Page 8 - Writing Success B2 Sample pages

Writing Success GUIDE ON WRITING TASKS

Now it’s your turn! LETTER & EMAIL
Answer the question below. Use the notes that you made
when you brainstormed your ideas. Choose two ideas for At CEFR level B2 you will often be asked to write either an
each side of the argument. informal or formal letter or email.
“Social media are replacing traditional ways of communication. Who might you write an informal letter or email to?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of social media, An informal letter will usually be to a friend or relative inviting
in your opinion?” Write your answer in 140­190 words. them to an event, asking or giving advice, or an opinion, or
telling them about something that has happened or about
Plan your essay first:
something you are about to do.
Paragraph one:
__________________________________________________ Who might you write a formal letter or email to?
__________________________________________________ A formal letter or email might be to an employer, a company
__________________________________________________ or business, a college or university, a newspaper editor, a
shop, hotel, restaurant etc. You may be applying for a job,
requesting a product or service, making a reservation, making
Paragraph two:
a complaint etc.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________ One of the most important things is to use the correct language
__________________________________________________ for your letter or email and this depends on who you are
writing to and what your relationship to them is.
Paragraph three:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________ Exercise A
Look at the phrases and expressions below and decide if
__________________________________________________
they are formal (F) or informal (I).
Paragraph four: Introductions
I
__________________________________________________ Hi ______
It’s ages since I heard from you. ______
I
__________________________________________________
I
How are things? ______
__________________________________________________
F
Dear Sir/Madam, ______
It was great to hear from you. ______
I
F
Dear Mr.../Mrs... ______
Now, write your essay. Hello ______
I
F
__________________________________________________ I am writing to inform you... ______
I
I thought I’d tell you my news. ______
__________________________________________________ The purpose of this letter is to... ______
F
__________________________________________________
Requests
__________________________________________________
Could you do me a favour? ______
I
F
__________________________________________________ I’d be really grateful if... ______
F
Would it be possible for you to assist me with...? ______
__________________________________________________
Can you help me...? ______
I
__________________________________________________
Saying sorry
__________________________________________________
F
Please accept my apology... ______
I
Sorry about... ______
Making suggestions/recommendations
F
I would advise you to... ______
I
Why don’t you...? ______
I
How about...? ______
I would highly recommend... ______
F
It would be a good idea to... ______
I
I
Maybe you could... ______
Closing your letter/email
I
Bye for now, ______
F
Yours sincerely, ______
I
Take care, ______
I
Write soon, ______
F
I look forward to hearing from you. ______
F
Yours faithfully, ______
8