Cliche to the letter in the English exam. English: writing a letter
The content and form of your letter will largely depend on the nature, purpose of the letter, and who it is addressed to. Business correspondence and personal correspondence are most clearly distinguished. The structure of these letters is approximately the same, but there are clear requirements for business letters that cannot be violated. Therefore, we will consider in detail the rules for writing official business letters in English, which are the most difficult for the sender.
For a long time, a business letter has been the most important tool in entrepreneurial and commercial activities. Today, a business letter is a means of exchanging information in the form of an official document that may contain an offer, confirmation, instruction, claim, congratulations ... and, accordingly, answers to them. Learning to write letters in English When writing official letters, you need to take into account the fact that business correspondence is very different from personal correspondence. There are certain and unchanging canons of writing business letters, the observance of which is mandatory. Business letters must be impeccable in every sense. Even the slightest disregard of the rules can invalidate it.
A business letter has a clear structure, as well as a certain set of details. It is characterized by such features as clarity, conciseness, logical consistency, formality, neutrality, completeness, standardization, lack of emotional coloring. There are no colloquial, slang expressions, modal verbs, interjections, names with subjective evaluation suffixes. Official business language provides an objective attitude to the stated facts, deprives of emotionality and subjectivity, and also reflects the logical sequence of the text. Semantic accuracy is also one of the most important conditions in writing a business letter.
In official business correspondence, many different speech clichés are used, which serve to prevent ambiguity in the text. A set of standard cliché phrases was developed as a result of many years of business correspondence practice. They help to express thoughts more concretely and concisely. Such constructions greatly facilitate and speed up the composition of the letter, since you do not need to waste time choosing the right wording that suits the situation. Having at your disposal a set of ready-made phrases - clichés, you can easily compose a business letter by analogy without much difficulty.
The structure of the letter in English
So, let's proceed directly to the study of the structure of a business letter and a list of standardized phrases - clichés. The entire text of a business letter is clearly divided into semantic paragraphs. The red line is not used. Usually, to write such a letter, a letterhead is used, which contains all the necessary details of the sender's company (company logo, name, postal and telegraphic address, telephone, fax, bank details).
An example email structure might look like this:
- Sender's address (sender "s address);
- Date (date);
- Recipient's address (inside address);
- Salutation;
- Introduction (opening sentence);
- The main text (body of the letter);
- Closing sentence
- Final polite phrase (complimentary close) ;
- Sender's signature (signature);
- Application (enclosure).
Let's analyze each point in more detail.
1. Sender's address (sender's address) usually written in the upper right corner. It is possible to write the address in the upper left corner. The order in which the address is written is important. First, you should indicate the house number with the name of the street, separated by a comma, the apartment number. The next line is the city with postal code, the next line is the country.
17 Hillside Road, Apt. 12
London W13HR
England
5 Nelson Street, Apt. five
Chicago 19 200
USA
2. Date (date) indicated below, immediately after the address. Do not put a dot after the address. There are several design options:
3. Address of the recipient (inside address) written in the same sequence as the sender's address, but lower on the left side.
4. Form of appeal (salutation) will depend on how familiar you are with the person you are addressing and, of course, on gender.
Expressions applied to strangers:
(Dear) Sir, - (Dear) Sir / Sir,
(Dear) Madam, - (Dear) Madam / Madam,
Gentlemen, - Lord,
To strangers:
Dear Mr. Winter,-Dear Mr/Mr Winter,
Dear Miss Winter, - Dear Mrs / Miss Winter, (in relation to an unmarried woman)
Dear Mrs. Winter, - Dear Mrs. / Mrs. Winter, (in relation to a married woman)
In semi-official correspondence, you can find such forms as:
Dear Colleague, — Dear Colleague,
Dear Editor, Dear Editor,
Dear Reader, Dear Reader,
The appeal is written on the left side under the recipient's address and a comma is placed after it.
5. Introduction (opening sentence) this is kind of an introductory sentence:
We are writing to enquire about - (We hereby ask you to inform about ... \ We are interested in information about ...).
We are interesting in ... and we would like to know ... - (We are interested in ... and would like to know ...).
We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated (date) ... - (We confirm receipt of your letter from ...).
