WRITING:A POSTCARD

Petr NovotnýGymnázium Dr. Karla Polesného Znojmo

INTRODUCTION

• a postcard contains a short text, typically from a holiday

• the style is usually informal and casual – you needn't follow the standard letter-writing protocols

THE LAYOUT

Dear Susan,

I'm having a great time here in Costa Brava. The hotel is lovely, and the weather is really hot and sunny. We are down at the beach every day.We're flying back to London on Friday the 7th.

Bye for now and see you soon.

Jack

Message

Greeting(Salutation)

Sign off

Signature

GREETING / SALUTATION

• Use: Dear + first name (Dear Susan,) orHello + first name (Hello Susan,) orHi + first name (Hi Susan,)

• After the greeting use a comma (,) or nothing• Dear is more formal than Hello or Hi

THE MESSAGE [1]• The style is usually informal and casual – you needn't

follow the standard letter-writing protocols.• You can use colloquial language (kids, mom, dad),

but avoid slang.• You can use contracted forms (I'm; you're; haven't;

hasn't; ...)• You can leave out parts of sentences which are

logically clear (ellipsis) - eg "Having a great time ..." instead of "I'm having a great time ..."

THE MESSAGE [2]• USEFUL PHRASES:

– It's our first / second / ... day in Majorca.– We're having a great / lovely / fabulous / fantastic ... time.– We're spending our time on the beach / sightseeing / relaxing / ...– The weather's been lovely / gorgeous / terrible / ... .– Don't think much of the food.– We're flying back on the 20th.

SIGN OFF

USEFUL PHRASES– Say hello / Give my regards to your parents.– Wish you were here.– See you soon.– Love. – Lots of love.

TASKImagine you are on holiday in Paris with some friends. Write a POSTCARD to your best friend Susan. Include the following information:

• How did you get there?• What is the place you are staying in like?• What is the weather like?• What kind of things have you done?• What are you planning to do?• When are you coming back?

You may find the following words helpful: airport, hotel, French cuisine, sightseeing, Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, shopping, souvenirs