3. Here is an extract from a letter to your colleague. Rewrite it in a more informal style.

Example: I would like to inform you… – I’d like to tell you…

…I would like to inform you that this week I am busy preparing a new commercial for a chemical company. I have some difficulties with pictures and slogans. I know that you have a good experience with taking pictures. I’d be obliged if you could give me a hint to the source of information. Please, let me know when I should call you. I look forward to your telephone call…

4. Write an informal letter, making it an answer to this letter. Imagine you know the person and his / her life.

Write a letter (100-140 words).

In your letter

• answer his / her questions;

• ask three questions, basing on the information in the letter.

… In Great Britain many students of PR department like to take part in competitions connected with their profession. They make projects in their free time. It’s very important to have a skill for advertising, to get used to rivalry, to have an idea and then be able to develop it. Could you tell me if you have the same in your country? What field of PR is the most popular among Russian students? Do you ever use music in your PR projects?

As for the latest news, I have visited a performance of Rob Scotch (he is a popular PR professional in the UK)…

13 A formal letter

A formal style of letter is required for professional correspondence, business letters and occasions when you must show respect to the person to whom you are writing. Your letter should be concise and well presented. Remember that there are a number of conventions that should be used when writing a formal letter.

Your formal letter must NOT include:

• informal grammar and vocabulary;

• abbreviations;

• contractions;

• slang;

• grammatical and spelling errors.

How to write a formal letter

Your return address Recipient’s address Date Salutation Letter (body) Signing off Your name

1. Your return address.

It should be written in the top right-hand corner of the letter. Some people include their phone number and e-mail address.

Example: 1800 Stone Ridge Street – your street address

Los Angeles, CA 9001 – city, state zip

2. Recipient’s address

The address of the person to whom you are writing should be written on the left just below your return address:

Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. / Dr. + full name of recipient.

Title / position of recipient

Organization

Address

City, State, Zip Code.

3. The date.

Skip two lines and write the date. It is written on the right below the sender’s address. Do not use abbreviations or numbers for the month.

4. The salutation.

Skip two lines and start your letter with an appropriate greeting. If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use Dear Sir or Madam. If you know the name, use the title and the family name only. If you are writing to a man, use Mr. or Dr. If you are writing to a woman, use Mrs. or Miss. But if you are not sure of her marital status, you can use Ms. which is for both married and single women.