(Absent: None) NB: Although it was gratifying that everyone was able to come to this class, in the last two weeks only one person has been on time. While this lesson cuts across your lunch breaks, the lessons are prepared for an hour and a half, and it becomes diffcult to finish on time if we cannot start on time. Please make an effort to be punctual, in order to show consideration to those who do come on time.
There has also been an increase in the use of Korean in the class. It may well seem unnatural for you to converse with your colleagues in English, and clearly you are all so capable of high level language production that you may not need the extra practice. However, since the teacher cannot speak Korean, it is difficult for the discussions to be monitored: the thought processes behind decisions in writing are often as important as the results (the difference between the process of writing and a product based approach was highlighted in the first lesson). Please make an effort to speak English in the class at all times.
Lesson Summary
In Lesson 4, we:
Looked at Openings to correspondence, in contrast of register and tone.
Thought about showing the necessary respect for the reader, and discussed this in terms of power relationships and purpose.
Made comparisons of the effect of using I or we, and degrees of formality in addressing the readership.
Had a quick review of the structure and use / effects of Passive forms.
Points worth noting:
Openings are our opportunity to create the right kind of impression immediately. First impressions count!
It does not pay to be too direct, except, perhaps, with well-established relationships.
Function is expressed relatively: for example, commands can be phrased like requests; polite requests can still be made in direct language. This demonstrates that our use of written language is dependent on the nature of our relationship with the reader, and on the relative power within that relationship.
We is a more inclusive term than I: if you feel that you are representing your company, then we is more appropriate. However, I is a good choice if you want to demonstrate more personalised service.
The Passive is used when we want to emphasise the object of a sentence or clause by foregrounding it, or when we want to emphasise a process or action, rather than the agent performing the action or process.
The materials used for this lesson are attached below.
Self-study Practice
The homework for this lesson was to write the short introductory text about ING from last week, if you haven't already done so. If you have, then please look again at your writing, and other people's: what can you improve? Are there any expressions your colleagues have used that you think could improve your own writing? Secondly, re-write the four Passive sentences on page 8 in order to personalise them. Thirdly, since we have a longer break this time, please enter a post in a discussion of your choice (there is a discussion page attached to every lesson page). This is to be completed by Tuesday, 28 April. Please note that there is no lesson on Wednesday, 22 April.
Lesson Four / 15/04/2009
(Absent: None)NB: Although it was gratifying that everyone was able to come to this class, in the last two weeks only one person has been on time. While this lesson cuts across your lunch breaks, the lessons are prepared for an hour and a half, and it becomes diffcult to finish on time if we cannot start on time. Please make an effort to be punctual, in order to show consideration to those who do come on time.
There has also been an increase in the use of Korean in the class. It may well seem unnatural for you to converse with your colleagues in English, and clearly you are all so capable of high level language production that you may not need the extra practice. However, since the teacher cannot speak Korean, it is difficult for the discussions to be monitored: the thought processes behind decisions in writing are often as important as the results (the difference between the process of writing and a product based approach was highlighted in the first lesson). Please make an effort to speak English in the class at all times.
Lesson Summary
In Lesson 4, we:Points worth noting:
The materials used for this lesson are attached below.
Self-study Practice
The homework for this lesson was to write the short introductory text about ING from last week, if you haven't already done so. If you have, then please look again at your writing, and other people's: what can you improve? Are there any expressions your colleagues have used that you think could improve your own writing? Secondly, re-write the four Passive sentences on page 8 in order to personalise them. Thirdly, since we have a longer break this time, please enter a post in a discussion of your choice (there is a discussion page attached to every lesson page). This is to be completed by Tuesday, 28 April.Please note that there is no lesson on Wednesday, 22 April.
Resources
Resources used in this lesson: