It is extremely important to pay careful attention to the following:
The addressee:an English friend of yours
The context:is visiting your city next summer
The main ideas/paragraphs:tell him about the places he should visit / and the clothes / invite him to stay with you
If we take a quick look at the email above, we can see the following features:
The email layout is extremely clear. This is easily achieved by using opening and closing formulas and paragraphs, a signature, and allowing some space between all the semi-independent paragraphs.
Each paragraph has a clear purpose, which in this case is marked in red.
The opening and closing formulas are used to say “hi” and “goodbye” in a polite way.
The introductory paragraph is typically used to react to news (It’s great to hear from you… / I’m so excited about…) and to introduce the topic of our email.
The main body deals with each of the sub tasks, which in this case are: what to visit, what to wear and invite him.
In the closing paragraph we start saying goodbye and we can ask for a reply to our email.
The language is informal:
Contractions: It’s great, I’m, you’ll have, etc.
Commonphrasal verbs: put you up, check out.
Colloquial language: How are you doing?, you should totally, you can’t miss, drop me a line, etc.
Writing as we think: Oh, By the way, Anyway,
Flexible punctuation: …viewpoint — you’ll have the best…
This is a good example of an informal email for FCE Writing.
Useful Expressions for an Informal Email for FCE Writing
Greetings: Dear Sarah, Hello Sara, Hi Sara,
Introductory paragraph: How’s it going? How are you doing? How are things? How are things going? It’s great to hear from you! Long time, no see! Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.
Reacting to good news: I’m glad to hear that I’m so happy that Great news about your I’m very happy to hear about It’s so great that
Reacting to bad news: I’m so sorry to hear about Sorry to read about I can’t tell you how sad I am that I’m extremely sorry to hear about It’s just awful to hear that
Introducing paragraphs: Oh, by the way, Hey, did you hear about…? One more thing, As for By the way, tell me about
Ending the email or letter: Well, I gotta go now. Anyway, I should get going. I’ve got to leave you now. I’d better get going. Well, it’s time to go Make sure you write soon Don’t forget to drop me a line soon. Look after yourself. Take care of yourself.
Closing the email or letter: All my love, Love, Lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes, Best, Regards, Kind regards,
There are different kinds of essays. The following are some of the most common ones you will be asked to write :
· Descriptive
· Cause and Effect
· Compare and Contrast
· Argumentative
· Problem-Solution
Make sure your essay has the proper structure.
Introduction
Background information
Thesis statement
1st Main Body Paragraph
First supporting idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples
2nd Main Body Paragraph
Second supportive idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples
Conclusion
Linking Phrase, a Summary of the key points and/or an expression of Opinion
Introduction phrases
· It is a well-known fact that
· It is an undeniable fact that
· It is a common belief that
· It is common knowledge that
· There has been a great deal of heated debate about
· However,
· As I see it,
· It could be argued that
· While it might be true that
· Although this argument may be sound,
· It is generally agreed that
Giving personal opinions
· In my opinion,
· I believe that
· I think that
· Personally,
· The way I see it,
· From my point of view,
· My belief is that
· Although I am in two minds
Giving the pros and the cons
· To begin/start with,
· There are both advantages and disadvantages to
· Although there are serious drawbacks/disadvantages,
· On the one hand, /On the other hand,
· By contrast, /On the contrary,
· However, /Nevertheless
· The other side of the coin, however, is that
· Another way of looking at this question is to
· Some may be in favour of
· Others, however, would argue that
· Opinions are sharply divided over this issue.
· There is no doubt that
· In spite of
· Despite the fact that
· Unfortunately,
There are different kinds of essays. The following are some of the most common ones you will be asked to write :
· Descriptive
· Cause and Effect
· Compare and Contrast
· Argumentative
· Problem-Solution
Make sure your essay has the proper structure.
Introduction
Background information
Thesis statement
1st Main Body Paragraph
First supporting idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples
2nd Main Body Paragraph
Second supportive idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples
Conclusion
Linking Phrase, a Summary of the key points and/or an expression of Opinion
Introduction phrases
· It is a well-known fact that
· It is an undeniable fact that
· It is a common belief that
· It is common knowledge that
· There has been a great deal of heated debate about
· However,
· As I see it,
· It could be argued that
· While it might be true that
· Although this argument may be sound,
· It is generally agreed that
Giving personal opinions
· In my opinion,
· I believe that
· I think that
· Personally,
· The way I see it,
· From my point of view,
· My belief is that
· Although I am in two minds
Giving the pros and the cons
· To begin/start with,
· There are both advantages and disadvantages to
· Although there are serious drawbacks/disadvantages,
· On the one hand, /On the other hand,
· By contrast, /On the contrary,
· However, /Nevertheless
· The other side of the coin, however, is that
· Another way of looking at this question is to
· Some may be in favour of
· Others, however, would argue that
· Opinions are sharply divided over this issue.
· There is no doubt that
· In spite of
· Despite the fact that
· Unfortunately,
Vocabulary in Chunks 
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