Cambridge English: Preliminary
Vocabulary practice for the Cambridge PET exam
Paragraphs in Informal Letters
On this page we will look at using contractions and paragraphs in your informal letter (PET Writing Part 3).
Paragraphs
In Part 3 of the Writing Paper you have the choice of writing an informal letter of around 100 words. Informal letters need to be well organised and one way to show your organisation is through the use of paragraphs.
A letter of of 100 words can easily be organised around 3 paragraphs.
Paragraph 1 - the introduction. When we are replying to a letter we usually say something about what was in the original letter.
Paragraph 2 - the main content.
Paragraph 3 - the conclusion which usually ends with something like 'Write back soon'.
Practise Using Paragraphs
The letter below has been written without the use of paragraphs. How would you organise the sentences into paragraphs?
|
Dear Mikel |
Here's the letter written with paragraphs.
|
Dear Mikel |
Study Tip!
When writing paragraphs make sure you write to the end of each line. Only finish a sentence mid-way along the line when you have come to the end of a paragraph. For example, these sentences from the letter above should be written like this:
You wanted to know about a typical morning. Well, on days when I go to college I usually get up about 7.00 o'clock. My mum always asks me to sit down and have breakfast before I leave. Unfortunately, I don't have much time and I eat breakfast at college. I go to college by bus. It takes about 30 minutes but sometimes it's longer if there's a lot of traffic. As soon as I arrive I meet my friends and get the latest news.
Not like this:
You
wanted to know about a typical morning. Well, on days when I go
to college I usually get up about 7.00 o'clock.
My mum always asks me to sit down and have breakfast before I
leave. Unfortunately, I don't have much time and I eat breakfast
at college. I go to college by bus. It takes about 30 minutes
but sometimes it's longer if there's a lot of traffic.
As soon as I arrive I meet my friends and get the latest news.
Also, leaving a line between paragraphs can make your organisation even clearer to the reader.