S8_W8_P38-39 Exam Skills Writing

S8_W8_P38-39 Exam Skills Writing

by Ms. MJ Sienes

​Our Lesson Objectives:

• Identify all formal and informal expressions in writing.

• Use most of the expressions in writing sentences.

• ​Write a letter based on the given context and purpose.

Task #1 Warm up​

​Let's test our prior knowledge.

Multiple Choice

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Identify whether the expression is formal or informal.

A friendly personal tone

• formal 

• informal

Multiple Choice

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Identify whether the expression is formal or informal.

A distant, impersonal tone

• formal 

• informal

Multiple Choice

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Identify whether the expression is formal or informal.

Active verb forms:

we gave

• formal 

• informal

Multiple Choice

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Identify whether the expression is formal or informal.

Passive verb form:

we were given

• formal 

• informal

Multiple Choice

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Identify whether the expression is formal or informal.

Abbreviations

esp./lol/brb

• formal 

• informal

Multiple Choice

FORMAL VS. INFORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Identify whether the expression is formal or informal.

Full form of words:

especially

• formal 

• informal

Multiple Choice

BEGINNING VS. ENDING

Identify whether the expression is found at the beginning or the end of a letter.

I hope to get your reply.

• beginning

• ending

Multiple Choice

BEGINNING VS. ENDING

Identify whether the expression is found at the beginning or the end of a letter.

Yours sincerely,

• beginning

• ending

Multiple Choice

BEGINNING VS. ENDING

Identify whether the expression is found at the beginning or the end of a letter.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

• beginning

• ending

Multiple Choice

BEGINNING VS. ENDING

Identify whether the expression is found at the beginning or the end of a letter.

I have received your letter dated May 23.

• beginning

• ending

Multiple Choice

BEGINNING VS. ENDING

Identify whether the expression is found at the beginning or the end of a letter.

Dear Sir/Madam:

• beginning

• ending

Multiple Choice

BEGINNING VS. ENDING

Identify whether the expression is found at the beginning or the end of a letter.

Sincerely yours,

• beginning

• ending

Multiple Choice

BEGINNING VS. ENDING

Identify whether the expression is found at the beginning or the end of a letter.

Sorry to be so slow getting back to you.

• beginning

• ending

​Formal letters vs. Informal letters

​What are they?

FORMAL LETTER           ​

●Written to people you don’t know

●Addressed to an organisation such as a bank or the council

●Some examples are letters of complaint or letters asking for information.​

INFORMAL LETTER           ​

●Written to people you know such as your friends and relatives

​

​Task #2 Revising a letter

​Instructions:

​1. Rewrite the letter in your answer space.

​2. Your choices are in different colors. Choose only one phrase/statement for each to make the letter formal​.

​3. Be sure to reformat (align left) the letter correctly.

4. You have 10 minutes to accomplish this task.

​

Dear Jack/Sir or Madam,

I am writing/This is just a note to confirm a reservation that wasmade/I asked you for this morning by telephone. This reservation, for a couple of/two nights, is forme/myself, David Cook. I want/would like a room with a bathroom. I will be attending/I’m going to pop into The Vinsers’ Graduation Ball that is being held/is going on in Hanoi that week.

​

It is all right/Would it be possible for me to have a room at the back of the hotel?

​

Thank you/Thanks for sending me the brochure about/regarding your conference facilities. Unfortunately/I’m sorry I can’t give you/I am unable to provide you with any definite dates at the moment/now as/because we have yet to finalize/sort out the details the aforementioned event. But/However, I will contact/ I’ll drop a line as soon as I can/possible.

I look/I’m looking forward to meeting you.

​

Best wishes/Yours faithfully,

Vin Viet

​

Open Ended

Dear Jack/Sir or Madam,

I am writing/This is just a note to confirm a reservation that wasmade/I asked you for this morning by telephone. This reservation, for a couple of/two nights, is for me/myself, David Cook. I want/would like a room with a bathroom. I will be attending/I’m going to pop into The Vinsers’ Graduation Ball that is being held/is going on in Hanoi that week.

​

It is all right/Would it be possible for me to have a room at the back of the hotel?

​

Thank you/Thanks for sending me the brochure about/regarding your conference facilities. Unfortunately/I’m sorry I can’t give you/I am unable to provide you with any definite dates at the moment/now as/because we have yet to finalize/sort out the details the aforementioned event. But/However, I will contact/ I’ll drop a line as soon as I can/possible.

I look/I’m looking forward to meeting you.

​

Best wishes/Yours faithfully,

Vin Viet

Poll

Task # 4. Read the letter. Decide whether it's a formal or an informal letter? Support your answer.

• an informal letter

• a formal letter

​Task #5 Productive Task

​Writing a Fomal Letter

​●In this activity, you may work with a partner or by yourself.

●Choose ONE of the following differentiated tasks listed on the next slide.

●Log in to LMS. The link shall be shared with you in the chat box.

●You have 15 minutes to  complete this activity.

Task #5 Writing a Formal Letter

Poll

Have you achieved the learning objective?

1) I was able to identify all formal and informal expressions in writing.

• I’ve got this! (I understand it/I can do it)

• I need a bit more practice.

• I’ll get there, but I need help.

Poll

Have you achieved the learning objective?

2) I was able to use most of the expressions in writing sentences.

• I’ve got this! (I understand it/I can do it)

• I need a bit more practice.

• I’ll get there, but I need help.

Poll

Have you achieved the learning objective?

3) I was able to write a letter based on the given context and purpose.

• I’ve got this! (I understand it/I can do it)

• I need a bit more practice.

• I’ll get there, but I need help.

​Congratulations! You have just accomplished all our writing tasks today.