How to write letters, essays, reports, reviews, articles.

2. INFORMAL LETTERS

3. INFORMAL LETTER IN 7 STEPS
1. SALUTATION, (Comma & Hey!)
2. START A LETTER
Thank for the previous letter OR apologize for not writing before,
one or two questions about family or friends. (1 short paragraph)
--- Informal letters to strangers: Reason why you are writing ---
3. BODY
Answer the information that you have been told, express your interest
to know more about what was previously mentioned.
Make positive comments, respond 1 by 1 & use imagination. (2
paragraphs)
4. END YOUR LETTER with some questions so that the receiver feels,
motivated to reply. Give news, be emotional, plan a date, leave
contact details (1 short pragraph )
5. CLOSING LINE (1 line 10 – 15 words)
6. COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE (1 or 2 words)
You may use
contractions or
phrasal verbs 

4. INFORMAL LETTER
1. Dear Martin,
2. TO START A LETTER
• Thank you for your letter. It was great
to hear from you. How’s your new
baby?
• Thanks for your letter and sorry for
not replying sooner.
• Sorry I haven’t written for so long. I’ve
been really busy lately. So you bought
a new house! How is it?

5. 6. COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE
• Love,
• Lots of love,
• Cheers!
Take it easy!
• Best wishes,
• All the best,
Marking Code:
Capitalization,
Organisation,
Punctuation,
Register/Formality,
Sentence Structure,
Spelling, Wrong form,
Word order, Wrong
tense, Wrong word,
Word(s) missing, Omit
word.
INFORMAL LETTER
5. TO END A LETTER
• Give my love to…
• Ok, I've got to go now, so see you soon!
• That’s about all. Do write soon and let
me know what you’ve been doing.
• I look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you in advance for your help.

6. “Task letter”

7. 1. Hello Simon,
2. I'm glad you're interested in my country. As your friend said, I'd like us to
email each other to help me improve your English.
3. Let me start by telling you a bit about myself and my family. My name's Ivo and I live
in Kutna Hora, which is about 45 minutes from Prague by car. I used to work for a
medical company but now I'm learning to be a salesperson. In the future I want a job
where I can travel for my work. I've already been to a few places in Europe but I've
never been to an English-speaking country.
I live at home with my parents, which is convenient, as I don't have to do much
housework and my meals are cooked for me. My younger brother is studying at
university. Although he is four years younger than me, we get on quite well. We both
enjoy snowboarding and music.
4. What about you? Have you ever been to the Czech Republic? It would be
great if you could come over one day and we could fix up a meeting. Why don't
you let me know your plans?
5. Anyway, I must go and get on with my work! Looking forward to hearing from
you soon.
6. Best wishes,
7. Siore (180-190 words)

8. FORMAL LETTERS

10. FORMAL LETTER IN 7 STEPS
1. SALUTATION,
To strangers: To whom it may concern,
2. START A LETTER
State the Reason why you are writing. (1 short paragraph)
3. BODY
Answer the information that you have been told.
Give details about the issue you are writing about.
Respond the task references 1 by 1 & use imagination. (2 paragraphs)
4. END YOUR LETTER by expressing what do you want to get as a result
or answer. (Offer solutions, ask for something in return).
Leave contact details (1 short pragraph )
5. CLOSING LINE
(look forward to ______ing ….)
6. COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE (2 words)
You may NOT use
contractions NOR
phrasal verbs 

11. FORMAL LETTER
ORGANISING THE
INFORMATION
Firstly
Secondly
In addition
Lastly / Last but not
least
5. TO END A LETTER
I am looking forward to hearing from you
soon.
Don’t use
contractions.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Dear Mr. / Mrs.
Smith
Yours faithfully Yours sincerely
6. COMPLIMENTARY
CLOSE
yours sincerely,
yours faithfully,

12. 1. Dear Mr. Smith,
2. I am writing to apply for the position of ..... which I saw advertised in "The
Guardian" newspaper.
3. I am 23 years old and at the moment I am studying … at …. .Having
studied English for over seven years I am a fluent speaker of the language.
My qualifications also include Proficiency certificates in both French and
German. As far as experience is concerned, I have worked as ............. for
........... As for my personality, people tell me I am ...............
4. I feel I would be suitable for this job because I............ . This will give me
the opportunity to ….. . I would also like the chance to....
5. I look forward to hearing from you.
6. yours sincerely,
7. Siorella Gonzales

