Letter writing : Letter writing How to write a formal letter of opinion.
A useful guide for level B1 and above.
What we will learn. : What we will learn. Writing a formal letter of opinion
Expressing agreement
Expressing disagreement
Providing solutions
Read the article : Read the article Our World
Abused dolphins
Yesterday, a march was organized by animal lovers protesting against the bad living conditions of dolphins in aquariums. Considering the fact that some species of dolphins are threatened with extinction, leaflets were handed out informing people about how much these creatures suffer by performing dangerous tricks in small pools. It should also be noted that these animals sometimes are not treated very well and that in a few cases they do not get enough or proper food.
Writing task : Writing task Write a letter to the editor of Our World expressing your opinion about dolphins in aquariums giving reasons and providing solutions to the problem.
Before writing think about this : Before writing think about this Do you think that wild animals in captivity suffer?
Why? Why not?
Do you think wild animals should live in their natural habitat?
Are you concerned about the extinction some wild animals face?
Before writing decide: : Before writing decide: What style of letter would you write?
a. Formal b. Informal
How would you start your letter?
a. Dear Friend, b. Dear Editor,
How would you finish your letter?
a. Yours sincerely, b. Yours,
4. What is the purpose of the letter?
5. How many paragraphs would you divide the letter into?
How to plan the letter. (1) : How to plan the letter. (1) Introduction
Paragraph 1:
Make your topic and opinion clear - dolphins in aquariums
- Your objection to keeping them in such places
How to plan the letter. (2) : How to plan the letter. (2) Main Body
Paragraph 2:
Give reasons for your disagreement. - Interested in animal welfare
- Some species face extinction
- Unnatural living conditions
- Not enough space to swim in
- Perform dangerous tricks
- abused, underfed
How to plan the letter. (3) : How to plan the letter. (3) Main Body
Paragraph 3:
Provide solutions to the problem - Effective measures for their protection
- Bigger pools, proper food
- Better treatment
How to plan the letter. : How to plan the letter. Conclusion
Paragraph 4:
Restate your opinion hoping this problem will be solved - Hope for editor’s invaluable help
- Promotion of a project for animals in captivity
Useful set phrases (1) : Useful set phrases (1) Dear Editor,
Introduction: paragraph 1
Having read your article concerning ……
I am writing to express my opinion about …..
I was very much concerned to read that ….
I am writing in connection with / in reference to your article in (name of the newspaper / magazine)
Useful set phrases (2) : Useful set phrases (2) Main body: Paragraphs 2 & 3
Expressing agreement / disagreement / making suggestions
First of all, it would be / it would not be a good idea to …
I totally agree / disagree with ….
Consequently, I strongly object to the existence of aquariums
In my opinion / view, I think we should / could …..
I would suggest you protect …..
Useful set phrases (3) : Useful set phrases (3) Conclusion: Paragraph 4
To sum up / Summing up / To conclude
Concluding, I hope that ….. / All the above considered, I believe that ….
I would appreciate it if you looked into the matter ….
Yours sincerely,
name and surname
Some linking words and phrases (1) : Some linking words and phrases (1) To express effect:
- Therefore
- Consequently
- For this reason
- As a result
Some linking words and phrases (2) : Some linking words and phrases (2) To add some more points:
- Besides (this)
- Moreover
- In addition (to this)
- What is more
- Furthermore
- Apart from this
Some linking words and phrases (3) : Some linking words and phrases (3) To conclude:
- To sum up
- Summing up
- Considering the above
- Taking everything into account
- To conclude
- In conclusion
- Finally
Model letter : Model letter Dear Editor,
Having read your article concerning dolphins in aquariums, I am writing to express my opinion and my objections to this situation.
As a member of an environmental group I am very interested and worried about the dolphins, some species of which are facing extinction. Consequently, I totally disagree with keeping dolphins in such unnatural living conditions. They do not have enough space to swim in, and they suffer when they have to perform tricks to entertain people. Moreover, it is known that these animals are very often abused and underfed.
For all these reasons, I believe that the authorities should take effective measures to protect them. They should force owners of such centers to keep dolphins in bigger pools, feed them more properly and treat them in a humane way.
Summing up, I hope that you will offer invaluable help to the promotion of a project for the protection of animals in captivity.
Yours sincerely,
Jose Louwes
Keep in mind. : Keep in mind. Salutation
Dear Sir ----------------------------------------
Dear Sirs ---------------------------------------
Dear Madam ---------------------------------
Dear Sir or Madam -------------------------- Opens a letter written to:
A man whose name you do not know
A company
A woman, whether single or married, whose name you do not know.
Letter to a person of whom you know neither the name nor the sex
Special notes : Special notes If the letter begins with any of the salutations on the previous page, it must be closed with: Yours faithfully,
Receiver’s name unknown. The letter is opened with the person’s title and surname, their first name is not used.
Dear Mr.Smith not Dear Mr.John Smith or Dear Mr. John
A letter that is opened as above (with a name), can be closed with the following salutations: Your sincerely, or
Best regards,
Homework for lesson 1 : Homework for lesson 1 Read the newspaper article below and write your letter.
The Town News
Our towns are dying
A conference is being held in our town about the serious issue of air pollution in cities. Environmentalists and members of various environmental organizations are discussing the effects of air pollution on people’s health. Breathing problems, heart diseases, cancer and headaches make people suffer and sometimes lose their lives. Cars and factories are to be blamed for this and stricter laws should be put into effect immediately. This issue which is of utmost importance should soon be solved.
Task: Write a letter to the editor of The Town News expressing your opinion about the problem of air pollution in your town giving reasons and providing solutions to the problem.
Lesson completed : Lesson completed Now you have learned to write a formal letter of opinion.