Writing: Unit 2

1. Writing: Unit 2 Thanks and best wishes

2. Five Old Idioms You need eyes in the back of your head now that the twins are walking. To know everything that is happening around you. He must have had second thoughts, because he didn’t turn up in class. to change your opinion or have doubts about an earlier decision I’ll be more careful next time – once bitten, twice shy. when you have had an unpleasant experience you are much more careful to avoid similar experiences in the future First come, first served. The first people to arrive will be able to get the best choices. John has gone AWOL; nobody has seen him in class for the last three weeks. to be absent without reason

3. Five New Idioms: Horses Grafton's a real one-horse town with only one grocery store and nothing to do in the evening. a small town where very little happens He never got off his high horse long enough to consider how insulting his words were to many immigrants. To stop acting as if you are better or more intelligent than other people I know it's true! I heard it straight from the horse's mouth! From someone who has the facts Okay, it's not the job of your dreams but it pays good money. I'd be inclined notto look a gift horse in the mouth if I were you. you should not criticize or feel doubt about something good that has been offered to you I've had nothing but a sandwich all day - I could eat a horse. something that you say when you are very hungry

4. Five New Idioms: Horses Grafton's a real one-horse town with only one grocery store and nothing to do in the evening. a small town where very little happens He never got off his high horse long enough to consider how insulting his words were to many immigrants. To stop acting as if you are better or more intelligent than other people I know it's true! I heard it straight from the horse's mouth! From someone who has the facts Okay, it's not the job of your dreams but it pays good money. I'd be inclined not to look a gift horse in the mouth if I were you. you should not criticize or feel doubt about something good that has been offered to you I've had nothing but a sandwich all day - I could eat a horse. something that you say when you are very hungry

5. Warming up: Giving advice • Agony aunt (uncle) • an advice columnist (people sent her/him an email in which they present a problem, the aunt/uncle suggests a solution) • http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/dearmariella

6. Warming up: Giving advice • In groups of three: • Write down a problem or dilemma you have (technical, philosophical, personal...) • ‘Send’ your problem to a different group • Try to find a solution for the other group’s problem

7. Warming up: Giving advice Should is used for advice in the present: Subject + Should + Verb You should eat less chocolate. You should exercise every day. You should stop calling him. Should + have is used for advice in the past: Should + Have + Past Participle You should have studied more often. You should have married the rich boy.

8. Warming up: Giving advice Shouldn’t is used for negative advice You shouldn’t eat too much chocolate. You shouldn’t have married him.

9. Warming up: Giving advice Would is used to give advice. In this situation, the speaker is giving hypothetical advice as if he/she were the listener: If I were you, I would get a divorce. If I were you, I would not wear that jacket. It is not always necessary to include If I were you I wouldn't eat that much chocolate. I would choose the red shoes.

10. Warming up: Giving advice It is also common to ask for advice using these modal verbs:What should I do? What would you do?

11. Warming up: Giving advice • In groups of three: • Write down a problem or dilemma you have (technical, philosophical, personal...) • ‘Send’ your problem to a different group • Try to find a solution for the other group’s problem

12. Linking words I bought a dog ___________I really wanted a pet. __________, now I wish I hadn't!

13. Linking words

14. Linking words • and, but, because, first of all, also, however... • They link different sentences (and ideas) • They create coherence and guide the reader • But: don’t use too many linking words! • When the meaning is obvious: He didn’t go to work that morning. He felt ill and couldn’t get out of bed. • For literary effect: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...” (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)

15. Linking words • List of linking words: • ..\Materiaal\Linking words.pdf • http://www.flinders.edu.au/slc_files/Documents/Brochures/linking_words_phrases.pdf

16. Linking words: Punctuation • At the beginning of a sentence: linking word is followed by a comma • The economy is strong. Therefore, interest rates tend to be high. • Everybody at the party saw the stranger. However, no one asked who he was. • You could finish your degree next year. On the other hand, you could choose to work instead. • Agriculture contributes to greenhouse gases. For example, farm animals and rice fields add a great deal of methane gas to the atmosphere.

17. Linking words: Punctuation • In the middle of a sentence: non-essential linking words such as however, for instance, for example, on the one hand/other hand... are preceded and followed by a comma (non-essential : if you delete them, the sentence still makes sense) • Freddy loves chocolate. Robert, however, prefers chips. • Freddy loves chocolate. Robert, on the other hand, prefer chips. • Sarah has never been a good student. When she was six, for instance, she fell asleep during PE (Physical Education). • But: She fell asleep because she was tired. (essential linking word).

