[H5] SE2 Formal letter - Refresher + task

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 5

Hi, welcome to our lesson!

1. Please go to lessonup.app

2. Use the code in the left bottom corner

3. Use your first name + first letter of last name

4. Wait for the other students

Today's lesson: SE2 Writing a formal letter

Skill: Writing

Duration: 60 minutes

Goals:

• Refreshing your memory when it comes to 

        formal vs. informal language
        layout of a formal letter
        types of and rules for formal letters

• Starting first formal letter of this year

Task 1 & 2 - formal vs. informal letters and language

Who is the target audience for these letters? To whom do you write a formal/informal letter?

What kind of language do you use for each of the types?

FORMAL

INFORMAL

No contractions

(so "cannot", not "can't")

Use contractions

(so "I'm" instead of "I am")

Use of idioms and expressions

Abbreviations [=afkortingen]

Words like 'moreover', 'furthermore', 'nevertheless'

Uncommon, more difficult, words

Words like 'totally', 'really', 'very', 'but', 'and'

Imperatives, like 'Send it soon!' and 'Listen carefully!'

Polite phrases, like 'Please send at your earliest convenience'

Rewrite this informal letter into a more formal one:

Hi guys, How R you doing? Lemme know if you have questions about yesterday's presentation. I can then let the teacher know. I hope you'll let me know! Bye bye, Rose

How to make it more formal

Start with 'Dear'

No abbreviations: you'll --> you will; R = are; lemme = let me

End with 'Kind regards' or 'Yours sincerely'

Task 3 - Layout and structure

The structure and layout determine the first impression the reader will get. 

A formal letter has a 'block style' form. Let's see if you remember!

What belongs where in the letter on the left?

Sender's address

[=zender]

Recipient's address [=ontvanger]

The date

Salutation, like Dear Mrs.

The body of the letter

The ending

Layout

- Sender's address 

(without name)

- Recipient's address

- Date (in full)

- Dear ....

- The letter

- Ending: 

Yours sincerely,

Yours faithfully,

Kind regards,

Three types of formal letters

1. Letter of inquiry - asking for information  (reader p.8-10)
   
2. Letter of complaint - letting your complaint be known (reader p.10-14)
3. Letter of application - when applying for a job/function (reader p.14-18) 

We'll do one type of letter each week, starting with the letter of inquiry

Letter of inquiry

Why: you need information

Tip: Keep in mind the level of and rules for politeness

Extra help: Reader p. 8: Commonly used words in letters asking for information

What/when: For next week, Friday 9th of September, you're going to write a letter of inquiry. You can choose between 2 exercises.

How: via Write&Improve

Rest of lesson (+ homework for Friday 9/9)

• Write your letter in Write&Improve

           If you haven't already, make an account (use school mail)

           Join my workbook: 2QM2WE7K

• Pick one of the two letters of inquiry and write
• Let the programme check --> use the feedback to rewrite
  
• Save your finished letter in a Google Document + hand in on Classroom
  
• Deadline = 09/09
  

Tip: use the reader on the Classroom if you need help and/or inspiration