Transactional writing

aim: you are writing to someone you dont know, you would like to get some information, make a
complaint, place an order, apply for a job, etc.

style: formal (no short forms, no slang, nice grammar, nice vocabulary)

structure:
opening paragraph - why you are writing, indicating the source, advertisment, magazine,
brochure where you have read about the topic.

main part- 2-3 paragraphs – elaborate the purpose of your letter, write about the details.
Similar topics should be in the same paragraph.

closing paragraph – if it is a letter of complaint you can write about the form of refund you
are expecting, if you have asked for info you specify how and when you would like to
receive it

signing-off - closing phrases (I look forward to hearing from you, etc. Yours sincerely)

Important:

 In this type of letter you will probably have to ask some questions.
 Try to embed the questions instead of writing them in groups. Ask only the most important
ones and use either reported speech or polite expressions. Linking words are inevitable.

I would like to know if there is a free room in your hotel…

I am wondering if you could send me a brochure of the event…
I am also interested in the price and the dates of the language course…
Furthermore, i would be grateful if you could send me some information about the next course...

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Discursive writing

1. Article

Aim: to write about your opinion on a topic and to convince your readers

Style: semi-informal, you can use contractions (I've, I'm, etc), questions, exclamations.

Structure:

opening paragraph- you can be bombastic, unique, personal - let your readers know how
you think, feel about the topic.

main part – 2-3 paragraphs – elaborate and support your main idea. Each paragraph
should be about a different topic. Linking words are important to use.
 closing paragraph – you address the readers, list your reasons and you can refer to
your opening sentence/idea. You want to convince your readers, want to make an impact.

2. Essay

Aim: to write about a topic listing pros and cons.

Style: informal, do not use contractions, try to be impersonal, do not use „I”too often.

Structure:

introduction- introduce the subject of the eassy, state your opinion (What are you
going to discuss? How do you feel about it?)

main part – 2-3 paragraphs – choose two main aspects of the problem/situation.
Group related ideas on two paragraphs and support them with examples.

conclusion- summerize your point, restate your opinion.

Important:

 present every major point in a seperate paragraph

 use a topic sentence to introduce each paragraph-the rest of the paragraph shoud develop the
idea expressed in the topic sentence.
 do not develop an idea in the introduction.
 do not introduce new ideas in the conlclusion.
 use linking words/phrases.
 use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

3. Review

Aim: to write a review about a theatre play, film, concert you have seen

Style: semi-formal, rather impersonal, however the style depends on who is going to read it,
you can use contractions and should use expressive adjective to write about the topic.

Structure:

opening paragraph- start with a sentence/idea that would grab the readers' attention and also refer
to when/where/what you have seen (e.g. the title of the play, director, actors, time, name, which
theatre)
state your opinon of it

main part- 2-3 paragraphs you can tell the story of the book/play, etc but not in details.
Write about your opinon, what impact it had on you, whether you liked the directing, what you
think about the actors.

closing paragraph – in conclusion write about why you like it /do not like it whether you
recommend it for others to see/read it.

Important:

 use „cool” adjectives forget „good”, „bad”, „wonderful”, etc.

 style is less formal than in an essay

4. Letter to the editor

Aim: to reflect a letter that you have read in a newspaper or a magazine

Style: impersonal but you can use contractions, it can be either formal or informal depending on the
topic and the magazine/newspaper

Structure:

opening paragraph - you should start the letter with: „Dear Editor”, and go on with writing
which artcicle or text you are going to reflect on. You should also mention whether you
agree with the content of the article or you are going to criticise it. You can also write about
yourself: who you are, why you are writing the letter (you are an expert, have some
experience, knowledge about the topic?)

main part- 2-3 paragraphs - support your main idea with examples. Each point should be
in a different paragraph.

closing paragraph - write about what you expect from the editor (ask him to write another
article correcting their mistakes that were in the previous one, you can suggest that they
should do more inquery next time before publising an article about this topic, etc.)

sigining-off

5. Online comment

Aim: to write a comment on an online topic (there is no article, or text only a topic is given– you
have to create the story)

Style: informal, you can use contractions, but no slang, no hot-tempered language

Structure:

opening paragraph - start with the introduction of 1-2 sentences about the topic and mention the
source and also state whether you agree or disagree with what you have read in the post.
main part- 2-3 paragraphs-write about your opinion support it with examples and refer to the
„original” post.

closing paragraph – you can repeat your opening sentences using different words and write your
conclusion.