lunes, 30 de enero de 2012

Writing workshop 17: The layout of an informal email/letter

In the next series of posts in our writing workshop we are going to make emphasis on the structure of the different types of writing formats we can come across. This way, we will be getting familiar with both the tasks (or instructions or rubrics) and the layout or structure our piece of writing can have.

Read the task below:
You have been given the email address of an English-speaking person who is looking for a contact in your country. Write an email about you and your family, and suggest meeting at some time in the future.
Write your email in 140-160 words.

A suggested structure for this email can be:
Paragraph 1: Opening remark and reason for writing
Paragraph 2: Information about you
Paragraph 3: Information about your family
Paragraph 4: Suggestions for meeting at some time in the future and closing remarks

Other factors you should consider in an informal email:
The style: Informal or neutral style
  • Everyday vocabulary
  • Colloquial expressions
  • Phrasal verbs
  • Contractions
Email conventions:
  • Greeting: Dear Lee, Hi Lee, Hi there
  • Opening remark: I thought I'd write and let you know; I'm writing because; Just a quick note to let you know...
  • Closing remark: That's all from me for now; I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon; Write back and tell me what you think about my plan 
  • Farewell formula: Take care; Best wishes; Bye for now; Lots of love
Another example of an informal email:
You recently moved to a big city and have decided to write to a friend from your old neighbourhood. Write an email describing life in your new city and your feelings about the change.
Write your email in 140-160 words.

A suggested structure for this email can be:
Paragraph 1: Opening remark and reason for writing
Paragraph 2: Life in the new city
Paragraph 3: Writer's feelings about the change
Paragraph 4: Closing remarks

One more example of an informal email:
You've got two tickets for a week's cruise in the Mediterranean. Write a letter/email to your friend, inviting him/her to join you, giving details of which places you are going to visit and suggestions as to what he/she will need to take with him/her.

For composition samples corrected and explained you can visit Flo-Joe.

With information from Successful Writing Intermediate, Express Publishing and First Certificate Expert, Longman