Nicole Spiteri English Language Writing Writing a Short Note

Writing a Short Note

1. Look at the following text.

Dear Ms. Marie,

Sorry I couldn’t come to class last week.

I had to go to the doctor at the clinic on Monday, as I

was feeling sick. The doctor told me that I have the flu
and that I need to stay at home until I’m feeling better.

I will be back in class next week.

Thank you,

Leyla

2. Who wrote this text?

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3. What is the text about?

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4. To whom is the text addressed to?

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Why would you write a short note?

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Nicole Spiteri English Language Writing Writing a Short Note

The Structure of a Short Note

1. Let’s look at how we should write a short note:

Greeting
Dear Ms. Marie,

Sorry I couldn’t come to class last

Introduction
week.

I had to go to the doctor at the

clinic on Monday, as I was feeling
Body1
sick.

The doctor told me that I have the

flu and that I need to stay at home
Body2
until I’m feeling better.

I will be back in class next week. Conclusion

Thank you, Sign-off1

Leyla
Sign-off2

Remember that:
1. A short note should have between 50-60 words
2. A note should always follow this structure:
a. Greeting
b. Introduction
c. Body
d. Conclusion
e. Sign-Off

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Nicole Spiteri English Language Writing Writing a Short Note

The Structure of a Short Note 2

1. Let’s define the structure of a short note
Definitions adapted from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/

It is a polite and informal word or a

sign of welcome. We use this in the
Greeting
very beginning of a note to show to
whom we are addressing our note to.

It is the first paragraph of the note

Introduction that gives a general idea of what is to
follow

It is the second paragraph of the note

Body which explains the main reason why
the note is being written.

It is the third paragraph of the note

Conclusion which is used to summarise the note

It is a polite and informal way to end a

Sign-Off note. We also use this at the very end
of a note to show who wrote the note

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Nicole Spiteri English Language Writing Writing a Short Note

Now that we know how to write a Short Note...

1. Let’s write one ourselves:

Imagine that you are Kyle and you

are going away for a few days.
Your friend Anne is going to look after your pet rabbit. Write a
note to Anne to tell her how to take care of your rabbit.

You could:
 greet and thank Anne
 tell her what food and drink she should give the rabbit
 tell her how to keep the rabbit clean and safe

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Nicole Spiteri English Language Writing Writing a Short Note

2. Extra Practice :D

Imagine that you are Kim and you are

going away for the weekend. Your friend
Sam is going to visit your grandmother
while you are away. Write a note to your
friend to tell him what he can do during
this time.

You could:
 greet and thank your friend
 remind Sam of the dates when you will be away
 tell your friend what he can do when he visits your
grandmother

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