Task 1. E-mail (15 points)
You should spend about 25 minutes on this task.
Write between 100 – 120 words.
You should spend about 25 minutes on this task.
Write between 100 – 120 words.
You have decided to enter a competition in which you can win a free online course. Write a letter to Mrs Taylor, one of the organizers. In your e-mail:
• state why you are writing, name the course;
• explain why the course is important to you;
• describe how you will share the knowledge you will get.
• state why you are writing, name the course;
• explain why the course is important to you;
• describe how you will share the knowledge you will get.
WRITING TIPS
BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING, read the question(s) carefully and find out the following:
• who you are writing to
• why you are writing (e.g. to ask for information, to complain etc.)
• what you are writing about
When you have worked out what the purpose of your letter is, you should be able to work out what kind of style you will need to use.
• who you are writing to
• why you are writing (e.g. to ask for information, to complain etc.)
• what you are writing about
When you have worked out what the purpose of your letter is, you should be able to work out what kind of style you will need to use.
SALUTATION OR GREETING
• start with Dear/Hello/Hi (name or title and surname for this task), remember that this is a formal email, so the better is start with Dear Ms Taylor, because Hello and Hi are less formal salutations,
• there is a comma used after the person’s surname,
• the e-mail starts on the line below.
• start with Dear/Hello/Hi (name or title and surname for this task), remember that this is a formal email, so the better is start with Dear Ms Taylor, because Hello and Hi are less formal salutations,
• there is a comma used after the person’s surname,
• the e-mail starts on the line below.
PARAGRAPHING
• Work out a paragraph plan before you start.
• Each paragraph should have a specific purpose. All the information provided in the questions should be included and used as the paragraph purpose.
• Work out a paragraph plan before you start.
• Each paragraph should have a specific purpose. All the information provided in the questions should be included and used as the paragraph purpose.
CONTENT OF AN INFORMAL LETTER (E-MAIL)
The next stage is to decide what will be in each paragraph. Usually the answer will have four or more paragraphs:
1. A very short opening paragraph – in this case state why you are writing, name the course, explain the reason why you are writing – you have decided to enter a competition in which you can win a free online course.
2. The second paragraph – the topic for this is usually provided in the original question(s), so make your plan based on the exact topic of the e-mail - explain why the course is important to you.
3. The last paragraph is usually short and should briefly summarize your purpose and suggest how you might want to proceed further. – In this case describe how you will share the knowledge you will get.
The next stage is to decide what will be in each paragraph. Usually the answer will have four or more paragraphs:
1. A very short opening paragraph – in this case state why you are writing, name the course, explain the reason why you are writing – you have decided to enter a competition in which you can win a free online course.
2. The second paragraph – the topic for this is usually provided in the original question(s), so make your plan based on the exact topic of the e-mail - explain why the course is important to you.
3. The last paragraph is usually short and should briefly summarize your purpose and suggest how you might want to proceed further. – In this case describe how you will share the knowledge you will get.
CLOSING
The end of your e-mail is as important as the beginning. There are some ways of finishing an informal letter.
1. Give a reason why you are ending the letter.
2. Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact.
3. Closing statement should be written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here, too.
4. Sign your name. Do not use a comma or a full stop after your name.
The end of your e-mail is as important as the beginning. There are some ways of finishing an informal letter.
1. Give a reason why you are ending the letter.
2. Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact.
3. Closing statement should be written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here, too.
4. Sign your name. Do not use a comma or a full stop after your name.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR INFORMAL WRITING:
PREVIOUS CONTACT
Thanks for your e-mail...
Sorry, I haven’t written for ages, but I’ve been really busy. (informal)
REASON FOR WRITING
Just a short note about... (informal)
I’m writing about...
Just a short note about... (informal)
I’m writing about...
I'm writing to...
Here’s the... you wanted
I got your name from...
Please note that...
Here’s the... you wanted
I got your name from...
Please note that...
GIVING INFORMATION
Just a note to say...
We can confirm that...
(Un) fortunately...
Just a note to say...
We can confirm that...
(Un) fortunately...
ASKING FOR INFORMATION
Can you tell me a little more about...?
I’d like to know...
Please send me...
Can you tell me a little more about...?
I’d like to know...
Please send me...
FINAL COMMENTS
Thanks again for...
Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks again for...
Let me know if you need anything else.
SENDING GREETINGS AND/OR MAKING REFERENCE FOR FUTURE CONTACT
Give my love to... (informal)
Say hello to... (informal)
I can’t wait to hear from you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Write soon.
Look forward to seeing/meeting/hearing...
Give my love to... (informal)
Say hello to... (informal)
I can’t wait to hear from you.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Write soon.
Look forward to seeing/meeting/hearing...
CLOSING STATEMENT
Love, (informal)
Lots of love, (informal)
All the best, (informal)
Take care, (informal)
Best wishes, (both)
Love, (informal)
Lots of love, (informal)
All the best, (informal)
Take care, (informal)
Best wishes, (both)
Cheers, (informal)
Regards, (very formal)
Sincerely, (formal)
Thanks in advance,