18. Letters of thanks and of sympathy Hospitality kindness in welcoming strangers or guests Comfort Solace, consolation To put someone’s mind at rest (at ease) To make someone stop worrying A speedy recovery Quickly becoming healthy again Courtesy Polite behaviour Concerned Here: involved

19. Letters of thanks and of sympathy

20. Letters of thanks and of sympathy To express our most grateful thanks... As a result of your kindness and generosity... Their hospitality and general support were a great comfort to us... ...please give our appreciation and thanks to all concerned

21. Famous Thank You Letters

22. Famous Thank You Letters Mr. Martel — My daughter and I just finished reading Life of Pi together. Both of us agreed we prefer the story with animals. It is a lovely book — an elegant proof of God, and the power of storytelling. Thank you. Barack Obama

23. Saying thank you: Writing Exercise • Write a short, formal thank you letter to, for instance: • your boss • a doctor • your child’s school • this school • ...

24. Saying thank you: Useful phrases I (really/very much) appreciate your assistance / help / consideration / time / advice Thank you for your help / assistance / consideration / encouragement / time Many thanks for... Thank you very much for... I don’t know how to thank you for... Please accept my most grateful thanks for... Thank you again for... I want to thank you once more for...

25. Saying thank you: Useful phrases How kind of you to have.... I also thank you on behalf of (if you want to thank someone for someone else)

26. Bitter taste for chocolate makers = a pun (to pun) = A play on words, sometimes on different meanings of the same word and sometimes on the similar meaning or sound of different words. Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet: “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.”

27. Bitter taste for chocolate makers Here: the taste of chocolate and something tastes bitter (unpleasant experience)

28. Letters of thanks and of sympathy 100 jobs are to be lost  future instruction, obligation or arrangement Form: Be + to + infinitive Use: an action that is to take place in the future. It is used for instructions, obligation and something that is arranged. Examples: You are not to answer any question from any one of the reporters. (instruction) = You mustn’t answer... You are to hand this packet over to him before noon. (obligation) = You have to... The Prime Minister is to meet his successor tomorrow. (arrangement) = He has arranged to meet...

29. Letters of thanks and of sympathy • Hyphen (-) • When two or more words are combined to form a compound adjective, a hyphen is usually required. • The woman is thirty years old. • A thirty-year-old woman... • There are fifteen pages in the document • A fifteen-page document • His music was also well known in England. •  His well-known music

30. Letters of thanks and of sympathy To cut costs To reduce costs A plant Here: a factory Jobs fair an exhibition intended to inform people about jobs To secure To make certain, to protect To betray To deceive, to cheat on To be up Here: to increase Devastated Shocked, overwhelmed

31. Writing Exercise: Expressing sympathy • Write the first paragraph in which you • Say where you heard the news • Express regret (+ other feelings? Anger, surprise?) • Dave’s feeling (“I’m sure you must feel...”; “This must come as a surprise...”) • Your feelings about the closure • Pass the paper on to your neighbour • Correct your neighbour’s paragraph, rewrite if necessary, underline if not sure

32. Writing Exercise: Expressing sympathy • Write the second paragraph on your neighbour’s piece of paper: • Remember your friendship together • Talk about positive points in the article • Express hopes for the future • Pass the paper on to your neighbour • Correct your neighbour’s paragraph, rewrite if necessary, underline if not sure

33. Writing Exercise: Expressing sympathy • Write the third paragraph on your neighbour’s piece of paper: • Offer to help Dave find a job • Offer to look after the children or do something else • Tell him that he can contact you (or invite him for something? • Pass the paper on to your neighbour • Correct your neighbour’s paragraph, rewrite if necessary, underline if not sure

34. Writing Exercise: Expressing sympathy • Round-up • Compare the three letters • Choose the best paragraphs and sentences • Write one letter • Show the letter to different groups

35. Writing Exercise: Expressing sympathy Advice How to avoid “stupid” mistakes? read your text backwards, sentence by sentence,  this will help you focus on spelling and grammar (and prevent that you focus too much on content)

36. Expressing Condolences: A Sympathy Card Please accept my/our sincere condolences. I would like to express my sincere condolences on the death of __________. (name) . He/She was __________. (describe this person) I’m sorry I could not convey my condolences in person. http://etiquette.about.com/od/Notes/a/What-To-Write-In-A-Sympathy-Card.htm

37. Expressing Condolences You are in my thoughts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are thinking of you. We are thinking of you during this difficult time. We are deeply sorry to hear about the death of ...

38. Expressing Condolences With deepest sympathy, My sincere sympathy, Our warmest condolences, With heartfelt condolences, Please accept my condolences,

39. Expressing Condolences Letter on the death of Virginia Woolf Dear Leonard I only learned the news yesterday afternoon when I was in London, having had no previous intimation. For myself and others it is the end of a world. I merely feel quite numb at the moment, and can’t think about this or anything else, but I want you to know that you are as constantly in my mind as in anyone’s. Affectionately, Tom (T.S. Eliot) Book and film suggestion The Hours