Are You Ready?
LET’S FIND OUT. WRITE THE FOLLOWING PARTS OF A LETTER AND CAPITALIZE THE WORDS THAT SHOULD BE CAPITALIZED. PUT THE CORRECT PUNCTUATIONS. ARRANGE THEM IN THEIR PROPER ORDER. THE SKELETON LETTERS ON THE NEXT PAGE WILL GUIDE YOU. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. with love february 25, 1992 my dearest friend sta. cruz san jose del monte bulacan 354 kadiwa st. jovita
AFTER WRITING YOUR ANSWERS, RAISE YOUR HAND TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION.
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Getting Ready
Capitalization and punctuation marks are important in writing a letter. In writing letters, the following words are capitalized. 1. Proper nouns (names of particular places and persons) Examples: Quezon City Valenzuela, Metro Manila Alma Renato 2. The first word in the greeting Examples: Dear friend, Dearest Auntie, 3. Capitalize also the name of the person addressed, or words like Sir and Madam that stand for names. Examples: Dear Mr. Lopez, Dear Miss Reyes, Dear Sir or Madam: 4. Capitalize the first word in the complimentary close. Examples: Very truly yours, Your pupil, Your friend, Sincerely yours,
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5.
Capitalize the first word in the sentence. Examples: Please excuse me for being absent. I enjoyed my vacation very much.
6.
Capitalize the names of months and days of the week and holidays. Examples: January May April New Years Day Valentines Day Christmas Day Monday Sunday Wednesday
7.
Capitalize abbreviations of streets, boulevards, months, and others. Examples: St. Blvd. Ave. Jan. Aug. Sept. Dec.
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Punctuation marks such as comma and period are also used in writing a letter. 1. Commas are used in: a. the salutation or greeting Dear Sir, Dear Auntie, b. between the date and the year the letter is written February 25, 1992 c. complimentary endings Very truly yours, Your pupil, 2. Periods are used: a. b. at the end of the sentence for abbreviations
IF YOU HAVE NO MORE QUESTIONS, GO ON TO LESSON 1.
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LESSON
1
Writing a Friendly Letter
You have learned to write an excuse letter. You know that a letter has five parts, namely, the heading, the greeting or salutation, the body of the letter, the closing or complimentary ending, and the signature. Let’s review first the parts of the letter. The heading contains three lines, one line for the writer’s street address, one for the city, town or province, and one for the date. The heading appears at the top right corner of the letter. The salutation is the greeting. It usually begins with Dear. It is written on the next line below the heading. It starts at the left margin of the page and is followed by a comma. The body of the letter is the main part. Here you write what you want to say in a detailed and conversational way. The body of the letter begins on the line following the salutation. Each paragraph of the body should be indented. Each sentence should begin with a capital letter. The closing is your way of saying goodbye. You may say Love, Your friend, Sincerely yours. The closing is written on the line below the best line of the body of the letter and is followed by a comma. The first word of the closing should align with the first word of the heading. You signature is the last part of the letter. The name of the sender is written. Sign your name on the line with the first word of the closing.
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Here is the format of your letter. _______________ _______________ _______________
HEADING
_______________
GREETING
____________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ____________________. BODY OF THE LETTER CLOSING SIGNATURE _______________ _______________
Writing letters is a way of keeping in touch with friends who are far away or of expressing your feeling in certain social situations. In writing letters, your thought must be clear, well organized, and interesting. There are many types of letters. We have the letter of excuse, letter of invitation, letter of sympathy, letter of thanks or thank you letter, letter of regret or acceptance, and many others. The most common letter among friends is the friendly letter. Here’s Maryann’s letter to Gloria. Maryann and Gloria were neighbors before. They are the best of friends. The father of Maryann was assigned to Cebu that’s why her family had to transfer to Cebu. Read the letter and be able to answer the question that follows.
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1922 J.P. Rizal St. Lahug, Cebu City February 25, 1992 Dearest Gloria, We had a wonderful trip to Cebu. We boarded a ship in coming here. I saw big fishes and the sea for the first time. It was my first time to board a ship. I felt afraid but my father assured me that there’s no danger if there’s no typhoon. The ship is just like a house. You can watch T.V., listen to music, eat, and sleep. There is also a disco in the evening. You will not get bored during the travel. We traveled for eighteen hours. We arrived in Cebu early in the morning. Oh, what a beautiful place it is! Cebu is just like Manila. It is called Manila of the south. The traffic jam, the noisy streets, the big department stores are also here in Cebu. There is no big change. My only problem before is that I cannot understand their language. I now have a lot of friends. I like the place but I miss your company. This coming school year my sister and I will enroll at the Sacred Heart School here in Cebu. I wish you could spend your vacation here in our new place. I’ll be glad to hear from you soon. Your best friend, Maryann
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Answer the following: 1. What are the parts of a letter?
