LETTERS OF GIVING NEWS & INFORMATION

I. Greeting or Salutation
First names are used.
Hi/ Hello ….
Dear Mum,

II. Main Body

A. Openings
How are you? How are things?
How have the family been? How are you?
I hope you are well. How’s it going?
Many thanks for your (recent, last) I’m sorry I haven’t written/haven't been in
letter/postcard. touch for such a long time.
It was good/nice/great to hear from you It’s ages since I’ve heard from you.
again. I hope you and your family are well.
I was so surprised to hear that...

B. Giving news
Giving good news Giving bad news

I am delighted to tell you that... I am sorry to tell you that...

I thought you might like to know that... I am afraid I have some bad news.
Oh, and another thing… This is just to let you
know that…
Listen, did I tell you about…? You’ll never
believe what…
By the way, have you heard about / did you know
that…?
I thought you might be interested to hear
about/know that ...

III. Conclusion.
A. Closing remarks
I can't wait to hear from you.
With affection/ With all my love/ With love and kisses
I hope you are doing well!
Give my regards to …
Send my love to
I hope to be hearing from you soon.
Let me know what your plans are.
I am looking forward to seeing you again.
See you soon.

B. Signing off
If you are writing to your parents, you can sign off using:
Your loving daughter,
Yours lovingly,
Yours affectionately,
If you are writing to friends or relatives, you can sign off using:
Your friend,
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
Your niece / nephew,
All the best/ Best wishes,

C. Signature
Sign your name at the bottom of the letter in the right-hand corner.

* FINAL NOTE:
When you finish your letter. You should check:
* Spelling and punctuation ( capital letters, commas, full stops...)
* Grammar (tense, verb use, conjunctions)
* Vocabulary ( word form)
* Paragraph structure
Practice 1. Identify the parts of a letter.
In pairs, write the following words/ phrases in the corresponding place:

(1) Dear Peter,

(2) I’m sorry I haven't been in touch for such a long time. (3) Thanks a
lot for your letter, in which you asked me how I have been doing and
what new has happened in my life for the last time. (4) I thought I’d drop
you a line to let you know what I’ve been up to.

(5) You know, I won in the study exchange program. (6) I’ve just come
to France to improve my French and joined a school where my friend
had studied the previous year. (7) Honestly, I think it was the best event
ever happening with me!

(8)The teachers are really encouraging and motivating and I’m learning
a great deal from them. (9) They are not just professional and
experienced, they make you feel like having another family. (10)They’ve
even offered to show me the city around! (11) What’s more, the school
is very spacious and well equipped. (12) There is whatever you need.
(13) There is also a very cosy canteen, where meals are not very
expensive and taste like homemade. (14) The school is near my
location so I can sleep a bit longer, which is perfect. (15) Recently I
have joined a club of photography. (16) It is free of charge.
(17) Let me know what your plans are.

(18) All the best,

(19) Ted

Greetings: 1 Opening: 2  4
Body (Giving news): 4  16 Closing remarks: 17
Signing off: 18 Signature: 19