Writing workshop: LETTERS (Monday Group)

In this section we will look at all the important aspects when writing a letter. In First Certificate Exam (FCE) there are two parts. In Part 1 you're required to write a letter (or email) and you're told to include four points, organized in a logical way, using an appropriate style, using accurate spelling and punctuation and of course, no grammar mistakes are allowed! And all this in 120-150 words!
It may at first look like a difficult task but you will see that you will become an expert-letter-writer soon! Just follow these steps:
1) Read the instructions and notes carefully.
2) Identify the four points you must deal with.
3) Decide the style you should write in and the format of your letter (number of paragraphs and general structure).
4) Write your letter and check afterwards for mistakes (don't forget to count the words).

I know, I know... You still might think it all seems so easy, but feel completely lost? Let me give you some hints:
Ways of starting and finishing emails
To someone you don't know well:

• start with: Dear + first name (Dear Barbara) or Dear + surname (Dear Mr Hatton) if you don't feel comfortable using their first name. QUESTION: What's the difference between Mr., Mrs. and Ms?? Find it out!

• finish with: Best wishes or Kind regards.

To someone you know well:

• start with: Dear, Hello, Hi + name: Dear Magda, Hello Frank
  

• finish with: Best wishes or All the best.

Ways of starting and finishing letters
If you know the person's name:

• start with: Dear Barbara or Dear Mr Hatton
  

• finish with: Best wishes if it's a friend, Love or With love if it's a very close friend or relative, Yours sincerely or Yours if it's a person you don't know too well.

If you don't know the person's name:

• start with: Dear Sir or Madam
  

• finish with: Yours faithfully.

Ways of starting the first paragraph of a latter or email
Thanks for your email... (informal)
Thank you for your letter about... (formal)
I am writing to request information about / to complain about / to apologise for / to explain, etc. (formal)

Other useful phrases at the end of the letter or email
I'm looking forward to seeing you / hearing from you. (informal)
I look forward to seeing you / hearing from you / meeting you. (formal)

Ways of referring to something in a letter or email which you're replying to
Your short film sounds an excellent idea and... (formal and informal)
As for the audience... 
With reference to the audience (formal)
You mentioned / asked about the audience in your letter and ... (formal)
Ways of making suggestions
How about + verb + -ing (informal): How about holding the meeting on the 5th?
What about + verb + -ing (informal): What about having a meal in a restaurant afterwards?
It might be a good idea to  ... (formal): It might also be a good idea to visit the museum on the ground floor.
Can I suggest that ... ? (formal): Can I suggest that you give your talk on the 5th November?
I suggest + verb + -ing (formal): I suggest holding the meeting in the 5th November
Ways of asking for information
Could you tell me ... (formal and informal)
I would / I'd like to know if ... (formal and informal)
I would / I'd like information on ... (formal and informal)
Do you know if /wether/ when / what, etc. (formal and informal)
Ways of complaining
I'm not very happy about + noun/ verb + - ing (informal): I'm not happy about the price. I'm not very happy paying so much.
I would like to complain about + noun / verb +-ing (formal): I would like to complain about traffic noise in our district. I would like to complain about the children playing football in our street.
Ways of apologising
Sorry about + noun / verb+-ing (informal): Sorry about being late for the concert last Saturday.
I would like to apologise for + noun / verb + -ing (formal): I would like to apologise for arriving late for the concert on Saturday.
Ways of inviting
How about ... ? (informal): How about coming windsurfing with me next weekend?
Would you like to ... ? ((formal and informal): Would you like to travel together? 
I would like to invite you to + noun / infinitive (formal): I would like to invite you to visit our town next summer. I would lilke to invite you to my house next weekend.
Ways of giving advice
You should ... (formal and informal)
If I were you, I would / I'd (formal and informal)
It would be a good idea to ... + infinitive (formal)