A Letter from Cressida Cowell
Dear Year 5 at Cromer Junior School,
Thank you so much for writing to me! I will try and answer some
of your questions. It took me over a year to write and illustrate
How to Train Your Dragon. I DID love reading when I was a child,
and some of my favourite books were Diana Wynne Jones’s books, such
as The Ogre Downstairs, and Tolkien’s The Hobbit!
My favourite dragon is a mood dragon, and I write most of my
books now in the shed at the bottom of my garden, otherwise I got
interrupted by my three children, Maisie (13), Clemmie (11) or
Xanny (short for Alexander, 8).
The island I spend a lot of time on as a child WAS very exciting
– I just went this last week, and there was a big gale in Scotland,
so it was a little TOO exciting. It was very, very windy!
Xcellent Dreamtroos
(best wishes in Dragonese)
Cressida Cowell
http://cromerjuniorschool.blogspot.com/2012/01/cressida-cowell.html
Unit 1 Day 1
Text A: Jacqueline Wilson (Postcard)
Dear Hannah,
Thank you for your lovely letter. I’m so pleased you like
reading my books.
I think Hetty Feather is my favourite. My first book was called
‘Ricky’s birthday’ but it’s not in print now. I hope you and
Matthew enjoyed taking part in the Race for Kids on Sunday. GOSH is
a great hospital.
Love from,
Jacqueline Wilson
https://www.thecomet.net/news/letchworth-10-year-old-who-missed-meeting-jacqueline-wilson-to-take-part-in-great-ormond-street-hospital-fundraiser-gets-prized-personal-postcard-1-4553499
Unit 1 Day 1
© Original plan copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission
for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
letters_N053PL1_resources
Text B: Steven P. Armes (letter)
31.1.2001
Teaching Post Vacancy at Hogwarts School
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
I wish to apply for the ‘Defence Against the Dark Arts’ teaching
post vacancy at Hogwarts School. I am well aware of the chequered
history of the former occupants of this post but, in this darkest
of times (is it really true that He Who Should Not Be Named has
returned, with all of his former powers?), I feel obliged to offer
my services in the continuing struggle against the cursed Death
Eaters.
Although most of my professional experience has been gained in
the Muggle world, I would like to point out that I studied at
Bristol University under the supervision of the
internationally-renowned auror, Professor B. Vincent. Furthermore,
I spent 22 months working in a dungeon at the notorious Los Alamos
National Laboratory, New Mexico in 1987-89 (see enclosed CV). This
US nuclear weapons laboratory is surely one of the Darkest military
research laboratories in the (Muggle or Wizarding) world. In
addition, in the last eleven years at Sussex University I have
worked extensively on Polypyrrole, one of the Darkest conducting
polymers known to the Alchemy. Finally, I have spent the last seven
years becoming acquainted with a budding wizard named Thomas Armes,
whom I can assure you is just as much of a handful as Harry Potter.
Only yesterday I caught him practising illegal curses on his
younger sister, Kate.
Currently I lead an international wizard group of twelve PhD*
students and research sorcerers who are working on new Colloidal
Potions and the Alchemy of Polymers (I believe these are known as
‘plastics’ in the Muggle world). I am the principle auror or
co-auror of more than 140 learned alchemical articles, although
most of these have only appeared in Muggle journals.
I have checked my contract with my current Muggle employers, and
I am pleased to confirm my availability from Sept 1st, 2001 if
selected for this most important post.
Thanking you in advance for your careful consideration of my
application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near
future.
Yours sincerely
Steven P. ArmesProfessor of Colloid and Polymer Science
P.S. Please forgive this application by Muggle post but I do not
trust the owls around these parts – they have red eyes!
*Philosophy of Dark Arts
Letters of Note: Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience,
compiled by Shaun Usher Unit 1 Day 1
Text C: David Walliams (letter)
Dear David Walliams,
This letter is NOT fan mail. Yes, it has been sent to the fan
mail address but it is a COMPLAINT.
Firstly, I have read all your books and have them all of them,
especially Ratburger. I also really enjoyed Billionaire Boy, which
is the subject of this COMPLAINT.
I had anticipated the arrival of it on the screens, but after I
watched it I was highly disappointed.
First off, the acting was awful except for the adults. I
could’ve done better and I’m eleven, nearly twelve.
Secondly, some names were changed for no reason whatsoever, such
as Dave Grubb was changed into George Grubb, and Miss Spite was
changed into Miss Spike or Strict or something.
Thirdly, Joe’s character traits were completely changed from
spoiled brat to sad boy.
Fourthly, it got confusing and a bit boring when Miss Spikes
calls Bob Gareth or something, and how Bob immediately knew that
Joe paid the Grubbs.
Fifthly, and finally (finally) the story line was
unrecognisable. What about Lisa? She didn’t exist, and that
crumbles the entire story.
I hope you take into account this COMPLAINT and do not throw it
away after you read my COMPLAINT.
