Your minisagas

To all of you for your interest and creativity!

STOP MESSING!

- Are you there?                - Working.  Please stop messing …

- Working or chatting?        - Working!!                                - Then, why are you chatting? …

… … … still there?              - Please stop messing …              - Do you remember my new classmate? I am dating him …  - What do you mean DATING?  Are you breaking up with me? … … … … … … … … … …  Please say something.                 - WORKING remember?  Please STOP MESSING … …

STRANGE NEW YEAR

January, the first.  I just woke up.  The worst hangover in my life was killing me.  Opened windows.  An unbearable Indian summer invaded all.  The light pissed me off.  Mosquitoes were driving me crazy.  I didn’t understand anything, the world upside down.  Suddenly I realized:  This is South Africa!

PETER PAN FOREVER

In the childhood, we were always playing, we spread happiness.  Any small smile, gesture was a great fact for us and for other people.  Sometimes we tend to forget that small things make us happier because the biggest are more important.  Don’t forget the child who always have been.

YOUR LIFE

Nobody knows how long it takes to reach the end.  We all know how it started.  We are weak at first, but we get stronger in the end.  Only life teaches you how you can reach the end.  You are who have to listen and choose the best for you.

FATE WILLED IT THUS

I was walking through Paris when a shadow with no identity brushed past me.  I shuddered to feel her soul as part of mine, wandering aimlessly in search of a fate.

What had happened at that moment?  She had found me, but destiny brought her … It was rather good!

TIC TAC

She was staring at me, like a girl afraid of strangers:

- “What time is it?”

I answered her in a routine way.

- “Are you hungry?” she asked me one more time.

- “What’s your name?” she continued asking.

I breathed deeply, sighed and answered: - “Susan, mum.  My name is Susan”.

THE HAPPIEST DAY EVER? First prize.

- “If there’s someone who knows a reason not to celebrate this marriage, speak up now, or keep quiet forever”.  I looked around, praying for a raised hand.  Everybody was smiling.  I burst into sweat.  But I didn’t dare speak my mind. 

- “You can kiss the bride”, I said

MUM

I never listened to her.  She always told me what it was right or wrong.  She gave me some advice and I thought I didn’t need them.  However, now I would like to listen to her.  I would need to hear her advice but she isn’t.  I love …

YOU HAVE BEEN SPOTTED (third finalist)

Just look at them, sitting there all smug, silently schewing.  You are not aware of the danger.  You are surrounded by wicked creatures waiting for their best shot like vultures before dinner.  Then, during your ritual stroll to the main square, a stock finds its target.  you have been spotted!

EASY ADMISSION?

Sorry, you are too well prepared for the post.

Sorry, Mc Donalds does not need a doctor in its staff.

Sorry, you need something else to become a priest.

Sorry, we do not accept suicides in Heaven.

-          What should I do to be admitted somewhere?

-          Nothing!  Just become a politician!

DIFFERENT REALITIES

Few years ago, my mortgage was born.  Now I have not job.  My taxes are going up.  My bank keeps phoning me.  I am overwhelmed and surely tomorrow I will not be able to pay my mortagage anymore … Suddenly … my king has an accident.  He is hunting elephants in Bostwana.

BLACK AND WHITE

Wine and milk, let’s play sex.  After that I smoke a cigarette.  Sudenly a noise.  Someone is calling me.  Who will it be?  It’s my mum coming upstaris.  “Sweetie, do you need help?”  This wine is so hot!  I must keep cool or chocolate will become really jealous!

HELP!

From his flat, he heard a scream.  A girl was asking for help.  Without thinking, he went down the stairs to the street.  Nervously, he undid his tie, while he was looking for a phone box.  he had gone around the whole neighbourhood, without success.  Downcast Superman went back home.

THE BATTLE

Hundreds of bombs exploding around us, pain, blood and the disgusting smell of burnt bodies.  Come on!  The enemies are here, we have to cross our lines.  It was then when I saw his injuries.  I dragged him.

Dear … dinner is ready!

I gripped my teddy and … crossed the lines.

New birth

The sun rose on top of the sky when he was born.

Immediately his charming mother cleaned him and dropped a beautiful kiss with lovely care.  Two huge eyes stared his mother’s and the whole world stopped for a second.  I thought to myself:  I love my new awesome foal.

YES WE HAVE!

