A LETTER.

 hello reader, would you like to study with me? how about we learn 'how to write letter a god '? yes, it's a good idea. let's start it

》》Letter Writing

A letter is a written message that can be handwritten or printed on paper. It is usually sent to the recipient via mail or post in an envelope, although this is not a requirement as such. Any such message that is transferred via post is a letter, a written conversation between two parties.

》》Types of Letters

Let us first understand that there are broadly two types of letter, namely Formal Letters, and Informal Letters. But then there are also a few types of letters based on their contents, formalities, the purpose of letter writing etc. Let us have a look at the few types of letters.

●Formal Letter: These letters follow a certain pattern and formality. They are strictly kept professional in nature, and directly address the issues concerned. Any type of business letter or letter to authorities falls within this given category.

●Informal Letter: These are personal letters. They need not follow any set pattern or adhere to any formalities. They contain personal information or are a written conversation. Informal letters are generally written to friends, acquaintances, relatives etc.

●Business Letter: This letter is written among business correspondents, generally contains commercial information such as quotations, orders, complaints, claims, letters for collections etc. Such letters are always strictly formal and follow a structure and pattern of formalities.

●Official Letter: This type of letter is written to inform offices, branches, subordinates of official information. It usually relays official information like rules, regulations, procedures, events, or any other such information. Official letters are also formal in nature and follow certain structure and decorum.

●Social Letter: A personal letter written on the occasion of a special event is known as a social letter. Congratulatory letter, condolence letter, invitation letter etc are all social letters.

●Circular Letter: A letter that announces information to a large number of people is a circular letter. The same letter is circulated to a large group of people to correspond some important information like a change of address, change in management, the retirement of a partner etc.

●Employment Letters: Any letters with respect to the employment process, like joining letter, promotion letter, application letter etc.

》》Structure of a Formal Letter (and Informal)

Both informal and formal letters are based on a specific structure. A good letter should consist of:

1. An appropriate greeting (Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Kathy, Dear Mr Brown).

An introduction clearly stating the reason you are writing.

2. A main body in which the subject is developed. Begin a new paragraph for each main point.

3. A final paragraph in which you sum up the topic or express your wish for something to be done.

4. An appropriate ending (Yours/Best wishes, + first name, Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully, + full name).

Style in Informal and Formal Letters

Here you’ll find the main difference between formal and informal letters: the style.

The characteristic of formal style in letters are:

1. The greeting (Dear Mrs Lee, Dear Sir,)

2. Frequent use of the passive

3. Formal language (complex sentences, non-colloquial English)

No abbreviated forms

4. The ending (Yours sincerely, / Yours faithfully,)

The characteristic of informal style in letters are:

The greeting (Dear Alex, Dear Dad)

Informal language and style (idioms, colloquial English)

Abbreviated forms, pronouns omitted

The ending (Yours/Love/Best wishes/Regards, Anthony)

》》Useful language and expressions for Formal Letters of Complaint

Opening Remarks:

▪︎I am writing to complain about/regarding/on account of/because of/on the subject of…

▪︎I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction with…

▪︎I am afraid to say I have numbers of complaints about…

▪︎I regret to tell you I was very disappointed with…

▪︎I feel I must protest/complain about…

Useful phrases:

To make matters worse…

▪︎I was very disappointed to find that…

▪︎I would be grateful if you could…

▪︎I should have been informed that…

▪︎The first problem was… Another problem  was… The most visible problem…

▪︎I hope you will understand that I was very dissatisfied…

▪︎I believe you can appreciate how disappointed I was when…

Linking words:

▪︎ Even though

▪︎However

▪︎Furthermore

▪︎Firstly

▪︎Finally

…

Closing Remarks:

▪︎I would therefore be grateful if you could give me a full refund…

▪︎I am not satisfied with…

▪︎I trust the situation will improve…

▪︎I hope the matter will be resolved…

▪︎I look forward to hearing from you in your earliest convenience to offer me a complete refund

▪︎I feel I am entitled to a partial refund in addition to an apology for the inconvenience caused

▪︎I hope that I will not be forced to take further action as taking the case to court.