6. Main text (body of the letter) should be in a logical sequence. As a rule, the main text is divided into several paragraphs. The first paragraph should state the purpose or reasons for your letter.
We would like to point out that…- We would like to draw your attention to…
I’m writing to let you know that…
We are able to confirm to you…- We can confirm…
I am delighted to tell you that…
We regret to inform you that… -Unfortunately, we have to inform you about…
In the second paragraph, you can already indicate the details and facts that correspond to the situation under discussion. You can ask questions that interest you or give your assessment of the issue under discussion.
I am a little unsure about…
I do not fully understand what…
Could you possibly explain…- Could you explain…
I am afraid that ...
We would also like to inform you ...
Regarding your question about ... - Regarding your question about ...
In answer to your question (enquiry) about ... - In answer to your question about ...
I also wonder if…
In the third paragraph, you can write wishes, suggestions, proposed actions for cooperation in the future.
Could you possibly…- Could you…
I would be grateful if you could ... -I would be grateful if you ...
I would like to receive ... - I would like to receive ...
Please could you send me…- Could you send me…
In the fourth paragraph, you need to write a climactic sentence.
I would be delighted to ...
I would be happy to ... - I would be happy ...
I would be glad to ... - I would be glad to ...
7. Closing sentence should contain gratitude for the attention rendered to you and the intention to continue the correspondence.
I look forward to ... - I'm looking forward to
hearing from you soon - when I can hear you again
meeting you next Tuesday- meeting with you next Tuesday
seeing you next Thursday - meeting with you on Thursday
Please acknowledge receipt- (Please acknowledge receipt)
Please do not hesitate\ feel free to contact us if you need any further information
8. Final polite phrase (complimentary close), as well as the appeal, depends on the person to whom you are writing the letter.
For a person you know, the phrase is used: Yours sincerely,
For a stranger: Yours faithfully,
9. Signature of the sender (signature) placed below the final polite phrase. Below the signature, you must indicate your name and, if necessary, the position you hold.
10. Applications (enclosure) attached at the end of the letter. This is indicated in the main text, using the designation "Enc.".
In order for you to have a rough idea of how a business letter should look like in general, we give you an example.
Sample letter in English:
17 Hillside Road, Apt. 12
London W13HR
England
Tel 0186 546 633
Fax 018656556
Vladimir Gross
5 Nelson Street, Apt. five
Chicago 19 200
USA
I saw your advertisement for a Business Journalist in today's Guardian newspaper. I am very interested in the job and I think I have many of the necessary skills.
I studied politics and modern languages at Oxford University. I am master in French, German and Spanish. I had academic trips widely in Europe and South America, and at the same time I worked as a business journalist for the BBC Company during the last five years.
In the modern business world, for successful employment, it is not enough just to provide a potential employer with your own. More and more often, along with it, it is required to submit cover letter .
Most job seekers simply duplicate resume information and make a huge mistake. After all covering letter- this is a great opportunity to advertise yourself, emphasize all your strengths, convince the employer that he needs YOU.
“The resume focuses on you and the past. The cover letter focuses on the employer and the future. Tell the hiring professional what you can do to benefit the organization in the future. ”
A resume talks about you and your background. The cover letter focuses on the employer and the future. Tell the hiring professional what you can do to benefit their organization in the future.
~ Joyce Lain Kennedy, Cover Letters for Dummies
But if your goal is an international company, and the cover letter needs to be written in English, then the task becomes slightly more complicated. After all, you need to not only creatively describe your experience and achievements, but also show excellent command of the language.
The perfect cover letter in English
The presence of a cover letter is a kind of confirmation of the high motivation of the applicant for the position.
Cliche for greeting and self-presentation in English
When starting to write a cover letter, try to find out who will read it and be sure to indicate where they learned about the vacancy.
remember, that the first lines should immediately attract the attention of an employment specialist to your candidacy. Be sure to include clichéd phrases and expressions in English to set the official business tone of the entire letter.
