STUDY AND WRITING SKILLS
115
11.5
WRITING SKILLS
FORMAL CORRESPONDENCE
8
Work with a partner and answer the questions.
1
What sort of formal correspondence (letters/emails)
do you write or receive?
2
What is the usual purpose of the correspondence
(e.g. asking for information, applying for something,
complaining)?
3
What form does the correspondence generally take?
a
an email
b
a letter sent in the post
c
a letter attached to an email
9
a
Letter layout
Match items 1–12 with A–L on the
diagram of a formal letter.
1
greeting (
Dear Sir/Madam
or
Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms
+ name)
2
main message of the correspondence
3
writer’s address
4
subject heading (where appropriate)
5
date
6
writer’s name and position
7
ending (
Yours faithfully
or
Yours sincerely
)
8
signature
9
reference to previous contact or reason for contact
10
address of recipient
11
reference to future contact
12
closing remarks
10
a
Formulaic language
The language of formal
correspondence is very formulaic (i.e. we tend to use
the same expressions again and again). Complete the
expressions below with words from the box.
assistance
contacted
enclosed/attached
forward
require
contacting
information
question additional
reference
request
contact
future
hestitate
writing
1
I look
to hearing from you in the near
.
2
I am
with
to (your advertisement).
3
If I can be of any further
, please do not
to contact me.
4
Please find
a copy of my (CV) for your
.
5
Regarding the
of (the conference dates), I think …
6
I can be
on the above phone number at any time.
7
Should you
any
information, please feel
free to
me.
8
I am
you in relation to your
for ...
10
b
Match the sentences in Exercise 10a with their
functions a–f.
a
reason for contact
b
how to get in touch
c
including something with your letter
d
reference to the future
e
closing remark
f
reference to an issue
11
Work in small groups. Read the advertisement and
discuss the questions in it.
12
Write a piece of formal correspondence in reply to
the advertisement. In your correspondence, you should
do the following.
•
refer to the advertisement
•
give the topic you would be willing to answer questions on
•
briefly state your views/experience of youth cultures
•
say when you will be available
•
make a closing remark
•
refer to the future
9
b
Compare the letter layout in Exercise 9a with the
layout of an email. Which of the items 1–12 would be
in the same place and which would be different? If
different, where would you find them in an email?
Unicorn Television is commissioning a series on the history
and influence of youth cultures around the world, to be
called ‘Street Styles’.
We would like to hear from people all over the world who would
be willing to be interviewed on any of the following points:
1
Do youth cultures give young people a sense of identity?
2
Are youth cultures a problem for parents?
3
What are your personal experiences of youth cultures?
4
Are youth cultures a normal part of growing up?
5
What are the main youth cultures in Bahrain?
6
Are youth cultures simply a way for business to exploit the young?
7
Do youth cultures pose a danger to society?
Please write to the following address stating your age,
availability, and include a recent photograph.
The Commissioning Editor
Unicorn Television | Forest Lane | London W1
All replies will be acknowledged.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
UNICORN
Television
