WRITING 6: FORMAL LETTER

FORMAL LETTER

Definition:

A formal letter is used to address a person or organization with whom you are not familiar.  Because of this fact, it is really challenging to write it:  the quality of your content, including spelling and grammar will probably be strongly scrutinized.

Some reasons to write a formal letter are the following:

• Make a complaint
• Request something or give information
• Suggest something

USEFUL FORMAL LANGUAGE

To complain:
I am writing in order to complain about…

I was unsatisfied with…

In the first place…

I suggest that you…

My main criticism is…

I’m afraid to say…

To request and give information: I am writing to inquire…

I would like to know…

Do you think you could tell me…

Would you mind telling me…

The first thing I would like to inform you is…

To suggest:

I am writing to suggest…

I would like to suggest…

A further possibility is…

TIPS

• Underline key information.
• Make a plan – make sure you include all the points in the notes.
• Think about who you are writing to and decide how formal your letter should be.
• Use your own words; avoid using the same words as those in the question.
• Make sure you use a variety of language.

PLAN

1. Use neutral or formal language.  Be polite.
2. Answer or ask all the questions in the original letter.
3. Use set phrases to sound natural.

Paragraph 1

1. Give your reason for writing.

Paragraph 2

1. Ask for or give information.

Paragraph 3

1. Ask any other questions.

Paragraph 4

1. Finish your letter with a set phrase.

EXAMPLE

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you about a recent visit I made to your Museum on 9^th July.  I was particularly interested to come to the Museum as I am studying Science in school and I know you have some special exhibitions.

The recycling plastics exhibition was very interesting because it showed what happens to plastic after we throw it away and how it is turned into other products.

However, I was very disappointed with the show on travelling in space.  I contained very little information and was boring because it had too many technical details in it and not enough on what it is like to travel in space.

Furthermore, I found the restaurant very expensive.  I think you should have a small shop selling snacks. 

I hope you will consider my points seriously and improve the museum for other visitors.

Yours sincerely,

Peter White

IDIOMS FEBRUARY

IDIOMS FEBRUARY

Kick The Bucket: 
Die.

Kitty-corner: 
Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well.

Knee Jerk Reaction: 
A quick and automatic response.

Knock On Wood: 
Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck.

Know the Ropes: 
To understand the details.



L

Last but not least: 
An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is no less important than those introduced before him/her.

Lend Me Your Ear: 
To politely ask for someone's full attention.

Let Bygones Be Bygones: 
To forget about a disagreement or arguement.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: 
To avoid restarting a conflict.

Let The Cat Out Of The Bag: 
To share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared.

Level playing field: 
A fair competition where no side has an advantage.

Like a chicken with its head cut off: 
To act in a frenzied manner.

Liquor someone up: 
To get someone drunk.

Long in the Tooth: 
Old people (or horses).

Loose Cannon: 
Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check.

M

Make No Bones About: 
To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections.

Method To My Madness: 
Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason.

Mumbo Jumbo: 
Nonsense or meaningless speech.

Mum's the word: 
To keep quiet. To say nothing.



N

Nest Egg: 
Savings set aside for future use.

Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You: 
Don't hurt anyone that helps you.

New kid on the block: 
Someone new to the group or area.

New York Minute: 
A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast paced environment.

No Dice: 
To not agree. To not accept a proposition.

No Room to Swing a Cat: 
An unsually small or confined space.

PHRASAL VERBS FEBRUARY

1.     grow into something	grow big enough to fit	This bike is too big for him now, but he should grow into it by next year.
2.     hand something down	give something used to someone else	I handed my old comic books down to my little cousin.
3.     hand something in	submit	I have to hand in my essay by Friday.
4.     hand something out	to distribute to a group of people	We will hand out the invitations at the door.
5.     hand something over	give (usually unwillingly)	The police asked the man to hand overhis wallet and his weapons.
6.     hang in	stay positive (N.Amer., informal)	Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.
7.     hang on	wait a short time (informal)	Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!
8.     hang out	spend time relaxing (informal)	Instead of going to the party we are just going to hang out at my place.
9.     hang up	end a phone call	He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.
10.   hold someone/ something back	prevent from doing/going	I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat in the park.
11.   hold something back	hide an emotion	Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's funeral.
12.   hold on	wait a short time	Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales Department.
13.   hold onto someone/ something	hold firmly using your hands or arms	Hold onto your hat because it's very windy outside.
14.   Hold someone/ something up	rob	A man in a black mask held the bank upthis morning.
15.   keep on doing something	continue doing	Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil.
16.   keep something from someone	not tell	We kept our relationship from our parents for two years.
17.   Keep someone/something out	stop from entering	Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room.
18.   keep something up	continue at the same rate	If you keep those results up you will get into a great college.
19.   let someone down	fail to support or help, disappoint	I need you to be on time. Don't let medown this time.
20.   let someone in	allow to enter	Can you let the cat in before you go to school?
21.   look after someone/something	take care of	I have to look after my sick grandmother.
22.   look down on someone	think less of, consider inferior	Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your dad has looked down on me.
23.   look for someone/something	try to find	I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.

