Level: Pre-intermediate and above

Brief description:

This lesson is designed to raise awareness of the sections of an informal letter, to look at some useful expressions and the use of sentence connectors.

KEY CONCEPTS:

• Informal letters and emails usually have five stages or sections: the greeting, introduction, body, closing remarks, and the sign off.

• There is a variety of expressions we can use in these sections.

• We can use sentence connectors to link sentences and show the relationships between ideas.

PART 1: SECTIONS OF AN INFORMAL LETTER

Look at the following informal letter. Identify the greeting, introduction, body, closing remarks and sign off and postscript. Then check your ideas below:

Answers

Greeting: Dear Samantha

Introduction: How are you? I hope you’re fine. I’m writing….prepared.

Body: First,….there.

Closing remarks: As I have my P.E. class…this trip!

Sign off: Kisses

Postscript: My train arrives at 3.30 pm. Will you be able to pick me up at the station?

PART 2: EXPRESSIONS WE CAN USE IN AN INFORMAL LETTER

Here are some expressions commonly used in informal letters. Label the expressions as (A) greeting, (B) introduction, (C) closing remarks or (D) sign off? Then check below.

1. That’s all for now. (C)

2. Hello…, 3. Give my love to your family. 4. Kisses, 5. How are you? I’m fine. 6. Give my regards to your parents. 7. I hope to hear from you soon. 8. Best wishes, 9. Regards, 10. I’m really looking forward to seeing you. 11. Thanks for your email/letter. 12. I’m writing to tell you about… 13. I hope you’re well. 14. Dear…, 15. Well, that’s my news. 16. Yours, 17. Say hello to… 18. It seems a long time since I last wrote. 19. Keep in touch. 20. I must go now. 21. I’m writing to ask you a favour. 22. How’s your family? 23. Hi…, 24. Write soon. 25. Cheers, 26. It was great to hear from you. 27. Lots of love, 28. I have some good news. 29. Best regards, 30. Sorry, but I have to finish now. 31. Take care, 32. Sorry for not writing for so long. 33. It was great to get your letter. 34. Love, 35. Sorry I haven’t been in touch for ages. 36. Well, that’s enough for now. 37. Hope to see you soon. 38. I’m sorry I haven’t written earlier.

Answers

A. Greeting: 2, 14, 23

B. Introduction: 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 21, 22, 26, 28, 32, 33, 35, 38

C. Closing remarks: 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 30, 36, 37

D. Sign off: 4, 8, 9, 16, 25, 27, 29, 31, 34

PART 3: SENTENCE CONNECTORS

Read the letter again. What is the purpose of each underlined connector? Write the underlined connectors next to the right heading below. Then check your answers underneath.

a. Addition: b. Contrast: c. Example: d. Purpose: e. Reason: f. Sequence:

Answers

a. And, also

b. But

c. Such as

d. So that

e. Because, as

f. First, second, finally

Writing Practice

Choose one of the following options and write an informal email or letter:

1. Answer Katherine’s email and include all the information she asks for.

2. Write an email to your English friend Robert. Talk about your last summer holidays, your school year, and your new hobbies.

Glossary

• To ask someone a favor = to request someone to do something for you (Yêu cầu ai đó giúp đỡ điều gì)

• To not be in touch for ages = to not hear from someone for a long time (Không nghe tin tức gì về ai đó một thời gian dài, lâu rồi không liên lạc ai đó)

• A fortnight = two weeks (Hai tuần lễ)

Source: The Teacher’s Magazine, May 2011 issue.

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).