Writing Bank 1

Form al letters/em ails

Formal letters/emails are usually sent to
You see an advert at your college in England for a part-time
people we don't know or people in an official
position, e.g. w hen a p p ly in g fo r a jo b /c o u rs e , assistant in their children's daycare centre. Write a letter of
m a k in g a c o m p la in t o r re q u e stin g in fo rm a tio n , etc. application (120-150 words) in which you:
They include:
• say where you saw the advert and w hy you are interested in
a formal greeting (D ear Sir o r M ad a m , D ear
M r S m ith),
the job,
an introduction with our opening remarks • state your age and any suitable qualifications you have,
and the reason for writing, • mention if you have previous experience and why you have
main body paragraphs, one for each
a suitable personality for the job,
separate topic,
• say how many hours a week you can work and when you
a conclusion with our closing remarks,
a formal ending (Yours fa ith fu lly , w hen yo u can come for an interview.
d o n 't k n o w the person's nam e/Y ours sincerely,
w hen y o u k n o w th e person's n a m e ) + your full
name.
formal
Formal style is characterised by: Dear Sir or Madam,
greeting --------------------- ' use of the passive
• formal expressions, advanced vocabulary
I am w ritin g to apply for the position , of part-time
& longer sentences (I a m a va ila b le fo r an
in te rv ie w a t a n y tim e co n ven ie nt to you.) daycare centre assistant which was advertised on the
• formal linking words (However, In a d d itio n ) college noticeboard. I am interested in this job since I
• full verb forms (Ia m w ritin g t o . . . )
enjoy working with children. forma| iink in g ^ d
• use of the passive (I can be c o n ta c te d . . . )
I am twenty-one years of age and am currently studying

Useful Language Child Psychology. In addition, I have a good command of

both written and spoken English advanced vocabulary
Applying for a job/course
• I am writing to apply for the position o f ... Despite not having any formal w ork experience in
advertised in (ye ste rd a y's‘Evening Post'). childcare, I have often done babysitting for neighbours
1full verb
• W ith reference to your advertisement in ... form and friends. I feel I w ould be w ell suited for this position
• I have been working as a ... for the last ...
as I am enthusiastic, energetic and creative. I also consider
years.
• Despite my lack o f ... experience, I feel that I myself to be patient when dealing with young children.
would be ... I am available for work for up to 15 hours a week during
: longer
• I consider myself to be (p u n ctu a l, h a rd w o rkin g , the afternoons and would be glad to attend an interview
sentence
etc.)
j a t any time convenient to you.
• I enclose a reference from my previous
employer. I look forward to hearing from y o u .^ ' formal exPression
• I would be grateful if you would consider Yours faith fu lly, ^ formal ending
my application. Eva K o w a l full name
• Can you tell me the duration of the course?
• Please send me a prospectus giving the course
details.
• Is it possible to enrol online?
• I look forward to hearing from you.

