Formal & Informal Letters, Complaints, Arguments & Reports: Writing Examples
Formal Letter
Application for Tourist Office Position
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to apply for one of the positions assisting in the local tourist office, as advertised in the “New York Times” on August 23rd.
I am 21 years old and from Spain. German is my native language, and I have been learning English and French for five years at a comprehensive school. Currently, I am a student at English International, studying for the FCE.
As you will see from my CV, I have some relevant experience. I have worked for the last three summers helping to organize [mention specific event or activity]. I have always been interested in working with people. Having already spent three months in England, I am familiar with the local tourist attractions. I would also say that I have a good knowledge of history and historical places, as I have read extensively on the subject recently. In the near future, I would like to continue studying English, and therefore, the job in your tourist office would be a great opportunity for me to improve my speaking skills.
I am very enthusiastic about world music and would welcome the chance to be part of this event. I believe I would be suitable for the job advertised because, in addition to my experience, I am a cheerful and extroverted person and get along well with people. Friends describe me as calm and patient, and I think I would be able to cope if I had to deal with angry or difficult members of the public.
I have attached a full CV, and if you require any further information, I am available for an interview at any time. I can be contacted on 677148547 after 6pm every evening.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Informal Letter
Catching Up and July Visit
Dear Jack,
Thanks for your letter. It was great to hear from you again after all this time. I’m sorry I haven’t written for weeks, but I’ve been really busy preparing for my exams. It’s really good news that you’ve passed your driving test.
Thank you so much for your invitation to stay with you for a week in July – I’d love to come! I know that you have a wonderful beach near your house, and I’d really enjoy spending some time there. I expect the weather will be hot, so I hope we can go swimming.
You said that I don’t need to bring much with me. What sort of clothes should I pack? Casual or formal? Would you like me to bring anything for you? I would like to bring something special for you and your family from my country.
I’d better stop now and get on with my studying. I hope you’re enjoying driving your car, and I’m looking forward to seeing you in July!
Thanks again for the invitation.
All the best,
Complaint Letter
Regarding Dissatisfaction with Eroski Holiday
Dear Sir,
I am writing to complain about a short holiday I recently took, which was organized by Eroski. I was dissatisfied with several aspects of the trip.
Firstly, your advertisement promised a hotel in a central location, whereas in fact, the hotel was a long way from the city center. You also stated that all rooms would have a river view, but my window overlooked the car park, which was very noisy. Additionally, I had to pay extra for dinner, although the advertisement had stated that it was included in the price. To make matters worse, I had no choice of which show to attend. I had wanted to see a new musical, but the only ticket offered to me was for one I had already seen.
I had been looking forward to my holiday very much, but it was completely ruined by these problems. I, therefore, feel that you should refund half the cost of the holiday as compensation for my disappointment.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Balanced Argument
The Pros and Cons of Car Usage
It seems that our society has become completely dependent on cars. However, despite their popularity, there are both positive and negative aspects to using cars.
Advantages of Cars
On the one hand, there are many reasons why cars are popular. They provide fast and convenient travel to destinations where public transport may be unavailable. In addition, cars keep us warm and dry. Moreover, with a car, you can go exactly where you want and when you want. For this reason, many people believe that cars give us freedom.
Disadvantages of Cars
On the other hand, there are many reasons why cars aren’t such a good idea. For example, there would be fewer road accidents if there weren’t so many cars. Furthermore, pollution from cars contributes to global warming. Lastly, cars are an expensive way of traveling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would say that in the countryside, cars are necessary and useful. However, I think that in cities, there are more disadvantages than advantages to using cars.
Report
Improving Student Facilities: Computers vs. Library
Introduction
The aim of this report is to compare the advantages of additional computers and improving the library, and to suggest which of these would be best. I interviewed several students to find out their views.
Buying More Computers
Some students thought this was a good idea, stating that computers were useful for:
- Practicing writing
- Using the internet
- Playing games
However, other students said they preferred to use their own computers at home.
Improving the Library
Most students preferred this suggestion, giving the following reasons:
- Many students don’t have a quiet place to study at home.
- The library would be a good place for private study, but at present, there are not enough tables and chairs.
- They feel that up-to-date dictionaries and reference books are needed.
- They want to be able to read modern books written for young people.
Recommendations
Both ideas have benefits, but the majority of students felt that improving the library would be more useful. I would, therefore, recommend this.