| Phrase in English | Phrase in Russian |
|---|---|
| Dear Sir / Madam (if you don't know at all who will read your letter) Dear Sir or Madam (if you do not know the name of the person you are writing to) Dear Mr/ Mrs/ Ms Surname (if you know the person you are writing to) Mr Surname (addressing a man) Mrs Surname (addressing a married woman) Ms Surname (appeal to a woman regardless of her marital status) |
Dear… / Good afternoon (name)… |
| I am writing in response to your advertisement posted on… | I am writing in response to your advertisement posted on... |
| I am writing to apply for the position of (position title) … | Please consider my candidacy for the position (position name) ... |
| I am interested in the position of (position title) at your company, as advertised on (website) … | I was interested in a vacancy (position title) in your company that was published by (website title) ... |
| I have pleasure in applying for the advertised position, as … | I'm happy to apply for the posted job because... |
| I am currently working as (position title) at (company name) … | I am currently working at (company name) where I hold the position of (position name) … |
| My main responsibilities included… | Among my main responsibilities... |
| I am in charge of… / I am responsible for… | My area of responsibility includes... |
Phrases to describe qualifications, experience, achievements
Try to make your own a cover letter is a great addition to a resume- do not duplicate it by listing the deadlines for completing this or that work in companies.
Briefly describe how your work experience, your knowledge and skills will help you cope with the tasks of future work.
| Phrase in English | Phrase in Russian |
|---|---|
| I have 5 years of experience in (field name)... | I have 5 years of experience in (field name)... |
| Both my work experience and my professional skills meet the requirements for the position of (position title)... | My work experience and professional skills meet the requirements of the vacancy for the position (position title)... |
| As can be seen from my CV… | As you can read/see on my resume... |
| As you can see from my enclosed résumé, my experience and qualifications match this position’s requirements. | As you can see from the attached CV, my experience and qualifications match the requirements of this position. |
| I am well versed in… | I have extensive experience and in-depth knowledge in… |
| I would be well suited to the position because … | I would be a good fit for this position because... |
| My … years of experience and work in the field of (field name) have helped me develop such professional qualities and skills as … | My … years of experience and work in the field of (field name) helped me develop such professional qualities and skills… |
| In the course of my work/studies at (place) I received all the knowledge and skills necessary to… | During my work/study at (educational institution) I have acquired all the necessary knowledge and skills in order to … |
| I consider … to be my strong points. | I consider my strengths... |
| Among my strengths are… | Some of my strengths include... |
| I am convinced that my experience and professional skills will enable me to cope with all tasks set before me as well as to achieve high results … | I am sure that my experience and professional skills will allow me to cope with the tasks and achieve results ... |
| In the course of my … years at the company I managed to achieve / improve/ increase/ introduce/ implement… | During … years of work in the company, I managed to achieve/improve/increase/implement/implement |
| My greatest achievements include… | Among the key achievements I would like to highlight the following… |
| I have also attended several conferences on this subject. | In addition, I have participated in some conferences on this topic. |
| I believe the combination of my education and experiences have prepared me… | I believe that the interplay of my education and experience has prepared me... |
| Whilst working at… I became highly competent in… | While working at…(company), I became a highly qualified specialist in…(field of activity) |
| Even under pressure I can maintain high standards. | Even in stressful situations, I manage to maintain a high standard of work. |
Personal Qualities in English for Cover Letter
Your personal qualities play an important role when reading a cover letter, so don't be shy and praise yourself. Write only true information, otherwise, at the first unsuccessful test, you may receive a direct refusal.
The main thing is not to overdo it so that you do not get the impression that you are too good for the desired position. Moreover, you risk giving the impression of a narcissistic egocentric person. That's why the optimal amount of positive personal characteristics should be no more than five.
| Phrase in English | Phrase in Russian |
|---|---|
| communication skills | Communication skills |
| negotiation skills | Negotiation Skills |
| analytical skills | Analytic skills |
| logical thinking | Logical thinking |
| presentation skills | Presentation Skills |
| good interpersonal skills | Good interpersonal skills |
| deductive reasoning | deductive thinking |
| I have an excellent command of (language) | I am fluent in … the language |
| I have a command of (language) at … level | I speak at … level … |
| I am an experienced user of… | I am an experienced user of… (specify computer programs) |
| My professional experiences are supplemented by… | My professional experience is complemented... |
Intermediate Phrases When Writing a Cover Letter
The use of these phrases and phrases will make the text more coherent, give your letter an emotional color that the HR manager will definitely notice and distinguish you from other candidates before the interview.
