W Writing guide Writing guide WG 1 Letters and e-mails  Page 19 a) Formal letters/e-mails Example question Read the brochure extract and write a formal letter to the central tourist office in Lake Louise asking for information. The Lake Louise Ski Area & Mountain Resort – one of North America’s biggest winter sport resorts (184 km west of Calgary, Alberta) – offers … 4,200 skiable acres limitless off-piste adventures terrain for skiers of all abilities more terrain than can be skied in a week a huge variety of accommodation, good restaurants and excellent nightlife Come to Lake Louise where the scenery, not the altitude, takes your breath away! Useful language Greetings • Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms, … • Dear Sir/Madam, … • Dear Sir or Madam, … Reasons for writing • • • • I am writing regarding/to ask … (Note: always start with a capital letter) I am interested in coming … Thank you very much for your letter/e-mail … I am writing in reply to your letter of 26 September … Body of the letter • • • • First/Secondly/Thirdly/Finally I would like to know … I would be grateful if you could tell me … I wonder if you could tell me … Attached you will find … Ending • • • • • • Thank you very much in advance. I am looking forward to your reply. I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely, … (Note: very formal) Kind regards/Best regards/Best wishes, … (Note: less formal) 140 101297_Writing_guide.indd 140 14.07.2010 15:59:22 Writing guide W Useful tips Beginning • Clearly state your reasons for writing. Language • Use formal language. Questions • Use indirect questions. Contractions • Always use the full forms instead of contractions (e.g. I have, it is, etc.). Punctuation • Do not use exclamation marks. Signature • You should always sign your letter and type your full name underneath it. Example answer Sebastian Falk Frankgasse 467 1090 Vienna 10 November 20 .. Dear Sir or Madam, My family and I are visiting my aunt in Alberta at the beginning of December and we are interested in going skiing in Lake Louise for a week. However, I have a few questions. First, I would like to know the following: When does the skiing season start in Lake Louise and what time do you open? We are planning to be in your resort in the second week of December. Secondly, do you also have slopes for snowboarding? Thirdly, what about the weather in the Rocky Mountains in December? What comes to my mind are icy-cold nights, frozen lakes, etc. My next question is about accommodation: We are a group of four people and looking for a reasonably priced mid-range hotel. I would be grateful if you could get some information to us. Finally, could you tell me the best way to get to Lake Louise from Calgary, where my aunt lives? Are there any bus connections? I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Sebastian Falk Sebastian Falk 141 101297_Writing_guide.indd 141 14.07.2010 15:59:22 W Writing guide b) Informal letters/e-mails Example question Caroline, a French girl you met last summer on a two-week English course in Somerset, has written an e-mail to say that she will be visiting Austria on holiday in August. She has asked which places she should visit with her family. Reply to her e-mail, offering her to come to your place. Example answer Re.: Coming to Austria Dear Caroline, Great to hear from you again after all this time! I am really glad that you and your family are finally coming to Austria in a few months. How are things in France, how is school? I hope everything is OK. Back to your holidays in Austria. You asked about places to see. A city you should definitely visit is Vienna, our capital. Vienna’s most important sights: firstly there is St Stephen’s Cathedral, which is situated directly in the city centre. You should also see Schönbrunn Palace and its huge park. The palace is one of the most significant cultural monuments in Austria and was generally used as the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. Schönbrunn Zoo is also great fun with thousands of animals, and you should also take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. Depending on the weather I would also recommend a hiking trip to the mountains. I hope you will also have time to come and visit my family and me. We would really like to see you and if there’s enough time we could spend a few days together. Write back soon and tell me about your plans. Hope to hear from you soon. Best wishes, Lena Useful language Greetings • Hi/Hello, … • Dear Caroline, … • Dear all, … Beginning • Great to hear from you again … • Many thanks for your letter/e-mail … • Nice to hear from you again … Ending • • • • Looking forward to your reply. Hope to hear from you soon. All the best, … See you/Best wishes/Bye, … Useful tips Beginning • Refer to a letter/e-mail you have received from the person you are writing to. Language • Use informal language. Questions • Ask about some personal news in the first paragraph. • Use direct questions. Contractions • It is OK to use contractions (e.g. can’t). Punctuation • You can use exclamation marks to emphasise something. 