Unit 1 Invitation Etiquette
Unit Goals
What you should learn to do Make an oral invitation to:
Invite people to join daily activities Invite people to formal occasions
Make a written invitation
(write an invitation card or a letter) for:
Personal invitation Official occasions
Give a reply to:
An oral invitation A written invitation
What you should know about
Invitation culture: western and Chinese Word order in a subordinate clause
Requirements:
After learning this unit, students should grasp:
1. Read and understand the meaning of invitation cards and letters
2. How to write invitation cards and letters and remember the patterns of invitation cards and letters 3. How to invite people to party or dinner, and how to accept and decline invitations 4. The customs of inviting people in different countries
5. Important words, phrases and language points in the passage
In our daily life, we need to invite others to dinner or take part in all kinds of parties, so we should know about western custom about invitation.
Foreign custom is much stricter than Chinese custom in the matter of replying to invitations. When you receive an invitation you should answer is immediately, saying definitely whether you are able to accept it or not.
If the invitation is given by word of mouth, in conversation or at a chance meeting, you should answer at once whether you can come or not. If you cannot give an answer at that time, you may say “ May I let you know this evening ” or some such words. By studying this unit, we will know about how to invite the others, how to accept or decline the invitation, and how to write invitation cards/letters.
Section I Talking Face to Face 1. Imitating Mini-Talks 2. Acting out the Tasks
3. Studying Email Information on the Internet 4. Following Sample Dialogues 5. Putting Language to Use Section II Being All Ears
1. Learning Sentences for Workplace Communication 2. Handling a Dialogue
3. Understanding a Short Speech / Talk Section III Trying your Hand 1. Practicing Applied Writing
2. Writing Sentences and Reviewing Grammar Section IV Maintaining a Sharp Eye Passage 1 :
Information Related to the Reading Passage
Whether it is to a wedding, a dinner party, shower or gala event, an invitation comes with some important obligations. Here's a quick guide to keep you on the guest list.
1. R.S.V.P
From the French “ R |oondez, s il vous plait ” , it means “ Please reply” This
little code has been around for a long time and it ' s definitely telling you that your hosts want to know if you are attending. Reply promptly, within a day or two of receiving an invitation.
2. How do I respond? Reply in the manner indicated on the invitation.
R.S.V.P and no responsecard: a handwritten responseto the host at the return address on the envelope.
Response Card: fill in and reply by the date indicated and return in the enclosed envelope. R.S.V.P with phone number: telephone and make sure to speak in person — answering machines can be unreliable.
R.S.V.P with e-mail: you may accept or decline electronically.
Regrets only: reply only if you cannot attend. If your host doesn' t hear from you, he is expecting you!
No reply requested?Unusual, but it is always polite to let someone know your intentions. A phone call would be sufficient.
3. Is that your final answer?
Changing a“yes” to a“no” is only acceptable on account of: illness or injury, a death in the family or an unavoidable professional or business conflict. Call your hosts immediately.
Canceling because you have a “better” offer is a surefire way to get dropped from ALL the guest lists.
Being a “ no show” is unacceptable.
Changing a “ no” to a “yes” is OK only if it will not upset the hosts' arrangements. 4. “May I bring , ?”
Don' t even ask! An invitation is extended to the people the hosts want to invite — and no one else.
, a date. Some invitations indicate that you may invite a guest or date (Mr. John Evans and Guest) and when you reply, you should indicate whether you are bringing someone, and convey their name.
, my children. If they were invited, the invitation would have said so.
, my houseguest. I't s best to decline the invitation, stating the reason. This gives your host the option to extend the invitation to your guests, or not.
5. Say “ Thank You.”
Make sure to thank your hosts before you leave, and then again by phone or note the next day. Text Business Invitation
A case of mistaken identity!
Don' t worry, we' ve been assured that this mystery will be
solved in time for our
Holiday Office Party
We' re leaving the investigation to those who do it best.
Let' s get away from all those computers, papers and mess and come
to our office party in your best suit or dress.
Come join us and Toast the Season Thursday, December 9th 2010 5:00 P.M.
The Columbia House - Pen thouse Floor 485 Jeffers on Plaza
Leonard, Barley, Travis, Bailey and Smith
Regrets only to Dianne 248-8522
It would be a crime to miss our party or not be on time
485 Jefferson Plaza
Business invitations can be informal or formal. Although invitations are usually sent through the mail, informal invitations such as e-mail and phone invitations are becoming more acceptable.
Invitation Timing
For most formal occasions, it's best to invite guests three or four weeks in advance. If you choose to invite your guests by phone, remind them again in writing two weeks before the gathering. Here are a few guidelines for your information: ? Six to eight months before an important seminar to which out-of-town executives are invited.
? Four weeks before an evening reception. ? Two to four weeks before a cocktail party.
Invitation Format
Formal business invitations are most commonly printed on white or off-white high-quality paper. A
company can use any color of paper it desires, as long as it upholds and promotes the compan'y s image.
With preprinted invitations, you simply fill in the blanks to tell what, where, and when the party will be and who is giving it. It 's also acceptable to include an RSVP notation and your phone number or address on the invitation for more accurate planning. Responding to an Invitation
Either use the address or phone number printed in the lower left corner of the invitation or return the RSVP card sent with the invitation. If a “Please reply by” a given date is included in the invitation, be polite enough to reply by that date. If the words “Regrets only” are printed in the lower left corner of the invitation, you need only to inform the host if you will not be able to attend. If your host does not hear from you, you are expected to attend.
Never ask to bring a guest unless the invitation states“Mr. Louis Winthorp and Guest.” Most likely, the host will have only enough food and drinks for the number of people he invites. Showing up with an uninvited friend could turn out to be an embarrassing situation for everyone.
Language Points
1 Explanation of Difficult Sentences
1. (Para. 1) Although invitations are usually sent through the mail, informal invitations such as e-mails and phone invitations are becoming more acceptable. Analysis: such as means“of the same kind, like” and should be followed by nouns or noun phrases.
Translation: 虽然邀请函通常通过信函方式发出，但目前像电子邮件、电话邀请 等非正式邀请越来越被普
遍使用。
Example: Our discussions were all about issues such as education and climate change.
2. (Para. 4) It' s also acceptable to include an RSVP notation and your phone number or address on the invitation for more accurate planning.
Analysis: It 's also acceptable to do, means“It 's also good enough to be received to do , ” Translation: 如果为了使计划更加周密，也可以在邀请函中加上请回复的字样， 以及电话号码或联系地
址。
新编实用英语综合教程2-Unit1InvitationEtiquette教案
