Letters: how to write

Letters: how to write

• Alzinskaya T.V.
• Belozerki,
• 2011

Content:

• A Letter: what is it?
• General outline for letters
• Informal letters
• Formal letters
• Transactional letters
• Speech patterns:
• - Introductory paragraph
• -Making a reference
• -Enclosure
• -Making a request
• -Making a suggestion, an offer, an invitation
• -Making an apology
• - Making an official thanks
• -Congratulations, wishes
• -Closing the letter
• Tasks
• Links

What is a letter?

• It is a message from one person to another, from one organization to another or from an individual to an organization.
• It can either be hand-written, typed, or printed.

Why do people write letters?

• To tell about something
• To ask for help/some information
• To invite
• To complain
• To express thanks/regrets/congratulations
• To apply for a job
• etc.

How to put letters and notes in envelopes

• A single or double sheet of Letter paper

• A long single sheet of Letter paper

• Vertical note paper

• Horizontal note paper

General outline for letters

• Your address

• The recipient's
• address

• The date

• Salutation

• Paragraph 1
• Reasons for writting

• Paragraph 2,3
• The main body

• Final paragraph
• Closing remarks

• Your name

Letters

• informal

• Formal
• (business)

• transactional

Informal letters

• An informal letter or a personal letter is a letter to a close friend or an acquaintance.

• Note to
• the teacher

• Thank-you notes

• Letters of
• regret

• Letters of
• invitation

• Letters of
• condolence

• Friendly letters

Informal letters

• complimentary close

• Post Script

• Address and date

• Salutation

• Body

Style in Informal letters

• Short, zappy style (abbreviations)
• Use of slang or colloquial English- use of idioms- phrasal verbs
• Pronouns are often omitted
• Chatty, use of literary devices
• Use of short forms
• Example:

Informal letters beginnings and endings

• 1. Some useful expressions on how to begin an informal letter
• · Thank you for your letter which I received yesterday.
• · I was pleasantly surprised to hear from you.
• · It was wonderful to hear from you after so long.
• · Thank you for your letter. I was pleased to hear that you are in good health.
• · It was really nice hearing from you. I am glad that you like your new school.
• · I hope this letter finds you in the pink (of health).
• · Thank you for the lovely birthday card.
• 2. Some useful expressions on how to end an informal letter
• · I promise to write to you soon.
• · I hope you will reply soon.
• · Give my best wishes to your parents.
• · I am looking forward to seeing you.
• · I look forward to hearing from you.
• · Do write and tell me how you are progressing.
• · Do write soon.

Formal (business) letters

• Business letter is an old form of official correspondence. A business letter is written by an individual to an organization or an organization to another organization. Business letters are written for various purposes. One writes a letter to enquire information, apply for a job, acknowledge someone's work, and appreciate one's job done, etc.

• The most common types of business letters
• are:

• Acknowledgement
• Letter

• Apology Letter

• Appreciation Letter

• Inquiry Letter

• Complaint Letter

• Order Letter

• Letter of
• Recommendation