2.
What information is given in the heading? What words are capitalized? Why? Where are the commas placed?
3.
What punctuation mark follows after the greeting?
4.
How many paragraphs are there in the body of the letter?
5.
How is the first line of each paragraph written?
6.
What is the closing of the letter? What punctuation mark is used?
7.
Who wrote the letter?
AFTER WRITING YOUR ANSWERS, RAISE YOUR HAND TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION.
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Rewrite the following letter to answer Maryann’s letter. Observe correct capitalization, punctuation, and indention. 53 Barracks II tala caloocan city march 10 1992 dear maryann i received you letter and i was very happy thank you very much for your invitation how i wish i could see the place but my parents won’t allow me to travel without any companion i am interested to see the place but i don’t think i can make it. you know i have good news for you i am the valedictorian in our class our graduation will be on march 24 1992 my parents promised me to take me to Baguio as my gift after graduation we will have a small party in our house for my claddmates friends and relatives how i wish we could be together on my special day love gloria.
AFTER WRITING YOUR ANSWERS, RAISE YOUR HAND TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION.
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Remember
Write a friendly letter that is interesting, detailed, and neat. Be sure that the heading, salutation, body, closing, and signature follow the correct form.
SOMETHING TO DO: WRITE A LETTER TO A FRIEND OR A RELATIVE. USE YOUR OWN ADDRESS AND TODAY’S DATE IN THE HEADING. MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE PARTS OF YOUR LETTER FOLLOW THE CORRECT FORM. Here are some things you may write about. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. A gift you received last Christmas. A party or outing you enjoyed. About your camping (Boy and Girl Scouts) A contest you joined in your school. A program held in your school.
YOU SELECT ONLY ONE TOPIC. AFTER WRITING YOUR LETTER, SHOW THE LETTER TO YOUR I.S. FOR CHECKING.
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LESSON
2
A.
Addressing an Envelope
When you send letters to far away friends, you send it by mail. You put it inside an envelope and write the address of the sender and receiver on the envelope. Look at the envelope that Gloria received from her friend Maryann.
Maryann E. Martinez 1922 J.P. Rizal St. Lahug, Cebu City
STAMP
Gloria M. Reyes 53 Barracks II Tala, Caloocan City
Read the address on the envelope. You will notice the address; the receiver’s address or the address of the person to whom the letter is addressed, and the return address or the address of the sender of the letter. The receiver’s address is usually a little below the center of the envelope. The return address is usually in the upper left hand corner of the envelope.
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Here’s another envelope. B. Mrs. Lita P. John 142 Fifth St. Woodland, California U.S.A. Miss Donnalyn M. Lavilla Blk. 13 Lot 25 Area H San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines
Notice that the receiver’s address contains the word Philippines. It is necessary to write the name of the country where the letter is going because the addressee is in another country. A return address is important in case the receiver has transferred to another place and cannot be found. If that is the case, the letter is then returned to the sender.
SOMETHING TO DO: Look at envelopes A and B again. Answer the following: 1. 2. 3. What words in the address are capitalized? Why is there a period after Mrs.? Is a period needed in Miss? Who is the sender of envelope A? Envelope B? Who is the receiver of envelope A? Envelope B?
AFTER WRITING YOUR ANSWERS, RAISE YOUR HAND TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION.
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Activity 1 Study the model envelope. Then on a half-sheet of bond paper draw a rectangle, the shape of an envelope. Your I.S. will dictate to you two addresses. Write them in the correct places. Show your finished work to your I.S.
Activity 2 Get a white letter envelope. Put the letter you wrote in Lesson 1 inside. Address the envelope. Be sure to follow the model. After addressing the envelope show it to your I.S. for evaluation.
