note writing (2)

note writing (2) Lecture 5 1. Teaching task: notes writing (II) 2. Teaching target and object: Enable the students to write short notes in another five situations. 3. Teaching focus: A note of condolence A note of accompanying a present A note of regretting not seeing someone A note of returning something borrowed A note of asking after one’s health 4. Teaching methods: pre-writing ---classroom discussion---guided writing---sample commentary---revision---outside class practice and group evaluation---teacher’s correction and comments (1) Greeting the students. (2) The famous quotation of the day: Living without an aim is like sailing without a compass ( Alexander Dumas ) (3) Commenting on the students’ written notes which the teacher has corrected. Ask the students to pay special attention to the format, the content, the language use and structure of the students’ notes. (4) Let students know the teaching tasks, target and teaching focus. (5) Discuss with the class the semantic structures of a note of condolence; a note of accompanying a present; a note of regretting not seeing someone; a note of returning something borrowed and a note of asking after one’s health. The semantic structure of a note of condolence: Date ^ salutation ^ showing condolence (=purpose) ^ praising in his/her memory (=recalling the good deeds the dead has performed) ^ comforting the reader ^ offering your help^ closing form ^ signature Sample Text (Personal ) May 20 Dear Aunt Maggie, I was shocked and saddened to learn of Uncle Jack’s death on Thursday. He was a wonderful man and one of my favorite people. We will all miss him so much. How are you and little Tommy holding up? Is there anything I can do for you? If there is anything at all that I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. I am at your disposal. Yours, Amy 1 (Business ) March 12 Dear Mr. Li, I was so sorry to hear of the sudden death of your Mother on Thursday. I only met her once but I was impressed with her delightful humor and calm presence. She was the kind of person who leaves an impression on the world. If there is anything I can do to help you in this difficult time, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. Sincerely, Amy Johnson The semantic structure of a note accompanying a present: Date ^ salutation^ the mention of the gift (=purpose) ^ the reason to send the gift ^ your expectation of the gift ^ closing form ^ signature Example: Sept. 16 Dear Julie, I am sending you this ESL dictionary, for I am told that you have some problems in learning English. This is a newly published English dictionary and is specially suitable for English learners of your level. I do hope it will help you in your studies. Yours, Irene The semantic structure of a note of regretting not seeing someone: Date^ salutation^ your regret of not seeing the reader (=purpose) ^ the reason of leaving this note ^ closing from ^ signature e.g. (personal) July 27 Dear Julie, I was so sorry to have missed you at your mother’s home yesterday. I just dropped by as I was in the neighborhood and I thought we could have a cup of tea. I did enjoy a visit with your mother. She is such a charming woman and I always enjoy her company. I’ll see you soon. Yours, Amy 2 (Business) July 8 Dear Mr. Smith， I was so sorry to have missed you at the office this afternoon. I was in that section of the city and I thought I’d take a chance and see if you were free for a cup of tea. I should have known better with your busy schedule. I’ll give you a call later this week and we can discuss those sales figures. Yours sincerely, Amy Johnson The semantic structure of a note of returning something borrowed: Date ^ salutation^ showing thanks to the reader ^ mention of returning what you borrowed ^ closing from ^ signature e.g. April 19 Dear Bill, Thanks so much for lending me your bicycle to get to our school this morning. I was sure I was going to be late because I was so sound asleep. But I got there on time. So all went well. I locked up your bike and left it parked next to the second apartment building, close to the tennis court. Thanks again. Yours, Joe The semantic structure of a note of asking after one’s health: Date ^ salutation ^ asking after one’s health (=purpose ) ^ offering suggestions ^ expressing good wishes ^ closing form ^ signature e.g. May 15 Dear Rose, How are you feeling now? I hear hat you have been suffering from bad cold. If you are not feeling better, you’d better go to see the doctor. Don’t worry too much about your lessons. I will help you when you are fine. I hope you will recover soon. Yours, Irene (6) Ask the students to practice writing notes based on the following situations: Situation 1 3 Your uncle Rod died in a car crash at the age of 35, leaving his wife Maggie and a little son Tommy. Write them a note of condolence and also`offer your help. Situation 2 You go to visit your former teacher Mr. Li, but he is out. Write him a note of regret and request another meeting. You should also suggest the exact time for the meeting. Situation 3 Your classmate Amy is down with headache these days and is staying at home. Write her a note to ask after her health and give her some suggestions on how to recover soon. Situation 4 You borrowed a bike form your classmate Xiao Li to go shopping this morning. Now you have come back and put the bike somewhere near the teaching building. Write him a note of returning the bike you borrowed. Situation 5 Your cousin Susan has been enrolled by Zhejiang Universtiy. You are going to send her an English dictionary as a present. Write her a note accompanying the present. (7) Summarize the characteristics of note writing. (15) 4