Task 1 Letter (15 points)
You should spend about 25 minutes on this task.
Write between 100 – 120 words.
You should spend about 25 minutes on this task.
Write between 100 – 120 words.
You are studying in the UK. Your local youth centre is offering classes in music, cookery and web design.
Write a letter to Mr Hawkins, the director of the youth centre. In your letter:
- explain which course you are interested in and why;
- ask about the price and the length of the course;
- ask about the organisation of classes (groups/private, time, etc.).
Remember you have to write between 100 – 120 words.
FORMAL LETTER (TRANSACTIONAL LETTER)
Before you do anything, read the question(s) carefully and find out the following:
- who you are writing to
- why you are writing ( e.g. to ask for information, to complain etc.)
- what you are writing about
When you have worked out what the purpose of your letter is, you should be able to work out what kind of style you will need to use.
ADDRESSES
1) Your Address:
The return address (your address) should be written in the top right-hand corner of the letter.
2) The address of the person you are writing to (the address of your local youth centre):
The inside address should be written on the left, starting below your address.
DATE
1) You can write it on the right or the left on the line after the address you are writing to.
2) Write the month as a word.
SALUTATION OR GREETING
1) Dear Sir or Madam
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this.
2) Dear Mr. Hawkins,
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss OR Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only.
If you are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is refers to married and single women.
CONTENT OF A FORMAL LETTER
The next stage is to decide what will be in each paragraph. Usually the answer will have four or more paragraphs:
1) A very short opening paragraph – usually just a sentence – the purpose of the letter: to make an enquiry, complain, request something etc.
2) The paragraph or paragraphs – the topic for this is usually given in the original question(s), so make your plan based on the exact topic of the letter.
3) Last paragraph – the last paragraph of a formal letter is usually short and should state what action(s) you expect the recipient to take – To send you information, to refund etc.
ENDING A LETTER
1) Yours faithfully,
If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
2) Yours sincerely,
If you know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
3) Your signature,
Sign your name. Do not use a comma or a full stop.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
REQUESTING
I am writing for information about...
I would like to learn/find out/know more about...
I would like to ask if/whether...
I would be grateful if you could...
ASKING FOR PARTICULAR ACTIONS
I would like to ask you for...
I would suggest that you/your company...
I think that I can ask for...
In the light of the above, I would like to ask you for..
CLOSING
I look forward to your reply
I look forward to hearing from you
I look forward to seeing you
We look forward to a successful working relationship in the future
I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter