How to write an letter of advice.

1. Letter writing
How to write a letter giving advice

2. What we will learn.
• Writing a letter of advice.
• How to deal with problems
• Express advice

3. Read the letter
Dear Mr. M,
I’m seventeen years old and I have a serious problem with my
parents. I have a lot of arguments with them because they get
angry at me for talking with my friends on the phone. They
say that I talking on my phone to my friends interrupts my
studying on weekdays evenings and that I don’t do 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

4. Writing task
Write a letter to Desperate Teenager giving
some advice to him/her about how he/she
can deal with this problem.

5. Before writing think about this.
1. Do you speak with your friends on the phone
on weekday evenings?
Why? Why not?
2. What would you say to convince your parents
that you need to talk with your friends on the
phone?
3. Do your parents let you stay out late?

6. Before writing decide:
1. What style of letter would you write?
a. Informal b. Formal
2. How would you start your letter?
a. Dear Annie b. Dear Desperate Teenager
3. What is the purpose of your letter?
4. How would you finish your letter?
a. Yours,/ Good luck, b. Yours sincerely,
5. What problem does Desperate Teenager face?

7. How to plan the letter. (1)
Introduction Points to be included
Paragraph 1:
Make the purpose of - Parents objection to
your letter clear and letting him/her speak
show understanding on the phone

8. How to plan the letter (2)
Main Body Points to be included
Paragraph 2:
Give your advice to help - Not argue with parents
him/her solve the - Important to have friends
problem and talk with them
- You need a break
- Speaking with them is
relaxing

9. How to plan the letter (3)
Main Body Points to be included
Paragraph 3:
Add some more - Parents’ advice is important
- Never neglect your
advice schoolwork
- Your friends are the same
age and have the same
problems as you have

10. How to plan the letter (4)
Conclusion Points to be included
Paragraph 4:
Hope everything will - Parents will finally
show understanding
be fine

11. 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

12. 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 ….

13. 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

14. 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,
Mr. Michael

15. Homework for lesson 2
Read the letter in the advice column below and write your own letter.
Dear Ali,
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

16. Lesson completed
Now you have learned to write a letter
giving advice.