E-Mails Friendly Letters Important Tips Register

E-Mails & Friendly Letters Important Tips

Register In the IGCSE exam you may be asked to write a letter to a friend, a pen friend or a relative. We’ll call such letters “Friendly Letters”, because you need to use informal or “Friendly” register when you write them.

What is a friendly register? Friendly register is a level of language which comes between informal spoken language and formal written Language.

1 - Avoid Slang Language 2 - Avoid shortened words/online chat language 3 - Try to simplify your language 4 - Use contracted verb forms like we’ve , I’m, etc. 5 -Avoid the passive voice 6 - Avoid dull words such as “nice , fun and scary” 7 - Use simple joining words

Don’t List rooms – a kitchen, × My house consists of ten a living room, a dining-room , four bedrooms and three bathrooms. This is an example of listing. Also to mention that you have a kitchen and a bathroom is stating the obvious. It would be better to write something like: I live in a four-bedroom house. The number of bedrooms indicates the size of the house.

Notice There is inappropriate use of register in this sentence. Consists of – This is formal register. The sentence begins with a noun: My house. Replacing the noun with Person + Verb, for example I live ------ , will make the sentence less formal. If you want to introduce ideas consequently, you can use First ------Secondly -----

Personalize your writing Personalizing phrases will make the reader feel that he is included in your thoughts as you write and that his feelings and opinions have been taken into account. Using these phrases will result in a more personal and friendly letter.

You will be glad to know -------I know you’ll love ----I’m sure you’ll get on well with -------Wait until you meet -----You’ll really enjoy ----I can’t wait till you ----As you know, I ----I know you ---------- just like you ! ------- as usual !

The following examples show you how to use these phrases. You’ll be glad to know there’s a fitness centre near where I live, so we can work out in the gym anytime. You will be glad to know------is personalizing; it shows you know something about what makes your friend happy, his hobbies , character, etc. So we can work out in the gym anytime. Personalising, because it shows you know your friend likes to work out. It is also support, because it explains why your house is a good location for your friend.

I’m sure you’ll get on really well with my brother Sami! He’s mad about football, just like you ! I know you’ll love my mum’s cooking! She can make almost anything especially your favourite, pizza. I can’t wait till you meet my friends! (Support this sentence ) As you know, I’m not much good at swimming, but ------This shows you have told your friend personal things about yourself.

What do I write in an introduction? There are several set, or fixed ways of writing an introduction. 1 - Using an apology 2 - Not using an apology 3 - Personal reference

A Favourite way to begin an informal letter is by using an apology. There are two kinds of apology introductions. Apologising when there is a genuine reason why the writer has not written Apologising when there is no real excuse for not writing I’m sorry I haven’t I’ve been meaning written for ages, but to write since the I’ve been busy party but things kept studying and cropping up haven’t had the time.

I’ve been busy ----- moving. setting into my new house. rehearsing for the school play. getting fit at the gym. Studying for my exams. Suggesting that you are a serious, hardworking student will probably make a good impression on the examiner! I’ve been meaning to write for ages, but I’m afraid I just haven’t got round to it. The excuse can change, but because there is no real reason for not having written, the phrases used are very vague.

Not using an apology It was lovely to get your letter yesterday. week. It was great to hear from you last Get and hear from you are friendly register equivalent of receive, which would be too formal here.

An introduction to an informal letter can also begin with something very personal, to show your friendship. Congratulations on passing the exam! I hope you’re feeling better. I hope you’ve got over the flu. Got over is friendly register equivalent to recover from, which would not be suitable here.

Create interest One of the best ways to create interest is through contrast. So, when you ‘invent’ your imaginary friend or pen friend, try to make his life different than yours. If you choose your house to be in the countryside, Why not imagine your friend is living in a big city? However, don’t try to draw a contrast in every single case, or your letter would not sound natural.

I live in a three-bedroom house right in the centre of the city. It’s very different from your quite village, and there are so many things to do, you’ll never be bored! Support Justify what you say or give a reason.

Best ways to start your letter After writing a suitable introduction, the next step is to write a transition sentence. This will be the first sentence in the second paragraph of the letter. Transition 1 - Using the words Anyway, or Anyhow 2 - Using the past tense 3 - Using other methods