Transactional letters-2

Aim: by the end of the session the students will be able to write a letter g-ving information and Requesting information
Materials and Successful writing Upper-Int. equipment:
using appropriate vocabulary and style of writing

1. Engage

  1. Transactional letters are letters which respond to writing input (advertisements, other letters, notes, invitations, etc) and/or visual prompts (maps, drawings, etc). They can either be formal or informal, depending on who you are writing to.
  2. Transactional letters can be of any type (complaint, application, invitation, asking for/giving advice/information, etc).
  3. When you write a transactional letter you should include all the relevant factual information given in the rubric, using your own words.
  4. You should also make sure that each paragraph deals with only one topic.

 

2. Study
Read the advertisement and the two letters, then decide which model is good and which is bad, giving reasons for your answer.
                                                                                                                          
MODEL  A
Dear Sir\Madam,
I am writing to inquire about your advertisement in the September issue of Favourite Pets magazine. I am interested in dog obedience classes but I would be grateful if you could send me further details.
Firstly, I would like to know what breeds of dogs are accepted for the classes and whether the dog must be a certain age in order to take part. I have a six-month-old male cocker spaniel which I am anxious to train. He is very excitable and especially needs to learn how to walk without pulling on his lead.
I also require information on the cost of the course, when it will commence and how long it is likely to last.
1 look forward to receiving details about the dog obedience classes.
Thank you in advance for your help.


Yours faithfully,

Kristen Miller

MODEL В
Dear Sir/Madam

I was reading the September issue of Favourite Pets magazine when I saw an ad for your dog-training school, so I decided to drop you a line. I need some information, you see.
My puppy is only six months old. Will you accept him at this age, or is he too young? He's really sweet; it would be great if you could let me know about this.
I'msure that after taking your course my dog will be much easier to control, so I can't wait for it to start. When exactly do classes begin and end?
I'm looking forward to your reply. Thanks a lot.

Best wishes, John Riley

 

Подпись:

 

 

Dog
Obedience
Classes

Train your Овал: dog(particular age or breed of dog)  our  special     Овал: classes (when exactly do classes begin and end? )   Register now for the autumn/course

For more information write to^
Smart Dogs
3, Longhill GreenWolfhill

Notes:

breed/age of dog

specific aspects it needs training in                                 

cost of the course 

3. Useful Language for Letters Requesting Information


Opening Remarks: (Formal) I am writing to inquire about/in connection with, etc.; (Informal) I want you to tell me; Can you let me know, etc. To introduce first request: (Formal) Could you possibly send; I would be grateful if you could; Would it be possible for you to tell/send me; I would appreciate some information about, etc. (Informal) Can you send/tell me, I want to know, etc.

To introduce further requests: (Formal) Could you also please send me; Another matter I need information on is; I would also like some infor­mation on, etc. (Informal) Can you also find out; I also want to know, etc. Closing Remarks: (Formal) I look forward to receiving; I would appreci­ate it if you could inform me as soon as possible, etc. (Informal} Please, let me know; Send me the details; Tell me soon, etc.

 

4.Study
Read the instructions and the model letter. Have all the points been covered in the letter? What kind of letter is it? Replace the underlined examples of useful language with similar ones from the table above.


You belong to an activity club at school. At the last meeting, it was decided that the group would arrange a river-rafting trip. Your friends, Danny and Kim, went river-rafting last term with a school group, and you want to ask them about it.
Read the notes and then write a letter to Danny and Kim, telling them about your plans and asking for information.

Notes:

-about 30 people
-one-day trip
-travel by coach

Questions to ask:

-How many were in
your group?
-How much was coach hire?
-Price of full day of river-rafting per person?
-Any safety precautions taken?

 

 

 

Dear Danny and Kim,
How are you both? Our school activity club is planning a river-rafting trip next month and I want you to tell me a few things since you went on a similar trip a little while ago. Can you tell me how many students went on your trip? There are about thirty planning to go in our group. Do you think that's too many? Like you, we will probably just go for a day. Can you remember what the price was per person for a whole day of afting?
I also want to know what it costs to hire a coach for one day. This would be helpful as that is how we intend to travel there. Finally did you have to take any special safety precautions to go rafting? Obviously we will want to be properly prepared and equipped before we start. I hope you can help me with these details. Please let me know
as soon as you can.

5.Useful Expressions for Letters Giving Information
Opening Remarks: (Formal) I am writing in reply to your letter asking for information  about/I am writing in reply to your query, etc. (Informal) This is what I found out…;Remember the information you wanted&; You wanted me to tell you a few things about…, etc.

