WRITING PART 1 AND 2 - INFORMAL AND FORMAL LETTERS/EMAILS

Writing Part 1 or 2

Word lengh: 

• 120 - 150 words for Part 1 and up to 180 words for Part 2 for First Certificate.
• 180 - 220 words for Part 1 and 220 - 260 words for Part 2 for CAE.

INFORMAL LETTER / EMAIL

Salution/greeting

Dear penfriend/Bob, (for a letter)

Hi penfriend/Bob./! (for an email)

Opening paragraph when writing for the first time

This is just a note to say that... / to tell you about... 

(Write 1 or 2 sentences explaining why you are writing and say something friendly / relevant if appropriate).

Opening paragraph for a reply letter/email

Thanks for your letter / email, I really enjoyed reading it. I´m really sorry about.../ I´m really proud of.../I´m really glad/pleased that/to hear (that)... This is just a note to say that.../to tell you about... 

(Write 1 or 2 sentences explaining why you are writing and say something friendly / relevant).

Main paragraphs

Useful language

By the way, ...

About (the / your)...,

Speaking of..,

Your... sounds an excellent idea and...

As for...

Is all right if / for me to...? (use direct questions)

Oh, I almost forgot!

(There are always 4 points to discuss. These ideas should be divided into 2 paragraphs and sometimes you can include one of the points in the opening itself. One of the 4 points must be discussed in more detail. This is called expansion. Read the task / instructions carefully because sometimes there is an additional point that should be discussed. Don’t forget to try to introduce each idea with a connector, expression and/or direct question to sound more natural).

Closing paragraph 

(Well, got to go now because I have to...) Looking forward to hearing from you again soon / ...seeing you soon. Oh, I almost forgot!

(Close you letter /email by explaining that you must stop writing if word length is not a problem, otherwise use standard closing expression. One of the four ideas could also be mentioned here briefly)

Farewell 

Regards,/Best wishes,/Lots of love,/Take care,

SIGN your name. 

FORMAL LETTER / EMAIL (No contractions!)

Salutation

Dear Sir or Madam, (1)

Dear Mr / Miss / Miss / Mrs or Ms Benson,(2)

Opening paragraph when writing for the first time and when replying

I am writing... to request information about.../ enquire about.../ complain about.../ apologise (for sth... /  to sb...) / inform you about.../ explain.../ with reference to... 

(Write 1 or 2 sentences explaining why you are writing).

Main paragraphs

Useful language

Regarding your / the...,

With reference to...,

You mentioned...,

You asked / enquired about....,

I would like information on / about... / Do you know What / when... (use polite / indirect questions).

(There are always 4 points to discuss. these ideas should be divided into 2 paragraphs and sometimes you can include one of the points in the opening itself. One of the 4 points must be discussed in more detail. This is called expansion. Don’t forget to try to introduce each idea with a connector, expression and/or indirect question to sound more natural).

Closing paragraph

I look forward to hearing you.

(Remember: I´m looking forward... is informal)

Farewell

Yours faithfully, (1)

Yours sincerely/truly, (2)

Sign your name and surname.

STAY TUNED FOR A LIST OF USEFUL LANGUAGE FOR INFORMAL/FORMAL LETTERS/EMAILS.


And now, an exercise to practise the differences between an informal and formal letter / email. Choose the words that are more formal and appropriate in this particular letter.We will discuss what makes a letter / email more or less formal in class. 


Dear Jack / Sir or Madam or Mr Smith,

I am writing / This is just a note to confirm a reservation that was made / I asked you for this morning by telephone. The reservation, for a couple of / two nights, is for me / myself, Manny Cruise.

I want / would like a room with a bathroom, from 12-14 July inclusive. I will be attending / 'm going to pop into the Trade Fair that is being held / is going on in Bristol that week.

Is it all right / Would it be possible for me to have a room at the back of the hotel? I think / am afraid that the room I was given / you gave me last year was rather / really noisy.

Thank you / Thanks for sending me the brochure about / regarding your conference facilities, which I got / received this morning. They look most interesting / great. Unfortunately, / I'm sorry I can't give you / am unable to provide you with any definite dates at the moment / now, as / because we have yet to finalize / sort out the details of our sales conference. But / However, I will contact you / drop you a line as soon as I can / possible.

I look / 'm looking forward to meeting you on 12 July.

Best wishes / Yours faithfully or sincerely,

Manny Cruise / Manny


Have a look at the answer below. Blue is for FORMALREGISTER and Red for INFORMAL REGISTER.

Dear Jack / Sir or Madam or Mr Smith,

I am writing / This is just a note to confirm a reservation that was made / I asked you for this morning by telephone. The reservation, for a couple of / two nights, is for me / myself, Manny Cruise.

I want / would like a room with a bathroom, from 12-14 July inclusive. I will be attending / 'm going to pop into the Trade Fair that is being held / is going on in Bristol that week.

Is it all right / Would it be possible for me to have a room at the back of the hotel? I think / am afraid that the room I was given / you gave me last year was rather / really noisy.

Thank you / Thanks for sending me the brochure about /regarding your conference facilities, which I got / received this morning. They look most interesting / great. Unfortunately, / I'm sorry I can't give you / am unable to provide you with any definite dates at the moment / now, as / because we have yet to finalize / sort out the details of our sales conference. But / However, I will contact you / drop you a line as soon as I can / possible.

I look / 'm looking forward to meeting you on 12 July.

Best wishes / Yours faithfully or sincerely,

Manny Cruise / Manny