▪︎I look forward to receiving a prompt reply

This is video materials about writing letter

Book page 146-147

Rancho's house – the lone house in the entire valley – was on the crown of a low hill. From the pinnacle of the hill one could see the rapid flowing stream and next to it vast fields of ripe corn in between the red kidney bean flowers. Looking at it one could predict that it was going to be good harvest but it needed a rainfall, however brief.

All through the morning Rancho kept scanning the sky for signs of rainfall and he was quite confident that it would rain. “You know, woman, now we are finally going to get some rain.” His wife, who was busy preparing food, replied: “Yes, God willing.”

As soon as Rancho's family, his wife and sons, sat for dinner, just as he had predicted big drops of rain started falling. In the Northeast huge clouds were covering the sky like a blanket. The air had the smell of rain combined with the smell of fresh earth. The atmosphere at that time was absolutely heavenly. The boys left their food on pretext of getting one thing and another. All they wanted was to get wet and play in the rain.

Rancho was very happy as he looked at his field, “Ah! now my harvest is going to be wonderful.” He started dreaming about all the things he will be doing once he sells the crops. Suddenly heavy winds began to blow accompanied by big drops of rain, which looked like huge pearls of ice. “Oh my God! This can't be happening,” he thought. “NO!! NO!! I will be destroyed. This is no rain, it is a hailstorm. I hope it will pass soon.” But in front of his family he kept a strong front and said, “I am sure it will pass soon, don't worry.”

Unfortunately it didn't. The hailstorm lasted the whole night. It destroyed entire field of his precious crops. Everything looked so white as if someone had thrown sacks and sacks of pearls all over the place.

Rancho and his wife were worried to death. Everything they had was destroyedand they had no inkling as to what they will do.The boys asked them, “What are we going to do? Everything is destroyed.We don't even have few pieces of corn or beans. Does this mean we are going to die

of hunger?”Rancho said, “ My sons, nobody dies of hunger. Always remember we haveGod. I am sure he will help us.”All through the night Rancho kept on thinking how to ask for help fromGod. “God knows everything but I think I should write to Him and ask directly what Iwant.”Rancho was thankful for the day his parents had sent him to school. Eventhough he wasn't interested in studies but he had grudgingly learned to read andwrite. So he took out paper and pen and started writing.

Rancho Lucas

The Violet Hill

Argentina

18 thMay 1999

Dear God

Hi,

I am writing this letter to you out of extreme urgency, otherwise I

wouldn't have disturbed you. You know about the recent hailstorm in

my place. Well, it has destroyed me. Everything in my farm was

destroyed. My corn and kidney beans were almost ready and all it

needed was a rainfall but instead of rainfall came a storm. If it had

lasted for short period it would have been OK, but unfortunately it

lasted for an entire night. It has put me at a serious disadvantage, you

see God, my sole source of income is that farm and now it is

completely destroyed. Nothing is left. If I leave it like this my family

will die of hunger, since we will not have anything to eat. I can't sit

still and do nothing about it. I need 100 pesos to buy the seeds and

resow my field all over again and buy some food till the next harvest.

So dear God, please help me. I know you will not disappoint me.

Sincerely Yours,

Rancho, the farmer

Bahasa

He put the letter inside an envelope and addressed it to “God, 7 Heaven”

and placed a stamp on it and dropped it in the mailbox. The workers at the post

office were preparing the letters to mail when they came across the letter

addressed to God. The postman who came across this letter became curious

because he had never seen a letter addressed to God. He wanted to open the

letter but his job ethics stopped him from doing so. He decided to take the letter to

the Postmaster. The Postmaster was a very nice and kind gentleman. He always

helped people in any way he could. When the postman gave him the letter, he

looked at it and said, “It takes a man with strong faith to start a communication

with God. I wish I had such strong faith.”

