Congratulation Letters

1. Format of letters

2. Writing personal letters

3. Congratulation letters

Letter writing

per sonall et t er s

busi nessl et t er s

letters

The format of a letter

How many parts are there in a letter?

heading, inside address, salutation, body of the letter, complimentary close, signature and sometimes postscript.

1. Heading

The heading located in the upper right-hand corner includes the sender’s complete mailing address and the date (under the address).

The heading can be written in a straight or sloping way.

1. Heading

block style e.g. 122 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017 U.S.A. Jan.18,2006 Indented or modified style e.g. Dept. of Radio Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin,150001, P.R.C. 22 April,1995.

1. Heading

date ： Jan. 17 ， 2005 （美） 17 January ， 2005( 英 ) May 1st, 2005 1st May, 2005

(Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.)

Ss practice

Liu BingRoom 10,Building 1112550 Erhuandong RoadJinan, Shandong250000P.R.China

(Suite 2, Building 5 )(Rm.101, Unit 3, Bldg. 5 )Apt.2 Blvd :boulevardSs practice

Envelope

Barbara Chenault (return address)

2580 Clovis Street (stamp)

San Diego, CA 92107

U.S.A.

Mrs. Lin Hong (outside address)

School of Foreign Languages

Shandong University

27 Shandanan Road

Jinan, Shandong 250100

P.R. China

2.Inside Address

giving the complete name and full address of the person you are writing to. =often used in formal letters=on the upper left-hand corner=1or2 spaces below=include full name and title( if known)

Mr. James Allen

Executive Secretary to the Chairman122 Third Avenue New York, N.Y. 10017U.S.A.

3. Salutation

The salutation is even to the left margin and is always followed by either a comma or a colon (Bre. “,” Ame. “:”).

Dear Mother and Father,

Dear Aunt Helen,

My dear Harry,

Dear Dr. Thomas,

(to org. Dear Sir or Madam, To whom it may concern,)

4. Body

You may indent each paragraph by four spaces. Alternatively, you may keep the paragraphs even

with the left margin. In this case, double-space is preferred between paragraphs in the body.

5. Complimentary closing

on the right-hand side or left-hand side or in the center. It is always capitalized in the first word and followed by a comma.

Sincerely yours, Yours sincerely, Cordially, With best wishes, With warmest regards,

6. Signature

The signature is indented below the complimentary closing.

Format

personal letters: sign full name, given name or even a nickname accordingly

6. Signature

business letters: = full name in ink, =typed name, =Mr. Mrs. Miss in brackets before or after the typed name.

Truly yours, Li Wenjie

Li Wenjie(Mrs.)

Sometimes, you need to add a few words below the signature.

If you send along with your letter some other materials, add an item of enclosure .Enc. :“Enclosure”

Keep even to the left margin:

Enc: two letters of recommendation One application form One CV

Postscript 附言 : a few lines below the signature.P． S．

P． S． If you meet Joe， please tell him to return that book to me．

Writing personal letters

Personal letters are usually newsy, intimate and informal. You should make your letter sound as much as possible

like a conversation. Keep your language simple and avoid flowery words.

e.g. When I was anxiously expecting your letter, it came at last. I am very happy to know that everyone at home is enjoying good health and everything is all right as usual.

Writing personal letters

How time flies! As Christmas is drawing near, I hasten to drop a line to offer my season’s greetings.

Next to you I think the mailman is my favorite person, for he brings me your wonderful letters.

May you always have everything you wish for. Please favor me with an early reply. Your kind early reply will be appreciated.

Personal letters :Congratulations

1. Q: On what occasions do we need to write letters of congratulation? （ Ss Brainstorming ）

Sample Study:Model: Congratulations on graduation

Dear Martin,

How time flies! Here you are graduating from Yale University and planning to find a job in a computer corporation in the United States. Congratulations!

This is a notable day in your life and, of course, for your parents, relatives and friends. It’s a time for rejoicing and I rejoice with you on this happy occasion.

It’s also time for reflection. You will be going out into the world to make a career for yourself. You stand on the threshold of what I hope will be a happy life and a rewarding career.

I wish you success in all your undertakings and hope that you will find your career a source of joy and happiness.

Sincerely yours, Li Ming

Congratulations

2. Process of writing

(1)Use the word “congratulations” early in your letter (2)mention the reason to congratulate (at the beginning) e.g.

(3) praise e.g. (4) tell how happy, pleased or impressed you are e.g. .

(5) achievements and reasons e.g. (6) close the letter with best wishes for the person e.g.

Study the samples

in the book

Useful expressions:

1. I want to congratulate you with all my heart.2. I warmly congratulate you on your having passed the exams.3.Sincere/hearty/heartfelt congratulations on …4. I am delighted to learn of your success. It’s the most joyful news I

have heard.5. You don’t know how thrilled/excited/happy we were at the news of

your recent achievement. We are proud of having you among our friends.

6. May all go beautifully in your new post!7. Congratulations and all best wishes for an even more prosperous

future.8. May the years ahead fulfill all your hopes!

Tips:==convey sincere enthusiasm, but should not

be too gushy, since such language usually seems phony.

==Don’t make you letter do double duty.=Avoid excessive flattery.=Don’t talk about luck.

Writing Practice:

You have just learned that a former college classmate of yours has just received his doctorate in philosophy from London University. Write him a letter of congratulation.