3 The sample answer below would get a low mark, for

Paper 2 Part 2 Informal letters several reasons. What are they?

Look at the extracts below. Which two would you
describe as informal? How did you decide?

/his is to inforh1 you of the decisions taken at

last week's h1eetin3. Please nate that all h1eh1bers
of this deparih1ent are stridly recp.ired to be
present at Such h1eetin3s and adion h1ay be
taken in future to ensure tliis.

I want to \e.t '<\Ou all know about Out' .staff Cft-

toCfthe..r IMt week lt'.s a prt'<I more. of '<\Ou weren't
the.re. a.s rt wa.s a terrific. oc.c.a.s1on. Whct not c.ome.
a\o~ ne.x time. 7 lhe.re.'.s fre.e. c.offe.e. and b1.5c.urt.s'

[SJ Anywo.7, Id me. re.II 7ou. o.bou.r fl,,e, par-r/ Jo.ck ;s

ho.v;"'.') on So.rur-daf We.II, just o.bou.r e.vu7one. ;s
com;"'.') - e.Ve.n f(..,o.r we.;..-d _'JU/ 5o.M fr-om colle..'J"''
Jo.ck so.7s he. WClVlfS us a.II to be. fl,,e,r-e., So 7ou. 'd
be.He.r- not no;ss ;t_ Wh/ not c.ome. down for' o. fe.w
cJa7s? YOU. CClVl Sf°'/ Clf ""/ plo.c.e. ;f 7ou. WClVlf.
Decide for each extract who could have written it,
who it was probably written to and why.

Assessment focus
Think about the target reader and the purpose of the letter.
Correct the errors in paragraph 2 and rewrite
This will help you decide on a suitable style. Style is assessed paragraphs 1 and 3 in an appropriate style.
as part of communicative achievement, whi ch carries up to
five marks. 4 Work in pairs. Plan how will you answer the task
using the advice below and on the next page.
Then write your answer.
2 Underline the informal language in this exam task.

You have received a letter from your English C!:Pntent ideas

friend Alex. Read Alex's letter and then write
Decide whether you think your friend should buy
your letter to Alex.
a game or clothes and note down some reasons to
support your view. Then think about one specific game
tli ! G-vtess ~t? Mlj pare11ts ha..ve give11 Me sOMe
or item of clothing. What is special about it? Compare
MOfle<j for passif!CJ Mlj e;><tlM, so I c.a.11 splasl, ou.t 011
your ideas.
s0Mefli111CJ rea.ll<j cool. I c.a,11't c.lioose betwee11 W<jif!CJ
a, fleW C.OMfU.fer ga.Me or sa.Vif!CJ u.p a, b,f MOre a.rd. Game: to-p«., fflt ~ fYi.a
geftillCJ sOMe c.lotlies. \/Jt,,c,t, d-o <jOU. tlii11k would- be Clothes: uw.terial, ~ s.ty_,u
better?
~nguage input
Ard. c.a,11 <jOU. suggest ~t e;><a,c.fl<j I shou.ld- get?
Tunks, Ale;>< You need to include these functions:
Congratulations Opinion Advice/Suggestion
Write your letter. (140-190 words)

WRITING FOLDER 1
© rganisation Formal or informal?
Clear paragraphing is important. In the sample answer, S Write Inf next to the expressions that are informal.
paragraph 2 is too long and the ideas in it are muddled.
Initial greetings
Make a plan before you start writing.
It was great to hear from you. Inf
• Use this plan for your letter. I am writing with reference to your letter.
- Opening formula Thanks for writing to me.
- Paragraph 1 Initial greetings and
Congratulations
congratulations
Well done!
- Paragraph 2 Opinion about which item the
I would like to offer congratulations on
friend should buy
Let me congratulate you on
- Paragraph 3 Description of one specific item
- Paragraph 4 Final remarks Opinion
- Closing formula In my opinion
• Choose appropriate linkers from the list in 5 To my mind
opposite to improve the flow of ideas in each I hold the view that
paragraph. Personally, I have no doubt that
My own thoughts are
0t,yle
Advice/Suggestion
Writing in a consistent style will help to keep the reader's Why not try
attention. Here are some typical informal features. There
What about trying
is at least one example of each in the sample.
It is recommended that you
Contracted forms, for example I'm, don't You could
Phrasal verbs I urge you to
Phrases with get, take, have, etc., for example take a I suggest that
look If I were you
Simple linking words, for example Then
Linkers
Direct questions, for example What about ... ?
Moreover
Some exclamation marks (not too many!)
Also
ffi:titing your work Then again
Furthermore
You must read through what you have written and
Better still
correct any mistakes. Ask yourself questions a-d.
As well as that
a Is the grammar accurate? Whats more
b Is the spelling correct? Additionally
c Is there enough punctuation?
Endings
d Is the style consistent?
Do drop me a line if you have time.
The first letters of the five headings above spell out the I look forward to hearing from you without delay.
word C-L-0-S-E. It is important to think about these Hope to hear from you soon.
five elements (Content, Language, Organisation, Style, Keep in touch.
Editing) for all Paper 2 tasks. And the word 'Close' will I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
also remind you to finish a piece of writing, for example
Opening and closing an email or a letter
by signing off a letter.
Match these opening and closing formulae and say
when you should use each of them.
Hi Brad Yours faithfully
Dear Jayne Cheers
Dear Sir Yours sincerely
Dear Ms Jones Love

WRITING FOLDER 1 21