Writing and teacher tips

1. LESSON 6 AND
SELECTIVITAT

3. Email opening and closing
• Informal
• Hi Frost,
• Dear Frost,
• Hugs,
• See you,
• Love,
• Thanks,
• Take care,
• Formal
• Dear Sir / Madam,
• Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms.
Jones,
• Dear Dr. Lee,

4. Email opening and closing
• Informal
• Hi Frost,
• Dear Frost,
• H_____,
• S_____ y____,
• Love,
• Thanks,
• T____ c_____,
• Formal
• Dear Sir / Madam,
• Dear Mr. / Mrs. / Ms.
Jones,
• Dear Dr. Lee,

5. True or false
We normally use contractions in emails to friends.
We can use contractions in formal emails, too.
When we start an email with “Hi Mary” the comma goes
after “Hi”.
When you finish a paragraph, you need a double space.
“Ms” is the way to address to married women.
“For” is the preposition that goes after “I apologise / thanks
/ sorry

6. Some key phrases I
PREVIOUS CONTACT
• Thank you for your
email.
• Sorry, I haven’t written
for ages, but I’ve been
really busy.
• I’m writing to inform
you that…
• I’m writing about…
• Just a short note to tell
you that…
• I’m writing about…
GOOD NEWS
• You will be pleased to
hear that…
• I am able to confirm
that…
• Good news!

7. Some key phrases I
PREVIOUS CONTACT
• Th____ you for y____
e_____.
• S_____, I haven’t written
for a_____, but I’___
b___ r____ b____.
• I’m w____ to i____ you
that…
• I’m w____ about…
PURPOSE FOR
WRITING
• J____ a s____ n____ to
t___ you t____…
• I’m w____ a____…
GOOD NEWS
• You will be pleased to
hear that…
• I am able to confirm
that…
• Good news!

8. SOME KEY PHRASES II
BAD NEWS
• I apologize for…
• Sorry for…
• Unfortunately, …
REQUESTS
• Please, could you…
• Could you…
• Can I have…
ENDING
• I Hope to hear from
you soon.
• I’m looking forward to
seeing you soon.

9. SOME KEY PHRASES II
BAD NEWS
• I a________ for…
• S_____ for…
• U_________, …
REQUESTS
• P_____, c_____
y___…?
• C____ I h____…
ENDING
• I h____ to h___ f____
y____ s____.
• I’m l_______ f______
to s_____ y___ s____.

10. Letter of complain
• Purpose: Complaining about something
• First paragraph: specify the reason for writing
• I am writing to protest / complain about…
Goal: the reader must understand the problem
• It is important that you suggest what action you expect
from your reader:
• An alternative arrangement
• A refund
• An apology
• Some ideas:
• I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my complaint.
• I look forward to receiving an apology and a correction of the facts.
• I look forward to your early reply. Should you require any further information,
please contact me.
• I look forward to your response.

11. Sample letter of complaint
Reason for
complaining
clearly
specified
Justificat
ion
Two things
demanded.

12. Letter of Request
• Purpose: To obtain additional information on goods,
services, facilities, jobs, courses, etc.
• First Paragraph: Specify the reason for writing
• I am writing to enquire about…
• Body: If you use too many questions, your letter will not
read as a coherent piece of writing. You should alternated
direct and indirect questions with statements.
• Closing sentence: Repeat the request and thank the
reader for her help.
• I would be grateful if you could send me a catalogue.
• Thank you in anticipation for your help.
• I would be grateful if you could clarify whether I can apply for the
position.

13. Letter of request
In a paper you found the following advertisement for school
leavers.
Learn English at a State College
DO NOT MISS: SCHOOL LEAVERS’ LANGUAGE COURSE
• Big or small groups
• Modern or traditional methods
• Accommodation with families or in hotels
• Sports activities or sightseeing
• One or two week courses
• Affordable prices
• If interested contact:
Ms Mary J. Smith, 3 Oak Lane, London W1N4AP
You would like to attend this course.

14. Informal Letter 1
• You met Joanna, a Polish girl, in a London summer school
where you practiced English. She is visiting you next
month. Write her a letter about.
• your trip home from London
• a good time you had recently
• what you will show her in Barcelona
• a Catalan custom
Write a letter of at least 100 words. Do not write any
dates or addresses.

15. Opinion essay
• In an opinion essay you say what you think about a given
topic. It is essential that you give reasons for your
opinions. Do not forget that in an opinion essay there are
no right or wrong answers!
• First paragraph: Introduce the topic and state your opinion
• Middle paragraph(s): Give reasons for your opinion and
examples. Each opinion should use a different paragraph
• Final paragraph: Summarise your argument and give your
conclusions
• Do not forget to think of a title!
• Useful linkers: first of all, In addition, In my opinion,
some people think, I believe that, in conclusion, to sum
up.

16. Articles
• Need a semi-formal register (depending on who will be
reading it you need to make it more or less formal)
• Direct questions, admiration marks and or dots are usually allowed.
• Must be informative and interesting, and clearly
addressed to the audience it is aimed at.
• You need a short introductory paragraph that makes your reader
want to go on reading
• Discuss the topics addressed in the introduction in the body of the
article
• Round up your article giving your opinion, reaction or final
summarizing comment
• You need a title that attracts the readers’ attention

17. Article

18. Some mistakes in your articles and
informal letters
• Sometimes is quite difficult to find places like this but
nothing is impossible!
• The 2nd Batx A class goes to do a travel…
• We hope you have a real good time following our advices!
• I am sending you this letter to advise you that I get in
marriage.
• Two weeks ago, while I was shopping, I met Robert, the
boy that was my sweetheart when we were at school.
• I would be grateful if you could answer me sooner

19. Corrections
• Sometimes IT is quite difficult to find places like this, but
nothing is impossible!
• The 2nd Batx A class IS GOING ON A SCHOOL TRIP…
• We hope you have a realLY good time following our
advice!
• I am sending you this letter to inform you that I’m getting
married.
• SIX MONTHS ago, while I was shopping, I met Robert,
the boy that was my sweetheart when we were at school.
• I would be grateful if you could answer me AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.

20. Journey, travel and trip
• A journey and a trip are both nouns.
• A journey is "a piece of travelling", while trip is a return journey together with
the activity that is the reason for the journey
• Compare:
• How was your journey? The train broke down
• How was your trip? Successful
• We do not use trip for expeditions which have a very serious purpose, are very
hard and/or take a long time:
i.e. Amundsen made his journey to the South Pole in 1911
• Travel can also be a noun, but is more often used as a verb. As a
noun, travel means "travelling in general" "My interests are music
and travel"
• He travelled across Europe last year