A Formal Letter to a Newspaper

Newspaper's name
and adress

 

Your adress
The date

Greeting
Dear Editor, (or Dear Sir / Madam)

Paragraph 1
Give your reason for writing.
I am writing to protest about the proposal for ...

Paragraph 2
Write about one part of the problem.
First, the goverment says that the new airport will bring us industry and jobs. However ...

Paragraph 3
Write about another part of the problem.
Despite what the goverment says, it is clear that the airport will also affect our health. Problems will increase ...

Paragraph 4
Write some suggestions for action.
I think other residents should ...

Formal ending
I look forward to reading more letters about this issue in your newspaper.
Yours faithfully,
Your signature
Print your name clearly

1.Layout

2. Useful Vocabulary

Environment: air pollution, noise pollution, river pollution, traffic pollution Health: asthma suffers, effects on children's health, risk of diseases Leisure: cinema, outdoor activities, sports centre, youth club Unemployment: job opportunities, new jobs, training courses Needs: hospital, new bus route, park, road, school

3. Linking: Contrast

Contrast of two sentences: Many people have been against the idea from the start. Nevertheless, the goverment is ... ... the new airport will bring us industry and jobs. However, in our opinion, it will ruin ... ... the goverment has promised more jobs. In spite of this, there are still ... Contrast of clauses in the same sentence: Although the airport would bring tourists, I am not sure ... Despite what the goverment says, it is clear that ... Problems will increase in spite of the new hospital ...

4. Checking

Style: Have you checked your letter for formal style? Make sure you do not: - use contractions - use colloquial vocabulary - use colloquial expressions when giving opinions. Grammar: Have you checked for grammar mistakes?

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