Given below is a sample of speech. Read it carefully and demonstrate Peters language and
style undergoing dramatic change when he informs Bob about the termination of his
services in written form:
IMPORTANT: (Keep the distinction between speech and writing in mind. Study spoken
language and written language as different varieties of a language. Avoid using the written style
when speaking and vice versa)
SPOKEN TEXT
A dialogue between Peter Auer (the boss) and Bob Watson (an employee)
Peter:Bob, I hate to break the news, but our sales were down again last month.
Bob: Down again, Peter?
Peter: Yeah… These days everybody’s shopping at our competition.
Bob: Ah…That’s bad, but everything in there costs an arm and a leg!
Peter: That’s true. They do charge… Well, forget it. We are about to go bankrupt. That’s what’s
important.
Bob: I’m sorry to hear that. I thought my new advertising campaign would save the day.
Peter: Let’s face it. Your advertising campaign was a real flop. So, you’re fired. We need a real
professional here.
Your task now:
WRITTEN TEXT
Peter Auer’s letter to Bob Watson
Dear Bob Watson, Hope you are fine. I hate to break the news, but our sales were going down
again last month. Because these days, everybody’s shopping at our competition. It is true that
they charge, but it is ok, and ignore it. Now the important thing is that, we are about to go
bankrupt, because of your advertising campaign, which was a real flop. So, you are fired. We
need a real professional here.
Your Boss,
Peter Auer