142 101297_Writing_guide.indd 142 14.07.2010 15:59:22 Writing guide W WG 2 Short stories  Page 78 Example question A radio station is holding a competition for short stories written by listeners. The winning stories will be read on the radio. The competition rules state that all stories must begin with these words: She was exhausted and did not really know what to do. Write a similar story in an appropriate style. Example answer Blue (by Jakob Ortel) She was exhausted and did not really know what to do. Katie Connor was running over a bridge. It was a very long bridge and it was big. Really big. Katie did not know what the bridge was called, but this was not important for her at the time. The sun was shining brightly, blue sky and cute clouds like small, fluffy sheep – a crystal clear view. It was a nice day, maybe a bit too hot, but OK. The sun was shining down on her, but Katie was not sweating. She was running like crazy. Her legs moved quickly. A few cars drove by. Katie’s blonde hair was going up and down. Up and down. Up and down to the rhythm of her feet. Running. Running. Running. Katie still was not sweating. The sun was still shining on her. Her legs moved step by step. A few cars drove by. Step after step after step. Still, she couldn’t see the end of the bridge. ”Maybe the bridge does not have an end? I don’t know. How should I?” The sun was shining. Running. Still running. Katie was running. Suddenly she stopped. She looked down at the water under the endless bridge. She stepped on the railing. She didn’t wait. She jumped. Katie was not sweating. The water was coming closer. Blue. Katie liked this colour. Blue. Useful tips Title • After having finished your text, give your story a title. Beginning • A short story often starts “medias in res” – right in the middle of the action. Tenses • Use the narrative tenses correctly. Use sequencing expressions where necessary (after, then, while, just before, as soon as, at first, a few seconds later, finally, eventually). Paragraphs • Structure your story into paragraphs. Direct speech • Use direct speech to make your story more interesting. Descriptive adjectives and adverbs • Use descriptive adjectives and adverbs which add to the atmosphere of the story (e.g. he kindly said …). Linking words and connectors • Where possible, use linking words and connectors to make your sentences longer. Contractions • It is OK to use contractions (don’t, isn’t, …), but your story should not be as informal as e.g. an informal letter. Punctuation • Use commas to create more detailed and interesting sentences as a means of supplementing information. Turning point and climax • Every story needs a turning point (a big change) or climax (story highlight). Ending • Try to have a dramatic, funny, open or surprising ending. Other short stories in the book: “Going home” (page 76), “Deportation at breakfast” (page 79) 143 101297_Writing_guide.indd 143 14.07.2010 15:59:22 W Writing guide WG 3 Letters of complaint  Page 94 Example question You have recently bought a new SUMSOKIA N901 mobile phone at TECHSTORE, 32 Tower Street, London, SW12, but it cannot be switched on. Write a letter of complaint. Example answer Julia Schmied Sonnenweg 75 7000 Eisenstadt TECHSTORE 32 Tower Street London, SW12 12 January 20 .. Dear Sir or Madam, On January 10, 20.. I bought a SUMSOKIA N901 mobile phone at TECHSTORE, 32 Tower Street, London, SW12. Unfortunately, your product has not performed well at all because it could not even be switched on after having fully charged the battery. To resolve the problem, I would appreciate it if you could exchange the phone or refund my money. Enclosed are copies of the receipt and guarantee. I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem. Please contact me at the above address or [email protected]. Yours faithfully, Julia Schmied Julia Schmied Useful language Greetings • Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms, … • Dear Sir/Madam, … • Dear Sir or Madam, … Reasons for writing • • • • I am writing regarding … I am writing in response to your advertisement … I am writing to you about … I am writing to complain about … Body of the letter • • • • First/Secondly/Thirdly/Finally your advertisement/brochure promised … I am disappointed because … Moreover, the … was supposed to be … Enclosed are copies of the receipt and guarantee. Ending • • • • • I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem. I would like you to refund my money. Unless I receive a satisfactory reply, I will write to the Consumer Association. Please contact me at the above address. Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely, … 144 101297_Writing_guide.indd 144 14.07.2010 15:59:22 Writing guide W WG 4 Applying for a job  Pages 117–118 a) Letters of application Example question Read this advertisement from an online job site and write a letter of application. Creative Concepts Ltd. is looking for international young people (aged 16–20) who would like to do a summer work placement in the field of web design. To apply, give a full description of yourself and your level of English. Furthermore, explain why you would be suitable for the job. All letters of application should be submitted to: Creative Concepts Ltd., 62 Denmark Street, London WC5 10B, England Example answer Lisa Wagenbrunn Ferdinand Hanusch-Straße 99a 8010 Graz Creative Concepts Ltd. 62 Denmark Street London WC5 10B England 25 February 20 .. Application for work placement Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing in response to your advertisement which appeared in www.jobsearch. uk on February 24th. I would like to be considered for the work placement in August in order to gain work experience in the United Kingdom to improve my English. As you will see from my enclosed CV, I am 16 years old and attend a grammar school in Graz, Austria. My mother tongue is German, but I have been learning English for eight years. I have visited the USA and South Africa with my family, and I am currently studying for the FCE. My aim is to study computer science after finishing my A-levels. I have always been interested in doing a work placement abroad, and I am particularly interested in working in London as it is one of the most creative centres for web design in the world. I am looking forward to gaining practical experience and learning about the services that your firm offers. I have good computer skills and would be able to carry out general office duties. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me ([email protected]). If you think that I might fit into your firm, I am available for an interview at any time. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Lisa Wagenbrunn Lisa Wagenbrunn Enclosed: CV 145 101297_Writing_guide.indd 145 14.07.2010 15:59:22 W Writing guide Useful language Greetings • Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms, … • Dear Sir/Madam, … • Dear Sir or Madam, … Reasons for writing • I am writing in response to your advertisement … • I am writing to apply for the job as/the position of … • I am writing with regard to your advertisement for the job as … Describing yourself • I am generally considered to be … Requesting information • I wonder if you could tell me … • Do you think you could let me know … Offering further information/ job interview • If you require any further information, please contact/do not hesitate to contact me … • I am available for an interview any time/at your convenience … Ending • I would very much look forward to hearing from you. • Yours faithfully/Yours sincerely, … Attention! • BE: CV (= curriculum vitae), AE: resume • Another word for placement is internship. b) Curriculum vitae Personal details: Name: Address: Date of Birth: Nationality: Tel.: E-mail: Lisa Wagenbrunn Ferdinand Hanusch-Straße 99a 8010 Graz 29 May 1996 Austrian 0043/316/394783920 [email protected] Education: 2006–present 2002–2006 Secondary school: Akademisches Gymnasium, Graz expected graduation (Austrian school leaving certificate): 2014 Elementary school Work experience: Summer 2011 Work placement in my uncle’s computer firm (DAP Website Solutions, Graz, Austria) carried out routine office duties and customer correspondence July 2010 Voluntary work in an old people’s nursing home (LIFE Graz, Austria) Language skills: German: English: French: native speaker fluent in speaking and writing (Exam for Cambridge First Certificate at the end of the school year) working knowledge Other qualifications/interests: Good knowledge of MS Office and Photoshop Travel (South Africa, USA), sport and music References available upon request 146 101297_Writing_guide.indd 146 14.07.2010 15:59:22 Writing guide W Useful tips Photo • Only include a photo if you think it will help you get the job. Order • The British and American version of your CV go from present to past, so start with the most recent events and go backwards (education, work experience). Names of schools etc. • Do not translate names of schools, companies and qualifications. CV/resume • BE: CV (= curriculum vitae), AE: resume Job description • Briefly describe what you did in your previous jobs. Also include the relevance and skills you have learned. Do not waffle! • All positions of responsibility, no matter where, are relevant – clubs, societies, etc. Interests • Use your interests to show what kind of person you are. Mistakes • Check your CV for mistakes! Marks • If you are satisfied with your exam results and you feel they improve your CV, include them. This also goes for good predicted marks. Languages • Differentiate between: excellent knowledge of English, working knowledge of English and basic knowledge of English. 147 101297_Writing_guide.indd 147 14.07.2010 15:59:23