Complaining
ЯШШЯЯЯШШЯН
• I am writing to draw your attention to ...
• I am writing to express my strong
Read the le tte r again and match the form al expressions
dissatisfaction at the ...
in bold to the inform al ones below .
• I am writing to complain about the quality
o f ... I recently purchased from you.
1 I'm really good at
• The sales assistant was extremely rude and ...
• I demand an immediate replacement or a full 2 I'm sure I'd be great at this job
refund. 3 Whenever is good for you
• I would appreciate it i f ... could be replaced. 4 Best wishes
• I hope you will replace ...
5 I just wanted to ask about
• I hope that this matter will be dealt with
promptly. 6 Although I've never done anything quite like this before
7 I'd love to have a go at
WB1
i
 Writing Bank 2
Stories
Г _ _ ——_ —— ————_ _ _ —_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1
Stories can be written either in the first or the
> Your school is holding a story-writing competition. You have i
third person and present a series of events,
real or imaginary. The events in the story been asked to write about a scary experience. Write your story
should be written in the order in which they i (120-180 words) for the competition.
happen. Stories include:
• an introductory paragraph which sets T ra v e lle r's R e st by John Smith
activ ty
the scene (describes th e tim e , place, people, time. place P,e°P le .
" \O n e weekend last autumnjmy cousin Jack and l/went on\a
a ctivity, w eather, etc),
hiking trip in the countryside. We had planned to stay at a
• main body paragraphs (de scrib ing in cid e n ts
village hotel on Saturday night and return home on Sunday.
le a d in g up to the m a in event, the m a in event
As we were walking late on Saturday afternoon, we realised
its e lf a n d its c lim a x ).
weather .we had lost our way. It was getting dark and we were very
• a concluding paragraph (describing w h a t
tj ti№dTThen\it started to rain and we started to feel desperate.
happens in the end, people's reactions/feelinas. etc)
segupnre\The next moment, we saw an old-fashioned stone cottage, so
Stories are characterised by:
linker we decided to stop and ask directions. A little old lady came
• the use of past tenses (The sun was shining
b rig h tly w hen they set o u t. She p u t on her coat, descriptive110 c,oor' was wearin9 a lon9 dress ancJ smilin9
adverbX s w e e tly . When she heard that we were lost, she invited us
opened the d o o r a n d w e n t outside. When the w aiter
inside. "You're welcome to stay the night," she said. "You can
b ro u g h t the bill, M r B artle tt was embarrassed to fin d direct .
reach the village easily in the morning." We felt grateful for
he h a d fo rg o tten to b ring his wallet.) speech
her hospitality and sat down to a hot tasty meal in her cosy
• linking words/phrases th at convey time
kitchen. After that, she showed us upstairs to two clean
and sequence of events (firs t/a t first, th e n /
comfortable beds. descriptive adjectives
next, a fte r/b e fo re th a t, d u rin g , w hile, m ea n w h ile ,
The next morning, the old lady was nowhere to be found. We
as soon as, the m o m e n t th a t, by th e tim e , in the
left a thank-you note and set off towards the village. We
e n d /fin a lly, etc)
stopped for a coffee at the village hotel. Imagine our
• descriptive adjectives/adverbs to make
amazement when the hotel owner told us who we had stayed
the story more interesting (elegant, pleasant,
with. "That's old Mrs Heron," he said. "She's been dead for
b re a th ta k in g , fast, p olitely, softly, etc)
sixty years. She used to put up travellers overnight."
• direct speech to make the story more
Jack and I looked at each other in horror. Did we imagine it or
dramatic (“ W hatever are y o u d o in g ? " she yelled.)
had we seen a ghost? I suppose we will Inever know.

Useful Language people's reactions/feelings

Starting a story/Setting the scene
• Karen felt (exhausted) as she had been (studying
ha rd fo r her exam s fo r six m onths). ; 1222ЕЭ
• The birds were singing happily when Tom
woke up on Saturday. Put the events in the story in the order in which they
Leading up to the main event happened.
• At first, we didn't notice (a n y th in g s tra n g e ).
• The (p a rty) had only just (started) when ... They reached the hotel.
• The next thing (Tom) knew, (he w a s ...).
An old lady came to the door.
The main event/climax o f the story
• They started (scream ing a n d s h o u tin g in p a n ic). They heard a scary story.
• I felt sure (th e p la n e ) was going to (crash). The writer and his cousin were out hiking.
Describing people/places/objects/feelings
They talked to the hotel owner.
• The old man behind the co u n te r...
• The streets of the small town were crowded They stopped to ask the way.
and bustling during Carnival week. They went to bed.
• Small puffy white clouds drifted lazily above
our heads.
They got lost.
• To their (surp rise /d isg u st/h o rro r, e t c ) ..., They ate a meal.
• Imagine our (d is a p p o in tm e n t) when ...
She invited them to stay the night.
Ending a story
• I've never felt so (relieved/scared, etc) in my
They saw a cottage.
whole life.
• He knew he would n e v e r... again.
Underline all the tim e words and phrases in the story that
• It was the most (e m b arra ssin g ) moment I've
show the sequence o f events. Compare w ith your partner.
ever experienced.

