LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the editor of a newspaper or magazine are written when you want to express your opinion about a topic that is of interest to the general public, to show your agreement or disagreement or to discuss a problem and suggest solutions. Letters to the editor should consist of:

an introduction in which you clearly give the reason for writing and your opinion about the topic;

Note: If your letter is written in reply to another letter or article you should also mention where and when you read it, as well as the name of the person who wrote

a main body in which you present the problems and their consequences or suggestions and results in separate paragraphs ;

a conclusion in which you summarise your opinion or restate it using different words. Letters to the editor are usually written in a formal or semi-format style.

Useful expression and linking word/phrases

To begin your letter:

I am writing to express my approval/disapproval of/support for ...;

I am writing with regard to ...;

I am writing about ...;

I have just read a ... in your ... about ..; etc

To state your opinion:

In my opinion ..;

I (do not) feel/believe/ think ...;

I am (totally) opposed to/in favour of;

I strongly agree/disagree with ...; etc

To express consequences/results:

This will/would mean ...;

Then ...;

Therefore ...;

Consequently ...;

As a result ...;

It we do/did this ...;

Obviously ...;

Clearly ...; etc

To list your points:

Firstly ...;

First of all ...;

Secondly ...;

Furthermore ...;

What is more ...;

Lastly ...;

Finally ...; etc

To end your letter:

I hope my comments/suggestions/etc will be taken into consideration ...;

I hope the government/local council/we will ...;

I hope something will be done about this urgently, etc

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing about Trent Council's decision to build a large shopping centre in our town. I strongly disagree with this decision and I believe it will have negative effects on the town.

Firstly, a shopping centre will turn Trent from a quiet, peaceful neighbourhood into a busy shopping area. Obviously, there will be an increase in the amount of traffic and the number of people coming into town. As a result, we will suffer from both air and noise pollution.

Secondly, the appearance of our town will change completely. In order for the shopping centre to be built, some of our oldest and most beautiful buildings will have to be torn down. Therefore, Trent's surroundings as well as its character will be destroyed.

To sum up,1 am totally opposed to the Council's decision as I believe it will be disastrous for Trent. Consequently,1 hope that the council will reconsider its decision.

Yours faithfully,

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