MASTERING LETTERS

“Task letter”

FORMAL LETTER IN 7 STEPS1. SALUTATION, To strangers: To whom it may concern, 2. START A LETTER State the Reason why you are writing. (1 short paragraph)

3. BODYAnswer the information that you have been told. Give details about the issue you are writing about.Respond the task references 1 by 1 & use imagination. (2 paragraphs)

4. END YOUR LETTER by expressing what do you want to get as a result or answer. (Offer solutions, ask for something in return). Leave contact details (1 short pragraph )

5. CLOSING LINE(look forward to ______ing ….)

6. COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE (2 words)

7. FULL NAME You may NOT use contractions NOR

phrasal verbs

FORMAL LETTER

ORGANISING THE INFORMATION

Firstly

Secondly

In addition

Lastly / Last but not least

5. TO END A LETTER

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Don’t use contractions.

Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr. / Mrs. Smith

Yours faithfully Yours sincerely

6. COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE

yours sincerely,

yours faithfully,

1. Dear Mr. Smith,

2. I am writing to apply for the position of ..... which I saw advertised in "The Guardian" newspaper.

3. I am 23 years old and at the moment I am studying … at …. .Having studied English for over seven years I am a fluent speaker of the language. My qualifications also include Proficiency certificates in both French and German. As far as experience is concerned, I have worked as ............. for ........... As for my personality, people tell me I am ...............

4. I feel I would be suitable for this job because I............ . This will give me the opportunity to ….. . I would also like the chance to.... I am enclosing my...

5. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

6. yours sincerely,

7. Siorella Gonzales

FCE ESSAY

When you startThink of an answer to the Essay question!Plan your essay. (Brainstorm for 5-10 minutes)Manage your time. (Aprox. 40 minutes)When you have finished Make sure you have expressed yourself clearly.Check your writing for grammar & spelling mistakes.

Tips NO contractions, colloquial expressions or ‘chatty’ style Use difficult grammar and more complex sentences Use conditional and passive sentences Give your opinion at the end, NOT at the beginning

The introduction should: • be two to three sentences long.• have a sentence or two about the topic in general.• have a sentence telling the reader whether the essay

will look at once or both sides of the issue.• have a question/idea which you will answer in your

essay. (Paragraph 4)

The conclusion should: • be two to three sentences long. • Include a summary of your main points.• have a reference to the original question (try to

rephrase it).• have your overall opinion.• have NO new information.

Structuring your Essay

Mathematics! • Most people write

about 10-12 words per line.

• You have to write a total of 190 words, so you should write about 18 lines in total.

INTRODUCTION: 3 lines (30-40 words)

Paragraph 1: 4 lines (40 words)Paragraph 2: 4 lines (40 words)

Paragraph 3: 4 lines (40 words)

CONCLUSION: 3 lines (30-40 words)

OUTLINE I. IntroductionII. Contrast of arguments a. Advantages/Disadvantages (Pros and cons).b. Giving opinions or suggestions about the title.III. Conclusion

Meeting the target

OUTLINE I. IntroductionII. Contrast of arguments a. Advantages/Disadvantages (Pros and cons).b. Giving opinions or suggestions about the title.III. Conclusion

Task 2: Write your ideas in the appropriate chart.

TASK 3: a. Write the first draft of your essay in a piece of paper. (10 min)b. Check your partner’s First draft.

ESSAYhttp://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/writing/persuasiveflash/transitionalwords.htm

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/writing/linking/