1、Unit 4 Exploring literatureIntegrated skills (II)How to write a formal letterFormal lettersA formal letter can refer to any written letter for a formal purpose, whether that be a recommendation letter, an invitation letter, a complaint letter and so on.It is usually meant to be addressed to the head
2、s or managers of civil, public organizations or private companies. Follow a certain structure Make the message to the point and short Use polite and formal languageStructure of formal lettersSalutationIt is a greeting to whom the letter is addressed. Dear Sir/MadamThis is used when you do not know t
3、he name of the person you are writing to. Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms .This is used when you know the receivers name. In case of a woman, use Ms if you are not sure whether the woman is married or unmarried.BodyYour message or the purpose of writing the letter comes in this part. So, it must be drafted carefully
4、 so as to create a convincing and appealing impact on its readers. Introductory paragraph:State the purpose of writing. Information paragraph:Give details of the issue or problem (causes, effects, solutions, etc.) Concluding paragraph:State your hopes, requests, comments, etc.ClosingIt is a polite w
5、ay of ending the letter. Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, Yours truly, Respectfully yours are commonly used. It is written just below the closing. Sometimes the senders designation (职位，头衔) may be added in brackets.Name and signatureA letter to the librarian to recommend books Dear Librarian,Saluta
6、tionI am writing to recommend two types of books that I think the library should buy.Introductory paragraphThe first type is fantasy novels. I think the library needs more fantasy novels because they are very popular with students. Some examples of good fantasy novels for the library would be The Lo
7、rd of the Rings series and the Harry Potter series.Information paragraphA letter to the librarian to recommend books Information paragraphThe second type of book I would like to recommend is biographies. Although they are one of the least popular types of books in our library, students should be enc
8、ouraged to read more of them. Good biographies such as Marie Curie: A Life will inspire students to study harder and reach their goals. In addition to biographies of historical figures, I believe our school library could buy some biographies of contemporary figures, like Steve Jobs.ClosingName and s
9、ignatureI look forward to reading more of the librarys fantasy novels and biographies soon.Yours faithfully, Edward ZhangEdward ZhangConcluding paragraphLanguage of formal letters 1. Avoid contractions.This isnt what wed expect from a professional service.InappropriateThis is not what we would expec
10、t from a professional service.Appropriate 2. Do not use abbreviations.I got the info from your ad in the newspaper. InappropriateI got the information from your advertisement in the newspaper. Appropriate3. Limit the use of active verbs with the first person singular pronoun. I will send you all the
11、 relevant information asap.InappropriateAll the relevant information will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.Appropriate4. Avoid the use of informal degree modifiers.This is really annoying for me. InappropriateThis is extremely/highly/entirely annoying for me.Appropriate5. Avoid using idioms a
12、nd slang.Im not losing any sleep over that.InappropriateThat does not worry me at all.AppropriateHe really gets on my nerves.InappropriateHe irritates me.Appropriate 6. Do not leave out words.Look forward to hearing from you. InappropriateI look forward to hearing from you.Appropriate7. Avoid inform
13、al discourse markers.By the way, the wine was in poor quality either. InappropriateThe wine, incidentally, was in poor quality either. Appropriate8. Limit the use of phrasal verbs.We will make up for the money youve spend. InappropriateWe will compensate you for your expenses. Appropriate9. Use soph
14、isticated transitions.And there is another point to make. InappropriateThere is, in addition, one further point to make. AppropriateSalutationBodyIntroductory para.Information para.Concluding para.ClosingName and signatureAvoid contractions.Do not use abbreviations.Limit the use of active verbs with the first person singular pronoun.Avoid the use of informal degree modifiers.Avoid using idioms and slang.Do not leave out words.Avoid informal discourse markers.Limit the use of phrasal verbs.Use sophisticated transitions.
