3
Read the following sentences. Mark them as
O
(opening remarks) or
C
(closing remarks).
What point does each include?
1
Sorry for not writing earlier, but ...
. . . . .
2
I have to go now as Mum needs some help. . . . . .
3
Give my best wishes to your parents.
. . . . .
4
Thanks for the lovely present.
. . . . .
5
I hope that things will improve.
. . . . .
6
How are you? Hope you’re feeling better.
. . . . .
7
Do write back soon.
. . . . .
8
I’m writing to ask for your advice.
. . . . .
•
Informal letters/emails
are sent to people we know
well. They can include: invitations, accepting or
refusing invitations, giving news, asking for/giving
information, asking for/ giving advice, expressing
thanks/regrets/congratulations, etc.
Opening remarks
in informal letters/emails may
include:
–
questions/wishes
about recent events, the
person’s health, etc.
– a
thank you
to the person for their last letter.
–
comments
about their news.
– an
apology
for a delay in writing/replying.
– the
reasons
why you are writing.
Closing remarks
in informal letters/emails
may include:
–
greetings
to the person’s family/friends.
–
wishes,
a
promise
(e.g.
to write soon)
, etc.
– a
request
to the person to reply soon.
– the
reason for ending
the letter/email.
• In
informal letters/emails
you may often talk about
more than one topic.
e.g.
Tell your friend about your summer plans and
invite him/her to come with you.
greeting
(Dear + person’s
first name,)
General Outline for informal letters/emails
Paragraph 1:
opening remarks,
reason(s) for writing
Paragraphs 2, 3:
write about
specific topic(s)
Paragraph 4:
closing
remarks
sign off
(Yours/Best wishes,
+ your first name)
4
Read the rubrics. What points will the main
body paragraphs include?
A
B
C
Your cousin has invited you to go on a
five‒day cruise. Write him/her a letter refusing
the invitation and explaining why you aren’t
able to go (140‒190 words).
You are on holiday in a country cottage. Send
your pen‒friend a letter describing your
holiday so far and inviting him/her to spend a
week with you (140‒190 words).
You are going to spend a week at your English
pen‒friend’s house and you aren’t sure what
clothes to take with you or how to get there.
Write him/her an email asking your questions
(140‒190 words).
5
Read the model. Which rubric in Ex. 4 does it
answer? What is each paragraph about?
• Informal letters/emails
Dear Peter,
Hi, how are things with you? Thanks so much for
inviting me to your house. I’m so excited that I can’t
wait! There are just one or two things I’d like to ask
you before I come.
I was wondering what clothes I should bring with
me for the week I’ll be staying with you. You say the
weather is usually good at this time of year, so I’m
packing mainly light clothes. Should I bring a
pullover and a jacket in case the evenings are
chilly? What do you advise?
Could you also please give me some idea of how to
get to your house? I’ll probably be coming by train,
in which case, could you send me some directions
on how to reach your house from the station?
Do write back soon and please give my best
wishes to your parents. I’m really looking forward to
seeing you.
Best wishes,
Robert
To:
Peter
From:
Robert
Subject: Questions
MODULE 1
25