How to show interest in a company in a cover letter
The ideal cover letter aims to draw the attention of the HR manager to your candidacy.
Did you know that employers don't always read resumes first. When there are many applications for a vacancy, Primary selection is carried out according to the cover letter .
And just here, the long-term plans that the company has for you are of decisive importance. That's why a large part of your cover letter must show that the company will benefit by hiring you.
| Phrase in English | Phrase in Russian |
|---|---|
| The company's activities/projects belong to the sphere where my professional interests lie. | The activities/projects of the company correspond to my professional interests. |
| I am particularly interested in this job, as… | I am extremely interested in this job because… |
| I am particularly interested in the company’s projects that concern… | Of particular interest are the company's projects related to … |
| I share the company's conviction that… | I share the company's position that... |
| I share such key values of the company as… | I share such core values of the company as... |
| I find your company attractive because… | Your company attracts me because… |
| I have a lively interest in … and would appreciate the opportunity / chance to broaden my knowledge by working with you. | I have a keen interest… and I would appreciate the opportunity to expand my knowledge while working with you. |
| I would like to develop in the field of (name of the field) … / in this sphere | I would like to develop in the field of (name) ... / in this direction |
| I would like to apply my experience and professional skills in … | I would like to apply my experience and professional skills in… |
| I would like to work for you, in order to… | I would like to work for you in order to... |
| I have been interested in this type of job all through my career. | Throughout my career, I have been interested in this kind of work. |
The presence of letters of recommendation (recommendations) in English is one of the losing options to impress an employment specialist.
Do not forget that having mutual acquaintances and recommendations from influential people greatly increase your chances among other candidates.
Do I need to attach recommendations to the cover letter or just show your willingness to provide them upon request? It's up to you to decide, but experts believe that you can increase your chances of being noticed if turn in cover letter contact details of people who can give you advice.
Phrases to complete a cover letter in English
One company, one cover letter! Take the time to write a good cover letter for each of the companies.
Finishing the Cover Letter Be sure to thank and indicate the time convenient for the interview. With this psychological trick, you can encourage a potential employer to meet with you in person.
Standard phrases to end a cover letter
| Phrase in English | Phrase in Russian |
|---|---|
| You will find more detailed information in my CV attached to this email. | You can find more detailed information in my resume, which I attach to this letter. |
| You can find samples of my work in the attachment. | Attached you can see samples of my best work. |
| Thank you for your time and consideration. | Thanks for your time and attention. |
| I would appreciate a reply to my application. | I would be very grateful for feedback. |
| Thank you for considering my application | Thank you for your time and attention to my letter. |
| Thanking you most sincerely for your time and consideration. | Thank you for your time and attention. |
| Thank you for considering me for this very important position. | Thank you for considering me for this very important position. |
| Please contact me via… | Please contact me via… (contact information) |
| Yours faithfully… | Sincerely, ... (if you started the letter Dear Sir or Madam) |
| Yours sincerely / Best regards / Kind regards… | Sincerely, ... (if you started the letter Dear Mr Surname) |
Expressions to encourage hrmanager to take action
| Phrase in English | Phrase in Russian |
|---|---|
| I would be delighted to discuss my application further at an interview and complete a test task. | I will be very happy to answer additional questions at the interview, as well as complete a test task. |
| I am available for interview on… | I can come to the interview… (insert date) |
| I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further details of the position with you personally. | I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further details of the position with you personally. |
| I look forward to the opportunity to personally discuss why I am particularly suited to this position. | I look forward to the opportunity to personally discuss with you the reasons that make me the most suitable candidate for this position. |
| I look forward to hearing from you. | Looking forward to your response. |
| I look forward with enthusiasm to an opportunity for an interview. | I am enthusiastic about the possibility of an interview. |
| I am eager to talk with you about the contribution I could make to your firm. | I really want to talk to you about the contribution I could make to your firm. |
Summing up:
A well-written cover letter can be the key to your success in employment, so pay due attention to writing it. Find out as much information as possible about the company you are interested in - this will make your candidacy more attractive to a potential employer.
For writing cover letter in English, use the useful phrases collected in this article.
And in order to always feel confident when communicating with foreign partners and employers, we offer you to take a course at our school.
