Writing

Do you have any friends abroad? Write an e-mail letter to your friend about a book you have recently read and liked or disliked. Use the tips below.

While writing to your friends and relatives we usually use informal style of writing. Characteristics of informal style include:

· short forms (e.g. I’m, it’s, we’ll, etc.)

· simple/colloquial vocabulary (e.g. really great, fun, you’d better, etc)

· use of the active, rather than passive voice

· informal beginnings and endings (e.g. Hi, how are you doing?, I’d better run, I’ll see you on Saturday, etc)

Your letter should include the following:

Introduction

Salutation and reasons for writing

Main body, usually made up of three paragraphs:

· first giving facts and background information concerning the book (the title, the name of the author, genre, etc)

· second describing the main features of the subject (e.g. plot)

· third including general comments and opinion

Conclusion includes a recommendation of the book

Useful language:

Background

This well-written/ informative/ fascinating book….

The book tells the story of…

The book/novel was written by…

Main points of the plot

The plot focuses on …

The plot has an unexpected twist…

The plot is (absolutely) thrilling/ (rather) boring…

General comments and opinion:

It is rather confusing/long/boring/dull/touching/dreadful/hilarious/ amusing.

It has a tragic/surprising/dramatic end.

It is beautifully/poorly/badly written.

INDIVIDUAL WORK

1. Read the text “Ukrainian Literature” (p. 69) from the section Supplementary Reading.

2. Be ready to discuss in groups the topics below:

· Early developments of the Ukrainian literature

· Ukrainian literature in the 19^th century

· Ukrainian literature in the 20^th and 21^st centuries

3. Prepare a short talk about famous Ukrainian writers and their works.

UNIT 4

FAMOUS ENGLISH WRITERS AND THEIR WORKS