Activity title:

Writing an informal e-mail

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Skill(s):

writing

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Level(s):

B-2

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Exam part:

Writing; Part I

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Aim(s):

Students will be able to write a giving information letter (to organize ideas into paragraphs, to know how to start and finish an informal e-mail)

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Materials needed:

A sample letter

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Preparation:

Copy the samples for each student

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Procedure:

Step 1. Warm-up.
Read the quote "What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters. You can't reread a phone call." Liz Carpenter
What do you think of it? Do you agree with it? Do you ever write traditional letters? How often do you write e-mails? Etc.

Step 2. Pre-writing.
1) Read the letter from your friend. What 3 things does he ask you to tell him?
2) What is the purpose of each paragraph? (Multiple choice task)
3) Match underlined expressions (1-7) from the letter with an appropriate alternative (a-g). Which 2 phrases are not appropriate and why?
4) Find and circle the following linking words in the letter. Use a linking word from the box to complete the sentences.
5) Match the reasons for writing (1-5) with an appropriate sentence from the previous exercise.

Step 3. While-writing.
Read the instruction and write a letter following the plan and using the given template In each paragraph decide which points would be suitable in your letter. Tick those which are relevant and put crosses for those which are not.

Step 4. Post-writing.
Write an e-mail to reply your friend giving your news and answering his/her questions.

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Variation(s)

First drafts are exchanged with other students to have some comments.
Second drafts are shown to the teacher.
Final drafts are exposed on the stand, later on - in the portfolios.

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Reflections

Students are provided with the exam criteria for evaluating their work.