Writing skills and writing

2. Arrange the language descriptions into pairs: formal (F) and informal (IF) as in the example.

technical words and phrases contractions (e.g. I’ve) ___

short sentences joined with and, but, etc.

active form of verbs ___

full verb forms (e.g. We are)

3 Write a formal letter.

Your friend has given you the name of the local government official you need to contact. Write a letter to this person, making a general enquiry about the possibility of funding. Use the information and structure from the email in Activity 1, but in a more formal style.

personal greetings, etc.

general, everyday words and phrases longer sentences with relative clauses passive form of verbs impersonal forms of address IF F

1 Read the personal email telling a friend about an idea for a cultural weekend. Then match the formal words and phrases below with informal words and phrases in the email.

SEND

Hi, ( )

I’m thinking of maybe ( ) putting together ( ) a cultural weekend in the town this summer. We haven’t sorted out ( )

the details yet, but first I want ( ) to try and get some help with the money ( ). Don’t worry, ( ) I’m not asking you for money! I’ve heard ( ) that the local government has a store of money ( ) that they sometimes give ( ) to this kind of thing, ( ) and I think you might know the name and contact details of the person I need to write to.

If so, can you ( ) let me know? ( ) Thanks a lot. ( ) I’m looking forward to your answer. ( )

All the best, ( )

1. I look forward to receiving your reply ⁦2 Dear⁩ Sir / Madam or Dear Mr / Mrs X

3. I would be grateful if you could ⁦4 Yours⁩ faithfully or Yours sincerely

5. considering the possibility of ⁦6 provide⁩ this information ⁦7 Thank⁩ you very much

8. I have been told ⁦9 financial⁩ support ⁦10 However⁩, ⁦11 arranged⁩

12. donate ⁦13 fund⁩ ⁦14 organising⁩ ⁦15 type⁩ of event ⁦16 would⁩ like

Dear Mrs Kelani,

I have been given your name as the correct person to contact regarding funding for community events. I am considering the possibility of I can be contacted at the above address or email address. I look forward Yours sincerely,

• proposal = formal suggestion

1. What will you call your event?
2. When will it be?
3. What is the idea behind the event and what are the aims?
4. What kind of activities do you hope to include? (e.g. local musicians, poetry, performances, food, local crafts)

5 How will your event benefit the people of the town socially and/or financially? (e.g. attracting visitors who might spend money)

I can confirm that there is a fund for supporting events like the one you are planning and I enclose a proposal* form for you to fill in. I should inform you that priority is given to events that will benefit the whole community, socially and/or financially. Therefore, it will increase your chances of success if you explain on the form what benefits your proposal would bring to the town.

1. Read part of Mrs Kelani’s reply to your letter. Then discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups.

Dear Sir / Madam

I am organising a cultural event and I am writing to ask whether you The event, called ___ , will take place and will include In exchange for I look forward Yours faithfully

2. Copy and complete the proposal form with the details you discussed.

Name of event: Date(s) of event:

What is the idea behind your project and why is it needed?

How will the event work and what kind of activities will be included? What are the possible benefits to the local community and who might benefit from the event?

3. Write a formal letter.

Your application for funding has been successful. The local government has promised a certain amount of money, but you think it may not be enough. Someone has suggested writing to local companies to see if they will donate some money in exchange for free advertising in the programme.

Write a short, general letter to send to a number of different companies.

In this Unit you have learnt about:

• the meaning and history of money
• reading news headlines and stories
• verb to noun changes
• similes
• reading poetry
• formal and informal style
• writing formal letters
• writing proposal forms

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