WB2
»
 Writing Bank 3
Sem i-form al letters/emails
Semi-formal letters/emails are usually sent to
You want to book a camping holiday online. You have found a
someone we know but not very well, e.g. a
routine email to a business/website asking for campsite you like, but you w ant some more information. W rite
or giving information, a thank-you letter to an email to Bill Forbes of Golden Sun Campsite in which you
your friend's parents, etc. They include:
ask about:
a formal greeting (D ear Ms Cole, D e a r M r a n d
M rs Ja c ks o n ),
• bringing a pet with you,
an introduction with your opening remarks • the cost of parking,
and the reason for writing, • what cooking facilities are available,
main body paragraphs each containing a
• which water sports are offered in the area.
separate topic,
a conclusion with your closing remarks,
an informal ending (Best w ishes,/K indest
Dear Mr F o r b e s ^ formal 9reetin9
regards,/Yours, + y o u r fu ll n am e).
Note: when we want to be brief and to the I'm writing to enquire about staying at your campsite
point, emails are usually preferred to letters. this summer. Can you please give me some further
Semi-formal style is characterised by: information? \ polite respectful tone
relaxed, friendly language (Thanks so
short Firstly, I'd like to know about the cookingfacilities. For
m uch fo r h a vin g m e to stay w ith you.)
a polite and respectful tone, depending
verb form example, is there a shared kitchen for cooking and if so,
on the relationship you have with the will I need to bring any equipment? Also, could you tell
person (I'm re a lly g ra te fu l fo r a ll y o u r help.) me if there is an extra charge for car parking and
some short verb forms (I'm w ritin g to enquire linking
whether I can bring my dog along to the campsite?
a b o u t tennis lessons in m y area.) word to
full inclusion o f pronouns (W e'd be h a p p y
list points. Finally, your advert mentions the campsite is near the
to a n sw e r y o u r queries.) beach, but it doesn't say which w ater sports are
some use of idioms/colloquial expressions inclusion available. I am particularly interested in doing
but use with care (I hope this in fo rm a tio n w ill of pronoun-
windsurfing and would like to know if this is possible.
com e in h a n d y som etim e.)
linking words/phrases for listing points
relaxed ^ .Many thanks in advance for your help.
friendly
(first o f a ll, secondly, also, finally, etc)
language Yours, informal ending
^ fu ll name
Aleksander Belinski
Useful Language
Opening remarks
hope you are well.
m sorry I haven't been in touch sooner,
m writing in connection with ...
122221
Thanking Read the model below . Compare and contrast it w ith
1
I can't thank you enough. the model above. W h y isn't it a p p ro p riate ? Think about:
I don't know how to thank you.
I really appreciate it. layout • the way it starts/ends tone and style of language
Giving inform ation use of pronouns/linking words
I'd be glad to answer your questions.
Another point to bear in mind (is t h a t ) ... Dear Bill Forbes,
I would also like to point o u t ... Just writing to ask about staying at your campsite this summer.
Asking for inform ation Unfortunately, quite a bit of information is missing from your website!
I'd like to (a s k /e n q u ire /k n o w e tc )...
I'd like to know if there is a shared kitchen for cooking. If there is, I'll
Could you please inform me ... ?
probably need to bring some equipment, won't I? Do you charge extra
Will it be necessary to ... ?/Will I need to ..
Is there an extra charge f o r ... ? for car parking? Furthermore, are pets prohibited from the campsite1
W h at kind of (e q u ip m e n t) is provided? It's great that you're just a stone's throw from the beach. However,
Closing remarks your advert doesn't say which water sports are available. I would
Many thanks (in a d va n ce ) f o r ...
particularly welcome the opportunity to experience windsurfing for
I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
the first time.
Please give my regards to ...
I hope you find this information helpful. Yours faithfully,
Aleksander
WB3
«
Essays suggestin g
solutions to a problem
Your teacher wants her class to write about a problem t h a t 1
Essays suggesting solutions to a problem are
affects your local community. You have chosen the topic of
formal pieces of writing in which a problem is
introduced and suggestions are made on how litter on the streets. W rite an essay (120-180 words) suggesting
to deal with it. The expected result of each ways that individuals can help to fight this problem and
suggestion is mentioned, together with the
mentioning the possible results.
writer's opinion at the end of the essay.
Essays suggesting solutions to a problem
include:
• an introductory paragraph stating the Fight litter now!
problem.
Para 1 Nowadays, litter on the streets is a common problem in
• main body paragraphs (up to 3) each
states many cities and towns. There is no doubt that it is an
presenting a separate suggestion, a
problem + unpleasant and annoying sight. The question is, what can
supporting sentence to develop the idea or
I possibility of we as individuals do about it? In fact, there are a number
give an example and the possible results. solving it
_of solutions.
• a concluding paragraph which restates
the problem and summarises the writer's In the first place, we should make sure we dispose of our
Para 2
opinion. 1st suggestion own rubbish responsibly. In other words, we should all get
Essays suggesting solutions to a problem + supporting into the habit of finding the nearest rubbish bin or taking
are characterised by: , sentence +
it home with us for recycling. If everyone does this, the
: result
• formal/semi-formal vocabulary and some .streets will be much cleaner and tidier.
longer sentences (If these suggestions are
taken in to co n sid e ra tio n , I a m convinced th a t the Para 3 Secondly, don't ignore litter that you see lying around -
p ro b le m w ill be resolved.) 2nd suggestion pick it up. It is important to set a good example for others.
+ supporting Then, when someone sees your concern for the
• formal linking words to join ideas (Moreover,
sentence + environment, they will hopefully follow your example and
Nevertheless, However, etc) I result
• full verb forms (There is n o d o u b t t h a t... ) _do the same.
• a mild impersonal style that avoids
Para 4 As a final idea, you can join or create a local litter group.
colloquial expressions or strong personal
3rd suggestion You could not only get involved in litter picking but also
feelings (M o st p e o p le w o u ld agree stree t litte r is 1+ supporting work with the local council to give talks in schools. As a
u n p le a sa n t.) sentence + result, children will learn at an early age how important it
; result
js not to litter.
Useful Language
Listing points Para 5 To sum up, it cannot be denied that street litter poses a
• Firstly,/In the first place, • Secondly, restates problem in many neighbourhoods. It is an ugly nuisance
problem + that will not go away unless we do something about it. I
• Furthermore, • In addition, • Finally,/Lastly,
gives writer's believe we should do more as individuals to reduce the
M aking suggestions opinion
_problem.
• One w ay of solving the problem ...
• Another helpful suggestion would be to ...
• We/People should ...
• It is important/lt would be a good idea to ...