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People have been writing letters to each other since time immemorial. By letters, one can judge the character of a person, his education, hobbies, and most importantly, how well he speaks the language in which he writes. Those who study the language will sooner or later face the need to learn how to write letters in English correctly.
A letter may be needed when entering a higher educational institution abroad, when passing a language exam, when applying for a job. But not only in the world of business communication, it is important to know how to write a letter in English. Informal correspondence can also have an impact on your life, communication with friends and acquaintances. Your letters will be judged by those who read them. Do you want to leave a good impression of yourself? We will introduce you to the basic rules of correspondence in English. Worth repeating too. Before you start writing a letter, you need to determine for what purpose you are doing this, and therefore - to determine the type of letter.
Types of letters in English
All letters can be divided into personal (Personal letter) and business (Business letter). We talked about correspondence with business partners and the main taboos of business correspondence earlier, today we will discuss the rules of personal correspondence in more detail. Are there general strict rules for writing letters in English? When it comes to personal correspondence, the answer is obvious - no. This is in business documentation, communication with business partners, letter templates in English are often used. Personal correspondence is your own business, sorry for the tautology. And yet, there are a few tips that will help make correspondence more enjoyable for you and the person with whom you are conducting an epistolary conversation. In addition, if you are new to the world of English, it is still better to try writing your first letters using templates.
Of course, stream of consciousness is a good thing, but only in the works of Joyce. If you want your letter to be read to the end, respect the addressee. Try to make the text easy to read. The structure of writing in English is just as important as the meaning you put into the written words.
The letter, as a rule, has the following structural elements:
- appeal - a separate line
- a short introduction (in which you can refer to previous contacts, previously written letters, etc.) - a separate paragraph
- main body - a few paragraphs
- conclusion - a separate line
- final phrase - a separate line
- signature (name only) - separate line
- in the upper right corner, you should indicate the address of the author and the date under the address
We offer a sample letter in English, with the following structure:
The form of address always depends on the degree of acquaintance with the person to whom you are addressing in the letter. Let's take a few examples.
- Dear John! – contacting a friend, relative
- Dear Sir- address if this John is your boss. Official address.
- My dear Sir – an appeal that can be used in personal correspondence with irony
- Dear Mr. Smith- formal address to a stranger (you don't know who John is)
Tip 3. A few important points to pay attention to
1. If you do not know the gender of the addressee, write his full name: Dear T.K. Spinazola
2. If you do not know which abbreviation is best to use: Miss or Mrs, since you don't know if a woman is married, use neutral Ms.
3. If you are writing a letter to two people, include both names in the appeal
4. These appeals cannot be reduced: Professor, Dean, Governor, Captain, Admiral, JudgeSister, Senator
5. These addresses should never be used in their entirety Mr., Ms., Mrs. and Dr.
In order to write a letter correctly for the first time, it is good to have a sample letter in English handy.
Template phrases for writing letters
5 introductory phrase templates:
- It was great to get your letter….
- Thanks for your letter. It was great/lovely to hear from you.
- Thanks for your long letter. It was really great to hear all your news, after not hearing from you for ages….
- Sorry I haven't written for so long but….
- I was really pleased to hear that…
These phrases are neutral, you can start a letter with them to any addressee. Sometimes it is difficult to find words, especially if you write in a language other than your own. Template phrases will help you structure the text of the letter, correctly formulate your thoughts.
5 Closing Phrase Templates:
- I would really like you to visit me this summer. Write to me and tell me your plans.
- Please give/send my regards (love) to your….
- And write and tell me your plans for….
- Write back soon!
- If you want to know anything else, just drop me a line.
Advice letter template (5 options):
- I am writing to ask for your advice
- Can you give me your advice?
- I've got a problem and I need your advice.
- What do you think I should do?
- Do you think I should…?
Phrases for different letters:
We wish you only good and warm letters!Task C1 in the exam in English.
Structure of a personal letter
1.
The address and date are written in the upper right corner of the letter (in short form).
2.
The first part of the letter is Introduction (introduction). In this part of the letter, the author thanks for the letter received or apologizes for not writing for a long time.
3.
The second part of the letter is Main Body (the main part of the letter). This is the largest part of the letter, since in this part of the letter the author answers all questions and completes all tasks.
4.