-          We have to work harder …

-          We have to pay more taxes …

-          We have to reduce our rights …

-          We HAVE TO DO IT otherwise we will be intervened by Europe

- Thanks Mr President, but what will YOU sacrifice?

-          We have to work harder

-          We have pay more taxes …

-          We have to …

UNBEARABLE BURDEN

That evening I was deeply heart-broken in front of my own tomb.  I didn’t get used after two years.  So many memories.  My family cried for me.  My friends pried for me.  That unbearable burden was killing me again.  It is the price to pay working in the CIA.

IT HAPPENS!

I do not even remember the last time I felt it.  So long ago I had lost all my hopes to feel this again.  It happens!!  Spring in my heart, rainbows in my mind.  I wish everybody could know about it.  Hope this time last longer.  It happens!! … … …  It rains.

Thank God

-I’m worried about my son Albert.

-Why?

-He is always playing with numbers and figures.

-What’s wrong with it?

-His qualifications are not good. Everything is so weird. He usually talks about time and space in such a strange way…

-Oh heavens! Let him be himself Mrs Einstein.

IT IS MY JOB

My job consists in taking Mary to school and looking after her while their parents are at work.  Hardly do we arrive to school every morning when another same age girl runs to meet me and gives me a kiss.  My heart breaks.  She is Betsy, my little lonely daughter.

WE SHOULD TALK

-          Hi Honey!

-          We should talk …

-          how was your day?

-          I said we should talk (I wish I could tell you I have a lover but I just want the divorce).

-          We have been invited to Ascot with the Windsors … … …  Sorry, what did you say?

-          Nothing, just that I missed you …

STUDENT´S INFORMAL

Hi Monic,

How´re things? Hope you fell better and David is over. Have you found a new lover by now?

Do you remember I was going to apply for a post as a model in Elite Agency? Just today I got the reply and my BLOOD is BOILING!!! I won´t be taking part in next NY Fashion Week. I feel so disappointed, I already saw myself flying to New York, meeting  cool people, wearing trendy clothes, feeling the stress of the backstage and then the public, the applauses and.... the FAME.....

You may think I have been daydreaming, but it was so natural, something meant to be. They asked for a young woman with healthy appearance, blonde hair and green eyes. IT´S JUST ME. Besides, they required some previous experience and I mentioned my title as Miss EOI, but apparently it hasn´t been good enough...:(

I´m sure they have choosen some skinny teenager with no brain to do wathever they want out of her. It really PISSES ME OFF!!! I have decided that I´m going to create my own blog with sexy videos so that everybody can admire me. I don´t need that bunch of vains to become a global icon. Do I?

Oh Monic, I wish my life were as simple as yours, but how can I help all the potential I treasure inside me?

Write soon. Love,

Adele

By the way, as soon as I send you the link of my blog, please spread it, the more the merrier.....  

ARTICLE STUDENTS' SAMPLE

Dear Editor,

Having read your recent article about immigrants occupying local jobs, I would like to express my total disagreement with the opinion stated, which I would define as racist and, moreover, inmoral.

The idea of encouraging local businessmen to fire all immigrants and employ local people as the most suitable option to reduce unemploment is simply a fallacy. Are you sure we, locals, are willing to become underpaid cleaners, housework assistants, elderly carers or seasonal farmers? Do you really think this is the solution to the economical crisis? If only it were as simple as that.

I was born in Tudela and, as many others, I am unemployed. Graciela is from Ecuator. She has been working for me during the last five years and the thing I shall not do is fire her and hire a local worker. In my view, Graciela is not an immigrant stealing welfare, she is just a very good worker and a good citizen. Are immigrants to blame for the current situation? Are not they just even weaker victims? Skin, religion or names should not be the scales of our society.

And just to conclude, please do not do cheap politics. That is not what we,  critical readership, require from you. In my opinion, you should reconsider your obtectivity and write a new article pondering the immigrants point of view and how they also suffer this crisis.

I hope you consider publishing my opinions with regard to this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Mary C.

Writings Canonical samples

Some help for your informal writings

E-MAILS TO FRIENDS

 It is common to start an e-mail with the name of the person you are writing to, without starting with the word "Dear". The following are examples of some appropriate ways to start and end an e-mail:

 Writing to a friend
Start: Use the person's first name
Ending: "Best wishes" "Take care" (see chart)
Signature: Your first name

 

TIPS

• Always use a subject line that summarises the content of the e-mail, not one that tries to trick the person into opening it.
• Always remember to open and close e-mails - "hello" and "goodbye" (or similar).
• Write more clearly, by shortening the lengths of words, sentences and paragraphs.
• Use Bold, Italics and different SIZED text to make the key points stand out.
• Check your spelling and grammar prior to hitting the send button.
• Add useful information in your signature, including alternative contact details and how often you check your mail.

