Formal letter - H3

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Goal

Recap for PART: Writing letter of opinion.

Do you know what a formal letter is?

1. Yes
2. No

Table of content

Go over Letter of Opinion again

Take notes if necessary

Study the structure

How do you start your letter?

Top left corner: your address without your name

There is a space between my address and the date

Months with a capital letter and another space

Address of newspaper (+country)

Salutation: unknown, / known,

Arnhemse Bovenweg 97

3388 BJ Zeist

The Netherlands

At the top left  corner you write your address
without your name

The New York Times

229 west 43rd Street

New York NY 10036

USA

Then you write the address of the person you are writing to

Zeist, June 1st 2024

place name, date (of writing)

Salutation unknown

(known)

Dear Sir/Madam,
 (Dear Mr Smith,)

What is the name of the first paragraph?

Introduction = 1 paragraph

•  Introduce yourself. (How?)
• Explain why you are writing: I would like to react to the article ‘Gun violence in schools ’ in The Guardian of Tuesday 29 April.

• Explain why you were interested in this article. (Connection to what you have learnt at school) This article caught my eye because........
• The last sentence of the introduction is your opinion.
  

Introduce yourself in a formal way in one or two sentences

Introduction

Introduction

Opinion

with the article / with the jury / with the victim / with the rules

I agree because I believe gun should be banned at schools in every country. 

I disagree because I think the student should take charge of their learning. 

Introduction

 1. Introduce yourself. (How do you do this?)

2. Explain why you are writing: 

3. Explain why you were interested in this article. (Connection to what you have learnt at school)

4.  State whether you agree or disagree with the opinions in the article.

What does the body of our formal letter consist of?

Body / Main paragraphs

1. Explain why you agree or disagree with the article. 

• Every time you start a new argument or reason, you should start a new paragraph.
  
• Remember the OREO paragraph structure
• Linking words - connect your ideas in paragraphs and sentences. Examples: but, and, so, therefore, however, although, despite, moreover, in addition, to conclude, etc

2. Include solutions or actions people should undertake. 

• Read the actual assignment carefully, so you know what information you have to include and in what order.

You know the words connected to crime, punishment and the Mock Trial and you can write a story about criminal behaviour with those words.  

You know the word order in English.  

You can write relatively complex sentences.  

You can link sentences, paragraphs and ideas with linking words (but, and, so, therefore, however, although, despite, moreover, in addition, to conclude, etc.)

You can use the tenses, passive, and the First and Second Conditional in a text.  

You know how to write a letter of opinion. 

What is your last paragraph?

Conclusion

• Restate your opinion (from your introduction paragraph)

I am of the opinion that guns do not belong in schools.

• Make your expectations clear to the person you are writing to

- What do you want them to do with your letter? 

       I hope you take my opinion into consideration.

- If you would like them to reply  you could use the sentence below:

        I am looking forward to hearing from you.

• Closing salutations 

        Yours faithfully, (or if you know the name of the addressee: Yours sincerely,)

• End with your name.

Tips and tricks

1. Structure before you start writing

- What is my opinion about the article?

- Why is this my opinion?  (Think of at least two things which gives you two body paragraphs)

- OREO paragraphs

2. Learn the standard format of a letter by heart: addresses, date, opening and closing salutations 

3. Avoid using contractions, short forms, too personal and informal language

- I'm, don't, can't, gonna, kids = I am, do not, cannot, going to, you, children

4. Do not make your point multiple times.

5. Find synonyms for:   'very', 'really', 'I think'

Now, log in for the final quiz

Name the two ways to end a formal letter.

True or False
A formal letter should always have a date.

1. True
2. False

True or False
You put the address of the person you are writing to directly under your address.

1. True
2. False

True or False
You should begin a formal letter with Dear + first name + surname.

1. True
2. False

True or False
In formal letters you should use short forms/contractions.

1. True
2. False

Which is formal?

1. I thought I’d write
2. I am writing

I am writing to complain about the

1. terrible state of the kids area
2. condition of the playground

Over the last two weeks, I have noticed

1. loads of cops
2. a great deal of police officers

Which is formal?

1. I reckon
2. It is my opinion

Which is formal?

1. It may be possible to
2. You could

Which is formal?

1. The boy in question
2. The kid I’m talking about

I think that our school needs _____ security

1. way better
2. more adequate

Do you understand how to write a formal letter?

010

Extra Practice

• If you want extra practice 
• Let me know!
• Questions?

forms.gle

Rest of the lesson

Write a letter of opinion

Go to : Magister.me - Writing a formal letter - V3 Writing P3 - Exercise 2 Practice Writing Test (last exercise)

Choose a buddy to write with.