©2015 Paul Read Writing Formal Letters in Part One /sizes/z/in/photostream/

©2015 Paul Read Writing Formal Letters in Part One What is a formal letter? What makes a good answer? How to plan an answer Worked example Extra practice

What is a formal letter? A letter to someone that you do not know by name Usually does not contain contractions or slang Uses predictable, set phrases Has a clear aim and purpose, and does not go “off topic” ©2015 Paul Read

What makes a good answer? The reader of the letter must clearly understand the problem and what it is that you want them to do Look carefully at the three pieces of information that you are told to write about, and make sure you include this Write a short introduction to explain the situation to the reader of the letter Sign off the letter with a formal phrase ©2015 Paul Read

How to plan an answer The question will tell you what you must include in your answer Plan to write one short paragraph about each of the points. You will need to invent some details. Write a short introduction to give a context to the situation. Why are you writing? Describe each of the main points in turn. Remember not to include unimportant information, to use slang or contractions (like “I’m”) Finish the letter with a formal phrase like “Thank you in advance for your help” and then sign off with “Yours faithfully” ©2015 Paul Read

Worked Example ©2015 Paul Read While staying at a hotel you left an item in the room and forgot to bring it home with you. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter Describe the item that you left behind Explain where you think the item is Tell the manager what you would like them to do

Worked Example ©2015 Paul Read Dear Sir or Madam I stayed at your hotel recently during my holiday in Plymouth. While staying at a hotel you left an item in the room and forgot to bring it home with you. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter Describe the item that you left behind Explain where you think the item is Tell the manager what you would like them to do

Worked Example ©2015 Paul Read Unfortunately as I was in a hurry to check out on the final day, I left my watch in the room. It is a gentleman’s Seiko watch with a black leather strap, and the room was number 151. While staying at a hotel you left an item in the room and forgot to bring it home with you. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter Describe the item that you left behind Explain where you think the item is Tell the manager what you would like them to do

Worked Example ©2015 Paul Read I believe that I left the watch in the bathroom next to the sink, but it may also have been left in the bedroom beside the bed. While staying at a hotel you left an item in the room and forgot to bring it home with you. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter Describe the item that you left behind Explain where you think the item is Tell the manager what you would like them to do

Worked Example ©2015 Paul Read I would be extremely grateful if you could reply to me to tell me whether or not the watch has been found. If so, I would of course be happy to pay for the postage of this item back to me at my home address. The watch is not itself valuable, but has a lot of sentimental value for me. Thank you for your assistance in this matter Yours faithfully Paul Read While staying at a hotel you left an item in the room and forgot to bring it home with you. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter Describe the item that you left behind Explain where you think the item is Tell the manager what you would like them to do

Extra Practice Go to The English Site website to find another formal letter practice exercise Look at some student answers to the exercise and read my comments on these answers ©2015 Paul Read