Part One: Getting Ready to Write & Your Turn
In this lesson, you will write a message of congratulations. When our friends or family achieve something important, we congratulate them and, sometimes, we do this in writing. First, you will need to learn a few helpful phrases and the structure to write a good message of congratulations.
Paragraph 1
Say congratulations (and let the person know you’re happy for him/her/them).
- Congratulations on...
- I’m/We’re so happy for…
- Good/Great job on…
- Well done on...
Acknowledge that the person deserves his/her/their success.
- Your hard work has…
- You truly deserve…
- I/We knew you could…
- I/We knew you would eventually...
Paragraph 2
Add a personal touch.
- I’ve/We’ve been lucky/thankful...
- I’m/We’re thankful that/for…
- I’ll/We’ll never forget the time you/we…
- I’ve/We’ve seen you…
- I/We know you’ve been...
Paragraph 3 (closing - one to two sentences)
Send well wishes for the future.
- I/We wish you...
- I/We hope every day is…
- I/We hope your future is…
- Good luck on...
Search the Internet for other phrases, ideas, jokes, and examples of things to include in different messages of congratulations, such as retirement cards. Find a few formal examples, a few typical examples, and a few informal examples. Decide what kind of retirement card you would appreciate receiving, and, using examples, explain why to your classmates.
Then, open the exercise and follow the instructions.