WT2: Writing a report

Style: Semi-formal / formal

When are reports written? Here are some examples:

• an account of an accident (Example: a police report)
• a progress report (Example: an end of year achievement report from a teacher to a child's parents)
• an investigative report (Example: a company wants to expn its business)

Approach:

Reports are the most impersonal kind of writing and this is reflected in the language used. It is usually best to avoid expressing personal opinions or feelings except, perhaps, in a conclusion.

Layout and Organisation:

Reports should have a clear, factual heading and may also have subheadings which divide the writing into shorter sections. Again, a clear introduction and conclusion, and logical organisation of the information into paragraphs or sections are essential.

Below you'll find:

1) What you are supposed to write

2) Language Help

3) Model

Vocabulary Issues

Pequinês - Pekingese dog /pekin'es/
Agir de má fé - to act in bad faith

Jokes

Let's keep it simple

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the EU rather than German which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five year phase-in plan that would be known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of the "k". This should klear up konfusion and keyboards kan have 1 less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like "fotograf" 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be ekspekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of the silent "e"s in the language is disgraseful, and they should go away.

By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v". During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.

After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi to understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru! And zen world!

Hints on Writing Compositions

1. The most important thing is to ead the question carefully, and make sure that you answer every part of it.
2. Make notes on what you are planning to include in your composition, ans work out a clear and logical plan.
3. Think about the register you should write in. Is it formal or nformal? If you are writing a note, letter, article or report, who is it for?
4. To make your plan clear, write in clearly-defined paragraphs, which should be indented, or separated by a line space. Each paragraph should represnt a step forward in your thinking, or a new topic, but paragraphs should be connected to each other with liking words.
5. When writing compositions at home, keep a list of your favourite/common mistakes, and check your compositions for these before handing them in.
6. Do not become too reliant on your dictionary. You will not be allowed to use one in your exam/test.
7. Mistakes should be neatly crossed out with one pen stroke. Try to present your work as tidily as possible. If your handwriting is difficult to read, make sure it is at least legible.
8. Try to keep close to the required number of words.

Marking Code

VT: verb tense - I've seen him yesterday.
SV: subject Verb agreement - He go.
WW: wrong word -It was raining, hen, I took my umbrella.
He gave my the book.
My car, what I bought last week ...
AR: article - I live in the London.
WF: wrong form - I stopped to smoke.
SP: spelling - He's writting a letter.
WO: word order - I get up usually at seven o'clock.
( ) leave out - He told (to) me the story
S/P singular/plural - There are two museum in the town.
PORT: Portuguese influence - He' got a trousers on.
P: punctuation - I like Mary.she's a nice person.
PR: preposition -She arrived at London.
?: unclear
!!: silly mistake
//: paragraph
γ: something is missing - I've got γ books.
√√: good

Calendar 1/2006

Holidays/ Tests:

April:
14th: Good Friday - no classes
15th: Holy Saturday - no classes
21st: National Holiday: Tiradentes - no classes
22nd: Regular classes

May:
1st : Labour Day - no classes
6th: Test 1 (Reading/Use of English/Listening)

June:
28th: Test

Writing Task One: A Tactful letter

Style: formal letter
Number of words: around 200
Language: Tactful

Model:

Dear Mrs. Williams,

Thank you for taking part in our training course, however, I regret to inform you that we have filled the position of junior stylist for which you have recently applied.

Although your qualities were set apart at the early stages of our selection process, we were looking for more eye-catching designs. To begin with, the choice of colours could have been more ambitious. Another aspect of your design which was called into question was the use of some instantly recognisable images. Finally, it was brought to our attention your minimalist approach, which pointed out that your design style was not entirely in keeping with our company’s visual identity.

Please rest assured that your qualifications were thoroughly reviewed, and it was only after careful consideration that we offered the position to the candidate whose experience and career goals were most compatible with the direction of our organization. Your Curriculum Vitae will be sent to our Human Resources Department and as soon as another post is open we will be glad to consider you for another selection process.

Thank you for your interest in Fashion Design. We wish you success in your career.

Yours sincerely,

H. James

Herbert James
Managing Director





What do I have to write?
SB. p. 85 ex. 5 a/b

Another Model of a tactful letter:































A Sample of a not at all tactful letter:

Useful Information

Dear All,

Here you'll find many ideas to help you with your writings.
There will also be some tips on grammar and vocabulary and as we go along suggestions are also very much welcome.
Hope you all have a great semester.

Yours,

Claudia