Last of all, I know that most of this probably wasn’t your
fault, as the entire thing may have been changed by the
scriptwriters and people. If so, please give this letter to
them.
Madeleine
https://twitter.com/davidwalliams/status/689428692204785664?lang=en
Unit 1 Day 1
Text D: Unsigned (open letter)
Dear Neighbours,
Someone in this building LOVES Christmas music. If that person
could please remember that not everyone has the same bizarre taste
in music, and that people around them can hear it VERY CLEARLY, and
do not appreciate being FORCED to listen to “Have Yourself a Merry
Little Christmas” (and every other song) at 7AM in MARCH. (Or any
other time of day.)
Thank you, Merry Xmas
https://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2012/03/28/christmas-in-march/
Unit 1 Day 1
Text E: Innocent Smoothies (letter)
Hello.
We’ve been foolish. We recently sent you an Easter card with a
voucher worth £2.99 on the inside page. We accidentally put the
wrong barcode on that voucher. We’re so sorry.
If you’ve not used that voucher already, please don’t. We’re
getting another voucher in the post to you as we speak (one that
does work), so please use this voucher instead. It will give you a
savings of £2.99 off any Innocent drink. The one in your card
doesn’t, but you can keep it as a memento of our stupidity if you
like.
Yours, tail between legs,
Innocent
https://www.comm100.com/blog/public-apology-letter-example.html#jobs
Unit 1 Day 1
Text F: Paul Leddington Wright (letter) (abridged)
Dear Clifford
The Royal Maundy Service
Thursday, 13th April 2017
On Thursday, 13th April, 2017, The Queen and The Duke of
Edinburgh will attend the Royal Maundy Service in Leicester
Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. during which her majesty will distribute
Maundy gifts of specially minted coins to the Maundy Recipients.
This year the Maundy Recipients have been chosen from the Diocese
of Leicester. The precise number of Recipients is equal to The
Monarch’s age and on this occasion there will be 91 men and 91
women chosen to attend the Royal Maundy Service. I am delighted to
inform you that your name has been submitted by the Bishop of
Leicester to be one of the Maundy Recipients and I very much hope
that you will feel able to accept this honour.
The completed [enclosed] form should be returned, in the
self-addressed envelope provided, by Friday, 24th February,
2017.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Leddington Wright,
Secretary, Royal Armory
https://metro.co.uk/2017/04/09/pensioner-binned-buckingham-palace-invitation-thinking-it-was-junk-6564094/
Unit 1 Day 1
Text G: Shana King (letter)
Dear Serena and Venus,
I just wanted to write to you to tell you that I have never
admired anyone like I admire you. I live with my mother and cousins
and am African-American and growing up in New York City. My aunties
watched you on the TV one day and told me to watch too.
I have never played tennis but I run track at my high school and
hopefully will run track in a university someday. I am only a
sophomore and I am the fastest in my school. I love the way you
both are able to be in such great shapes but also be glamorous.
I hope I can meet you both someday.
Your fan,
Shana King
http://www.celebletters.com/category/venus-williams
Unit 1 Day 1
Text H: Lili Song (email)
To: [email protected]
Subject: English courses
Dear Ms. Black,
I am writing in response to the advertisement I saw for your
English school in the “World Teens Today” Magazine. I am interested
in doing one of your courses and I would be grateful if you could
provide some further information.
Firstly, it says in the advertisement that the courses are two
weeks long. Would it be possible to do a three-week course? I would
also like to know how much your courses cost exactly.
Secondly, your advert mentions accommodation with host families.
Could you tell me if I would be staying on my own with the host
family or if there would be other students staying there as
well?
Finally, I have a question about the social programme. Would you
mind sending me more details about this? I am very keen on sport
and would like to know if there are any sports activities included
in the social programme
I look forward to hearing from you.Yours sincerely,
Lili Song
https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/upper-intermediate-b2-writing/more-formal-email
Unit 1 Day 1
Letter Analysis Table
Letter
Writer & Audience
Formal/Informal
Purpose/intention
Summary of letter in 5 words or less
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Unit 1 Day 1
· Date and Address (address may or may not be present)
· Greeting (Dear/To...) often first name
· Short introductory paragraph
· 1+ paragraphs covering main content of letter
· Closing paragraph
· Sign off (Bye for now/best wishes/from/love… sign off may not
be present)
· A friendly or relaxed writing style (register), similar to
spoken register
· Written in first person
· Date and Address
· Greeting (Dear/To...) often, but not always, title and surname
or sir/madam
· Short introductory paragraph
· Sentence start formally (e.g. I would like to… I am writing
to… Could I ask… )
· 2-5 paragraphs covering main content of letter
· Closing paragraph
· Sign off (Yours sincerely/yours faithfully/kind regards…)
· A polite, formal writing style (register)
· Written in first person
Unit 1 Days 2-4
Informal Letter
Formal Letter
Letters of Complaint
Complaint 1
Dear David Walliams
This letter is NOT fan mail. Yes, it has been sent to the fan
mail address but it is a COMPLAINT.
