Guided Writing How to write formal letters

Guided Writing
Starting
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Offering help
I am writing to inform you that ...
to confirm ...
to request ...
to enquire about ...
I am contacting you for the following reason.
I recently read/heard about . . . and would like to
know . . .
Having seen your advertisement in ... , I would like to
...
I would be interested in (obtaining/receiving) ...
I received your address from ... and would like to
...
I am writing to tell you about ...
Referring to previous contact
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Thank you for your letter of March 15 ...
Thank you for contacting us.
In reply to your request ...
Thank you for your letter regarding ...
With reference to our telephone conversation
yesterday ...
Further to our meeting last week ...
It was a pleasure meeting you in London last month.
I enjoyed having lunch with you last week in Tokyo.
I would just like to confirm the main points we
discussed on Tuesday . . .
Making a request
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How to write formal letters
I would appreciate it if you would ...
I would be grateful if you could...
Could you please send me . . .
Could you possibly tell us/let us have...
In addition, I would like to receive ...
It would be helpful if you could send us ...
I am interested in (obtaining/receiving...)
I would appreciate your immediate attention to this
matter.
Please let me know what action you propose to take.
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I would be happy to ...
Would you like us to ...
I am quite willing to ...
I would be pleased to ...
Giving bad news
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I regret to inform you that ...
I'm afraid it would not be possible to ...
Unfortunately we cannot/we are unable to ...
After careful consideration I have decided (not) to ...
Complaining
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I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with ...
I am writing to complain about ...
Closing remarks
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If I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to
contact me
If you require more information ...
For further details ...
Thank you for taking this into consideration
Thank you for your help.
I hope you are happy with this arrangement.
I hope you can settle this matter to my satisfaction.
Referring to future contact
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I am looking forward to a successful working
relationship in the future
I would be happy to have an opportunity to work
with your company.
I am looking forward to hearing from you
"
" to receiving your answer.
Types of Writing:
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personal letter / e-mail to a friend
letter of application
letter of complaint
report for a newspaper / youth magazine
online review
short story / story competition
etc.
How to write a good ‘Guided Writing’?
1. Read the tasks carefully and think about what to do.
2. Choose the task that makes you feel better, the one you can identify with, the one you are more interested in or
know more about.
3. Take notes BEFORE you start writing. You might want to use a mind map to structure your thoughts. Make sure
you have three supporting details for each of the prompts to get all prompts fully elaborated. Do you know all
the words you need for your supporting details? If not, think of something else to write.
4. Start writing. Make sure you write a suitable beginning (and later on a suitable ending). Find the right register:
formal or informal? Write the text for the prompts step by step. Connect the sentences with linking words.
Make sure that the structure of your writing is logical. Use phrases that you know. Try to use some complex
structures (if-clauses, passive sentences, relative clauses, reported speech) but only if you are sure to get them
right. Try to use a good range of vocabulary and not always the same words.
Don’t write way over 200 words. The more you write, the more mistakes you will make.
5. Take your time and read through your piece of writing again. Do so carefully and answer yourself the following
questions:
a. Is your writing complete (all prompts with three supporting details)?
b. Is your writing logical? Are the paragraphs linked?
c. Is your beginning/ending suitable?
d. Check your grammar and spelling again.