When you have a formal letter or email for your FCE, keep in mind these basic instructions:
Dear Sir/Madam (In case you don’t know the name → Yours Faithfully)
Dear Mr X (→Yours Sincerely)
Reason for writing (Who I am (not the name!), What I want, When and Where it happened)
I am writing with regard/reference to (the article which appeared when/where) to express my concern about/disappointment with/dissatisfaction with/disapproval of/apologies for (motivation)
Body (2/3 paragraphs – Points from input material)
· Firstly, /To begin with, /Moreover, / Furthermore
· In fact, /In addition to this, / What’s more, / Finally,
· (I feel) I must also (dis)agree with
· I would like to/ I want to point out that …
· According to your (article)/ Your (article) states that… However, /which is completely wrong
Action Step/Desired outcome
· I trust/very much hope you will (print this letter in the next issue of your newspaper)
· I would appreciate it/be grateful if you would
· It seems only fair that you should
· I look forward to receiving/seeing
· In light of the above (I feel I am entitled to a full refund and a formal apology)
Ending
Yours faithfully/Yours Sincerely
Firma
(Your name and family name)
Sample of a formal letter
Structure of a formal letter
Phrases for writing a formal letter
Hope you find it useful !
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