OPENING
You would never walk into a room, and start talking to someone without at least saying hello. But many people start e-mails without any introduction. They also end without saying goodbye.
Here are some good and bad introductions:

	Hello,
	Hi,
	Peter,
	Hi Jane,
	Dear Ben, (a bit formal)
	What's up, (too informal)
	Good Morning, (you don't know what time they will check their mail)

 CLOSING
As for saying goodbye, there are numerous ways you can do this. Just make sure you give your name - which should appear on the second line after your close. (SEE CHART)

Abbreviation usage is quite rampant with e-mail.  Some of the more common abbreviations are listed in the table below. 

This	Means This
CU	see you
BTW	by the way
F2F	face to face
FYI	for your information
IMHO	in my humble opinion
LOL	laugh out loud
ROTFL	rolling on the floor laughing
B4N	bye for now
GR8!	great!
TTFN	ta ta for now
TTYL	talk to you later

Smilies


Part of the nature of a good one-on-one conversation is the use of visual cues. How important are facial expressions and body gestures to a conversation? A simple eye movement can mean the difference between "yes" and "YES". What about auditory cues? The results are the same.
Since there are no visual or auditory cues with e-mail, users have come up with something called "smilies". They are simple strings of characters that are interspersed in the e-mail text to convey the writer's emotions (cues). The most common example is :-). Turn your head to the left and you should see a happy face (the colon are the eyes, the dash is the nose and the parentheses is the mouth). Here are some more examples.

This	Means This
:-)	Smiley face
;-)	Wink (light sarcasm)
:-|	Indifference
:->	Devilish grin (heavy sarcasm)
8-)	Eye-glasses
:-D	Shock or surprise
:-/	Perplexed
:-(	Frown (anger or displeasure)
:-P	Wry smile
;-}	Leer
:-Q	Smoker
:-e	Disappointment
:-@	Scream
:-O	Yell
:-*	Drunk
:-{}	Wears lipstick

Informal writing. Students' sample

Hi Vicky,

How are things going? Hope everything has been OK since the last time we talked!

Do you remember I told you about an amazing post in that company I was craving for working in? Well, I’ve just been told I’m not the right person for it. Apparently, they’ve decided that my Spanish level is not good enough. Can you believe it??? I’m from Spain, for goodness sake! :(

If I had got the job, I’d have had to phone Spanish Companies all the time, as the post was supposed to be for the International Trading Department of the company which, as you may know, is starting to deal with Spain to increase its turnover.

I can’t understand it, I meet all the requirements: I have a degree in Economics, speak English and OBVIOUSLY Spanish and I’ve been working for more than 5 years in a similar post. What’s wrong with them? This is so unfair!

I’m quite sure they’ve rejected my application because I’m a girl. So far, only men have been working at that department. Guess what?  I’m gonna send the application again, but this time my first name and my photo won’t be included. Let’s see what happens… but no doubt if I’m called for an interview this time, I’ll ask for legal advice. Would you help me with that, my favourite (and the only one I know) lawyer?  ;)

I’ll keep you posted.

CU!     

                                                                                                  

Didi

Complaint letter. Students' sample

                                                                                          Mary Clark

33, Winning Rd

London SW-7743

0037465786900

Mafor

45, Zaragoza Avenue

Tudela, Spain

0034948856705

3^rd April 1985

(Dr) Mrs Forcada,

RE: FAULTY TEA TABLE

On last March 24^th I bougth a tea table at your shop in Tudela that, to my incredible surprise, resulted to be broken. That is why I am writing you this letter to find an appropiate solution.

The table was delivered to my flat yesterday on time, as we arranged. To my satisfaction, as soon as your workers put it on the floor I could notice that the stains I saw in the shop had been removed and, apparently, everything was in perfect conditions. But then, once I tried to adjust the table over the carpet, I realized that one of its legs was totally broken although it was noticeable that it had been tried to be badly repaired.

  

As you may understand, I was absolutely shocked and the situation was trully embarrasing. I have been a faithful customer for over the last 5 years and I never imagined something like this could happen.