Adding supporting details

Developing a point:
Find and replace all the linking w ords and phrases in the
• In other words,/In short, • This means t h a t ...
essay w ith d iffe re n t ones from the Useful Language box.
• After all,
Giving examples:
• For instance,/For example, • In particular, Find exam ples o f form al vo cab u lary and mild im personal
Presenting results style in the essay. Compare w ith your partner.
• As a result, • Consequently, • By doing this,
• In this way, • Therefore, • Then,
• If (people) ..., the (s itu a tio n ) will/would ... .
W rite a supporting sentence and a sentence presenting

Expressing opinion
results for the fo llo w in g suggestions. Use language from
• In my opinion/view, the Useful Language box.
• I believe/think/feel (th a t)...
• It seems to me/lt is obvious (th a t)... 1 One w ay of solving the problem of graffiti is for the

Concluding council to provide a graffiti park.

• To conclude,Я о sum up, • All in all, 2 People suffering from stress should take up yoga.
WB4
*
 Writing Bank 5
For-and-against e ssa ys
For-and-against essays are formal pieces of
writing which discuss the advantages and 1 W rite an essay (120-180 words) for publication in a home-and-
disadvantages of a topic. Arguments on both garden magazine discussing the pros and cons of buying your
sides of the topic are presented in equal detail
I own home. I
and the writer's opinion is included at the end
of the essay.
For-and-against essays include:
• an introductory paragraph introducing the To buy or not to buy?
topic and its tw o sides.
• tw o main body paragraphs - one Many young people today, especially those planning to
Para 1
presenting arguments for together with get married, dream of owning their own home some
introduces topic
justifications/examples and the other + presents the day. Some people would agree that home ownership is a
presenting arguments against with tw o sides good thing, while others believe it is not worth the
justifications/examples. .trouble. topic sentence
• a concluding paragraph which summarises
Para 2 There are certain advantages to having a home of your
the arguments and gives the writer's 1st advantage own. To begin with, it can be considered a good
opinion. + justification
.investment. After all, you can sell it at any time and
Note: in for-and-against essays, each main
"possibly make a profit. Furthermore, home ownership
body paragraph begins with a topic sentence
2nd advantage means you have greater freedom to please yourself. You
that outlines the main idea of that paragraph. + example can redecorate your house or keep a pet dog, for
For-and-against essays are characterised by:
.example, without having to ask the landlord, topic
• formal/semi-formal vocabulary and / s e n te n c e
some longer sentences (A lth o u g h som e However, buying a house can also have a number of
p e ople m a y disagree, In m y view, the a d va n ta g e s Para 3 disadvantages. One major drawback is the high cost.
fa r o u tw e ig h the disa dva n tag e s.) 1st disadvantage This is because you need a large amount of money as a
+ justification
• formal linking words to join ideas down payment before you can buy, in addition to the
(A lth o u g h, Whereas, For this reason, etc). .expense of maintaining and repairing your house.
• full verb forms (It is w e ll w o r t h ...) "Secondly, a homeowner tends to be tied down to one
2nd
• a mild impersonal style that avoids place. This means that you can't just get up and move if
disadvantage +
colloquial expressions or strong personal justification you do not like the neighbourhood, because you will
feelings (R enting a h o m e is th o u g h t by som e have to sell your house first.
p e o ple to be a b e tte r s o lu tio n th a n b u yin g one.)
Para 4 All things considered, there are both advantages and
summarises the
Useful Language arguments +
disadvantages to buying your own home. It seems to
me, though, that it is a good idea if you can afford it. It
Listing points gives the
writer's opinion is something that belongs to you and can give you
• Firstly,/To begin with, • Secondly,
security in the future.
• Furthermore,/Moreover, • Finally,
Introducing advantages
• One/An important/The main advantage of
• Another/An additional benefit o f ...,
• Some/Many people are in favour o f ...,

