Letter writing

Read the extracts A-E from five letters. Number them 1-5 according to how formal they are. (1=very formal, 5=very informal)
A-5

B-1

C-4

D-3

E-2

 

1.       What is the purpose of the letter each extract is from?

A- Someone is asking for an accommodation in a friend’s home.

B- It seems the answer of a person who have just rent an apartment or similar.

C- Someone is organizing an end of course party for a group of teachers.

D- It’s a gratitude for someone who gave a concert o similar.

E- It’s an apologize for the bad condition of a delivery of CD cases.

2. What can you deduce about the writers and recipients of each letter?

A- Two friends, probably young people.

B- The owner of the apartment, probably an adult.

C- An adult writing to a group of collegues.

D- The responsible of a musical activity, writing to the musicians.

E- The responsible of a company, writing to a client.

3. What features of informal language does each extract include?
A- Colloquial words, contractions.

B- Formal expressions, commercial language.

C- Contractions, informal words, informal meeting.

D- Formal expressions and language, no contractions. 

E- Commercial language, formal language and expressions.

Rewrite thesew formal expressions from the extracts in more informal English.
1. We can now confirm that – I can say you that…
2. your forthcoming vacation – your next holydays.
3. will be debited from your credit card – I’ll remove the money from your account.
4. the week following your departure – The next week you leave.
5. Please accept my apologies for this – I’m sorry for this.
6. We do make every effort – We’re making a lot of effort.

Work in pairs. Read the following writing task, then discuss and list some indoor and outdoor activities in your town that you could suggest in your reply to the letter.
Indoor activities: go to concerts, to museums, restaurants, bars…

Outdoor activities: visit the city, go to the country, visit some villages and near cities…

Discuss the beginning and end of your letter. Which of these ideas would you include at the beginning and which at the end?
- say you're looking forward to seeing your penfriend – End.
- comment on the fact that your friend is planning to learn your language – Beginning.
- give some general information about your town – Beginning.
- suggest meeting during the friend's stay– End.
- ask about the language course your friend is attending – Beginning.

Writing a report

Here is some advice about writing a report. Do you think the advice should be 'do' or 'don't'?

1. ....begin by stating the purpose of the report. DO.
2. ....summarise given information succinctly. DO.
3. ....use adjectives and adverbs for effect. DON’T.
4. ....use bullet points where appropriate. DO.
5. ....include all the words from the input texts. DON’T.
6. ....divide the report into sections with headings if appropriate. DO.
7. ....develop ideas in task input with your own details. DO.
8. ....use an impersonal semi-formal/formal style. DO.
9. ....give your own opinion throughout. DON’T.
10. ....use appropriate linking words. DO.
11. ....use all the information from the input. DO.

Which plan do you think is best? Why?

Plan B
1. Reason for writing
2. Survey results
3. Recommendations for the day environmental issues
4. Conclusion

Like any writing, I think the first thing is to have an introduction and a conclusion. We must explain what we are going to say and why, and the conclusion is to summarize briefly the idea we want to transmit with this report. The remaining paragraphs must explain carefully what you want to trasmit. In this case, we must to mention the results of the survey, and the next paragraph, to suggest changes according to the problems which have been identified in the survey.

Work with a partner. Discuss how to deal with the recommendations, and how they should be grouped in the time slots. Think about:


- how many recommendations you should make, given the time constraints
- whether any suggestions are not useful for the day
- what activities could happen at the same time
- when lectures would be most acceptable and effective
- when outside work should be done


Discuss the approach to take in the report. Should you use bullet points or text? Where should you include your opinion?

I think the best way would be to use text, but sometimes you can use the bullet points to list things that do not need much explanation. Obviously, as I'am student of the school, my opinion may be important, and it's not a bad idea it appears in the report.

Proposal

What is the purpose of writing a proposal?
As the name suggests, to write a proposal is to make a recommendation in relation to something, to do some changes or improvements.

How should you end a proposal? Why?
I think the best way would be to summarize in a few sentences why is a good idea what is proposed. We also need to show briefly that we are sure that our proposition will work.

Which of the following statements are usually true of a proposal?
* It is written in informal language. FALSE.
* It includes suggestions and recommendations. TRUE.
* It includes direct speech. FALSE.
* It may use headings or bullet points if appropriate. TRUE.
* It uses a lot of linking words to promote clarity. TRUE.
* It proposes a new idea and tries to persuade the reader of its value. TRUE.
* It uses a range of colourful language. TRUE.

