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LETTER WRITING
INTRODUCTION

*COHESION - logical organisation of the text, which presupposes the use of

linking devices (see the table below).
Linking and Logical Devices
Addition
In addition to...
as well as ... + N
besides...
both... and ... + N
not only ... but also ... + N/clause
Furthermore...
Moreover... + clause
... also...
... too /as well

Cause and result

Because ...
as... + clause
since...
in case...
due to...
owing to ... + N
as a result of...
so (that)...
so + ADJ/ADV + that... + clause
such + N + that...
therefore + clause
consequently

Concession
although...
though ...
even though/even if... + clause
but...
yet...
despite ... + N
in spite of...
however
nevertheless
Similarity and comparison
as...
like ... + N
as + ADJ/ADV + as ...
as
the same + N + as/that + clause
as + ADJ/ADV + as ...
not as/so + ADJ/ADV + as +
N/clause
Not such + ADJ/ADV + as +
N/clause
as if / though ... + clause

EXERCISE 1

Contrast
while...
whereas... + clause
but...
on the other hand,...
Purpose
in order that... + clause
so that...
in order to/so as to ... + V
to...
Time
before...
after + N/clause
till/until
as/as soon
as/when/once/immediately +
clause
while + clause
during + noun
during that time
then/next/after that/later/
subsequently/eventually/ finally/at last
no sooner... than ... + clause
hardly... when

Fill each blank with a word or phrase from the list below. Use
each item once only.
although but
so that
when
as if
if
that
which
because
just as
unfortunately while
before
so
until
who
Several years ago some friends and I decided to go cycling together. We waited
1. ............................. the rush hour was over 2. ............................. we set off.
3. ............................. it looked 4. ............................. it was going to rain, we still decided to go 5. .........................:... this was the last opportunity we would have for
some time. We had packed plastic macs 6. ............................. we wouldn't get too wet
7. ............................. there was a shower. 8. ............................. we were riding along
in single file on the outskirts of town, Paul, 9. ............................. was bringing up the
rear as usual, suddenly gave a shout.
10. ............................. we turned back to see what was wrong, we found 11.
............................. he had swerved to avoid a dog 12. ............................. had run out
in front of him.
13. ............................. he had gone into a ditch at the side of the road. The bicycle had
hardly been damaged 14. ............................. Paul was 15. ............................. bruised

and shaken that we decided to go home. 16. ............................. we arrived at my

house, it started pouring with rain. We realised that our day out would have ended
badly even without the accident.
Look at the way the ideas are linked together in the passage.
EXERCISE 2

Choose a word or phrase from the following list to complete the

sentences. Use each item once only.
as long as
by the time
in case
unless
even though
just as
where
as soon as
1. They finally arrived home ............................... the clock was striking twelve.
2. Work stopped ............................... the bell rang.
3. The workmen had all gone ............................... I got home.
4. She said she would only go ............................... he came as well.
5. They used to play football every Saturday ............................... the weather conditions made it impossible.
6. He didn't wear a coat ............................... it was freezing outside.
7. A crowd had gathered ............................... the procession was due to pass.
8. I decided to take my coat ............................... it got cold later in the day.
EXERCISE 3

Now do the same with these sentences.

Because of this
Eventually
Meanwhile
On the other hand
Despite this
Luckily
Naturally
Some time later
1. The little girl ran out into the street. ............................... there weren't any cars
coming, or she might have been killed.
2. He suddenly told us he had found a new job. ............................... we were all very
pleased and congratulated him.
3. She walked slowly towards her house. ................................ the burglar was escaping through the back window.
4. We spent the afternoon looking for somewhere to stay. ............................... just as
we were giving up hope, we saw a sign outside a big old house.
5. Sue worked hard and usually felt very tired when she came home.
.............................. she hardly ever went out in the evening.
6. It was one of the coldest days of the year. ............................... a huge crowd had
gathered outside the town hall.
7. You could try writing to him. ............................... you might as well wait until you
see him again next week.
8. They said goodbye and he never saw her again. ................................ he heard that
she had married a much older man.
LETTERS
Letters can be formal, informal (including or giving information, accepting or refusing invitations, letters of advice, letters of complaint etc) and transactional (formal
or informal letters that need a reply which are based on advertisements, other letters

etc). While writing a transactional letter, make sure you have included all the information provided in the question using your own words.
General outline for letters
Salutation

