Request Letters

What to include
1. Greeting
2. Introduction
Starting your purpose of writing and mentioning the related
issue.
3. Body
Pointing out the reason or cause of your request.
4. Conclusion
Stating your request and thanking the person who is in charge of
dealing with your request.
5. Closing and signature
Request letters can be a very effective way of accomplishing what
you need. It is not what you request, but how.
Tips for writing an effective request letter
Be particularly courteous and tactful when writing this kind of
letter, as requests are generally an imposition on the reader’s time and/or
resources or talents. Put the reader at ease and help him or her feel that
responding will not be burdensome.
 Be brief
 Be confident and persuasive. Be assertive but not overbearing.
 Br straightforward, and include as much detail as necessary to
clearly convey your request.
 Make only reasonable requests.
 Express your willingness to reciprocate the kindness or favor.
 Invite the person to contact you if he or she has any questions
or concerns, and thank him or her for taking the time to consider
your request.
 Make it easy for the person to respond – tell him or her exactly
what can be done to accommodate your request, and do everything
within your power so that the request can be granted. (e.g., if
you are asking for a letter of recommendation, include your
résumé or a list of accomplishments and a stamped, addressed
envelope).
Analyzing this sample letter
1. Below are the main parts of this letter:
a. After a brief self-introduction, the writer refers to the related
issue: an English speech contest is going to be held by the
English Department.
b. The next part is why the class is making a request: the time of
the contest and that of the final examination are very close to
each other, which can affect the students’ performances in both
events.
c. Next, a request is frankly given.
d. Last, the writer thanks the recipient for taking the time to
consider the request.
2. Language analysis
a. To be of + N means to be + adj
E.g., to be of great help = to be greatly helpful
This English speech contest is of great help to our oral English.
Other examples:
English is of great importance in our future work = English is
greatly important in our future work.
It is not a thing of any value = It is not a valuable thing.
b. Preposition used in dates: on + date + of month; on + month +
date +, year; on + date + month +, year
on 27th of December
on December 27th, 2010
on 27th December, 2010
c. to be to do sth means to plan/be planned/be scheduled to do sth.
The final examination is to begin on Jan. 10.

Other examples:
I am to see him today at six o'clock.
 They were to appear before him.
d. Comparison: less/more + N + (than)...
As a result, we would spend less time on the preparation of the
contest.
We have more free time in that time.
e. So
so is an adverb. It is used to replace what has been mentioned.
It is usually used with such verbs as say, tell, suppose, and
suggest.
We suggest so …
Other examples:
Martin wants to go with us, but he's afraid to say so.
I know they enjoy every minute of it. Don't you think so?
f. It + be + adj + for sb + to do sth
It will be very difficult for us to prepare for the examination
and the contest at the same time.
Other examples:
It is very helpful for us to learn to use a computer.
It would be very easy for him to beat his opponent.
g. Clauses
i. Noun clause as the object of the main verb
We've noticed that the time of the contest is on the 27th of
December.
We suggest that it be postponed to the next term, preferably
in the first few weeks.
ii. Adverb clause modifying an adjective
We're glad that the department is to hold an English speech
contest.
We are afraid that it will be very difficult for us to
prepare for the examination and the contest at the same
time.
iii. Noun clause as the subject of the sentence
What troubles us is the time of the contest.
‘What’ means the thing that / which .... Therefore, this
sentence can be rewritten as follows:
The thing that troubles us is the time of the contest.
Dear Mr. Thomas,

I am writing to request the return of the $1,000 deposit I paid when I

rented the apartment in May. When I telephoned your office, I was told that
I wouldn’t receive my guarantee back and I don’t understand the reason for
this.

When I signed the rental agreement, I clearly remember it had one

section that said the deposit would be returned if the apartment was
vacated clean, and undamaged. This was the condition of the flat when I
returned the key. I cleaned the whole apartment, and there were no
breakages or damage to the fittings and furniture.

I believe that I have kept to the terms of the agreement, and

therefore, I respectfully request that you will repay my deposit to me in
full. I may have no alternative but to seek legal advice if we can’t
satisfactorily resolve this matter.

Yours sincerely,
TU
Le Van Dinh Tu