Read the following writing task. Your college wants to improve its results in foreign language exams. Your class has conducted a survey to identify the reasons for the current situation, and you have been asked to write a proposal making recommendations (with reasons) to improve it.

Which organisation would be best for the proposal?
A
Introduction
Main issues identified
Recommendations with reasons
Conclusion

Discuss with a partner or partners your ideas for
* possible reasons for the situation:
- Lack of motivation of students.
- Few practical activities with simulations of language use.
- No extra activities in which improve the language.
* recommendations for improving it
- Showing the students the benefits of knowing a foreign language.
- Practicing more real situations of language use.
- Encouraging the use of films, records, books...
- Doing some travels and exchanges with foreign schools.

Review

1. What kinds of things are reviewed in newspapers and magazines?
Normally, the reviews appeared in newspapers and magazines discuss artistic films, books, records, plays, music concerts ... There are many other issues of which could be written reviews, but usually these items are called "opinion piece".

2. How much are you influenced by a review? Would a good review encourage you to go and see a film? Would a bad review stop you buying a book?
I usually read the same writers, because I think it's something personal, as the opinion of each individual, it's normal that people have their favorite author. In some ways, they influence me, because I see the film differently and also quite often coincides with the opinion of the writer. And since books are more expensive than films, a bad review can make me not to buy a book, or at least read it.

Now look at the information about writing reviews. Reviews usually include the following elements:
- introduction to catch reader's interest
- background information
- a brief account of what is being reviewed
- any general comments (either positive or negative)
- personal opinion and recommendation

Read the review of Edward Simpson's below. Which element is missing?
I think the review lacks of an introduction to catch the reader's interest. The article begins directly with the background information.

Now answer the following questions.
1. How would you describe the style of the review - formal, informal or a mixture?
I think it's a mixture, since it uses formal terms, but in an informal way that everyone can understand.
2. Why does the the reviewer include direct speech?
To reach the reader in a more natural way, and also to clearly display that is a personal opinion.
3. How does the reviewer catch the reader's interest in the beginning?
He says something about the family of Edward, to show him in a more closely way, and to identify the reader with the artist.
4. In which part of the review does the reviewer include
a. a description of the painting?
Paragraph 2: “He enjoys painting animals, especially dogs…”, “He uses primary colours…”
b. his own opinion?
Paragraph 3: “I was profoundly moved […] I think his exhibition is well worth a look. ”
c. general comments?
Paragraph 2: “…his approach is simple and direct…”, “…his pictures would add charm to any living room.”

Competition entry

As this is a contest, we have to think that the main function of the competition entry must be that we win that competition. Therefore, I think that is important to emphasize why we want to participate in the contest, and why we believe we are the best candidates for the award.

So in my opinion, I would do the structure of the competition entry in five paragraphs. In the first, I would highlight why I write the letter, why I like to make an English course, and why I wish it were that course specifically.

In the following three paragraphs, I would give answers to the questions they posed. First, I would speak of the things I like when I study English, both personal aspirations, as the things I like doing in class. Then I would speak a little about the opportunities I have to learn English outside of class, both in leisure time, as in other training activities I may have. And finally, I would comment how I can apply in the future what I learn in the course and all my knowledge of English in general.

In conclusion, in the fifth and last paragraph, I would talk about why I should win the award and why I deserve to participate in that English course.

Finally, I think the language should be informal, since the topic of the competition permits it, but also, it must be educated, because it is a letter to be read by a jury and it is important to give an image of seriousness.

First task: planning an article.

First of all, I think the best way to structure the article would be using five paragraphs. Two of them for introduction and conclusion, and the three others to develop the questions we have to answer. Perhaps there may be other options, but this seems a reasonable way.

The potential readers may be mostly young people, for two reasons: first, because they are the most frequent users of the Internet today, and also, because they use to be the type of person interested in learning a new language. For this reason, I think that would be a good idea to use colloquial language.

Since Internet is a very practical issue, we would introduce many examples that we find when we are browsing, or when we use it as a tool for finding information of any kind. It is also simple way to reinforce our opinion.

Voilá! Here is my blog! I've put my name down in the list of followers of the Local project, but I don't know if I have to do something more. I'm waiting for instructions!