Closing Remarks: (Formal) I hope that I have been of some assistance to you; please inform me if can be of any further assistance/ I hope I have answered some of your questions; Please do not hesitate to contact me if your require any further information, etc. (Informal) I hope this will help you; let me know if you need any more help…, etc.

 

6.Study
First read the advertisement (a) and the extract from Megan Jones' letter (b). Circle the key words in the extract which ask for infor­mation. Now, read Mr Williams' letter (c) and check if all the infor­mation is given. Finally, write down the topic of each paragraph.


Dear Miss Jones,
I am writing in reply to your letter asking for information about our summer camp.
The camp lasts from July 22nd to August 30th. Our staff are required to work during the whole of this period.Regarding payment, we are offering a weekly wage of £70 plus free accommodation and food.  Accommodation includes a shared room with bathroom. There is a large on-site dining hall where campers and staff are providedwith break­fast, lunch and dinner.
As far as the working day is concerned, we ask our leaders to be available for duty ten hours a day, includingsupervision time. Leaders are allowed one day off per week, but this is not to be taken at weekends.
I hope that I have been of some assistance to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if you require any further information.


Yours sincerely, Gareth Williams

Haf Hapus Summer Camp
is looking for enthusiastic and
energetic young people to be
Camp Leaders at our North Wales
camp this summer.
if you enjoy being outdoors and have
the qualities we are looking foil
please contact
Gareth Williams
22, Singleton Park
Pen-y-Graig
NORTH WALES


7.Home assignment
Write a letter of application for the post, including all the relevant information. Use an appropri­ate style for your letter.

 

Busy high street music store requires
part-time assistant to work Saturdays and
one evening per week. Pay negotiable
depending on experience.
Ideal job for someone

 

Apply in writing to: Mr C. Jeffreys (Manager)      
RGM Music Store
2, High Street Perth

Овал: bI   would also like to know how long the summer camp lasts and what wages will be paid to the leaders. Could you also tell me what kind of accommodation is available and how many hours per day your leaders are required to work?

Yours sincerely,
Megan Jones

Unit 9 Transactional Letters


8 You are a former high school student trying to organise a reunion with classmates of ten years ago. Write a letter inviting them to the event. Using the notes and map below, include suitable information and directions from your old school to the Queen's Hotel in your letter.

NOTES
Venue: Queen's
Hotel
Date: Saturday
12th September
Time: 8.00 pm
Dress: formal


 

9 Read the following topics. Then, say: a) what type and style of
letter each one requires and b) which plan each letter should follow. How would you start and end each letter?

  1. You had an unpleasant experience while travelling abroad. Write a letter, to a friend describing your experience and explaining why you will think twice before going abroad alone again.
  2. Write a letter to a friend telling him/her about a party you have recently been to, describing an interesting person that you met there.
  3. You are in Paris and want to hire a car when you realise you have left your driving licence at home. Write a letter to your brother or sister asking for it to be sent to you by post. You should explain in your letter where it can be found and why you need it.
  4. You have to leave your present job due to family problems. Write a letter to your boss explaining why you have to leave the job, expressing regret and asking for a reference.
  5. While your next-door neighbour is away on holiday, burglars broke into his/her house. Write a letter to him/her saying what happened and giving advice on what he/she should do.
  6. You and your friends have recently had a meal in an expensive restaurant. Write a letter to the manager of the restaurant expressing your satisfaction with the food but complaining about the service.
  7. Write a letter to a member of your family inviting him/her to a family cel­ebration, giving details of the event.
You have lost an important certificate which you need in order to apply for a job. Write a letter to the organization from which the original cer­tificate was issued, giving enough information about it so that you can be sent a copy

 

10 Mark the statements True or False justifying your answers.

  1. Letters are always formal in
    style.
  2. A letter beginning "Dear Sir"
    must be signed "Yours faith­
    fully".
  3. Letters of application should
    include information about
    qualifications and experience.
  4. The first paragraph of a
    letter usually states the
    reason for writing.  
  5. Letters of complaint are
    always strong.
  6. A letter of apology should
    not include explanations and
    reasons.
  7. A letter beginning "Dear
    Mrs Perkins" is normally
    signed "Yours sincerely".
  8. Letters asking for advice
    should include reference to
    problems faced by the
    sender.
  9. Letters refusing an invitation
    need no reference to reasons
    why the sender cannot
    attend the event.
    10. Transactional letters respond
      to advertisements only.
    1. Transactional letters are
      always formal.
    2. The style of an application
      letter should correspond to
      the style of the job advertise­ment