2 Openings. Вступление
When
writing an informal letter, you are usually replying to another letter. Start
with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are replying. It is
often a good idea to acknowledge some key information given in the original
letter too. You can also make a comment on your own reply.
USEFUL PHRASES
Start with
a greeting: How are you? | How have the family been? |
I hope you are well.
Acknowledge
the original letter: Thank you
for the letter and parcel which arrived this morning. | It was great to hear
from you again after such a long time. | I was so surprised to hear that you
are going to university in America!
Make a
comment on your reply: I have so
much to tell you. | I'm sorry I haven't written for so long.
3. Covering all issues. Отвечаем на вопросы, рассказываем новости
When you
have finished your opening comments, begin a new paragraph and cover all the
information that you want to mention. Make sure
that your reply answers all questions that you were asked in the
original letter and takes into account any additional information that you have
been told to mention.
4 Using
informal language. Полезные фразы
Use
intensifying adjectives and adverbs to show enthusiasm. Выразите свой энтузиазм: I've got a fantastic new job. | My new boss is an
absolute nightmare.
Use
idiomatic language. Используйте фразеологизмы: Things have been
getting on top of me at work lately. | It's been ages since we last managed to
meet up. | What have you been up to lately? | Let me know what you think. |
I'll fill you in when we next meet.
Use
informal vocabulary. Используйте разговорную лексику: get вместоreceive, I guess вместо I think
Use phrasal
verbs and phrases. исользуйте фразовые глаголы: we get on
well, write back soon, get in touch.
Use
contractions. Используйте сокращения: I can't help thinking I should've told you
sooner.
USEFUL PHRASES
To
introduce a topic: Well, you'll never
guess who I bumped into yesterday. | I know how much you love tennis, so I've
got us some tickets to Wimbledon. | By the
way, did you know that John's got a new job?
To go back
to a previous topic: Anyway, as
I was saying earlier, I really wasn't very happy there. | Now where was I? Oh
yes, I nearly forgot, Mary asked me tell you about the cinema.
To
introduce surprising or bad news: Actually,
he came to the party after all. | I'm really sorry but I can't make it. | To
tell you the truth, I don't really like sports much.
To
summarise what you've already said: Anyway,
we had a really nice time in the end. | Well, to cut a long story short, we
didn't get there on time.
5. Asking questions. Не забудьте задать вопросы.
Use
question forms to make the letter read more like a conversation: How are your studies going? | How does that sound to
you?
6. Closing statements. Заключение
Полезные фразы
Give a
reason why you're ending the letter:
Anyway, I must go and get on with my work! | I guess it's time I got on with
that studying I've been avoiding.
Make a
reference to future contact: Anyway, don't forget to let me know the dates of the
party. | I'll try and phone you at the weekend to check the times. | We must
try and meet up soon. | I can't wait to hear from you.
A closing
statement, such as Take care, Best wishes or Love
should be written on a
new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here too.
Your name then follows on another new line.
Краткий образец:
|
Saint-Petersburg
Russia
15.06.10
Dear Sally,
Thank you for the letter. How are you? I
hope you are well. It was great to hear from you again after such a long
time. I'm sorry I haven't written for so long. I really should have written
sooner. I have been busy with …
The body of the letter. (Само письмо)
Anyway, I must go and get on with my
work!
Hope to hear from you soon.
All the best.
Kate
|