Below you can see general advice for doing this writing task.
You should spend about 25 minutes on this task. Write between 100 – 120 words.
INFORMAL LETTER/E-MAIL
You have received an e-mail from your English friend:
Hi!
I want to join a school club but don’t know which club to choose – music, drama or sports.
Unfortunately, I don’t have time for all of them. What should I do?
Yours,
Sam
Hi!
I want to join a school club but don’t know which club to choose – music, drama or sports.
Unfortunately, I don’t have time for all of them. What should I do?
Yours,
Sam
Write a reply to Sam:
- give advice on what he/she should do;
- write about which school club you would like to attend, and why.
1. Before you do anything, read the question(s) carefully and find out the following:
- who you are writing to
- why you are writing
- what you are writing about
2. 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. In this case it will be informal writing style.
3. Even in informal writing, there is a good range of language which can be used: conditional sentences, a range of perfect and continuous tenses, indirect questions etc.
4. Use linking words.
5. And make sure that your reply answers any questions that you were asked in the task and take into account any additional information that you have been told to mention.
SALUTATION OR GREETING
- Start with Dear/Hello/Hi Sam
- In informal letters there is a comma used after the person’s name.
- The e-mail starts on the line below.
- In this case you start your letter with Dear Sam,
CONTENT OF AN INFORMAL LETTER
The next stage is to decide what will be in each paragraph. Usually the answer will have four or more paragraphs:
- A short opening paragraph – the purpose of the letter.
Answer to Sam’s e-mail - which school club you would suggest him to join. - 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.
In this case you have to give advice on what he should do and write about which school club you would like to attend, and why.
CLOSING
The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. There are some ways of finishing an informal letter.
- Give a reason why you are ending the letter.
- Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact.
- Closing statement should be written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here, too.
- Sign your name. Do not use a comma or a full stop.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR INFORMAL WRITING:
PREVIOUS CONTACT
Thanks for your e-mail...
Sorry, I haven’t written for ages, but I’ve been really busy.
REASON FOR WRITING
Just a short note about...
I’m writing about...
Here’s the... you wanted
I got your name from...
Please note that...
GIVING INFORMATION
Just a note to say...
We can confirm that...
(Un)fortunately...
ASKING FOR INFORMATION
Can you tell me a little more about...?
I’d like to know...
Please send me...
FINAL COMMENTS
Thanks again for...
Let me know if you need anything else.
SENDING GREETINGS AND/OR MAKING REFERENCE FOR FUTURE CONTACT
Give my love to...
Say hello to...
I can’t wait to hear from you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Write soon.
Look forward to seeing/meeting/hearing..
CLOSING STATEMENT
Love,
Lots of love,
All the best,
Take care,
Best wishes,