14. FCE ESSAY
BEFORE YOU START
Think of an answer to the Essay question!
Plan your essay. (Brainstorm for 5-10 minutes)
Manage your time. (Aprox. 40 minutes)
WHEN YOU FINISH
Make sure you have expressed yourself clearly.
Check your writing for grammar & spelling mistakes.
TIPS
NO contractions, colloquial expressions or ‘chatty’ style.
Use complex grammar structures and sophisticated
vocabulary
Use conditional sentences and all PRESENT,PAST, FUTURE
tenses.
Give your OPINION AT THE END, NOT at the beginning.

16. The introduction should:
• Start general and go til specific
• be 3 to 4 sentences long.
• have a sentence or 2 about the topic in general.
• have a sentence telling the reader whether the essay will look at
once or both sides of the issue.
• have a question/idea which you will answer in your essay.
(Paragraph 4)
The conclusion should:
• Start with :: In conclusion” ,“In the end”, “To sum up” etc…
• be 2 to 3 sentences long.
• Include a summary of your main points.
• have a reference to the original question (try to rephrase it).
• have your opinion: “I believe…” I think” “I reckon”
• have NO new information.

17. STRUCTURING YOUR ESSAY
Mathematics!
• Most people write
about 10-12 words per
line.
• You have to write a
total of 190 words, so
you should write about
18 lines in total.
INTRODUCTION: (general
thought)
3 lines (30-40 words)
Paragraph 1/ Idea 1
4 lines (40 words)
Paragraph 2 / Idea 2
4 lines (40 words)
Paragraph 3 / Idea 3
4 lines (40 words)
In CONCLUSION,
3 lines (30-40 words)

18. OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION
II. CONTRAST OF ARGUMENTS
A. ADVANTAGES
B. DISADVANTAGES (PROS AND CONS).
C. GIVING OPINIONS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE TITLE.
III. CONCLUSION

19. MEETING THE
TARGET

21. TASK 3:
a. Write the first draft of your essay in a piece of paper.
(10 min)
b. Check your partner’s First draft.

22. ESSAY
LINKS
http://teacher.sch
olastic.com/activiti
es/writing/persuas
iveflash/transition
alwords.htm
http://www.flo-
joe.co.uk/fce/stud
ents/writing/linkin
g/
Example question
In class you have been discussing
technology. Now, your English teacher
has asked you to write an essay.
Write an essay using all the notes and
give reasons for your point of view.
You must write your answer in 140-190
words in an appropriate style.
Nowadays, technology is everywhere.
Has technology made people’s lives
better or worse?
Notes
Write about:
1.medical science
2.the internet
3.your own idea

23. WRITING ARTICLES

24. Writing an Article

27. A funny person
Article

28. READ THE TASK IN 1 AND PLAN YOUR ARTICLE.
MAKE NOTES IN THE CHART.
Who are you going to write about?
First example of why he / she is funny?
Second example of why he/she is
funny?

29. Article Question: You have been asked by the editor of your school
magazine to write an article on the following topic. - Write your article
for the magazine (around 140-190 words).
Today's television
"A load of old rubbish" or
"More choice than ever before"?
Is today's television still good value for money?

30. WRITING REPORTS

31. Writing a Report
A group of students from
Australiais coming to stay in your
town as part of an exchange
programme. The director has
asked you to write a brief report
suggesting places the group
should visit and activities they
could take part in during their
stay.

35. Report Question: Last year a new sport and leisure centre opened in
your home town. You have recently received the following letter
from the manager of the centre:
I am writing to all members of the Active Leisure Club to thank you for your custom over
the last year. We want to make the facilities even better this year! Please send a short
report to us, telling us what you think are the best and worst aspects of the club. We also
want to hear your suggestions for new facilities...
Introduction:
The aim of this report is to summarize the best and worst aspects of the club. Gd The report is based on the sample WW of my family
members who have been using the club's facilities.
Best Aspects:
The variety WF facilities are convenient and cheap to use. The changing rooms of the swimming pool etc… are very clean. The
comsumption of the café is inexpensive.PE The gym's equipment is good. The staff service is fairly good.
Worst Aspects:
The facilities do not open on Saturday and Sunday evenings, which we think is really inconvenient. The badminton courts are not
available. The only café is not enough as it is also used by public customers as there is no other restaurants. PE
Recommendations:
To conclude, the facilities are well-organized but there are some suggestions from us: extend the opening hours on weekend evenings.
Install badminton courts as more and more people take up WT the sport. Install some restaurants for the addition of WF customers and
some drinks machines may be necessary as well by the time of closures of the café or restaurants. PE

