Reading and Writing 3 Note Writing: Requests Unit 1 Love and Care Session C

Major Activities I. Basic Ideas on Note-Writing II. Basic Ideas of Notes of Requests III. Writing practice IV. Assignments

I. Basic Ideas on Note-Writing 1. Key Elements of a Note 2. Key Features of Note-Writing 3. Expressions 4. Common Mistakes in Note-Writing

Format of a Note Date Heading, _________________Body__________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ________________etc. Closing, Signature Date Heading, _________________Body_______________________________ _____________________________________________________ ___________. ____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________. Closing, Signature

Key Features of Note-writing Simple in form Brief and precise in content ?

Informal Language  Use idioms and slang (to kick out)  Use short sentences  Use contracted verb forms (we've, I'm, etc.)  Use informal linking words (well, by the way, anyway, so)  Use more-conversation-like statements or questions  Use fewer passive verb forms  End your note in an informal way (Take care, Cheers, Yours, Best wishes, Love, Regards, etc.)

Formal and Informal Expressions Which phrase or type of language would you find in a formal letter (F)? Which phrase or type of language would you find in an informal letter (I)? 1.I am sorry to inform you that... 2.phrasal verbs 3.I am very grateful for... 4.Why don't we... 5.I will not be able to attend the... 6.idioms and slang 7.contracted verb forms like we've, I'm, etc. 8.Give my regards to... 9.I look forward to hearing from you Let me know as soon as short sentences 12.Dear Tom, 13.Dear Ms Smithers, 14.Best wishes, 15.Yours faithfully, 16.I'm really sorry I Unfortunately, we will have to postpone We had a little bit of luck Our computers are used for a variety I use my pencil sharper for polite phrases 22.fewer passive verb forms F F F I I F F F F F I I I I I I I I I I I I

Common Mistakes Appropriate FormInappropriate Form Date April 23rd, 2006; 23 April, 2006; April 23 rd ; Apr(.) 23, 2006; 23/4/2006; 4/23/2006 April ; April ; 4,23rd 2006; 23rd. Apri. 2006; April 23th, 2006; Heading(Dear) Michael, (Dear) Michael: To Michael, Hello Michael, Closing Truly yours, Yours truly, Yours sincerely, Sincerely yours, Yours, Best wishes, Your classmate Mary, Yours Mary, Sincerely, BodyInappropriate beginning; Specific information omitted ; Irrelevant information

Example Dec. 10, 2004 Dear Mandy, Thank you so much for the sweater. It is so soft that I feel like you’ve sent me 100 hugs. When the weather gets colder, I'll definitely have you in my thoughts. Thanks for your kindness. Yours, Lisa

III. Notes of REQUETS

Basic Ideas of Notes of Requests Typically, you would write a Request Note when you wanted to: inquiring a specific type about products or services making a room reservation asking for leave borrowing

A Sample of Request Note-1 Note of Booking a Room 8 Aug., 2008 Dear Sir, I would like to book a single room with bath from the 21st of Oct. to the 2nd of Nov., inclusive. It’s for Black Smith, our sales manager. We would like you to provide a room with a telephone extension and overlooking the park, if possible. Mr. Smith will arrive on the morning of the 21st of Oct., and leave in the afternoon on the 2nd of November. Could you please confirm this booking with a return note? We look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Pan Minling

A Sample of Request Note-2 Note of Asking for Handout Sep. 25, 2008 Dear Professor Hu, I am very happy to have the chance to listen to your lecture on “American Literature”. But it is a pity that I was late that day due to a minor accident on my way to the lecture, missed the first half of the lecture, and failed to get the handout. Your lecture is really instructive for my English study, so I wonder if it is possible for me to get the handout. If it is possible, would you please it to the address: or call me at and I will go to fetch it. Heartfelt thanks. Respectfully yours, Zhang Fei

Analysis of Sample Notes Note of Inquiring Specific Information Feb. 6, 2007 Dear Mr. Peter Black, ① I’d like to buy a jet printer that your HP company produced. ② Could you send me some information, such as the price and after sales services about it? ③ We are looking forward to your early reply. Sincerely yours, Ryan Smith Analysis: 36 words in the body three parts: purpose of the note, more detailed requests, asking for an instant reply

Note of Asking for Leave Nov. 12 Dear Miss Huang, ① I’d like to apply for three days’ leave of absence, starting from Nov. 13th and finishing on Nov. 15th, in order to return home to see my father, who is now seriously ill. ② I should be much obliged if you would grant me leave. ③ As regards the lessons to be missed during my absence, I will do my best to make up for them as soon as I get back from home. Sincerely yours, Susan Analysis: the request of asking for leave & exact days for leaving––cause of leaving–– ways to make up for absence

Note of Borrowing July 6 Dear Patrick: I wonder if I could borrow your electronic dictionary for a few days. Now I am translating some important articles. There are many new words which I have to look up the dictionary usually. I just have a paper dictionary but of course it’s not as convenient as the electronic one. So I think your electronic dictionary is more suitable for me to complete my work. I promise that I must be very careful of your dictionary and make no damage done on it. Thank you very much ！ Yours, Emma Analysis: The note of borrowing states the thing you want to borrow, the reason why you borrow it, and how long you will keep it. At last, don’t forget to extend your gratitude for the owner’s kindness.