Introducing disadvantages
• A serious drawback/major disadvantage o f ...,
• Some/Many people are against Find exam ples o f longer sentences and form al/advanced
Justifying points and giving examples vocab u lary in the essay.
Justifying a point:
• This is because ... • The reason for this i s ...
• This means t h a t ... • After all,
R e w rite the topic sentences in the main body
Giving examples: paragraphs o f the model. Use phrases from the Useful
• For instance,/For example, • such as Language box to help you.
Contrasting ideas
• On the other hand, • However,/Nevertheless,
W rite one ad d ition al a d van tag e and one ad d ition al
• Despite/In spite o f (the fact that)...
d isad vantag e o f buying your o w n home, to g e th e r w ith
Expressing opinion
• In my opinion/view, • I believe/think/feel.... justifications/exam ples.
Concluding
• In conclusion, • All things considered,

W B!
»
 Writing Bank 6
Letters to the editor
making suggestions r — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 4

I You have just read an article in your local newspaper The Daily s
Letters to the editor making suggestions are
Chronicle about people who have had their computers hacked.
pieces of writing which appear in newspapers
or magazines. They express the writer's ideas I W rite a letter in response, suggesting ways that you can j
concerning issues of public interest at local, 1 protect yourself (120-180 words).
Ь н н ш в а н н ж н к а ш ш н ш ш м а н и а ш а ш шш м ям м м я» mm тш ят mm в т mm mm тт яш тт Л
national and even international levels, e.g.
improving community facilities, health issues,
etc. Letters to the editor are often written in
direct response to a published article or news
Dear Sir/Madam, J ° rmal greetin9
item and are usually formal in style. They
include: Further to your article in today's issue of The Daily
• a formal greeting (D ear S it/M a d a m , D ear Chronicle about cyber hacking, I would like to express my
Editor, Sir,), concern about this issue. Most of us are familiar with
• an introduction in which we refer to the
firewall and anti-virus protection. However, there are one
article/news item we are responding to
(when applicable), say when and where or tw o other suggestions which l|hope readers may find
we read it. state our reason for writing (to h e lp f u l formal linking word

make suggestions on a given topic), and First of all, it is important for PC users to keep their
briefly give our opinion.
security programs up-to-date. You should upgrade them
• at least two main body paragraphs, one
for each suggestion and the possible frequently and regularly to ensure you have the latest
results/consequences. versions of security software. These are often free over
• a conclusion which summarises our the Internet. As a result, your chances of being hacked
opinion/restates the topic,
will be reduced.
• a formal ending (Yours fa ith fu lly, + your full
name). Another point to keep in mind is to change your personal
Letters to the editor making suggestions password from time to time. Do this regularly, say, every
are characterised by: 90 days, to keep your PC access secure. Consequently,
• formal vocabulary & some longer
you will make it more difficult for hackers to break into
sentences (In vie w o f th e w id e sp rea d e xte n t o f
the p ro b le m , se cu rity systems sh o u ld be your account. full verb form

u p g ra d e d fre q u e n tly as a p re ca u tio n .) To conclude, cyber hacking can pose a serious security
• formal linking words to join ideas threat to information systems. Nevertheless, I believe a
(Furtherm ore, Nevertheless, For this reason etc)
few simple suggestions like the ones above can
• the use o f full verb forms (It is im p o rta n t
th a t we raise p u b lic awareness o f this issue.)
considerably reduce our risk of a cyber attack.
• a mild impersonal style that avoids Yours fa ith fu iiy T 7
colloquial expressions or strong personal Edwina G o o d w i n ^ ^ [ormal vocabulary/
feelings (A n o th e r p o in t to keep in m in d is th a t formal ending longer sentence
se cu rity systems need re g u la r u p d a tin g .)

Useful Language
Listing points
• Firstly/In the first place • To begin with,
• Secondly, • Additionally, • Finally/Lastly,

M aking suggestions
• One good idea is to ... .
Underline the topic sentences in the main body paragraphs.
• We/You/People should/could ... .
Then, rewrite them using language from the Useful
• Another helpful suggestion would be to ... .

Presenting results
Language box.
• By doing this, • In this way, • Therefore,
• If (people). .., the (situation) will/would .... W rite tw o main body paragraphs making suggestions on
Expressing opinion h ow your local to w n council can im prove road safety in
• I believe/think/feel (th a t)....
your tow n/village.
• It seems to me/lt is clear (th a t)....

Concluding
• To sum up, • All things considered,

WB6
t