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LESSON
3
Writing a Letter of Application
One way of finding a job is to send a letter to the employer or to the owner of the company where you want to apply. When you write a letter seeking for work, you write an application letter. An application letter must be clear and direct. If you are sending a letter to the company, write to the personnel department. If you are writing to a small company write to the owner or manager. You can find job vacancies through a newspaper in “Help-wanted Ads.” In the newspaper you will find the number and address of the company and the qualifications needed. Look carefully for the information telling you how to apply. Make sure that your application letter follows the correct form of a business letter. An application letter should be informative, neat, and polite. Review your letter before sending it. 1. 2. State the work you are interested in. Be specific about the job or work you are looking for. Indicate whether you want a full-time, part-time, or temporary employment. Include information about yourself. Include your age and level in school. Include a brief statement about your qualification. Be sure to mention any related work experiences or courses taken in school. Be specific about your time for work. Mention the days or hours you will be available. Always include the starting date. Include a request for an interview.
3. 4.
5.
6.
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Unlike a friendly letter and other letters, the letter of application has six parts: The Five parts of a friendly letter plus the inside address. The inside address is the name and address of the company to which you are writing. If possible, the inside address should include the name of an employee or department within the company. Place an inside address at the left margin between the heading and salutation. Formal language is used in the letter of application. For the greeting use Dear, Mr., Mrs., Miss or Mr. before the person’s name. Or, use a general greeting like Dear Sir or Madam. For the formal closing, write Sincerely, Yours truly or Very truly yours followed by a comma. Here’s a format of a letter of application.
_______________ _______________ _______________
HEADING
_______________ _______________ _______________
INSIDE ADDRESS
_____________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _______________. BODY OF THE LETTER
_______________
CLOSING
_______________
SIGNATURE
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READ THIS APPLICATION LETTER.
594 F. Blumentritt St. Mandaluyog, Metro Manila Feb. 2, 1992 Personnel Department Philippine National Bank Ayala, Avenue Makati Metro Manila Dear Sir/Madam: I have read in the classified Ads section of the Bulletin Today that your office is in need of an executive secretary. I am Jovita E. Martinez, single, 22 yrs. of age. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Office Administration major in Office Management at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. I finished on March 1991. I am willing to work as a full-time secretary. I am willing to go to your office for an interview anytime at your convenience. Very truly yours,
JOVITA E. MARTINEZ
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ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What is the inside address of the letter? What position is applied for in the letter? Who sent the letter of application? To whom was the letter addressed? What is the qualification of the sender?
AFTER WRITING YOUR ANSWERS, RAISE YOUR HAND TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION.
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HERE’S ANOTHER LETTER OF APPLICATION.
Blk. 252 Lot 21 Sta. Cruz San Jose Del Monte Bulacan Feb. 2, 1992 Mr. Sy Human Resource Department Shoe Mart Makati, Metro Manila Dear Sir: I read in the Bulletin Board that your office is in need of salesladies for your branch which will open soon. I am Reena Reyes, single 18 years of age, 5’4" in height with a pleasing personality. I am in second year college. I am willing to work as a full-time saleslady. I have been working as a saleslady in one of the big department stores for three years. I am willing to go to your office anytime for interview at your convenience. Very truly yours,
REENA REYES
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ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. To whom was the letter addressed? What is being applied for in the letter? What department store needs salesladies? Who sent the letter? What is the qualification of the sender?
AFTER WRITING YOUR ANSWERS, RAISE YOUR HAND TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION.
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SOMETHING TO DO: WRITE AN APPLICATION LETTER TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING ADS: 1. Social Security office is in need of a filing clerk. Qualifications: a. b. c. male/female at least two years in college experience not needed
Write to: The Chief SSS Records Department SSS Quezon City 2. Rustan’s Superstore is in need of: a. b. salesladies warehouse boy
Write to: Rustan’s Superstore Makati, Metro Manila
AFTER WRITING YOUR ANSWERS, RAISE YOUR HAND TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE READY FOR THE GROUP DISCUSSION.
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Remember
♦ A letter to an employer should create a good impression. ♦ The letter should be informative, polite, and neat. ♦ Include specific information about yourself and the job you want.
Summary
You have learned in this module how to write a friendly letter, an application letter, and how to address the envelope. Here are some points in writing a letter: A. Friendly Letter In writing a friendly letter it should be interesting, detailed, and neat. Be sure the heading, salutation body, closing, and signature follow the correct form.
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B.
Letter of Application An application letter should create a good impression. Include specific information about yourself and the job you want.
C.
Here are some important points in addressing an envelope. 1. 2. Always write the complete address of the receiver. Write the return address in case the receiver has transferred to a different address. In this case, the letter must be returned to the sender. Always write the word Philippines if the letter is for somebody outside the Philippines. Write a ZIP Code if there’s any.
3.
4.
WHEN YOU ARE READY, GO TO THE TESTING ROOM AND TAKE THE POSTTEST.
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