English Proficiency - GEE 101

English Proficiency - GEE 101

• Course covers English proficiency, focusing on letters.
• Lesson includes different types of letters (formal, informal, electronic mail).
• Formal letters are written to businesses, colleges, or professionals.
• Informal letters are written to friends or family.
• Electronic mail (email) is used for communication between computer users.
• Formal letter types include cover letters, résumés, follow-up letters, acceptance of job offers, and references.
• Informal letter types include apologies, complaints, invitations, condolences, appreciation, and thank you notes.
• Different letter writing styles include block, semi-block, and modified block.
• Letter parts include heading, greeting, body, closing, and signature.

Parts of a Letter

• Heading: Includes the writer's address and date at the top of the letter.
  • Example: 350 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, December 8, 2017
• Greeting: Means "hello," starts with a capital letter and ends with a comma.
  • Example: Dear T. Angelica,
• Body: Contains the main text or message; each paragraph should be indented.
  • Example: Thank you for always encouraging me.
• Closing: Means "good-bye," starts with a capital letter and ends with a comma.
  • Example: Sincerely,
• Signature: Tells who wrote the letter; located at the end, below the closing.
  • Example: Venus Jane

Styles of Letter Writing

• Block Style: All letter components aligned at the left margin.
• Semi-Block Style: All components aligned at the left margin, except date, attention line, and closing (which are indented).
• Modified Block Style: All components aligned at the left margin, except the author's address, date, and closing (which are aligned at the right margin).

Types of Letters

• Formal Letters: Cover letters, résumés, follow-up letters, accepting job offers, and references.
• Informal Letters: Apologies, complaints, invitations, condolences, appreciation, and thank you notes.
• Types of Business Letters: Various, including those related to requests, applications, or inquiries.
• Thank-You Letters
• Apology Letters
• Business Letters
• Congratulations Letters
• Goodbye Letters
• Resignation Letters
• Invitation Letters

Additional Letter Information

• Business letters require strong communication skills and understanding of conventions.
• Focus on clarity, conciseness, and accuracy.
• Use appropriate business letter formats and styles, depending on the recipient and the situation.
• Ensure correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Keep the recipient's needs in mind when writing letters.
• Proofread to identify and remedy any errors.
• Use 8.5" x 11" paper for typing.

Letter sections

• Heading: Contains the writer's return address and date. Can also include additional details (e.g., phone, fax, email).
• Date: Indicates when the letter was written.
• Sender's Address: Usually optional.
• Inside Address: Contains the recipient's address and often a title (Mr., Ms., Dr.).
• Greeting/Salutation: Formal (e.g., Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name]:) or informal (e.g., Dear [First Name]).
• Body: Presents the main message. Paragraphs are single-spaced, with a blank line between each.
• Closing: Short polite expression (e.g., Sincerely, Respectfully). Followed by a blank line.
• Signature: The writer's signature, printed name below signature.
• Enclosure: Indicates that attachments are included (e.g., resume).

Applications

• An application is written to request something (e.g., position, leave)
• Formal applications usually have a clear subject or purpose to ensure clarity
• The application usually includes summarization of reasons.

Correspondence Types

• Letters: Formal, commonly used with outsiders, and for formal situations.
• Memos: Moderately formal, suitable for internal communication.
• E-mails: Quick, informal communication with one or more recipients. Can be used for quick questions and file attachments.
• Microblogs (e.g., Twitter, Facebook): Informal correspondence, ideal for group communication and quick questions.

Process of Writing Correspondence

• Essentially similar to writing any other workplace document.
• Formal documents require more attention to the steps.