The third part of the letter is Conclusion (conclusion). In this part of the letter, the author must indicate the reason why he finishes writing the letter.
5.
The end of the letter-Ending (completion of the letter). This phrase depends on the degree of closeness of the author and the addressee, a comma is placed after it and then (on a new line) your name is indicated.
Speech cliches
| Address/greeting | - Dear Simon Dear Miss Jones, - Dear Mom |
| Introductory phrases | - It was great to get your letter…. - Thanks for your letter. It was great/lovely to hear from you. - Thanks for your long letter. It was really great to hear all your news, after not hearing from you for ages…. - Sorry I haven't written for so long but…. - I'm very sorry about not replying to your letter sooner but I've been extremely busy. - Sorry for not writing earlier but I've… - How are things with you? - I'm sorry I haven't written for so long, but… - I was really pleased to hear that… - I thought I'd better write and tell you about…. |
| Final phrases | - I would really like you to visit me this summer. Write to me and tell me your plans. - Thanks for sending me… Please write to me again soon, and tell me all your news. - Please give/send my regards (love) to your…. And write and tell me your plans for…. - I would really love to see you. Why don’t you come and visit me this….. Write back soon! If you want to know anything else, just drop me a line. |
| Asking for advice letters | - I am writing to ask for your advice. - Can you give me your advice? - Give me your advice about…. - Can you think of anything that…? - I've got a problem and I need your advice. - I've got a problem, and I think you can help. - What do you think I should do? - Give me / Send me your advice soon. - Do you think I should…? - Do you have any idea about…? - Please let me know what to do. - Please let me know what you think I should do - I'd like to know what you think about… - Write back soon and tell me what you think. - Your advice would help me a lot. |
| Giving advice | - I'm sorry to hear... and I think I can help. - Cheer up / Don't worry too much. - Don't let it get you down. - I'm only too glad to help. - I just got your letter and I think ... - Here's what I think you should do. - Why don't you...? - If I were you/in your position, I'd .../ I wouldn't ... . - Have you thought of/about ... + Ving? - Don't forget to... - It would be a good idea to... - What should you do is… - How about + Ving ... ? - What about + Ving ... ? - I think you should… - The best advice I can give you is … - Another good idea is to… - I hope that this/ my advice helps. - Let me know what happens. - Let me know how it went. - Let's hope that things get better - Let's hope that everything turns out all right. - Hope this helped. - If you do this, you would …. |
| Letter of apology | - I "m really sorry that I forgot about...; I" m writing to apologise for... - I "m so sorry I couldn't make it ... - It will never happen again... |
| Letter of invitation | - I "m writing to invite you to ... - I "m having a party ...; Would you like to come? - I hope you "ll be able to join us / to make it. |
| Letter of request | - I "m writing to ask you for your help / to do me a favor - I wonder/was wondering if I could ask you to ... - I would be so/terribly/really grateful if you could ... |
| Thank you letter | - I "m writing to thank you so much for... - The party was great/fantastic ... - It was very kind/nice of you to ... |
| Letter of congratulations (Congratulations letter) | - I "m writing to congratulate you on passing your exams ... . Congratulations on ... . |
| Letter of information | - This is just to let you know that... . I"m just writing to tell you that... . You must be wondering what "s happened to us all. |
As promised in the previous article, concerning in general, I will dwell in more detail on the written part of the exam. It is quite simple for “physicists” and can cause rejection among “lyricists” and in general among people with a pronounced “our” mentality, since we cannot stand any rules, structures and laws and believe that they exist solely in order to violate. If in literature the image of Raskolnikov was still all right, then in the English USE, especially in writing, any deviation from these norms is tantamount to failure. But if you don’t start kicking, but carefully read this article and bother to memorize some of it stupidly and learn by heart, the written part of the exam will seem like a “piece of cake” to you (if you know what I mean).
So, in task number 1 (it seems to be considered number 39, but not the essence, you can't miss it anyway) you have received an excerpt from a letter from a friend, in which he tells something from his life. You must write a reply letter. By the way, do not immediately turn up your nose and do not say, they say, no one writes letters today. First, he writes. Secondly, the letter, in fact, is no different from the usual e-mails. Therefore, do not squeal, but please read further ...
