Writing a letter

Writing a letter!
What are you going to learn today?
  1. Structuring a letter
  2. Beginning and ending a letter
  3. The date
  4. Common mistakes when ending a letter
  5. Language and tone
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Slide 1: Slide
EngelsMBOStudiejaar 1

This lesson contains 14 slides, with text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 120 min

Items in this lesson

Writing a letter!
What are you going to learn today?
  1. Structuring a letter
  2. Beginning and ending a letter
  3. The date
  4. Common mistakes when ending a letter
  5. Language and tone

Slide 1 - Slide

Stucturing a letter
Types of letters

  • Formal letter
  • Semi-formal letter
  • Informal letter

Slide 2 - Slide

What should be in a formal letter?
* The sender’s address                                    Your address 

*The addressee                                  The address of the person/organisation you’re writing to

*Date                                                       Always write the month as a word with a capital letter> October 5, 2011

 *Purpose of letter                                  For example: Job vacancy

* The greeting                                      For example: Dear Sir/Madamor Dear Anouk

Slide 3 - Slide

* Clear structure of paragraphs     The first paragraph says why you are writing.
                                                                     The second paragraph gives further information/details. 

*Final  paragraph The final paragraph includes a polite ending
*The farewell + signature + name For example: Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully or kind regards 

Slide 4 - Slide

Check, Check, double check!
  1. Leave a space between every paragraph!
  2.  Is the letter written according to the exercise?
  3.  Are there any abbreviations in the formal letter? ‘Don’t’ instead of ‘do not’
  4.   Are there any grammar/spelling/preposition mistakes?

Slide 5 - Slide

Beginning and ending a letter
  • Begin with Dear .................,
  • "Mr." (pronounced "mister") is used when you're addressing a man.
  • "Ms." (pronounced "miz") is for addressing a woman.
It can be used for all women, so people often use this instead of "Mrs." or "Miss" in spoken English. 
  • "Mrs." (pronounced "miziz") is for a married woman.

Slide 6 - Slide

  • When the surname is known it is written on the first line of the address, preceded by a courtesy title and either the person's initial(s) or his/her first given name, e.g.
Mr J.E. Smith, Mr John Smith.

  • If you are not certain whether a woman is married or not, use MS: that is modern and safe.

Slide 7 - Slide

The difference between British and American spelling
To a                                                          British English                                        American English
Man (unknown)                                                    Dear Sir                                                                     Dear Sir
Woman (unknown).                                            Dear Madam                                                          Dear Madam
Person:name and gender unknown)         Dear Sir/Madam                                                   Dear Sir/Madam 
Man                                                                            Dear Mr Johns                                                      Dear Mr. Johns
Woman (married or widowed)                       Dear Mrs Johns                                                    Dear Mrs.Johns
Woman (unmarried)                                           Dear Miss Johns                                                  Dear Miss Johns
Woman (marital satus unknown)                 Dear Ms Johns                                                     Dear Ms Johns
MArried couple                                                     Dear Mr and Ms Black                            Dear Mr. and Mrs. Black
Friend                                                                        Dear Peter                                                             Dear Peter

Slide 8 - Slide

Closing a letter
The closing                                                                                  The closing
British Englsih                                                                        American Englsih
Yours faithfully,                                                                                            Sincerely yours,
                                                                                                                                Truly yours,
Yours sincerely,                                                                                            Sincerely yours,
Best wishes, Best Regards,                                  (With) Best wishes , Best Regards,

Slide 9 - Slide

The Date
British: day-month-year                                    American: month-day-year

The Fourteenth of March, 2016                                     March the Fourteenth, 2016

14th March 2016                                                                                       March 14th, 2016

14 March 2016.               (The simplest form for students)      March 14, 2016

Slide 10 - Slide

For your information!
  • In English names of the months and days always start with a capital letter.
  •  Know the difference between writing the date British style (1 December) and US
style (December 1), and make sure your spelling matches - either British spelling (colour, criticise, theatre) or American (color, criticize, theater).

Slide 11 - Slide

Common mistakes when ending a letter
I look forward to meet you                 I look forward to meeting you

After certain verbs in English, we have a prepositional object.
That is a preposition that is the OBJECT of the verb - the action- in the sentence. The 'ing' form of the word, which is actually called a 'gerund', is what's needed here.

Slide 12 - Slide

Find the mistake!
  • He is interested IN LEARN French.
  • She is fascinated BY LOOK at the stars at night, He admitted TO STEAL the book.
  • He admitted TO STEAL the book.
  • We were curious ABOUT HEAR the news.
  • I hope I have informed you enough!

Slide 13 - Slide

  • He is interested IN LEARNING French.
  • She is fascinated BY LOOKING at the stars at night. He admitted TO STEALING the book.
  • We were curious ABOUT HEARING the news.
  • "Please don't hesitate to contact me should you have any questions."
  • "If you have any questions, feel free to contact me."

Slide 14 - Slide