Formal letters -reference

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

There is a choice of tasks in Writing Part 2. Look at the Exam Overview on page 6 and the Writing Guide on page 154.

How to write a character reference: Would  Donald make a good English teacher for A3X?

What are Donald's good points?

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Extra help for the writing assignment

Start with a formal opening convention:

If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, then use

Dear Sir or Madam,

To whom it may concern,

If you do know the name of the person you are writing to, then use

Dear Mr. Skywalker, (or Mr Skywalker,)

Dear Mrs. Corrigan,(or Mrs Corrigan)

organise your paragraphs

1. How long have you known Donald for?
2. Mention his previous experience relevant to the job.
3. Mention his good points, use descriptive adjectives to describe his character: 
4. include other information RELEVANT to his application

To conclude

Use concluding sentences:

In my opinion Donald would make an excellent English teacher for A3X 

I have no hesitation in recommending Donald to the Werenfridus School.

I highly recommend Donald as the new teacher for A3X

Closing Conventions

Yours faithfully - If you started your letter with- Dear Sir or Madam / To whom it may concern.

Yours sincerely - If you know the name of the person you are writing to.

Yours truly - can be used in both situations

Homework: 

Re-read this LessonUp and make some notes on the points you need to write a good formal letter or email. 

Next lesson we will start to practice for the first writing assignment.

Friday's lesson: We will write an assignment in class

Skills

First aid

good at languages (speaks another language)

Good communication skills

local knowledge

good organisational skills

What sort of things might a holiday rep have to do?

• Promote excursions/ 
• act as a guide .
• Translate.
• Deal with difficult customers.
• meet people at the airport

personal qualities

• Tact
• patience
• energy
• a sense of humour
• conscientiousness

Top Tip:

Always make a plan before writing, this is important for the organisationof points. 

It might seem time consuming but it can save time as it stops you running out of ideas halfway through writing.

Layout (organisation)

As a general rule, your first paragraph could be used as an introduction. 

Add as many paragraphs as content points you have to deal with. 

In the final paragraph, you should express what you expect to be done as a result of your letter.

Use 'Topic Sentences'

Example: One of the most important jobs that Donald has had so far, is as Head of English at a girls school in Mexico. In this job he clearly showed that he understood the difficulties faced by women in education in Central America. 

Bloopers in the writing task

To whom it may concern, (perfect) 

Hello, my name is Luke Skywalker ........

Too informal / Is this relevant? Your name is at the bottom of the letter. 

I am on TTO ( I study in the bi-lingual education stream, so my English is excellent, furthermore, I have my Cambridge First Certificat ) 

not very clear

Best wishes (use "Yours Faithfully" if you started with "To whom it may concern," )

Closing Conventions

Yours faithfully - If you started your letter with- Dear Sir or Madam / To whom it may concern.

Yours sincerely - If you know the name of the person you are writing to.

Yours truly - can be used in both situations

Content: 

Sociable and outgoing

Speak good English

Good local history knowledge of your home town.

Communicative achievement:

Formal tone

Opening/closing convention

interesting ideas communicated clearly

Organisation: 

Good layout

Good organisation: P1: Intro/ P2: skills / P3: Character / P4: conclusion

Linking words?

Language

Grammar: Present Perfect???

Vocabulary

Errors