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2.2 Writing part 2 - LETTER
In Part 2 of the FCE writing exam, one of the required documents is a letter.
The word letter actually covers four types of documents, formal letter, informal letter, formal email, and informal email.
Then the formal letter type of document could include a letter of application, a letter of complaint, or a general formal letter.
The student can identify the kind of document that is required because the question usually states it at the bottom.
Let's look at a typical exam question:
Notice at the bottom it says:
Write a letter of application,
which is a formal letter.
The way this exercise should be done is as follows:
1 READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY.
2 DECIDE ON THE KIND OF DOCUMENT NEEDED
3 IDENTIFY THE CORRECT OPENING GREETING
4 DECIDE ON THE APPROPRIATE CLOSING GREETING
5 DECIDE ON THE CORRECT OPENING SENTENCE
6 CONSTRUCT THE OPENING PARAGRAPH
7 CONSTRUCT A SUITABLE PARAGRAPH TO COVER EVERY POINT ASKED FOR IN THE QUESTION.
8 USE GOOD PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE.
9 INTRODUCE A VARIETY OF GOOD GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURES IN THE SENTENCES.
10 CONSTRUCT THE CORRECT CLOSING PARAGRAPH
Let's apply these steps to our typical exam question:
1 READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY. OK
2 DECIDE ON THE KIND OF DOCUMENT NEEDED.
- Formal letter
3 IDENTIFY THE CORRECT OPENING GREETING
This depends on whether we know the name of the receiver or not. In this case we don't, so we would use:
Dear Sir/Madam,
4 DECIDE ON THE APPROPRIATE CLOSING GREETING
The corresponding closing greeting is:
Yours faithfully,
5 DECIDE ON THE CORRECT OPENING SENTENCE
Here we need to explain our reasons for writing. A good sentence to use is:
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper.
6 CONSTRUCT THE OPENING PARAGRAPH
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I feel I am very suitable for this job because I have good experience in every section you mention, and I have always wanted to work in the circus.
7 CONSTRUCT A SUITABLE PARAGRAPH TO COVER EVERY POINT ASKED FOR IN THE QUESTION, USING GOOD PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE.
Point 1 - Ticket control
Introduction sentence:
I have a lot of experience in ticket control.
Detail sentences:
My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
Point 2 - Security
Introduction sentence:
I am very knowledgeable about security matters.
Detail sentences:
My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Point 3 Customer Liason.
Introduction sentence:
Dealing with the public is something I really enjoy.
Detail sentence:
I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
8 CONSTRUCT THE CORRECT CLOSING PARAGRAPH
This should explain the action you want the reader to take.
A good way of saying this is:
I hope you will be able to ...
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for and for that reason I hope you will be able to offer me an interview so you can judge if I am suitable in person.
Closing sentence:
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
9 INTRODUCE A VARIETY OF GOOD GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURES IN THE SENTENCES.
Putting all the elements together, we get the following BASIC DOCUMENT which we will improve by adding elements of value:
Basic Document
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I feel I am very suitable for this job because I have good experience in every section you mention, and I have always wanted to work in the circus.
I have a lot of experience in ticket control. My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
I am very knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Dealing with the public is something I really enjoy. I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for and for that reason I hope you will be able to offer me an interview so you can judge if I am suitable in person.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Let's start by adding Linking, and more unusual elements get better marks:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I feel I am very suitable for this job because I have good experience in every section you mention, and I have always wanted to work in the circus. I have always wanted to work in the circus, and I feel I am very suitable for this job for several reasons.
To start with, I have a lot of experience in ticket control. My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
Additionally, I am very knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Furthermore, dealing with the public is something I really enjoy. I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for and for that reason I hope you will be able to offer me an interview so you can judge if I am suitable in person.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Let's add a conditional sentence:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I have always wanted to work in the circus, and I feel I am very suitable for this job for several reasons.
To start with, I have a lot of experience in ticket control. My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
Additionally, I am very knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Furthermore, dealing with the public is something I really enjoy. I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for, and so, and for that reason I hope you will be able to offer me an interview so you can judge if I am suitable in person. , If you were able to offer me an interview, I would be extremely grateful to have the chance of meeting you in person.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Adding a concession sentence:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I have always wanted to work in the circus, and I feel I am very suitable for this job for several reasons.
To start with, I have a lot of experience in ticket control. My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
Additionally, I am very knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo. Additionally, Although I might seem young, I am very knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Furthermore, dealing with the public is something I really enjoy. I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for, and so, If you were able to offer me an interview, I would be extremely grateful to have the chance of meeting you in person.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Adding a participle clause:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I have always wanted to work in the circus, and I feel I am very suitable for this job for several reasons.
To start with, I have a lot of experience in ticket control. My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
Additionally, Although I might seem young, I am very knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Furthermore, dealing with the public is something I really enjoy. I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for, and so, If you were able to offer me an interview, I would be extremely grateful to have the chance of meeting you in person.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Improving the vocabulary by using adverbs to strengthen verbs and adjectives:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I have always wanted to work in the circus, and I feel I am very suitable for this job for several reasons.
To start with, I have a lot of experience in ticket control. My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
Additionally, Although I might seem young, I am surprisingly knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Furthermore, dealing with the public is something I really enjoy. I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for, and so, If you were able to offer me an interview, I would be extremely grateful to have the chance of meeting you in person.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
This then is the finished document:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you because I am interested in the job you have advertised in the local newspaper. I have always wanted to work in the circus, and I feel I am very suitable for this job for several reasons.
To start with, I have a lot of experience in ticket control. My parents owned a small business when I was younger, and I spent a lot of time working at the cash desk. I imagine this is the same work as your ticket control.
Additionally, Although I might seem young, I am surprisingly knowledgeable about security matters. My first job after leaving university was with the police and I went on numerous training courses. I also represent my area at judo.
Furthermore, dealing with the public is something I really enjoy. I speak four languages fluently and have a very good manner with people.
As you can see, I have many of the skills you are looking for, and so, If you were able to offer me an interview, I would be extremely grateful to have the chance of meeting you in person.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
199 words
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