CAE 2015: Writing: A Letter of Reference

     A letter of reference is supposed to have three key components:

     1) an opening paragraph (sentence) in which  you: 

      - state the purpose of writing; 

      - explain how long and in which capacities    you have known the person;

      2) an evaluation of the person's skills,      character and accomplishments depending on what is being expected by the employer;

3)  a closing paragraph that summarises why and to what degree you would recommend this person.

      Below I have put down some useful expressions and structures for the opening and closing paragraphs as well as for evaluating various kinds of skills

Purpose of writing	I am writing on behalf of… I am writing to recommend … for a position of … with… I am writing in regard to ...’s application..
Relations	I have known … personally and socially for for approximately 5 years /  since childhood for over 2 years during which time she worked as a … in my office we are in the same tutorial group at college and she is a highly qualified candidate for a position is qualified and experienced to accept the challenge of being...
Active position	is involved in her local community, her church and her childrens’ schools
Social skills	has an excellent rapport (gets on) with people of all ages will establish productive relationships with (will be popular with) is used to dealing with …. the social (interpersonal) skills she has learnt in this job should serve her well as .../ enable her to... / allow her to...
Organisational skills	outstanding organisational skills an excellent person to have around in times of crisis dependable not inclined to panic or lose her temper although never bossy, she can take control over difficult situations without upsetting anyone would definitely be able to cope if things went wrong… ...which may come in very useful .. is able to successfully complete multiple tasks with favourable results despite deadline pressure consistently demonstrated leadership abilities
Physical condition	an accomplished sportsman at… she has reached competition level
Communication skills	Her strong verbal and written communication skills allowed her to relay information in a clear and coherent manner. She demonstrated the ability to articulate information and ideas in both the written and verbal forms.
Diligency	She will devote herself to a position with your organisation with a high degree of diligence ...is a direct result of her hard work and strong focus With her enthusiastic commonsense (can do) approach she would ensure…. She has been effective in her efforts to...
Academic performance	exceptional (above-average) academic performance out of a class of 150 students, she graduated with honours in the top 10
Closing	I believe, she would make an excellent…/ would be a valuable asset to ... I am confident that she ... I have no hesitation in recommending her to your company (for the post) I recommend her to you without reservation. I highly recommend her ...

CAE Writing: Letter of Complaint

Sitting the CAE you might be asked to write several kinds of formal letters, each of them requiring the use of special expressions. In a letter of complaint, for example, you are supposed to say what you are dissatisfied with, make a demand and, alternatively, a  threat. 

Below are some useful expressions for carrying out these functions.

 

Beginning

I’m writing to complain about…

Further to my letter of May 13th in connection with…

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with….

Demand

 

I would be grateful to receive a cheque for the outstanding sum without further delay.

I would be very grateful if you could ensure that your sons turn their music down after 11 p.m.

Please would you be so kind as to dissuade your sons from playing such loud music so late at night.

I must insist that you deliver the piano with no further delay and at no additional expense to myself.

...would be appropriate compensation for the inconvenience caused to my family.

In view of the many ways in which it did not match the claims made for it in your publicity, I expect a substantial refund.

In light of the above I feel I am entitled to a full refund and a formal apology

Under the circumstances, I feel that an apology should be offered.

For these reasons, I would suggest that the cooker needs to be replaced at your earliest convenience.

I must ask you, therefore, to refund the full cost price of ...plus the postage of…

I do trust that you will be able to provide the flat with adequate means of heating before winter sets in.

Threat

 

I shall have no alternative but to put the matter in the hands of my solicitors should your cheque not be received by May 1st.

Unless I hear from you within 10 days, I shall have to take legal advice on the matter.

If I do not hear from you before May 3rd, I shall be obliged to take matters a step further.

If your son does not refrain from…in the future, I shall have no choice but to contact the police.

Should I receive no satisfaction, I will be forced to …

CAE: Writng a Letter: Formal vs Informal: Functions

When you are writing a letter / an e-mail for CAE, your task is not limited to narration, but you are also required to carry out other functions. Here I illustrate the usage of formal and informal expressions for some language functions that might appear in a letter.