Commonly Used Sentence Patterns  I’d like to buy/book …  Could you send me some information, such as…  We would like you to provide a room with  We are looking forward to your early reply.  Could you please confirm this booking with a return note?  I wonder if it is possible for you to give me a list of reference books on this topic to …  We look forward to your early and favorably reply.  Would you be so kind as to…

 Could I trouble you to send this book for me?  I wonder if I could borrow …  If it is not too troublesome, could/ would you … ?  I hope this request will not trouble you too much.  I promise that …  I should be much obliged if …  I shall feel obliged if you will favor me with a call at your earliest convenience.  I happen to be in urgent need of 200 yuan.  Please give an extension of leave for three days.  Heartfelt thanks.  …

III. Writing Practice

Nov. 23 Babara, 请在假日酒店预订一个带洗澡间的双人间 ____________________ _______________________________________ for Mrs. Robert Anselmi of Eagle Sports 从 12 月 3 日到 12 月 6 日 _________________________ __________________. They will arrive the evening of the 3rd, before 6 p.m. and 在 6 日 11 点之前离开 ______________________________. 如果 那周末的房间订不到 __________________________________________, please make other plans. Otherwise please advise her of the reservation. Thanks a lot. Jasper Practice 1 Directions: Complete the following letters according to the information given. a double room with bath at Holiday Inn Please reserve/book from December 3rd to December 6th depart the 6th before 11 a.m. If a room is not available for that weekend

June 26 Dear Ms. Rose: Our Personnel Manager, Mr. Steward, will be in Shanghai on business ___________. Please ___________ a plane ticket from Beijing to Shanghai ___________ for Mr. Steward and then send it to his office, and call to book ______________ in ___________, with bath, from April 20 to April 24 ___________. Thank you very much. Yours, Liu Lin on April 20 inclusive Holiday Inn for five days a single room reserve Practice 2 Directions: Fill in the blanks with words chosen from the list below. Add capitalization when necessary. for five days reserve on April 20 a single roomHoliday Inn inclusive

May 3 Dr. David, I ’ d like to know your comments on ______________ of ____________________ before I begin _______________. Could you give some suggestions by or post your comments on the ___________ on your ____________? Looking forward to your reply. Thank you! Yours sincerely, Bai Tao Guestbook my academic paper the outline my first draft Web Page the outline my academic paper Guestbook my first draft Web Page

May 26, 2008 Dear Sir, I would be grateful if you would send me details of post- graduate study in English literature which Oxford University may be offering to students from overseas. I major in English and will graduate from Ningbo University in July And I ’ ve passed the Test for English Majors (Band 8) this march. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Li Lin Directions: Translate the following note of asking for leave into Chinese. Practice 3 尊敬的先生： 如果您能给我寄来牛津大学招收外国研究生的英语文 学专业的相关详细资料，我将不甚感激。我 2008 年 7 月将 从宁波大学毕业，大学期间主修英语，并在今年 3 月通过 英语专业 8 级统考。希望能早日收到您寄来的资料。 李林敬上 2008 年 5 月 26 日

亲爱的 Brown 教授： 因为 White 教授明早的讲座据说要到 10 ： 30 分才能结束，所以很 抱歉没法在 10 点去见您了。如果您方便的话，我想明天 11 点在您办公室跟 您见面。如果不行，麻烦您今天下午在我的信箱（ 208 号）留个条。谢谢。 您诚挚的学生 伊丽莎白 3 月 21 日 Practice 4 Directions: Translate the following note of asking for leave into English. 21st March Dear Prof. Brown, I’m sorry I can’t make our 10 o’clock appointment tomorrow. I was told that Prof. White’s lecture in tomorrow morning would not end until 10:30. I could meet you in your office tomorrow at 11, if that is convenient for you. If not, please leave a note in my mailbox ＃ 208, this afternoon. Thanks a lot. Yours sincerely, Elizabeth

ASSIGNMENTS Write in 10 minutes a note of about words based on the following situation: You are Mark or Sally. You don’t feel well, and cannot attend the English class. Write your English teacher a note, asking for a sick leave of two periods.