Writing a letter

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

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

Stucturing a letter

Types of letters

• Formal letter
• Semi-formal letter
• Informal letter

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

* 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 

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?
   

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.
  

• 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.
  

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

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,

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

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).

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.

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!

• 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."