Prepare to write: introduction; who is the reader?; why do I need to write?; what shall I write?; how shall I write?; writing process. Functions: introduction; making reference; polite phrases; stating understanding; generalising; explaining; giving opinions and recommendations; expressing obligation/necessity; expressing degrees of certainty; focusing attention; contrasting; emphasising; expressing alternatives; giving examples; offering further assistance; sequencing and listing; stating results and consequences; stating purpose; stating method; stating conditions; stating conclusions; summarising. Cohesion: what is cohesion?; connectors - introduction; connectors - adding relevant points; connectors - comparisons/contrasts; connectors - in conditional sentences; connectors - giving reasons; connectors - highlighting. Reference words: introduction; reference words - it/they/them; reference words - this/that/these/those; reference words - the former/the latter; reference words - who/which/that; reference words - one/ones; reference words - such; referring to other parts of the text; referring to earlier parts of the text; referring forwards; referring to visuals. Clarity, style and tone: introduction; clarity; style; tone. Structure: introduction; sequencing ideas; paragraphs; paragraph linking; headings and sub-headings; layout of business letters; layout of reports; layout of memos; fax and electronic mail. Punctuation: introduction; commas; colons; semi-colons; apostrophes; capital letters. British and American spellings: some common differences. Common problems: introduction; grammar; vocabulary. Sample business letters: sample letters.
