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Letter to the Editor or to the AuthoritiesLetters to the editor or to the authoritiesare formal letters expressing a person's opinion or views on specific issues. This kind of letter includes the typical elements of a formal letter: a formal greeting and a formal ending with the writer's full name. The introductory paragraphstates the reason(s) for writing and an opinion regarding the issue. The body paragraphspresent the problem under discussion and then either some suggestions or reasons to support the opinion expressed in the introductory paragraph . Different points should be written in separate paragraphs .
written for two reasons.
FORMAL GREETING INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH Paragraph 1 stating reason(s) for writing & your opinion
BODY PARAGRAPH Paragraph 2-3 presenting the problem (causes and effects) or arguments supporting your opinion Paragraph 4-5 giving suggestions or opposing already published views CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH Paragraph 6summarising or restating your opinion & writing closing remarks FORMAL ENDING writer's full name WRITI G
1 In pairs, read the situation and match the structural elements (1-4) with the appropriate content outline notes (in A-D). £ =JII.. The district authorities have decided to build a new shopping arcade near the town's day-care centre . You are a local resident who strongly opposes such decision. You're going to write a letter to the editor of r )> the Sunderland Daily News regarding the issue. -t 1 reason(s) for writing A • financial benefits c z your opinion should not be the 2 your arguments + suggestions 3 opposing viewt and your counterarguments only .criterion •·the long term consequel}.ces are more damaging B • district authorities' decision to build a ·large . shopping arcad e near :the town's I '"C ..--
J . • day-care centre · ·• totat disapprovai • . .
D · • a description of the surrounding park a signifi ant rise in the umb r Qf · cars (accidents , pollution) • piles of litter from nearby restaurants , bars, etc. . ..
2 Read the letter and answer the question after it.
. I tt r to the newsp fo\lowmg e e f George Trimble. response to the story o 75-77 .) (See Reading on pages
Dear Sir/Madam,
22 Robin Hill Sunderland September 2011 Sunderland Daily News Editor
As to a psychologist who specialises in adolescence, it is clear to me that the problems confronting young people are increasing. More teenage girls are getting pregnant and there are more single mothers. There is also a higher incidence of teenage boys dropping out of school and more gangs on streets comers. 22 percent ofboys up to age 18 are reported by a school or other authority for delinquency. Moreover, sui.cide rates among young men are climbing and a third of teenagers suffer depression at some point. But what are parents to do? Should they be more liberal and risk losing authority in the child's eyes? Or more authoritarian and risk alienating1 their children so much they won't talk about their fears and concerns? Should they try to stop them having sex or encourage safe sex? It is no easy thing to find a balance between discipline and tolerance. No one seems to know what the rules are any more. However, unless we start to address these questions as a society, and that means government, schools and parents, things will only get worse. Yours faithfully, Dr Margaret Raster
'to alienate ['eliianett]--- BiAWTOBxyean1
WRITING
• Which of the statements below (A-C) best summarises her point of view? A Parents should be more strict with their children. B Parents should be less strict with their children. C We don't know whether parents should be more strict or less strict with their children.
3 In groups, discuss the following question. •What's your view on 'the balance between discipline and tolerance' that Dr Haster mentions? Where would you draw the line?
4 Look back at Dr Haster's letter and answer the questions in pairs. 1 The letter has four paragraphs. What is the main idea or purpose of each one? 2 Find examples of the use of facts to support opinions. Why does the writer use them? 3 Find uses of transitional phrases. Why are they used? 4 Find examples of rhetorical questions, i.e. questions that the writer does not expect an answer to. Why does Dr Haster use them?
5 Margaret Haster's letter appeared in the 'Letters to the Editor' column of a newspaper. Write an answer to Margaret Haster that could be put in the column. Follow the instructions below. First, identify the points in the letter that you need to answer (the questions in the 3rd paragraph). Second, write down some ideas (you can use your ideas from the discussion above and the one on the 'Teen Terror' article at the beginning of this unit). Next, organise your ideas into paragraphs, making sure you have support for your opinions. Then, write your letter using paragraphs (don't forget introduction), but don't overuse them. Finally, check your work for mistakes. -G)a) Read the situation and make notes which will help you to write Date: 2016-03-03; view: 3232
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Letters to the editors of newspapers or magazines are basically
Firstly, you wish to express your agreement or disagreement concerning a certain issue in question. Secondly, you wish to state your opinion with regard to the letters or articles that have already been published.
C • stron9 dlsagreen:e·nf; lo l residents must pe consulted ·
WRITING
British psychologist Or Margaret Has er, lescence, wrote the who specialises In a o aper in
I am writing to tell you that the case of George Trimble in your edition of September 14th highlights one of the major issues that faces society today.