Firstly, I have read all your books and have them all of them,
especially Ratburger. I also really enjoyed Billionaire Boy, which
is the subject of this COMPLAINT.
I had anticipated the arrival of it on the screens, but after I
watched it I was highly disappointed. First off, the acting was
awful except for the adults. I could’ve done better and I’m eleven,
nearly twelve.
Secondly, some names were changed for no reason whatsoever, such
as Dave Grubb was changed into George Grubb, and Miss Spite was
changed into Miss Spike or Strict or something.
Thirdly, Joe’s character traits were completely changed from
spoiled brat to sad boy.
Fourthly, it got confusing and a bit boring when Miss Spikes
calls Bob Gareth or something, and how Bob immediately knew that
Joe paid the Grubbs.
Fifthly, and finally (finally) the story line was
unrecognisable. What about Lisa? She didn’t exist, and that
crumbles the entire story.
I hope you take into account this COMPLAINT and do throw it away
after you read COMPLAINT.
Last of all, I know that most of this probably wasn’t your
fault, as the entire thing may have been changed by the
scriptwriters and people. If so, please give this letter to
them.
Madeleine
Unit 1 Day 1
Unit 1 Day 2
Complaint 2
Dear Neighbours,
Someone in this building LOVES Christmas music. If that person
could please remember that not everyone has the same bizarre taste
in music, and that people around them can hear it VERY CLEARLY, and
do not appreciate being FORCED to listen to “Have Yourself a Merry
Little Christmas” (and every other song) at 7AM in MARCH. (Or any
other time of day.)
Thank you, Merry Xmas
Unit 1 Day 2
Letters of Complaint: Questions to discuss
Complaint 1
1. What is the impact of the use of ‘firstly, secondly,
thirdly…’?
2. Can you identify five key layout features of a formal
letter?
3. How would you describe the tone or register? Is this
effective in getting the message across?
4. The sign off was not printed for Complaint 1. In keeping with
a formal letter style can you suggest two ways that Madeleine might
have signed off?
5. How do you think David Walliams felt getting this letter?
6. Is Madeleine a fan of David Walliams’ books? How do you
know?
Complaint 2
1. The writer in Complaint 2 opens his/her letter with: “Someone
in this building LOVES Christmas music”. What would have been a
more formal way to start the letter?
2. What is the tone/register of this letter? It includes an
underlying sarcastic tone – what effect will this have on the
recipient?
3. What impact do you think this letter will have on the
situation? Can you think of a better way to phrase the complaint
that might help the recipient feel empathy rather than perhaps
annoy them?
4. What conventions and structure does this letter lack that
would make it more of a formal letter?
5. Do you think the music will stop? Why? How might the letter
backfire?
6. Do you think the writer knows the person playing the music?
Why have they sent an ‘open’ letter rather than a private note?
7. Which word suggests that the writer considers the player of
the music to be unconventional or odd?
Unit 1 Day 2
Thank you for the dream
Transcript:
GIPSY HOUSE
GREAT MISSENDEN
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
HP16 0BP
10th February 1989
Dear Amy,
I must write a special letter and thank you for the dream in the
bottle. You are the first person in the world who has sent me one
of these and it intrigued me very mush. I also liked the dream.
Tonight I shall go down to the village and blow it through the
bedroom window of some sleeping child and see if it works.
With love from,
(Signed)
Roald Dahl
Context:
One rainy Sunday afternoon in 1989, with encouragement and
much-needed help from her father, a 7-year-old girl named Amy
decided to send something to Roald Dahl. Taking inspiration from
her favourite book, The BFG, and using a combination of oil,
coloured water and glitter, Amy sent the author a very fitting and
undeniably adorable gift: one of her dreams, contained in a
bottle.
Thankfully, the sentiment wasn’t lost on Roald Dahl. His lovely
response can be seen above.
Unit 1 Day 3
Children and Letters
Unit 1 Day 4
You are the best author in human history
Dear Alan Moore
I am writing because I want to know more about your comics
including V for Vendetta, Watchmen, League of Extraordinary
Gentlemen and Swamp Thing. I also want to say thank you for making
such amazing graphic novels and how did you make such wonderful
things?
The first book I saw was V for Vendetta which has a brilliant
storyline and is very cool when he blows up Parliament. I also love
his awesome mask. Watchmen was the second, so far the best book I
have ever seen – Rorschach is my favourite character, then Dr.
Manhattan, lastly the Comedian. I like the way he uses a
flamethrower as a cigar lighter and a smiley face for a badge. My
third favourite was the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I like
the way it’s more like a book because it has lots of writing in it
and I also like the things that they have collected. All in all you
are the best author in human history. Please write back.
Joshua
Unit 1 Day 4
