Requirements
- 140-190 words
- Informal (or neutral) style;
- A well organized and clearly paragraphed text.
Structure
1) Introduction, opening
- Salutation,
- Thanking for the received e-mail,
- Apologizing for not writing for a while (optional);
2) Reacting to the news, answering the questions;
3) Asking questions based on the received letter (optional);
4) Closing
- Mentioning further correspondence
- Closing phrase, sign-off
- Name
Structure (in detail)
1) Introduction, opening
- Salutation
Dear …,
- Thanking for the letter
Thank you for your recent e-mail./ Thanks for your e-mail.
I was glad/happy/pleased to hear from you again./ It was great/nice/lovely to hear from you again.
- Apologizing for not writing for a while
Sorry I haven’t written before (+ reason, e.g. I’ve been busy studying.)
2) Reacting to the news, answering the questions
I’m glad/pleased/sorry to hear that …
You’ve mentioned that…
You asked me about …
Well, …
As for me, …
As for …, I prefer …
In my view/opinion, …/ If you ask me, …
You should/shouldn’t …
It would be a good idea to …
If I were you, I’d …
3) Asking on the received letter (optional)
I am/was curious about…/ I wonder …
4) Closing
That’s all for now.
Give my regards to …
- Mentioning further correspondence
Write back soon!/ Keep in touch./ Hope to hear from you soon.
- Closing phrase, sign-off
Take care, / Best wishes, /Lots of love, / Love,/ All the best, /Yours,
- Name
…