Writing Practice

I. A Brief Introduction

A letter of congratulations, or congratulation letter, is used in both personal and business situations. Its primary purpose is to formally congratulate someone on an outstanding achievement. Certain types of congratulation letters are also referred to as “commendation letters” in some situations. In order to write an effective congratulation letter, you can follow the following tips:

-        Write the congratulation letter as soon as possible after the fortunate event takes place.

-        State in the beginning the specific occasion that has motivated you to write your letter.

-        Express praise and approval of the reader’s accomplishments.

-        Keep your congratulation letter simple and concise —under one page in length.

-        Be positive and don’t include any negative comments or unhappy news.

-        Don’t suggest that the fortunate event should benefit the letter-writer in any way.

-        Don’t exaggerate your congratulatory words, or your letter may seem sarcastic or mocking.

-        Edit your letter for correct structure, grammar, and punctuation.

-        Don’t forget to spell check your letter.

-        Wait some time and proof-read your letter again before sending it.

II. Sample Letters

Informal

Hi Moon,

I am very glad to hear from you that you are getting married. Congratulations on your marriage.

You are so lucky. You married a handsome and intelligent man. Anyway, I wish you happiness.

By the way, since you are getting married, how are you going to plan your wedding? Is there a wedding ceremony or a wedding party? I think it would be romantic if the ceremony is held in a church. And where are you going to spend your honeymoon? I really hope to join your wedding ceremony. Congratulations again. How lovely to hear the good news.

Yours sincerely,

Edward

Formal

June 25, 2009

Belinda Asher

620 Mayview Ave.

Pineville, WV 24874

Dear Belinda:

On behalf of everyone here at Deerwood Resorts Ltd., I would like to sincerely congratulate you on your recent graduation from Mountain State University with your M.B.A. (Marketing).

I must say that I was not surprised to read of your success in the newspaper. During your first of four summers as an employee at our Lakeland Family Resort, I noted how bright and quick-minded you are for business. Combine those attributes with your relentless work ethic and commitment to quality customer service, and it is obvious that you have a wide-open future ahead of you. I can only hope that your experience working with us contributed in some small way to your success.

On behalf of the management and staff at Deerwood Resorts, I wish you all the best in your future career and life endeavors, whatever they may be.

Yours sincerely,

Bruce Atkinson

President and CEO

III. Homework

You are required to write a letter of congratulations based on the information below.

1.       XX是你高中的同班同学。

2.       获悉他（她）考上XX大学，攻读XX专业，特此祝贺。

3.       他（她）的成绩是他（她）刻苦努力的结果，希望他（她）在新的环境里取得更好成绩。

4.       再次表示祝贺。

Reference:

29th July, 2009

Dear Xiao Ma,

I am writing to congratulate you on having been admitted to Southeast University and majoring in electronic engineering.

All that you have gained is the result of your hard work. I wish you would continue your efforts and gain further success in the new environment. Although we live in different cities, we still feel close to each other. Please keep in touch with me. I often recall our life in high school. In those days, we stayed, played and studied together. We enjoyed each other’s company so much that we have maintained our friendship till now. Besides, I have learnt a lot from you, and even today I often remember how hard you studied. You told me that you were determined to be an expert in Double E, and now you are beginning to realize your dream. Your success tells me that hard work will pay off in the end.

Congratulations again.

Sincerely yours,

Tang Jinguo