4. 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
25/05/15 4
5. 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: ! / ¿?
25/05/15 5
6. 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 …?
25/05/15 6
7. 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
25/05/15 7
8. 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
25/05/15 8
9. 25/05/15 9
Carrie Markson
14 Pulpwood Trail
Madison, MO 35928
September 10, 2014
Professor Ryan O’Connell
15 University Drive
College 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.
10. 25/05/15 10
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
11. 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)
25/05/15 11
12. 311 East Duke Street
Stanley, N.C. 28164
August 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
13. 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
25/05/15 13
14. 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.
25/05/15 14
16. Street St.
Road Rd.
Square Sq.
Avenue Ave.
Place Pl.
Lane Ln.
Boulevard Blvd.
Drive Dr.
Rural Route RR
Highway Hwy.
25/05/15 16
17. FORMAL
Dear Sir or Madam,
Dear Sir,
Dear Sirs,
Dear Madams,
Dear Mr./Mrs. Vogue,
Dear Dr. + name
Dear Chris Miller
To whom it may
concern
INFORMAL
Dear Alan,
My dear Susan,
Dear Dr Johnson,
Dear Uncle Tom,
Dear Mr./Mrs./Miss
Bailey,
25/05/15 17
18. 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,
25/05/15 18
20. 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 reply
25/05/15 20
21. 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
25/05/15 21
22. 25/05/15 22
In all cases materials have been adapted.
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/matching/wordt
owords/
http://esl.about.com/library/lessons/blwrite_inform
alletter.htm
http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-
english/business-letters.html