36. MASTERING REVIEWS

37. FILM REVIEW: 4 paragraphs
1. INTRODUCTION
- Title of the movie, movie facts, basic info, movie genre,
actors, director, year, setting.
2. BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE PLOT
- Describe it in Simple Present (But DON’T say the ending)
3. REASONS WHY YOU LIKED IT or Didn’t like it
4. OVERALL OPINION of the ilm & RECOMMENDATION to
see it or Not to see it
(I definitely RECOMMEND YOU TO see it).

38. BOOK REVIEW: 4 paragraphs
1. INTRODUCTION
- Title of the book, book facts, basic info, book genre,
characters, writer, year, setting.
2. BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE PLOT
- Describe it in Simple Present or Simple past (But DON’T
say the ending)
3. REASONS WHY YOU LIKED IT or Didn’t like it
4. OVERALL OPINION of the book & RECOMMENDATION to
read it or Not to read it
(I definitely RECOMMEND YOU TO read it).

39. Say which of these can be used in a film review
A. Recommend the film
B. Describe what the film looks like
C. Movie genre and director
D. Film plot
E. Say why you liked it
F. Describe the acting/ actors
G. Your general opinion of it
H. Special effects and music

40.  Useful language
1. INTRODUCTION:
The (film, book…etc) I would like to
review is…..
The last Film I saw / book I read was…
2. EXPLAIN:
It’s set in…… The story is based on (a
book..) It’s about….. The main theme of
the film is…..
3. OPINION & RECOMMENDATION:
It’s one of the best films/books I’ve ever
seen/read.
- I would recommend this film to anyone.
- Although I enjoyed it, I would not
recommend it for….
- Although I am not a fan of
(comedies/musicals…), I am glad that I
decided to go.
A review should…
• use interesting vocabulary and be
clearly organized.
• try to catch the reader’s interest
or have a specific audience
(viewers/readers) and have a
neutral style.
• say what it is about, but not in
too much detail and remember
to mention important or
memorable characters, but
DON`T spend too much time just
describing them.
• Remember to link ideas clearly
and give your opinion at the end.

42. BIG FISH
“Big Fish” is a very emotional film about the relationship of a father and his
son. It combines comedy, fantasy and emotions in a typical background
created by Tim Burton. The film stars Ewan McGregor as Edward Bloom, who is
the main character. The cast is not very well known, but Ewan McGregor plays a
very good performance.
The film is set when Edward Bloom is old and sick, and he is going to die. He has
not talk with his son for many years. His son hates his father´s tales about his live,
because he thinks that he lies, because they are so fantastic. So during the film you
go back to the past, living the incredible Edward´s experiences of his live, and you
return to the present to feel how the relationship between the father and the son
evolves.
There are not stunning special effects or frenetic action, but the script is
amazing and also the end will make you cry.
I would recommend the film to anyone who likes Burton´s films and who wants
to feel his kind side, and also who likes fantastic tales.

43. TED
‘Ted’ is one of the most entertaining comedy films I have seen. It
combines jokes with action, and stars Mark Wahlberg as John, Mila
Kunis as Lori and the director of the film, Seth MacFarlane in the role of
Ted. Ted was filmed in 2011 and it made 549 million dollars in revenue.
The film is set in Boston, where John, a child without friends, asks for
Christmas that a teddy (Ted) may have life and can be his best friend.
John grows and the film focuses on the relation between John, his
girlfriend Lori, and his best friend Ted, who is a bad influence for John
according to Lori.
The movie features a surprisingly competent performance from Ted,
making you laugh constantly. As for the visual elements, there are any
special effects in general, and the script is not stunning. You could
imagine the next scene sometimes.
I would recommend the film to anyone who wants to have a great time.
If you do not wish a different or complicated plot, you will not feel
disappointed.

44. BOOK REVIEW TASK