Paragraph 1
reasons for
writing

Paragraphs 2,3
development

Final paragraph
closing remarks

NAME

There are quite a few types of letters such as: letters of invitation, letters accepting or
refusing invitations, letters asking for or giving further information, applications, letters of complaint, letters of apology, letters giving or asking for directions, letters
asking for advice, letters to a friend about the latest news, letters expressing
thanks/regrets/congratulations.
Before we start writing a letter it is important to think about who we are writing to. If
we use the wrong style, the letter will look odd, silly or impolite. For example, if we
wrote to a company and used informal language, the letter would look impolite. In
the same way, if we wrote to a friend and used formal language, the letter would look
odd.
There are certain factors which help us decide whether a letter is formal or informal. These are:
- The opening of the letter (e.g. Dear Sir/Madam / Dear Mary)
- The topics in the letter (e.g. when formal, they should be only facts)
- The language used (e.g. formal or informal)
- The closing of the letter and the name at the end of it (Yours sincerely, Peter Brown
/ Love, Peter etc)
Formal letters
Salutation: Dear Sir / Madam,

Semi-Formal or Informal letters

Salutation: Dear Mary,

formal style - impersonal language

not too direct
complex sentence structure frequent
use of Passive Voice - single word verbs
- non colloquial English advanced vocabulary
each paragraph develops one specific
area
only facts, no use of literary devices
no use of short forms
Name:
Yours faithfully,
Peter Brown

short, zappy style (abbreviations)

use of slang or colloquial English - use
of idioms phrasal verbs
pronouns are often omitted
chatty, use of literary devices
use of short forms

Name:

Best wishes / Love /

Yours / Regards,
Peter

Exercise 4
Put an F for formal and and I for informal language. Give reasons.
1 I thought I'd drop you a line to let
12 I feel I must protest about...
you know ...
13 Why don't you come to dinner...
2 I am writing to inquire about....
14 I'd love to see you again.
3 I would appreciate an early reply.
15 Thanks for the invitation.
4 Why not pop up here to see us?
16 Please indicate whether you will be able
5 Do get in touch.
17 Your presence is required at...
6 Well, I think that's all for now.
18 I look forward to ...
7 I am sorry to inform you that...
19 I'm looking forward to ...
8 I am writing in connection with ...
20 Drop by for coffee sometime
9 I hope the matter will receive your prompt...
10 I've been meaning to write to you for ages.
11 Currently I am working at...
Exercise 5
1 uses an impersonal style
2 includes only facts
3 omits pronouns

4 uses examples of the passive voice

5 is an example of colloquial English
6 includes advanced vocabulary

7 uses short forms

8 contains literary devices
9 uses short, zappy style

Read the two models and find out which model

MODEL 1
Dear Ms Johnson,
I am writing in response to your request for advice on choosing a career.
The nursing profession is both enjoyable and rewarding, however there are
also negative aspects that have to be considered. Most importantly a life long
commitment of very hard work is required. A nurse must be prepared to work long
hours, often under stressful conditions. You are encouraged to pursue a career in
nursing if it interests you, but consideration of other options is also recommended.
Microbiology, for example, is a profession within the medical field which can be
equally rewarding, yet less stressful than nursing.
I hope you find this information useful. Please contact me upon reaching a decision.
Yours sincerely,
Alice White

MODEL 2
Dear Tracy,
Just got your letter and sat down straight away to tell you what I think.
You know I've been a nurse for years and it's been fun, but sometimes I wish I'd
taken an easier road. Nursing is like being a mother: you work long hours, you
worry about people all the time, and nobody ever says thank you. If you want to be
a nurse, go for it, but think about it first. Why don't you study microbiology? It's
interesting and you don't have to work 24 hours a day and come home every night
with a pounding headache from the stress.
Hope I've been helpful! Let me know what you decide.
Love,
Jennifer