Revision

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Revision week

Learning goals

- I know how to write a formal letter.

- I know what should and shouldn't be written in a formal letter. 

Let's discuss!

What are the things that one should keep in mind while writing a formal letter?

Dos

- Place all items in the left margin.

- Use separate paragraphs for separate ideas.

- Use a blank line to separate paragraphs.

- Use linking words to make your writing more fluent.

- Use synonyms to make your writing more varied.

- Always check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word choice.

Don'ts

Do NOT indent.

Do NOT use contractions (e.g. don’t, hasn’t, he’s).

Let's discuss!

Do you remember what the layout of the letter is? 

Layout for letters: 

1. Sender (you)

2. Addressee (a person you are writing to)

3. Date (9th February, 2024)

4. Salutation (Dear Sir/Madam)

5. The body (the reason why you are writing)

6. The complimentary close (Yours faithfully/ sincerely)

7. Your signature

Put the parts of a formal letter in the correct order

Steps:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Your address

Date

The address of the person who receives the letter.

Dear Sir/Madam

Reason for writing and the main points

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely/yours faithfully

Conventions other than layout:

− Numbers up until 10 are written in full (e.g. The new model is expected in three

months), unless they refer to dates (e.g. The school term starts on September 2) or

exact times (e.g. She had a 7:00 P.M. deadline, but On weekdays she gets up at

seven).

− Double digit numbers can be written in full, but are also allowed to be written as a

numeral (e.g. I am a seventeen-year-old girl/boy or I am a 17-year-old girl/boy).

Conventions other than layout:

Enc./Enclosures: (only when relevant; state what it is, e.g. CV or photograph)

p.t.o (please turn over) if your letter is longer than one page.

Coherence through linking devices

1. What words can one use to contrast ideas?

2. What words can one use to add information?

3. What words can one use to give examples?

4. What words can one use to emphasize ideas?

5. What words can one use to summarise ideas?

 

 Put the linking words and phrases in the correct group.

contrasting

adding ideas

finishing

To sum up

Furthermore

Yet

Nevertheless

Moreover

Finally

However

As well as

In conclusion

Work in groups

You will be given a letter. Your task is to find mistakes. 

(Oefenbrief 2 p.18)

What mistakes have you noticed ?

Could you please confirm if the address and date have been written correctly?

 Could you suggest any improvements that could be made here?

Dear Sir/Madam,

         My name is Mariia, I am 16 years old. I live in the Hague and I am graduating next year. I read your advertisement for the position of volunteer for in-house psychological research with great interest. I was wondering if I could join your experiment.  

Improved version

Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mrs House, 

My name is Mariia, I am 16 years old. I live in the Hague and I am graduating next year. I read your advertisement for the position of volunteer for in-house psychological research with great interest. I was wondering if I could join your experiment.  

Could you suggest any improvements that could be made here?

       I believe I am a good fit for this experiment. I meet all the requirements from the ad: I am the right age, a non-smoker, and available during the specified period. I think it's important to contribute to medical research. 

Improved version

I believe I am a good fit  suitable candidate for this experiment as I meet all the requirements from mentioned in the ad: I am the right age, a non-smoker, and available during the specified period. I think Furthermore, I believe  it's  it is important to contribute to medical research. 

Could you suggest any improvements that could be made here?

I really like psychology and even thinking about studying it. This project seems like a good chance to learn from psychologists. 

Improved version

I really like I am keen on psychology and even thinking about studying it. This project seems like a good great chance to learn from prominent psychologists. 

Could you suggest any improvements that could be made here?

          Improving my English is another reason for my interest. It will be good for my future studies. 

Improved version

Improving my English is another reason for my interest. It will be good helpful for my future studies. I believe that by staying in London and participating in this experiment, I will be able to significantly improve my command of English.

Could you suggest any improvements that could be made here?

Will I have a place to stay and food to eat?  If not, what can I do? Is there any compensation for participating and covering money I paid for the trip? I don't have student funding yet, and it's very expensive. 

Improved version

I have a few practical questions. Will I have a place to stay and food to eat accommodation and meals be provided? If not, what can I do are the alternatives? Also, is there any compensation for participating and covering money I paid travel expenses? I don't have student funding yet, and it's very expensive travel costs are high. 

Could you suggest any improvements that could be made here?

 I need to know how long the experiment lasts. I have to be back in  Netherlands by the end of August for my studies. 

Improved version

Lastly, I need to know how long the experiment lasts. I have to be back in the Netherlands by the end of August for my studies. 

Could you suggest any improvements that could be made here?

I can't wait to get a reply. Please reply ASAP!

Yours faithfully,

Mariia Rad 

Improved version

I can't wait to get a reply. Please reply ASAP! I look forward to your response and more details about the experiment. 

Yours faithfully Yours sincerely, 

Mariia Rad

Have we achieved our objective?

- I know how to write a formal letter.

- I know what should and shouldn't be written in a formal letter. 

I know how to write a formal letter

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Write a complaint letter

You received a number of items for your birthday party from an online store, but most of them are unsatisfactory due to various issues. Write a complaint letter to the online store and suggest how they can resolve the situation.

Suggested Content:

· Briefly state who you are and why you are writing 

· Describe what you have ordered

· Describe your problems with the order

· Comment on your expectations and your disappointment

· Explain your difficult situation now that you do not have all the necessary items to organize the party.

· Come up with a possible resolution to this problem

 

The address

17 Queen Square

 London WC1N 3AR

United Kingdom