The main thing, I repeat, is the correct structure. It is elementary, so here is your skeleton:
The address. If you live in Moscow or for some reason dream of living in it, although I wouldn’t stay here if I hadn’t been born, then in upper right corner write concisely:
Don't write anything else.
the date. Exactly under the address, be sure to skip the line, write the date in any of the following formats:
August 5th 2017
5 August 2017
0 5 /0 8 /17
Appeal. Always in this format:
Dear + task name + ,
No liberties, no Hi, the only way, with a comma at the end and nothing else.
Gratitude. Skip the line again and write something like:
Thanks (a lot) for your (last) letter.
I was glad to get your letter.
It was great to hear from you!
This is a personal letter, so a lot instead of academic very much allowed.
Apology. In the next sentence (without digression), write some polite nonsense like:
Sorry I haven't answered earlier but I was really busy with my school.
Sorry I haven't written earlier but…
Sorry I haven't been in touch for so long for so long but…
The dots here mean that you yourself add some reason for the delay. Don't be afraid to fantasize.
Bundle. To smoothly move on to “debriefing”, it’s good to write something from the category I'm glad you're OK!(if it is clear from his passage that everything is in order with him), or some I miss you much!(if a friend writes to you, holding the pen between his teeth, from the hospital).
Question answer. The rule is simple: how many questions you are asked, so many answers should be. For example:
Friend : What extreme sports would you like to try, if any, and why?
You : I’d like to try rafting, because it implies a well coordinated team work, good reaction and nerves of steel.
Of course, invent your own so that everyone who reads my opuses does not have the same answers on the exam.
The second simple rule: as in the question, so in the answer. If a friend asks you this:
What would you do if you were me?
... you start quite calmly:
If I were you, I would…
You can answer questions in any order, as long as this order is logical and connected.
Questions. They need to be set in the amount of three pieces. Read the assignment carefully. If it says, for example, about hislast vacation, no need to ask where he likes to relax in general or where he is going to go next time if his parents suddenly have extra money. Keep in mind that different types of questions, of which you probably know the general, special and alternative, are encouraged, although they are not required. You can limit yourself to all special ones, but I would diversify if I were you.
Completion. Here you write why you are forced to round off. Learn three standby options:
Well, I'd better go now as I have to do my homework
Anyway, I have to go now: my Mum asked me to help her with our dinner
Actually, I've got to go now! It's time for my favorite TV show
Future Joy. Just express in one sentence that you do not mind receiving letters from a friend in the future:
Write (back) soon!
Take care and keep in touch!
Can't wait to hear from you!
In brackets, by the way, I indicate optional options, that is, either you throw out the word taken in them, or write, but then throw out the brackets. Don't be stupid.
The final. On a new line, write any of the options:
lots of love,
best wishes,
best regards,
The main thing - do not forget to put a comma. Without it, you will be deducted 1 point. Don't know which one to choose, choose best wishes and don't be wise.
Signature. It is placed on the line below, under the wish. Write only your first name, without a surname and without a comma.
Everything. Ready. You can move on to the essay, which I will write about next time. If you are too lazy to scour the Internet yourself, here is a typical “Letter to a Friend” task as an example:
The task:
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend who writes
… Last summer my parents and I went hiking to the mountains. We spent the whole week together and enjoyed it very much. How often do you take active holidays? Who do you think is the best company for you? What extreme sports would you like to try, if any, and why?
Last month our English class got an interesting project. We wrote a paper about interesting events in the past of our country …
Write a letter to Tom. In your letter answer his questions, ask 3 questions about his project paper. Write 100-140 words.
Answer:
August 5th 2017
Dear Tom,
Thanks for your letter. Sorry I haven't answered earlier but I was busy with my school project. Hope you didn't have accidents while hiking!
As for me, I don't have much time on active holidays because I have a lot of homework. My family is more the stay-at-home sort, so I can't spend the time with them somehow actively. My company is my friend and, you know, our trips are usually very jolly. I’d like to try rafting this spring, because it implies a well coordinated team work, good reaction and nerves of steel.
Anyway, you've mentioned a project. Do you like writing about events of the past? What events did you choose for your project? Are they from the same historical period?
I'd better go now as my Dad wants me to help him with is car. Write soon!
If you feel that you still can’t cope without a tutor,.
