CARTAS FORMALES

Formal letters

Si escribes una carta en un examen, entonces lee muy bien el enunciado y cumple los requisitos.
Piensa quién va a leer tu carta y el propósito.

Por ejemplo, una carta a un periódico dará una opinión de un asunto mientras que una carta de queja dará detalles de un acontecimiento negativo o una situación que no cumplió tus expectativas. 

No uses lenguaje emocional, usa el idioma razonadamente dando ejemplos y opiniones para cada punto nuevo.

Organiza la carta con esmero:

1  -  la razón por la cual escribes la carta  - the reason for writing the letter

2 - dar detalles de tu problema/ asunto o tu opinión  -  detailing your problem/issue or views

3 -  Dar más información - supply further information

4 -  concluir con comentarios/sugerencias/ peticiones - concluding remarks / suggestions / requests.

Only include details which are strictly relevant.

Remember that in formal letters we use:

Formal vocabulary, usually no phrasal verbs:  (‘Tolerate’ instead of ‘put up with’)

More complex sentence structures: (Knowing what a good reputation the restaurant has, I was disappointed  with the service)

Punctuation using semi-colons: The library offers no facilities for borrowing videos; this is because of the high cost involved

Parte superior derecha: mi dirección

Parte superior izquierda: dirección del destinatario

Salutación (greetings): si no es persona conocida:  Dear Sir or Madam,

                                   si es persona conocida:        Dear Mr Brown, / Dear Ms Brown,

                                                                           Dear Mrs Brown,

                                                                           Dear Miss Brown,

                                                                           Dear Dr Green,

Reasons for writing:

• I am writing to …
• I am writing with regard to …
• I am writing on behalf of …
• I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter
• I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter
• I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter

Asking questions:

• I would be grateful if …
• I wonder if you could …
• Could you …? Could you tell me something about …?
• I would particularly like to know …
• I would be interested in having more details about …

Referring to their letter:

• As you started in your letter, …
• Regarding … Concerning … With regard to....
• I am writing to complain about …
• You said … but in fact what happened …
• You assured us we.......however...... 

Closing or ending the letter:

• If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
• I look forward to hearing from you.
• Please contact me if you have any further questions.
• I look forward to receiving your reply/to your reply/ to hearing from you

Signing off:

• (If Dear surname) Yours sincerely,
• (If Dear Sir/Madam) Yours faithfully,
• Yours,
• (SIGNATURE)
• Your first name + surname