Letter writing : Letter writing How to write a letter giving advice
What we will learn. : What we will learn. Writing a letter of advice.
How to deal with problems
Express advice
Read the letter : Read the letter Dear Annie,
I’m seventeen years old and I have a serious problem with my parents. I have a lot of arguments with them because they scold me for talking with my friends on the phone. In this way, they say, I interrupt my studying on weekdays evenings and I neglect my schoolwork by making these unnecessary phone calls. How can I persuade them that I need my friends and that they are wrong?
Desperate Teenager
Writing task : Writing task Write a letter to Desperate Teenager giving some advice to him/her about how he/she can deal with this problem.
Before writing think about this. : Before writing think about this. Do you speak with your friends on the phone on weekday evenings?
Why? Why not?
What would you say to convince your parents that you need to talk with your friends on the phone?
Do your parents let you stay out late?
Before writing decide: : Before writing decide: What style of letter would you write?
a. Informal b. Formal
How would you start your letter?
a. Dear Annie b. Dear Desperate Teenager
What is the purpose of your letter?
How would you finish your letter?
a. Yours,/ Good luck, b. Yours sincerely,
5. What problem does Desperate Teenager face?
How to plan the letter. (1) : How to plan the letter. (1) Introduction
Paragraph 1:
Make the purpose of your letter clear and show understanding Points to be included
- Parents objection to letting him/her speak on the phone
How to plan the letter (2) : How to plan the letter (2) Main Body
Paragraph 2:
Give your advice to help him/her solve the problem Points to be included
- Not argue with parents
- Important to have friends and talk with them
- You need a break
- Speaking with them is relaxing
How to plan the letter (3) : How to plan the letter (3) Main Body
Paragraph 3:
Add some more advice Points to be included
- Parents’ advice is important
- Never neglect your schoolwork
- Your friends are the same age and have the same problems as you have
How to plan the letter (4) : How to plan the letter (4) Conclusion
Paragraph 4:
Hope everything will be fine Points to be included
- Parents will finally show understanding
Useful set phrases : Useful set phrases Dear …,
Introduction: paragraph 1
Having read your problem in ….
I was sorry to read about your problem …..
I understand how you are and ….
I was in the same situation you are a few years ago
Useful set phrases : Useful set phrases Main body: paragraphs 2 & 3
Giving advice
It would/might be a good idea to …
I strongly advice you to/ not to ….
First of all, it’s very important you do not argue …
I think you should (also) tell them that …
The best thing for you to do is ….
Useful set phrases : Useful set phrases Conclusion: paragraph 4
To sum up, / Summing up, …
To conclude, / Concluding
Finally, I’m sure that if you follow my advice, you will see that everything will work out.
Good luck,
name and surname
Model letter : Model letter Dear Desperate Teenager,
I was sorry to read about your parents’ objection to letting you talk with your friends on the phone. I understand how you feel and I hope I have some good advice for you.
First, you should not argue with your parents but try to explain to them calmly that your friends are important to you. Make it clear to them that you need a short break and talking with your friends does not distract you from studying. On the contrary, it’s relaxing and it takes your mind off your worries.
It might also be a good idea to tell your parents that you’ve always respected them and depended on their advice, that your schoolwork is your priority and so they have nothing to worry about. Finally, you should let them know that your friends are of the same age as you are and you all have the same problems and worries to discuss.
Concluding, I’m sure it will all work out and they will show understanding.
Good luck,
Jose Louwes
Homework for lesson 2 : Homework for lesson 2 Read the letter in the advice column below and write your own letter.
Dear Annie,
I am fourteen years old and I usually have arguments with my parents. The problem is that they don’t let me stay late at my friends’ parties. Last Saturday I came back home at 11.30 p.m. and they started shouting at me because they had told me to be back home at 10.30 p.m.
I don’t know what to do with them!
Can you help me?
Angry Teenager
Task: The column writer asks readers to write letters of advice to those who face a problem and send them. Write a letter giving some advice to Angry teenager about how to deal with the problem
Lesson completed : Lesson completed Now you have learned to write a letter giving advice.