3vwo letter writing 2022-23

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Lesson series on letter writing.

 Goals:

• You will learn the difference between formal and informal letters
• You will learn what the structure is of a formal letter
• You will learn what type of language to use in a formal letter
• You will learn what type of information you could include in a letter

What could be reasons for writing a letter/email to someone?

Letter writing

Watch the video on the next slide on basic letter writing, and answer the questions on the following slides.

Name an example of someone you would write an informal letter/email to

1. Your teacher
2. Your friend
3. The mayor
4. Someone you've never met

Who could you write a formal letter to?

1. Your grandmother
2. Your neighbour
3. Your boss
4. A close friend

Where should you include the date of writing?

1. In the bottom left corner
2. At the top and at the bottom on the right
3. It does not need to be included
4. In the top right corner

How should you start your letter, after you've filled in the date?

What do you think could be the difference between formal and informal language in a letter?

In the introduction...

• Introduce yourself if you are writing to someone who does not know you.
• Your aim (=reason for/purpose of) writing.
• A little bit of context to introduce your topic.

Introduction writing practice

Imagine: you are writing a letter of complaint to your German teacher about the last lesson. You thought there was too much happiness in the lesson and you could not concentrate at all! 

Write an introduction to this letter of complaint in about 50 words. 

Done? Swap with your neighbour and check if your work is correct. 

• Date and salutation
• Grammar and spelling
• The content of your introduction

Start lesson 2

Formal language

Informal language

Hey dude, how's it going?

I am writing this email to file a complaint

Dear Mr Burnsley,

Dear James,

He's always doing so much stuff.

Your book sucks.

I do not think the novel is suitable for young adults.

You are writing a letter to the author. Do you think it is it formal or informal?

1. More formal
2. More informal

Teacher note: start clip from 01.19

Now that you know it's a formal letter to the author of your story, how do you think you should end?

What kind of structure do you think you should use in your letter?

Your opinion of the book + explanation of why you think this.

In the body paragraphs...

Use one paragraph per content point of the task

You can also combine content points into one paragraph if they go well together

Leave space between the body paragraphs

Use three body paragraphs

Body paragraphs writing practice

Imagine: you are writing a letter of complaint to your German teacher about the last lesson. You thought there was too much happiness in the lesson and you could not concentrate at all! 

In your body paragraphs, give two reasons why there was too much happiness during the German lessons. Then explain the effect this had on you, and end your body paragraphs by explaining what the teacher should change.

Peer review

Write three body paragraphs for this letter of complaint in about 100 words. 

Done? Swap with your neighbour and check if their work is correct.

• Two reasons
• The effect it had on you
• What should be changed

Lesson 3

The conclusion

Grading criteria

Final test preparations

The conclusion

End your letter in a suitable way

Do not include new information

Conclusion writing practice

Tell your German teacher that you hope they will take suitable action based on your complaint.

Use about 25 words.

Grading criteria

1. The format of your letter (5 pt)

2. Content of your letter (10pt)

3. Your writing skills (10 pt)

1. The format of your letter
(5 pt)

Salutation

Structure of your letter

Paragraphs

Appropriate ending

Date/names

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Date

Dear Mr / Ms. .... ,

Intro

Body

Conclusion

Yours sincerely,

First + last name

Content of your letter (10pt)

You follow the assignment.

Make clear links to the story.

 Give examples and explanations. 

Meet the word count.

Follow the rules of correctly addressing your audience.

Present a clear personal opinion.

Your writing skills (10pt) 

Grammar

Vocabulary / register

Sentence construction

Spelling

Summary of the 3 short stories

Lamb to the Slaughter

Harrison Bergeron 

The Tell-Tale Heart

Test prep.

Write down and work out any opinions you have of your story in English.

Don't forget to find support for your opinions, give examples, explain them.

How prepared do you feel for the test now?

What test?

Not very prepared

A little prepared

Somewhat prepared

Very prepared