Formal writing review

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Today

Today's lesson is aimed at...

...reviewing formal letter form to identify common mistakes

...doing quick error analysis on register / content

...working on the second letter (expat students) on laptops or in your notebook (deadline 9/2)

...providing each other with feedback on your letters

This is the prompt received by the students.

                                             (No need to write it)

Formal letters: Form

salutation

closing

paragraphs (use the assignment for this)

comment on the next letters with respect to form

Comment on this form

Tops:

Closing is correct

Tips:

Salutation: Use Sir/Madam - use CAPITALS for Sir/Madam

Paragraphs: use at least three (or divide them into the information requested)

Punctuation: use a comma after ending with a hopeful concluding remark

Comment on this form

Tops:

Paragraphs

Slutation and closing are correct

Tips:

Headings. Don't use headings in a letter.

Here's a good one:

Note: in English it's no problem to start with 'I', but try to avoid it if possible.

 1 Start with Dear Sir/Madam,

 2 Use at least 3 paragraphs, 

 3 Skip lines between paragraphs

 4 Finish with Yours faithfully, 

  (plus your name underneath)

Now about the form of your own letter. Did you do it correctly?

 1 Start with Dear Sir/Madam,

 2 Use at least 3 paragraphs, 

 3 Skip lines between paragraphs

 4 Finish with Yours faithfully, 

  (plus your name underneath)

1. Yes, completely
2. Only one mistake
3. No, more than one mistake

DO take notes!

Compare these openings:

Both sentences are too informal and both miss points for content.

Note: The position of being a tour guide

             The position of tour guide

Opening 1:

tops:

Great first sentence (a.o. use of passive).

tips:

content: sentence 2 is (nearly) superfluous and makes it too informal 

register: avoid contractions (she's)

language: fond of (rather hopes to)

Opening 2:

tops:

Straightforward. Register is good.

tips:

content: 'writing with reference to Jeremy's application' is too vague. Also mention his surname and why you know enough about him to write a reference.

language:  'seek': use ''are seeking'

An example of a good opening!

Tip: She recently applied for a job as a tour guide at your company.

Which closing would earn more points and why, 1 or 2?

Both sentences are correct, but there

Ending 1:

tops:

language: great vocabulary and grammar

content: relevant and straightforward

register: formal

is a difference in level.

Ending 2:

tops:

straightforward

tips:

content: the last sentence is rather superfluous

register:  might be more formal

language: basic level (apart from 'provided with', which is great!)

Some common mistakes

Improve them. Do so within 20 seconds.

Say what's wrong:
I am writing regarding your request for a reference.

Which word is incorrect?
She already has some experience as a tour guide since she was a tour guide in Beacon Hills for a year.

Which word is incorrect?:
She can speak Dutch as fluent as she speaks English.

Which word is incorrect?
He has done a lot of research on this topic and has come to know a lot of interesting facts, that would be helpful whilst giving his tour.

Which word is incorrect?
She has the talent for making people feel at ease and excited at the same time.

Only the 2nd sentence: which word is incorrect?

(Tom is proficient in three different languages: English, German and French, furthermore he is learning Mandarin.) He complements. this skill with his extensive knowledge of the history and geography of York.

Finally: improve the second sentence. (3 mistakes)

(Not only do her qualities and experiences match the job, she is also acquainted with several employees of your company already.) This matter enables her to adjust quickly to the work environments.

Check your classmate's letter

-Use the checklist in Som

-If you work at home: check the work of the person who normally sits next to you (ask him/her to send it by email)

-Give feedback

-Learn from each other's strong and weak points

Cito exams

1 Strategies                                        

2 Vocabulary                                     

3 Practise, practise, practise ...

www.sslleiden.nl

Cito reading exam

Leiden exam course

Cito introduction

Prezi about Cito

Watch this if you miss this class

Prezi: Cito exam English

Find out how it works with a Cito text at your own speed.

Use your earplugs 

print the text

stop the video before each question (next slide)

think first, then check

A Rider off the Rails

Examentekst

At home:

Jullie zijn begonnen met: vwo Engels 2022-I in Examenkracht.

Ga hier verder met oefenen.

(Als je nooit begonnen bent: link op volgende slide).

Practise, practise, practise...

Not in my group yet?

Copy-paste this link in your url

https://mijn.vo-content.nl/aanmelden-voor-groep/GLKV8

Cito practice

Work on your Cito exam. 

Finished? 

Study the vocabulary (Learnbeat)

https://mijn.vo-content.nl/aanmelden-voor-groep/GLKV8