Function	Formal	Informal
Thanking	Thank you for the most enjoyable and amusing book you sent me. Thank you very much for your letter of the 6th December	Thanks for the great book - love the cartoons! Thanks for the lovely letter that I received yesterday.
Requesting a favour	I was wondering if there might be any chance of your giving me some assistance with the project I am currently working on?	Could you possibly do me a favour? We are doing a school project and I’d be really grateful for some help with it.
Making a suggestion	Would it be convenient for you if we were to meet at the theatre next Saturday? I hope it will be convenient for you if we collect you at 6. That should allow us to arrive in time for some refreshments.	How about meeting at the theatre next Saturday? Ok if we pick you up at 6 and then we’ll have time for a drink or two?
Apologising	I must apologise for omitting to post you the report. It was inexcusable of me. I apologise for the delay in replying to your letter. This was due to pressure of work.	I’m terribly sorry I forgot to post you the report. I’m awfully sorry to have been slow in getting back to you but I’ve been dreadfully busy at work.
Complaining	I would be very grateful if you could ensure that your sons turn their music down after 11 p.m. Please would you be so kind as to dissuade your sons from playing such loud music so late at night.	I wish your boys would stop playing their stereo so loud in the evening. It really  gets on my nerves.
Asking for Reply	I should very much appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.	Do please write back to me soon. I’m longing to hear your news.
Expressing opinion about a person	She maintains that he is a pleasant person but I can’t accept her point of view.	She says he’s a nice guy but I think she’s off her head, don’t you?
Initial salutation	I hope that you and your family are keeping well. How is the current situation? I hope that everything is satisfactory at present.	How’s life? All’s well, I hope. How’s life? I hope all’s well with you these days.
Asking for information	I would be grateful if you could forward me some information about villas to rent on the Mediterranean coast.	Please send me some info about villas I could rent on the Med.
Giving contacts	You may contact me by telephone at the above number.	Ring me at the number I’ve given you.

Sources:
1. O'Dell F. CAE Writing Skills. CUP.

CAE: Writing a Letter: Formal vs Informal

There are several types of letter you may have to write for CAE writing task:
- a letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine;
- a letter of application or giving a reference for someone applying for a job;
- a letter to the director(s) of an organization or to a colledge principal;
- an informal letter to a friend.
 According to this, the style of your writng must vary: from extremely formal (if you write, for example, to the head of a company and your aim is to complaint) to relatevely formal (a letter to the editor) to quite informal (if you write to a friend).
In the table below I give examples of formal and informal expressions for every part of letter.

 

Part of Letter	FORMAL LETTER		INFORMAL LETTER
	You don't know the person's name	You know the person's name	A friend	A very close friend or relative
Salutation	Dear Sir or Madam,	Dear Mr Emmett, Dear Ms Brown,	Dear Charlie,	Hi / Hello Matt,
Reason for writing	- I am writing with regard / reference to the article which appeared (when / where) - I am writing to express my concern about / dissatisfaction with / disappointment with / disapproval of / apologies for... (motivation) - I am writing on behalf of (who) who have had concerns about...  - I am writing in response to your (advertisement in the Times). - I should like to apply for the position of (tourist guide).		- Great / Lovely to hear from you  (after so long). - It was great to get your letter / Thanks (a lot) for your letter asking about.../ Thanks for the lovely letter that I received yesterday. - Sorry for not writing for so long / Sorry I haven't written / haven't been in touch for so long. - Sorry to hear about your...
Body 2-3 paragraphs	Linking Words
	To begin with / Firstly / In the first place / Secondly / Next / In addition / Moreover / Further more / What is more / In the same way as / Similarly / Lastly / Finally Although / However / Nevertheless / Nonetheless / Whereas Thus / Therefore / Consequently / Accordingly / Unfortunately		One thing / Another thing (was that...) Besides / Also / Apart from this / that / And / And then / Besides / Just as In the end / On top of that But / So / On the other hand Anyway / at any rate / because / because of
Ending	- I trust/very much hope you will (consider our ideas and suggestions) - I would appreciate it / be grateful if you would  - It seems only fair that you should... - I look forward to receiving a response from you / I would be grateful for a reply at your earliest convenience. - In light of the above I feel I am entitled to (a full refund and a formal apology )		- I must go now / I’d better get going / I’ll finish now as I’m running out of space - Phone me as soon as possible / Write back soon and let me know how it goes - Can’t wait to see you again - Bye for now - (Give my) love / regards to.../ Remember me to...
Signing off	Yours faithfully	Yours sincerely Yours	Best wishes All the best Regards Kind regards	Love With love Lots of love All my love