What I would really like is to have this problem solved quickly and I would appreciate it if you replaced it with one similar. In case this is not posible, please send my money back with no delay. I have attached a photocopy of my receipt as proof of purchase. Under no circumstances would I like to take further action.

I look forward to your reply. Please contact me by phone at anytime.

Sincerely,

Mary Clark

MEAN AND INTEND. 2 important words

Definition

MEAN:  to intend

[+ to infinitive] I've been meaning to phone you all week.

Do you think she meant to say 9 a.m. instead of 9 p.m.?

[+ object + to infinitive] This exercise isn't meant to be difficult.

They didn't mean for her to read the letter.

Explore mean in the Visual Thesaurus »

• to be intended for sb
  

   to be made, designed, or provided for a particular person or purpose:
  

  The book is intended for anyone who wants to learn more about the Internet.

  
  
  

Complaint letters and e-mails

Complaint voices

J. USEFUL VOCABULARY & STRUCTURES

To begin

              MILD

-          I am writing on account of/to express my concern that …

-          I am afraid I am forced to

-          I am writing to

§  complain about/draw your attention to …

§  express my disappointment with …

STRONG

-          I am writing to express my annoyance/extreme dissatisfaction with/anger at/protest about/disgust at …

-          I regret to/feel I must inform you how appalled/shocked I am/was …

  

  To end

              MILD

-          I hope/trust this matter will

§  be dealt with/resolved as soon as possible.

§  receive your immediate attention.

§  not be treated lightly.

-          I feel that you should … / I am entitled to compensation/a refund/a replacement.

STRONG

-          I (must) insist that … / demand … / warn you that …

-          Unless this matter is resolved … / Unless satisfactory compensation is offered …

-          I will have no choice but to … / I will be forced to take further/legal action.

-          Should this matter not be resolved within two working days… / I will be obliged to take radical measures.

Make things clear for the reader

Signalling paragraphs

Participle clauses

Participle clauses

 

View more PowerPoint from sevans59

Articles

Opinion articles. Teacher's sample

Opinion articles present the writer’s personal opinion concerning the topic, clearly stated and supported by reasons and/or examples. The opposing viewpoint and reason can be included, together with an argument that shows that it is an unconvincing viewpoint.  The writer’s opinion is usually included in the introduction, and summarised or restated in the conclusion.

A good opinion article should consist of

·   An introductory paragraph in which you clearly state the topic to be discussed (+ your opinion).

·   A main body, in which points are clearly stated in separate paragraphs and exemplified or justified. An opposite point of view can also be presented.

·   A closing paragraph summarising the main points of the essay, in which you (re)state your opinion.

Important points to consider

·   Before you begin writing, make a list of the points you will present.

·   Present each point in a separate paragraph. A well-developed paragraph contains a clear topic sentence, which summarises the contents of the paragraph, as well as clear justification, explanation or example in support of the point presented.

·   Do not use informal style (e.g. contracted forms, colloquial language, informal abbreviations, etc).

Some good advice

·   Check the assessment criteria your teacher will use to evaluate your written assignment.

·   Be careful with presentation: blank space around the text, neat handwriting, no crossings-out …

·   Use appropriate linking words/phrases to link paragraphs, as well as to join sentences within paragraphs.

·   Skip ONE line between ALL the paragraphs.

·   If you use a Word Processor, check mistakes with a spellchecker. 

Revise your essay once your teacher has given it back to you. If you have questions about it, ask her

Why should we have good manners?

Good manners are essential to live happily among people. Without good manners we would only be slightly more civilised than animals.

To a certain extent good manners enable us to tolerate the disagreeable attitudes of others.  Nowadays in society you can find people of various cultural, racial, religious and professional backgrounds. Therefore we require great powers of endurance and social skills.

There is another factor to consider – Having good manners is synonymous with respecting others. Our speech and habits as well as our behaviour should not hurt the feelings of others or cause them any inconvenience. In addition, we should not talk badly about others or boast about our achievements or personal possessions. Furthermore, even if we are angry or upset,  we must try to use words in such a way that others are not offended.

However, some people feel that good manners hide our true feelings and so they are indicative of insincere or hypocritical behaviour.  I totally disagree with that view, as I believe that showing our true feelings often entails being offensive or disrespectful, which is counterproductive in our relationship with others.

To sum up, if we have good manners, we will have more friends and well-wishers. We will also have fewer conflicts with others, and are likely to encourage more respectful behaviour. In other words, we can lead a happier life.

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