Writing a letter
материал для подготовки к егэ (гиа) по английскому языку (11 класс) на тему

                                 Writing  a  letter :  format, organization and  style.

                                                                                               Address

                                                                                            15 Pavlov Street

                                                                                               Rostov-on-Don

                                                                                               Russia

                                                                                             17 March, 2014

Salutation:                 Dear Ann,

Greeting  :                 Thanks for your letter./ It’s great to hear from you…

Answer questions:    In your letter you ask me…

Ask questions:         Could  you tell me…?

End:                        Well, I’d better go now as I have to do my homework.

Sign off:                 Yours, / Best wishes,

Name:                   Andrew

                               Style.

Writing to a friend is a bit like speaking to him or her, so you can:

• Use contractions:                 doesn’t, she’ll
• Write shorter sentences :     So that was that. 
• Start with an imperative:     Tell me when he’s coming.
• Occasionally use a dash (-): He gave me a present – a beautiful watch.
• Use exclamation marks :     What a day! 
• Ask direct questions :           What do you think?
• Use phrases like:                 by the way, anyway, well, so …

However, you still need punctuation and paragraphs. You must also write in full sentences, not in notes like in a text message or e-mail.

                           Sample Letter.

Task 1. You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend Steve who        writes:

At school we are doing projects on reading habits of people in different countries. Could you tell me what kind of books you and the members of your family like reading?

As for the family news, my sister got married last week…

Write a letter to Steve.

      In your letter:

-tell him about the kind of  books  you and your relatives like to read;

             -ask 3 questions about his sister’s husband.

Write 100 – 140 words.

                                                                                                23 Lenskaya Street

                                                                                                  Moscow

                                                                                                  Russia

                                                                                                  12 November, 2012

Dear Steve,

Thanks for the letter. I am glad to hear from you. Sorry, I haven’t written for so long. I was very busy. Great news about your sister.  My congratulations to her!

In your letter you ask me about reading preferences in my family. Well, my father often reads newspapers and magazines. He thinks that it is the only way to be in the know of everything. And  my mother  is keen on reading romances and modern novels. However, she wouldn’t mind reading about the life of well-known people.

As for me, I enjoy reading detective stories because they have interesting story lines and unusual endings. I am particularly captivated by characters who conduct investigations.

By the way, what about your sister’s husband? What is he?  How are you getting on with him? Have you  got much in common?

Actually, I’d better go now as I’ve got loads of homework to do tonight. Write soon!

All the best,

Ivan