to
Closing remarks:
(Formal) We would be grateful if you could / Please indicate whether you will be able to attend
(Informal) Looking forward to seeing you then / I hope you’ll be able to make it
Directions: In case you don’t know the exact location / Here are a few directions so you don’t get lost: follow, round-about, turn left/right into, T-junction, traffic lights, cross walk, one-handed road, go along.
Letters accepting an invitation:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: thanks for the invitation
Paragraphs 2 and 3: acceptance of invitation + further comments
Final paragraph: closing remarks + full name
Opening remarks:
(Formal) Thank you for the kind of invitation which I would be honored to accept / I am writing to thank you for the kind invitation
(Informal) Thanks for the invitation, sounds lovely
Closing remarks:
(Formal) We await the event with great anticipation/ I look forward to seeing you
(Informal) See you then / We are really looking forward to do it
Letters refusing an invitation:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: thanks for the invitation
Paragraphs 2 and 3: refusal of the invitation + reasons
Final paragraph: closing remarks + full name
Opening remarks:
(Formal) We thank you for the recent invitation to (…), but
(Informal) Thanks for the invitation, but I’m afraid I can’t come
Closing remarks:
(Formal) I am sorry to miss the opportunity of / I hope we will have the opportunity yo meet
(Informal) I hope we can get together some other time / I’m really sorry we’ll have to miss it
Transactional letters:
• Respond to a written input and/or visual prompts
• Can be of any type (complaint, application, invitation)
• You have to include all the relevant factual information given in the rubric, using you own words
• Each paragraph deals with only one topic
Requesting information:
Opening remarks:
(Formal) I am writing to enquire about / I am writing in connection with
(Informal) I want you to tell me / Can you let me know
Introduce first request:
(Formal) I would be grateful if you could / Could you possibly send / I would appreciate some information about
(Informal) Can you tell me / I want to know
Introduce further requests:
(Formal) Another matter I need information on is / Could you also please send me
(Informal) Can you also find out / I also want to find out
Closing remarks:
(Formal) I would appreciate it if you could inform me as soon as possible / I look forward to receiving
(Informal) Please let me know / Send me the details / Tell me soon
Giving information:
Opening remarks:
(Formal) I am writing in reply to your query / I am writing in reply to your letter asking for information about
(Informal)This is what I found out / You wanted me to tell you a few things about
Closing remarks:
(Formal) I hope I have been of some assistance to you / Please do not hesitate if you require any further information
(Informal) I hope this will help you / Let me know if you need any more help
Expressions: We look forward to a reply at your earliest convenience
News reports:
A good news report should consist of:
1. short eye-catching headline which introduces the subject of the report
2. introduction which summarize the event
3. main body consisting of two or more paragraphs in which the event is developed in detail. Information about causes and results is given
4. conclusion in which action to be taken or people´s comments of the event are given
Points to consider:
• Give all necessary information accurately and in detail
• Do not write about you feeling and point of view
• Use passive voice and direct / indirect speech
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: summary of the event: time, place and people involved
Paragraph 2, 3 and 4: description of the main event and people involved – give detail facts
Final paragraph: comments, reference to future developments
Features for headlines:
• Summary in note form
• No longer than 6 words
• Leave out unnecessary information
• Catch the readers attention
• Emotional words
• Short words
• Articles and auxiliaries omitted
• Obvious words omitted
Argumentative essays:
For and against essays:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: state topic
Paragraph 2: arguments against
Paragraph 3: arguments for
Final paragraph: balanced consideration/opinion
Points to consider:
• List the points before staring
• Well developed paragraphs( more than one sentence)
• Do not use informal style or strong language
• Include relevant quotations
• Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence
Linking word/phrases:
To introduce points: one major advantage/disadvantage, a further advantage
To list points: in the first place, secondly. Las but not least
To add more points to the same topic: what is more, furthermore, in addition
To make contrasting points: on the other hand, however, inspite of, while, nevertheless
To introduce examples: for example, for instance
To conclude: to sum up, to conclude, all in all
Technique to begin and end:
To begin: make reference to scene or situation, address the reader directly, start with a quotation
To end: state a personal opinion, give the reader something to consider, end with a quotation
Opinion essays:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: state the topic and your opinion clearly
Paragraph 2: viewpoint one and reason
Paragraph 3: viewpoint two and reason
Paragraph 4: give the opposing viewpoint and refuse in
Final paragraph: restate your opinion using different words
Points to consider:
• First decide whether you disagree or agree with the topic
• Write well-developed paragraphs
• Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence
• Linking words
Opposing viewpoint:
1. Linker to introduce the contrasting point: it is often argued that, many people alleged that
2. Opposing viewpoint
3. Liker of contras: however
4. Refutation
Descriptive essays:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: name of the person: time you met/saw her/him
Paragraph 2: physical appearance
Paragraph 3: personality traits
Paragraph 4: hobbies, interests, any activities
Final paragraph: comments and feelings about that person
Points to consider:
• Paragraphs should start with a topic sentence
• Use linking words
• Go from general aspects to small details
• Use mild language
• Variety in the use of adjectives
• Present tenses person connected to the present
• Past tenses person connected to the past
Narrative techniques can be used when describing people. This makes the composition more interesting to the reader.
Narratives:
Paragraph plan
Paragraph 1: set the scene
Paragraph 2 to 4: development
Final paragraph: end of the story
Points to consider:
• Decide the plot before starting
• Sequence of events is very important
• Be careful with tenses
• Descriptions can be included
Techniques to begin and end a story:
To begin:
1. Describe weather, surroundings, people
2. Using direct speech
3. Asking a rhetorical question
4. Creating mystery or suspense
5. Referring to your feelings and modes
6. Addressing the reader directly
To end:
1. Using direct speech
2. Referring to your feeling and moods
3. Describing people´s reactions to the events developed in the main body
4. Creating mystery or suspense( delaying action, short sentences)
5. Asking a rhetorical question
Summaries:
Points to consider:
• When the summary is selective, highlight the asked parts
• When working with two texts, collect the info after selecting it to make sure you use the two texts and you avoid repetition
• Use precise vocabulary, avoid vague words
• Write complex sentences if possible
• Do not lift from the text, use your own words
• Do not include your opinion in the summary
• Use formal register
Reading comprehension:
Steps:
1. Previewing
2. Skimming
3. Highlighting the keywords in the question
4. Scan and highlight the important parts in paragraphs
5. Write down the information selected
6. Answer
Types of question:
• Spotting
• Inferential (reading between the lines)
• Extended