LITERATURE PROJECT 3

Board game related with the story read in class with components and rules of playing

Objectives:

                   Students will

·         recognize and relate specific information of the text to produce a game 

·         practice their oral skills in the presentation of their board game

·         use their people skills to organize the work in their teams

·         present a quality production according to the specifications

Procedure:

-      Ss will present a board game adapted from the book read in class as well as game components and a presentation of the game play of their game

The board game must include:

-      an illustrated board to play the game

-      a book of rules design by students to play the game

-      game components like tokens, tiles, pieces and dices

-      all of these must be contained in a box also decorated as if it was a real board game

Students will work on the design of their game and the writing of the rules on the week of January 27^th to 31^st and will continue working in that and in the components of their game on the week of February 4^th to 7^th to present their game on the week of February 10^th

Students will have time to test their game and the rules written by them on February 9^th

Presentations will be on February 10^th

Note: You may check this links for ideas: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kakQvPIKyPY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nYsA6rIjjw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIIO_UtzHSQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du8MLA6lNY0

LITERATURE BOOK 3

Dear students, this time you will read:

WRITING 5: REPORT

Definition:

An report is a written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated…

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Stating the purpose:
The purpose/aim of this report is to

describe/present

In this report I will…

This report gives a description/presentation…

This report is intended to…

Formal linking words:
However,…

In addition…

Furthermore…

Moreover…

As a result…

Final suggestions/recommendations:

I would strongly recommend…

My suggestion is…

If these changes are introduced…

I can recommend…

In conclusion…

In my opinion…

TIPS

• Think carefully about how many sections you need. Use the question to help you.
• Check that the register you have used is consistently formal.
• Use a variety of formal structures.
• Check that you have not repeated points.
• Check you have included all the necessary information and points.

PLAN

1. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of any options and make your report interesting.
2. Use passive voice and set phrases to sound more formal.
3. Use headings to make your ideas clearer.

Paragraph 1

1. Say why you are writing the report.

Paragraph 2

1. Describe the first option.
2. Evaluate the option.

Paragraph 3

1. Describe the second option.
2. Evaluate this option.

Paragraph 4

1. Summarise your arguments.
2. Recommend one of the options/ refer to future action.

EXAMPLE

Transport in my town

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to describe the situation with transport in my town.  It describes what kind of transport the town offers, explains the good points of the system and makes suggestions for improvements.

The transport system

In the town there are buses, local trains and taxis.  The buses run in the centre of town and are fairly regular.  Tickets can be purchased on the bus.  The trains run to the surrounding areas during the main part of the day.  Taxis are always available, especially from the main station.

The good points of the system

Transport is reasonably cheap and also there are special weekly tickets which are cheaper.  In addition, the buses and the trains offer a good service, usually every ten minutes and there are maps to help visitors.

Suggestions for improvements

The buses and trains are very old and quite often there is not enough space.  My suggestion is that the companies should invest in larger, more modern buses and extra carriages on the trains to accommodate all the passengers.

PHRASAL VERBS JANUARY

1.    give someone away	reveal hidden information about someone	His wife gave him away to the police.
2.    give someone away	take the bride to the altar	My father gave me away at my wedding.
3.    give something  away	ruin a secret	My little sister gave the surprise party away by accident.
4.     give something  away	give something to someone for free	The library was giving away old books on Friday.
5.     give something  back	return a borrowed item	I have to give these skates back to Franz before his hockey game.
6.     give in	reluctantly stop fighting or arguing	My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he finally gave in.
7.     give something out	give to many people (usually at no cost)	They were giving out free perfume samples at the department store.
8.     give something up	quit a habit	I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.
9.     give up	stop trying	My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up.
10.   go after someone	follow someone	My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.
11.   go after something	try to achieve something	I went after my dream and now I am a published writer.
12.   go against someone	compete, oppose	We are going against the best soccer team in the city tonight.
13.   go ahead	start, proceed	Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.
14.   go back	return to a place	I have to go back home and get my lunch.
15.   go out	leave home to go on a social event	We're going out for dinner tonight.
16.   go out with someone	date	Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met last winter.
17.   go over something	review	Please go over your answers before you submit your test.
18.   go over	visit someone nearby	I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go over for an hour or two.
19.   go without something	suffer lack or deprivation	When I was young, we went withoutwinter boots.
20.   grow apart	stop being friends over time	My best friend and I grew apart after she changed schools.
21.   grow back	regrow	My roses grew back this summer.
22.   grow up	become an adult	When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman.
23.   grow out ofsomething	get too big for	Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out of her old ones.