Correspondence Varieties

En esta lección leerás en inglés acerca de las variedades de correspondencia que presenta este curso práctico.

Hemos considerado importante no traducir este artículo. Sin embargo, acercando el curso de tu ratón a los textos resaltados en color obtendrás una traducción instantánea -perfectamente adaptada al texto- que te permitirá continuar la lectura.

LETTER WRITING

By this time our students will certainly like to know how to write a letter properly. The importance of letter writing cannot be overestimated, since every time you write a letter you give another person an impression of yourself.

We may say that there are two main types of letters: personal letters (informal or formal) and business letters.

For an oversea student of English, letter writing is not an easy matter. Even if he has already learnt a good deal of English, there are certain things that puzzle him. How should a person be addressed? How should a letter be arranged? How should the address be punctuated? How does one express, say, condolences or congratulations?

In the course of the next lessons we will teach you how to write a letter correctly. We shall deal with personal letters and with that sort of business letters that every one of us is called upon to write sooner or later, for instance, an inquiry or a letter enclosing money.

PERSONAL LETTERS AND BUSINESS LETTERS

A letter is written to suit a particular purpose and it will rarely be repeated in exactly the same form. There are, however, some kinds of letters one writes for specific practical purposes (to announce an engagement or to refuse an invitation, to make a reservation or to apply for a job) the form of which is rather rigidly established.

Remember, whether you are writing a private letter or a commercial one, that the essential qualities of a letter can be summed up in "the three C's", that is to say clearness, conciseness, courtesy.

Every time you have written a letter ask yourself: Is it clear? Is it concise? Is it courteous? If your letter stands up to these tests you can be almost certain that it is a good letter.

Some personal letters you will be taught to write:

ANNOUNCEMENTS (of births, christenings, engagements, marriages and deaths);

CONGRATULATIONS (on passing an examination, on an engagement or a marriage);

INVITATIONS (to dinners, weddings, etc.);

GOOD WISHES (for a birthday, an engagement, a marriage);

CONDOLENCES (on someone's death);

THANKS (for presents or hospitality);

Some business letters you will be taught to write:

BOOKINGS (hotel bookings, theatre bookings, rail, coach, ship and air bookings);

REFERENCES AND TESTIMONIALS;

LETTERS ENCLOSING MONEY;

APPLICATIONS (for jobs, licences, visas);

INQUIRIES;

GOODWILL LETTERS.

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