After much thought, he decided to read the letter and perhaps reply it. He

opened Rancho's letter. Little did he know that replying the letter would need

more than good intention, pen and paper. Rancho needed a lot of money but the

postmaster didn't have any. Since he had already decided to help Rancho, he

decided to give part of his salary, and he asked his friends and co-workers to

contribute. But it was impossible for him to collect 100 pesos. He was happy that at

least 70 pesos were collected. So he put the money in an envelope and signed it as

“God” and asked the postman to deliver it to Rancho's house.

When the postman arrived at Rancho's house and delivered the letter to

him, Rancho was exhilarated beyond means. And he kept repeating Thank you

God! Thank you God! I knew you wouldn't let me down.

Rancho had very strong faith in God. He was not surprised when he

opened the envelope. But as he was counting the money he became very angry.

God couldn't have made mistake in sending the money. So he took out paper and

wrote to God again. Then he placed a stamp on it and put it in the mailbox. When

the postman took the letter out, he immediately took it to the postmaster. The

Postmaster quickly opened the letter and everyone in the post office gathered

around him wanting to know what Rancho wrote to God.

Rancho Lucas

The Violet Hill

Argentina

20th May 1999

Dear God

I am really grateful to you for sending the money. I knew you wouldn't let my family

go hungry. Of the money you send me I only received 70 pesos. Please send me the

rest. I really need the money. But, this time please, God don't send it through the

mail, because the people working here in this post office are all a bunch of thieves.

》》》Questions page 150

1. Do you think it is important to have faith? Why? Give reasons to support your answer

Answer : Yes I did because , if we have faith , it can in crease our strong to endure our life. 

2. Do you think it was justified on Rancho's part to consider the post office employees as bunch of thieves? Discuss.                  Answer: No, I didn’t , it not right because the postmaster actually sent, 70 pesos to rancho’s house

   3.  Do you think Rancho did the right thing by asking God for help? Discuss  Answer : Yes, he was right, but he was not thank full        

   4. When people go through difficult times, they come out of difficult times stronger and more experienced. Do you think it is god's way of empowering people to fulfill the life's purpose on earth? Give reasons to support you answer. Answer : yes , I do because with trials, we can see one's effort in facing the trials that befall, whether they strive or give up.

5. 5. What do you think of Rancho? Do you sympathize with him and his family? I  think Rancho is a patient man.  Answer :Yes, I do. Even though his farm was destroyed, he didn't give up easily because he has a strong faith.

6. 6. Did you anticipate that the story would end like this? What were your thoughts about the ending? Answer : No, didn't I think the ending is a plot twist. I thought Rancho would at least be grateful for what he got. Instead, he accused the post office employee of thieving.

7. 7. We always pray to god asking for his help. Describe a time when you asked god for something but he answered your prayer in a way you had not anticipate. How did you feel? Were you happy the way things turned out to be? Answer : There was a time when I felt so hungry. I didn't have any pocket money left. I prayed silently in my heart to god for some food. Then, when I was walking, I found money Rp5.000 on the road. At first, I had a doubt because it wasn't my money, but because I was hungry I used the money to buy a chocolate for Rp2.000 and donated the rest into a charity box in the mosque. I felt so happy. Yes, I was. Because god has answered my prayer in the most unexpected way.

8. 8. If you had a chance to rewrite the story, how would the story end? Write a new ending of the story! Answer : If I had the chance to rewrite the story, I would create a good ending where Rancho found out that it was the post office employee and the postmaster who had helped him in his difficult time. So, he will apologize for accusing them and also be grateful to them for helping him. 

After reading Letter to God story:

1. Have you ever faced a situation in which all odds were against you but you had unflinching faith in God and believed that everything will be resolved? Write about this situation and describe your feelings. (write it in the comment below!)